The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-27
GA Prosecuted SOLDIER"
A Statement frem the Other Side.

To THE EDITOR: A few weeks ago noticed
a communication in your paper from this place,
under the above heading, purporting to give
the facts in reference to the case of George d.
Williams, who has been indicted for MUIR
der committed in July, 1864 near this place.
AS Williams was soldier he and his friends,
to aid in his defense, are trying to make the
most they can out of that circumstance. /
think they are unwttingly doing the people of
this County and the soldiers cause a great in
justice, and are imposing upon those who are
unacquainted with the circumstances surround
ing the matter. Having been a soldier myself
and, of course, having sympathy with my COM
radeS-i in arms want them to have justice;
but there are two sides to this case, and having
lived here at the time of the killing l know
most of the facts in the matter. In review of
said communication / will correct some of its
errors and state the facts of the case. In the
first place, Isaac McCollum, who was killed,
was not rebel unlawfully carrying arms but
was a member of loyal militia company here,
and was peaceable and exemplary young man,
about 81 years old Mr.. Williams was soldier
in the 18th Mo- Cav, but was then at home on
furlough, and hence, was not in the line of
duty, and there were none of his officers au-
thorized to give him orders within 200 miles of
this place. Young McCollum was peaceably at
work in the harvest field stacking hay when
killed, and had never done any disloyal act
justifying arrest, much less summary and in
StanG ueatn without q nearing.
If Williams was acting under legal orders,
as is claimed by his friends, then he is not
guilty of crime, but is justified under section
2 Of article Ii of the Constitution of Missouri,
which is as follows:
SEC. 2 No person shall be prosecuted in any
civil action criminal proceeding for or
count of any act by him done performed. or exc
cnted between the first day of january, 1861 and
the Goth day of August. 1866, by virtue of military
authority vested in him, in pursuance of orders
fro ucb by he
Government of the United States, or of this State,
or of the late Confederate States any of them to
do such act.
If, therefore, Williams was acting under
proper military orders he cannot be punished
under the above section, and there is no need
of appealing to soldier comrades throughout
the Nation for aid. If he was not acting I'M
der proper orders, then he was guilty of crime,
and those contributing to his assistance are
aiders and abettors of such crime. and Access
series after the fact.
MIR. Williams and his friends are trying to
create the impression that this case is to be
tried in poor old Missouri" where Union SOL
der stands a poor show for justice. Harrison
County, No. joins the Iowa line, and was dis
tingushed during the war for its loyalty and
since the war for its Republican majority. Over
a thousand soldiers went from this County into
the Union army, and another thousand were
enrolled in the loyal militia for service should
emergency require it, and there were not over
25 men went from this County into the rebel
army, and very few of them ever returned here
to live. This County always gives about 600
Republican majority. All the County officers
are Republicans. Our Circuit Judge before
whom the case stands for trial, was Union
soldier, and is a member of the GAR. The
Prosecuting Attorney who drew up the indict-
ment is Republican. The Sheriff was Union
soldier. is a Republican, and member of the
GAR. Courts were regularly held here dur
ing the war, and have been ever since. The
law is enforced and our people are as peaceful
and law abiding as in any County in the United
States. Hence the claim that Williams cannot
have fair trial here is all bosh and libel
upon the people of this County. They say
Williams has lived here ever since the war; and
why was he not indicted sooner? That is
something of which he has no right to COM
plain. Our grand jury is composed of II men,
and it requires the concurrence of nine to find
an indictment. The influence of Williams and
his friends has heretofore been sufficiently
strong to prevent an Indictment
Alexander McColum, the father OF the MUIR
dered man, is, and for the past 80 years has
been, one of the very best and most exemplary
citizens Of our County. He has reared a large
family here, all of whom are among our most
respected citizens. They have never persecut-
cd Williams nor attempted to retaliate upon
him. They have always wanted the case in
vestigated, and only ask to have a fair and
legal trial of the matter in the courts. There
is no good reason why this case should not be
tried like others, according to the law and the
testimony, and not under prejudice of false
issues to be presented by the prisoner and his
friendS.-LEwIS NoSSAMAN, Sergeant, Co. ID,
I'd Mo- Cav, Bethany Mo.