Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1889-12-05
HE FOUGHT AT WINCHESTER.
An Old Soldier Found Friends When Ar
raigned as Prisoner.

l.eesburg Mirror: In he case of the
state ". John stuart indicted for
larceny, the prisoner appeared in the
court room, shuiiling along, scarcely
able to walk. lIewore a soiled checked
shirt, very much worn suit and "A
battered hat.
Appearing rs state witnesses were
two well dressed. sleek looking men
who We're determined to send the old
man to the penitentiary.
Has the prisoner any COUNSEL"
asked Judge Phillips.
~ have none, answered Stuart
81 am poor man and unable to pay
an attorney"
The Judge saw by the mans looks
that his WAS an unusual ease. and
sad: well, go on and tell your
story"
well. sir, was in the Confederate
army, AMI at the battle of Winchester
was shot through both hips. Since
Then II has been exceedingly hard for
me to support myself. went % work
Tor tins man last year upon his word
10 board and clothe me and TO nay
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 nay
me any more money, and refused to
give any clothes, saving my services
were worthless. Then | went into his
wardrobe, took a suit of clothes to
hide my nakedness. and left. lie had
me indicted for larceny. and have
been IN Jail ever since.
AS the old man finished murmur
of Indignation was heard throuphout
the court room.
"NoI say you were shot Mt Win
chester?' asked Judge Phillips. who
was himself an officer i'm the snlenIid
and memorable charge.
"Ies, SIR
We're you in the scond charge to
the lett, ON the her side of the town."
The prisoners face frightened.
Yes, he sad. IL was there
IN Rhodes division-and was shot
while crossing the ravine lust 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 the witness was giving i'm his |
testimony, 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 So
licitor Settle. "Mr. Settle" he said.
your father and | were friends. /
lived IN Rockingham county. and your
father persuaded me to enlist i'm his
company. | 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 and So.
llcitor Settle and everybody else i'm
the court room were satisfied that the
old soldier had been pitilessly pesecu-
ted, and the faces OF the onlookers
showed the deepest pity and sympathy
Tor the unfortunate man and the black
est Indignation for his employer.
"Mr. Solicitor" said the iflye.
change your bill of Indictment from
larceny to trespass." This was will
ngly done by Mr.. Settle.
NOW" he continued, Judgment
$ suspended and the prisoner dis
,harged."
Scarcely had the last word been
'pOken before every man i'm the room
ipplatided, and great tears were roll
ng down the cheeks of strong men. ,
Us the old man, who half an hour
'efore had been friendless, hobbled
'ut OF the court room, hundreds OF
men drew around HIM to shake his
Iand. Our townsman, W. b. Glen.
'Olunteered to secure him a pension.
lr. Hollyiield offered him position
IS miller, and in less than five minutes
purse was made up to buy the old
ol.lier n suit OF cloth