The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-21
A VICTIM OF MORPHINE.
James Hodges, n Veteran. Held Pend
ing an Ennuiry ~ TO SnnitN.

James p. Hodges. sixty-three years of
age, is at the House of Detention await
ing an examination into his mental con-
dition. He was arrested last night at his
boarding house 4l9 X Street northwest
by the Second precinct police aud at the
request Of Sanitary Omcer Frank vet
eran of the civil war. for many years a
clerk in the War Department. Hodges is
highly connected and has a record both
unusual and interesting His Wlfe and
brother reside in this city
At one time Hodges was at St. Eliza
beth's Asylum for the Insane. but only
for few months, he says, and that sew
eral years ago. About a week ago he Wis
tied headquarters and saw Major Sylves-
ter and TO him confded his alleged woes.
Major Sylvester is said to have promised
to give the matter his attention. After
waiting some time Hodges again called
yesterday to press his case. He did not
see the police chief but left a note which
afterward fell into the hands of Sanitary
Officer Frank and resulted in his arrest.
Hodges states that he is addicted to the
morphine habit and that his belief is that
relatives and friends may have tampered
in past years with medicine which he pro-
cured from time to time from druggists
of this city. He believes such action to
be taken for the best of motives by
friends, but fears ii may be injurious to
his health if continued. Therefore he
says. he applied to the police for REM
edy. not wishing to take any severe meas
ures to prevent further alleged interfer-
ence on this score.
1t is said the wife and friends of Hodges
were consulted by the police prior to his
arrest yesterday. Sanitary Officer Frank
lost no time in acting when the note.
which Hodges says ne left at headquar-
ters, reached him. Early i'll the evening
Hodges was found and sent to the House
of Detention for the night. There he was
seen by reporter, to whom he readily
consented to talk. He told the history OF
his life and says he is proud of his record
as a soldier and citizen. He said he was
one of the few veterans of The civil war
now living who attended the funeral of
the martyred President Abraham Lincoln.
Hodges said he was born at Taberg.
Oneida County, y. Y. and when eight
years Of age moved to Illinois. He lived
and was educated there, and in the sprinl,
Of 1860 was chosen deputy county clerk
OF Stevenson County, and shortly after
ward county clerk. which position he held
until the outbreak OF The war. In No
vember 1863, he enlisted as q private SOL
de: in Company +, Ninety ty-5cCond Illinois
Infantry, OF which he was chosen adjutant,
with the rank of major. during the winler
inspecting volunteer camps throughout
Illinois and Indiana in the capacity of
staff officer At the close of the war
Hodges was still in the service, and he
was at Springfield when the remains Of
President Lincoln were laid to rest. He
was arged from the army on July 5.
1865, while yet stationed with his regi-
ment at Springfield
Six months later Mr.. Hodges says he
was appoint ed clerk of the United States
District Court located at Norfolk Va to
be- made recorder of deeds for Norfolk
County, Va. in addition TO his court
duues the year following. These appoint
ments were made on the recommendation
of General Stoneman. and in April 1879,
were again enforced by the popular vote
of Norfolk County citizens. Less than a
year afterward Hodges says he resigned
his positions at Norfolk, and went West.
taking up his abode at Burlington. Iowa
He there received an appointment as clerk
in the land Office of the G. b. d q. Rail-
road. and later in the Burlington branch
agency of Dun d Co. commercial rating
agents, of Chicago. He left Burlington
in June. 1871, and came to Washington.
Under McCreary's administration Of the
War Department. under General Grant |
then President, Hodges was appointed
clerk in the Record Division, where he re
maned until 1894.
While clerk OF the United States Court |
al Norfolk Va, Hodges says he was mar
ricd to Miss Mary \. Stevenson. of Nor |
folk and a member OF an old aristocratic |
Virginia family. His wife accompanied |
him West. according to Hodges. and came |
10 Washington when he accepted position
IN the War Department. She is stiII liy-
ng here. and Hodges says she is superin-
iendent of a home for women in the
northwest section. Hodges states that he
gave up his position in the War Depart-
nent because of excessive nervousness
ahich he thinks is hereditary.
In explanation, Hodges said that ne took
cough medicine about fifteen years ago
which contained morphine. and by IFS use
ie became addicted to that dread habit.
Since then. he claims 10 have tried sew
,ral methods to cure himself Of the habit.
lut without success. Hodges further says
hat he was in years past connected with
he Church of the Epiphany. OF this city.
lie talks nationally and has an agreeable
IT.