Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-10-25
He Fought at Winchester.
AN OLD SOLDIER FAILS TO PASS INTO THE
PENITENTIARY.
Louisburg IN. c. Mirror,


PENITENTIARY.
Louisburg IN. CO. Mirror.
In the case of the State VS.. John Stuart
Indictment for larceny the prisoner APP
peared in the courtroom, shutting along
scarcely able to walk. He wore soiled
check shirt, very much worn suit and a
battered hat.
Appearing as State witnesses were two
wel1-dressed, sleek-looking men, who
clearly showed by their looks that they
were determined to send the old man to
the penitentiary.
''Has the prisoner any counsel ?" asked
Judge Phillips.
II have none, your Honor answered
Stuart. 81 am poor man and unable to
pay an attorney"
The Judge saw by the mans looks that
his was an unusual case, and said "Well,
go on and tell your story"
"Well, sir, | was in the Confederate
army, and at the battle of Winchester
was shot through both hips. Since then it
has been exceedingly hard for me to sup
port myself. l went to work for this man
clothe me and to pay me what my services
were worth. During that time he paid me
ten cents, with which bought tobacco. AT
the end of eight months he refused to paw
me any money and refused to give me any
clothes, saying that my services We're
worthless. Then | went into his wardrobe
took a suit of clothes to hide my nakedness
and left. He had me indicted for larceny
and [ have been in jail ever since"
AS the old man finished a hushed muir
muir of Indignation was heard throughout
the courtroom.
''Y gu say you were shot at Winchester? ''
asked Judge Phillips, who was himself an
officer in the splendid and memorable
charge.
eyes sir -
Were you in the second charge to the
left on the other side of the town.
The prisoners face frightened. eyes,
he said, Il was there, Rhodes Division,
and was shot while crossing the ravine
just below the hill"
The Judge was certain then that the old
veteran was telling the truth, but to be
certain he called the States witness.
While this witness was giving in his tes-
timony, which was to the effect that the
old mans story was about right, but that
he refused to pay him anything because his
services were worthless, Stuart leaned
over to Solicitor Settle. "Mr. Settle" he
said, your father and l were friends. l
lived in Rockingham county and your faith
Ell persuaded me to enlist in his company
l received my wound while following
him. Since then it has been hard for me
to keep out of the poor house"
By this time Judge Phillips, Solicitor
OGluIe duu oNCl pouS CloC III IilC CouI u
room were satisfied that the old soldier had
been pitilessly prosecuted and the faces of
the onlookers showed the deepest pity and
sympathy for the unfortunate man and the
BLACKLIST indignation for his heartless en-
ployer.
"Mr. Solicitor" said the Judge, change
your bill of Indictment from larceny to
trespass." This was willingly done by Mr..
Settle.
"Now," he continued, Judgment is sus-
pended and the prisoner discharged
Scarcely had the last word been spoken
before every man in the room applauded,
and great tears were seen rolling down the
cheeks of strong men. As the old man
who, half an hour before had been friend
less, hohbled out of the courtroom, hun
dreds of men drew round him to shake his
hand. Our townsman, w. B. Glen, volun-
teered to secure him pension, Mr.. Hol-
1yfeld offered him position as a miller,
and in less than five minutes a purse was
made up to buy the old soldier comforta-
BILE suit of clothes.