Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-25
TROUBLE ABOUT A DESERTER.
Signal. Corp Men Charged with Forcing
. Door.
WHAT Is SAID BIZ THE VARIOUS PARr1rs CON.
CERNED.

On Monday night two men, who gave their
names as SergeantO 'Brien and Private Dechert,
Of the signal corps, came to the house Of Mr.
Nathaniel Magruder, 1905 35th street, and
asked for VIM. Storch, q grandson of Mr.. Ma
gruder, who belonged to the signal corps, and
had LETT Fort Myer without leave. Mrs. Storch,
the mother. happened to be in the house at the
time, and from an upstairs window told the
men that her son was not there. They demand
ed admittance, and she told them that her
father, who" was eighty seven years, and very
feeble, had retired for the night, it being then
IL o'clock, and that her sisters, who were also
not strong had retired and that she could not
the next morning she could satisfy them that
her statement was correct, that her son was
had not seen him for two weeks. One of the
MEN consulted with Police Officer Cotter, who
had accompanied them and was standing, Mrs.
then told her that If she did not open the door
a. once that be would break IT In, and upon her
continued refusal he did force the lock, and
both men entered the house.
THE HUNT FOR THE DEsERrER
They lighted a lamp and proceeded to search
the house, entering all the rooms and arousing
the inmates, and finding the door to q room
upstairs locked, and the key not being pro-
dnced, they forced that oren. Mrs. Storch COM
plains bitterly OF the conduct OF the men while
IN the house, and states that her aged father
was much affected by the excitement OF this
uuu0uaA prOCo0OlQg. I0o men were III C1tlZeDS'
clothes, and she had no means OF knowing who
they were except their own statement. She
has put the case In the hands OF Mr.. j. Amber
POLICEMAN coTTER
Gays that he accompanied the men at their re-
quest, as they told him they were going to ar
rest deserter, and might need TO use their pis-
tolls. He told them that they could not do that,
ans went with them to prevent any trouble.
He stood at the corner and did not see the door
broken in.
Young Storch, it is said, was in poor health
ana as ieft Fort Myer on that account. An effort
mas been made to procure his discharge.
WHAT GEN. HAZEN SAYS
A STAR reporter called at the Office Of the
chief signal officer to-day to obtain information
about the matter. Gen. Hazen discaimed all
knowledge of the occurrence. He doubted the
truth OF the story about breaking into the
mouse. lie said, however, that the men We're
undoubtedly acting under orders from the com.
handing officer at Fort Myer and as a war
rant for the action he quoted the following from
war department circular.
THE warrant OF authority to arrest offending and
might've soldiers inheres from the very nature our
known and arrests may be made by such persons in
he military service may be directed make then,
force an entran,e ito the houses of thir persons
IN cases where the parties sought TO be arrested have
sined the neSan!S The purpose for which a.mis-
Slo otoe feG9s'ea a m @ d. Aci0
'o5.23TS Il. e. o. 1876. T.
Officials at the signal office stated that young
Storch enlisted into the permanent party" al
Fort Myer. The permanent party" they ex.
planned, was composed OF enlisted men who re.
ceiyed soldiers pay, but who had but little
military duty to perform. They worked in the
gardens and in the stables. and were often as
signed to duty as cook OF baker. They had no
mental examination to pass, the only requisites
being sound physique, an abstinence from
drunkenness and majority in years.
Young Storch, they said, would disappear
nearly every pay day without leave. He did
not stay away long enough to be considered a
deserter, but was punished frequently for alb
tailed nor that s,ttense. On tie 4th of November
he again disappeared, and has not been seen
since. He is how q deserter and will be treated
as such. Members OF his family, they SAID
have endeavored to secure his discharge at dill.
terent times because OF mental weakness.