Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-01

an unusual interest in the assault, and If
they are eventually satisfied that soldiers
committed the deed every efort will be
made to bring them to justice, and COM
plant will be made to the Secretary OF
War. There are some persons here. how
ever, who are not wholly satisfied that
soldiers committed the assault, suggesting
that Stewart was left In such a condition
that he has made mistake about the
identity Of the men. II Is recalled that
members OF the Engineer Corps, u S. A.
do not ride horseback. although it is
deemed possible that two Of them Dor
rowed horses belonging to the pack train
outfit and went of for a ride. 1t is also
said by the assailants of the colored men.
No Need Of Silence.
IF soldiers attacked him." suggested
resident of the town. why would they
refrain from talking? 1t would not have
been necessary for them to have kept
quiet, as Stewart could not have rec
ognized their voices; while On the other
hand it would have been a most natural
thing for persons he knew to have kept
quiet
1t is certain that Stewart engaged in
desperate struggle with his assailants,
as the condition OF the road showed.
Stewart was in such a serious condition
when found that he was scarcely able
TO tell anything. He did not even know
he had been cut until some time after
he regained consciousness, and then he
told the story of the affair. Residents of
this town recall a number of times that
soldiers passed through here on their
way to camp, but never before was any
complaint made against them.
T. H.B.
War Department to Act.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
ROCKVILLE, Md, July 1.-State's At
torney Waters went to Washington yes
terday afternoon and called on the War
Department for assistance in locating the
soldiers wanted In connection with the
assault He filed with the department
two afldavits-one by the colored victim
telling of the assault: the other by DR..
Etchison, explaining the condition of the
victim.
Mr.. Waters says that he had difficulty
in getting the War Department authori-
ties interested in the case. They threw
cold water on the story connecting SOL
diers with the assault, he asserted, but
finally promised to make an investigation
to help him.
The War Department was also told by
the states attorney that he would insist
tnat the SOiQlers-1I IL Is found they are
to be formally accused of the crime
shall be surrendered to the county au-
thorities to be dealt with in the local
courts.
States Attorney Waters left two am
davits in regard to the alleged outrage
with the adjutant general at the wa,
Department yesterday afternoon after Of.
Ace hours. They confirm in all essential
details the story as printed in yester-
days Star.
In order that there may be no delay In
the matter the papers were sent imme-
diately to Brig. Gen. Wotherspoon, COM
mandins the camp Of instruction at Get
tysburg, with instructions to make a
thorough investigation. and in case
the men who made the assault
are discovered to turn them over
| Immediately to the civil authorities
| Of Montgomery county for trial. 1t
| is not apprehended there will be
much difficulty In establishing the
identity of the two soldier culprits
as the officers and non-commissioned Of
fcers of the company Of engineers to
which they are attached will undoubted-
| ly be able to report the names OF any
| OF their men who were away from the
organisation at the time, struggling or
otherwise.