The sun., 1879-05-04
Kx-oOE HOrrM1N's DOe CASE
Old Jack shot the Old Homestead In sing
aInR-Mnln Downs FIned.

On tho night Of a large fire in Sing Sing,
seven ycnrs ago. which. by the way. has been
known since as the great nre." a young New
foundland dog without collar oi chain. found
his way to the old homestead of DIR. A. V. Hoff-
man, Gov. Hoffmau's father, in State street.
and began whining for food aud shelter. His
hide wns rough and dirty and there wAs moth
ing about the shaggy beggar TO arouse much
sympathy. but he was given food and left 10
find shelter according rs his instinct might
lead him. The next morning the old physician
and his family found that their gratitude had
been rewarded. The beggar hud found n rest-
Ing place on the piazza aud had been a faithful
guard against intruders during tho night. No
ono knew him. and no one claimed him. and he
continued night alter night to stand guard over
the house. his only reward being food and
water. In time his nightly appearance began
to bo watched for. and Mt length Old Jack, as he
was called, became. by rensOn of uncommon
aHgncitv and kindness. u pet of tho family nnd
isp nciglbors. He rarely quit the premises
except whrn q fire bell was rung. which seemed
to fasrinate him, and he was never quarrel
some nor Offensive. Whom Dr, Hoffman died.
Mrs. welle. his dagyhisr. continued to liyc in
privileged animal. II wins snid that the old
physician had remembered Old Jack in HE will.
Adjoining the Hoffman homestead Ia the
Mount Pleasant Military Academy. whore boys
OF well-to-dO tamili"s Hre taught to be- mina-
turr Solulrrs win some Ot the boys Old jack
wns fnvorte but what unkind trick the old
dog did to arouse tho enmity OF the others and
tho Instructors In not definitely known. For
some time Old Jack kept out Of the way Of his
enemies. and mis- security from kicks and cuffs
seemed established until an unfortunate day
rerrntly, when he lHy hasking outside Of the
shadow II his mistrrss's house. Without warn
ing. n ball from pistol IN the hand OF one OF
the instructors in the adjacent academy whizzed
across the lot and struck Old jack in his side.
He was 80 badly wounded that 1t was necessary
to Kill him.
Ex. Gov Hoffman visited the old homestead a
few dHys after Old jacks death. md he. after
hear nK the particulars ot the shooting. became
Indignant. and was soon in the presence ol the
shooting instructor was asked for. but me
academy authorities only reprehended the
cruel killing oi the dog. and declined to acceds
10 the eN-Governors request To have tho in
siructOr removed or prosecuted But tho
Sorirty for tne Prevention Of Cruelty to Ami
mails took charge OF the cnsc and on the com
plaint Of q member Of the society the Grand
Jury OF Westrhrsier County found nm indict-
mcnt against Wallace A. Downs known rs
MAJOR Downs. one Of the staff of Instructors In
tn" military academy for "willully insiigHting.
s,t,nR on foot. moving to. and procuring an act
81 cruelty to AN animal, and District Attorney
Blkor promised u speedy triHl.
Before County Judge ord and the 1850
cinie Justices OF tn" Court of Sessions In White
agt. Wallace A. Downs" was called. Major
Downs md been summoned 10y a note. md he
WINS in the court room. District Attorney Bn-
ker. when few Dersons were ~ court. rapidly
setting on foot. moving TO. and procuring an act
OF cruelty IN an animal. and the clerk OF the
court rs rapidly asked the formula Of questions
put To prisoners.
Gully" was Major Downs's plea.
You are fined t25," Justice clifford said.
shaking a pen at the prisoner.
Major Downs pulled out his wallet selected
some notes hand'd them to the clerk. and
walked out. and thus ended the case.