The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-08-29
He Fought at Winchester
From the Leesburg va.) Mirror.

From the Leesburg (va.) Mirror.
In the case of the State vs.. John
Stuart, indictment for larceny, the
prisoner appeared in the court room
shuflling along, scarcely able to
walk. He wore a soiled check shirt,
very much worn suit and batter
ed hat.
Appearing as State witnesses
were two well-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 counsell'
asked Judge Phillips.
Il have none, your Honor" answer
ed Stuart. II am poor man and
unable to pay an attorney"
The Judge saw by the mans looks
that his was IN unsual case and
sad well, go ON and tell your
story
well, sir, was in the Confed-
crate army and ut the battle of Win
chester / was shot through both
hips. Since then it has been ex-
ceedingly hard for me to support
myself. | went to work for this
man last year upon his word to
board and clothe me and to pay Inc
what my services were worth. Dur
ing that time he paid me ten cents,
with which | bought tobacco. At
the end of eight months he refused
to pay me any money and refused
to give me any clothes, saying that
my services were worthless. Then
/ went into his wardrobe, took II
suit of clothes to hide my nakedness
and left. He had me indicted for
larceny and | have been i'll Jail ever
since
As the old man finished a hushed
murmur of Indignation was heard
throughout the court room.
You say you were shot at Win
chester p asked Judge Phillips,
who was himself an officer in the
splendid and memorable charge
"Yes, sir
Were you in the second charge
to the left on the other side of the
town 2"
The prisoners face frightened.
Yes" he said. II was there,
Rhodes Division. and was shot
while crossing the ravine just below
the hill.
The Judge was certain then that
the old verteran was telling the
truth, but to be certain he called
the States witness.
While this witness was giving III
his testimony, which was to the eff
feet that the old mans story was
about right, but that he refused to
pay him anything because his SER
vice were worthless, Stuart leaned
over to Solicitor Settle. MIR. Set
tle,' he said, your father and |
were friends. / lived in Rocking
nam county and your father per
'uaded me to enlist in his company.
| received my wound while follow
ng him. Since then it has been
lard for me to keep out of the poor
house
BY this time Judge Phillips, So
icitor Settler and everybody else III
he court room were satisfied that
he old soldier had been pitilessly
and the face of the on
ookers showed the deepest pity and
sympathy for the unfortunate man
md the blackest Indignation for his
leartless employer.
"NIr. Solicitor said the Judge,
change your bill of indictment
from larceny to trespass.' This was
done by Mr.. Settler.
Now he continued, Judgment
is suspended and the prisoner dis
charged
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, hobbled out of the court room,
hundreds of men drew round him to
shake his hand. Our townsman. W.
b. Glen, volunteered to secure him
n pension. Mr., Hollyfield offered
him position as a miller, and in
less than five minutes a purse was
made up to buy the old soldier II