The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-06-13
THE DAYS ~ATI

- ] VI A"' "a ~ AO Ath-
wood AutIoHticS.
Tho sensation Of tho day at tho Bon-
wood Junction camp oil tho state militia
was the arrests by the Benwood authori-
ties. About noon n private in company
&, First regiment, was bathing in tho
Ohio river within tho corporate limits
OF tho town OF Bcnwood. being perhaps
n hundred fcot IRON shore when Police
Officer Sprouts appeared OH tho bank
and ordered the man TO como in, claim
ing that he had exposed his person con-
trary TO tho ordinances OF tho town.
Tho officer startedto take the private to
the captain OF the company to which he
belonged, but on the way he gave tho
officer "tho slip" and when no started
to enter one OF the cars no was obstruct-
cd by another soldier, who held his
arms in front OF the brake rods.
In the afternoon the officer returned
and instituted ascarch for his man, and
was successful, but OIL account OF tho
crowding around him OF Il number OF
the soldiers was unable to take-him
away. Colonel Fast, Of tho First,
arrived on the scene, und when he vas
informed Of the affair ut once said that
he did not intend TO obstruct the course
OF civil law, and instructed the ma to
go along with the officer TO tho mayors
office in Benwood for trial. The
soldier secured witnesses and then the
colonel, Captain Burdett, OF the COM
pany to which the man belongs. the
officers and witnesses took up the
march for Benwood, which was
reached alter hnlf an hours walk. The
arrival OF tho blue-coats in the town ut
tracted a large crowd. who followed
them to the city building.
Arrived there, there WAS n wait OF
fifteen minutea, and then Mayor Shop
pard, in his shirt sleeves, entered the
crowded room remarking:
How are ye. gentlemen. Looks like
an army here"
The officer and tho soldier under ar
rest were sworn i'll aud made their
statements. Officer Sprouts told his
story, which was TO tho effect that the
man exposed himself while Il steamboat
was passing. Proceeding he told OF the
escape and OF the subsequent arrest in
the afternoon. The milltiaman, f. J.
Poe. n member Of Company c, (Graf.
tom, First regiment then made his
statement in which he denied the
charge and pleaded not guilty. Tho
soldier had his witnesses present, but
the officer had failed to bring any along,
and after a discussion he loft to hunt
them UP. Colonel Fas. stated that no
did not wish to wait for an indefinite
time, and that the officer should have
brought his witnesses along ut frat.
He had looked into the matter care.
fully and would not combat the charge
OF bathing in day time; he was sure the
man did not know he was within the
city limits ut tho time. The mayor
finally decided to fine tho man So and
costs amounting altogether to IS, which
was paid by Captain Burdctt
The militiamen present were about
to start on the return to camp when
Officer Bond presented 4 charge against
Private Wilmer, OF Company c, First
regiment, for obstructiug the move
mcnts Of an officer during tho morning
when tho hunt for Poe was going on.
After a long discussion Colonel Fast se-
cured the release oil Wilmer, promising
to look into the matter. Tho colonel
was also assured before he LETT that this
was the last arrest that would be made,
unlesd there should DO renewed viola
ton OF tho law.
Tho colonel was greatly vexed ut the
affair and thinks that the arrests were
entirely unnecessary. particularly rs
thu officer came into cnmn itbnu war.
ranta and proceeded on his hunt for
tho men without going to the ~headquar-
tiers. The sentiment in tho camp is
that II such petty arrests arc attempted
thegovernor should DO appealed to %
claim martial law over the camp, which
would make tho soldiers auswerable
only to their own officers. 1t is claimed
that petty charged can now DO trumped
| up against all OF tho soldiers, causing
| endless annoyance.