Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-07-08
Mutilation of a Negro Man.

L
farm of Mr.. Mack Walker, near Gathers
burg. The barbarous mutilation of his
person was done with knife, on the Gosh
en- road. about mile out of the town of
Gaithersburg. The perpetrator is still at
large and his victims condition is improved
and he will doubtless recover.
He was found by Vernon Holland, an
other colored man. who was going to
Gaithersburg for doctor, whose services
were needed in the family of C. G. Tyler,
a colored minister. Holland notified DIR.
Carlton Etchison and the latter went to
the aid of Stewart.
Stewart was near big oak tree on the
Goshen road, not more than 100 Yards
from the home of Morton Stewart, his mar
ried brother. when he was attacked, and,
although he screamed at the top of his
voice. when he regained consciousness, his
cries were not heard by his brothers family
or other residents of the colored settlement
also nearby, and it was nearly midnight
when he was found and taken to the home
of his brother.
There are several versions of this affair.
We are informed by person of good repu-
tation that Stewart was seen lying on the
roadside about 6 O'Clock in the evening
beastly drunk and unfit for public view.
A body of u. S. soldiers moving from Fort
Myer, near Washington city TO Gettysburg,
Pa, camped at Middlebrook, about one and
half miles north of Gaithersburg, Sunday
night and some of the stragglers, it is
charged, came upon Stewart about O'Clock
that night and mutilated his person. Others
allege it was done by those of his own
race from feeling of Jealousy. Others
again surmise that it was the work of per-
sons whose sensibilities were outraged at
the exposure by the negro Stewart
Henry Stewart denies that he had been
drinking on Sunday, and has made oath to
the following circumstances connected with
the case:
Il was alone. he said. THE night was
dark, but could see two men approaching
on horseback. When they got near the
big oak tree at the entrance to the farm
of Thomas Gloyd they stopped and dis
mounted, fastening their horses to fence.
saw them, but did not have the slightest
thought that they were going to annoy me.
They crossed the road and stood as if they
were looking into the woods. saying not
a word to me or doing any talking
Presently" he continued, zone grabbed
me in front and the other grabbed me from
behind. When realized they were about
to assault me struck at one of them with
my fist and we tussled for short while.
Then tried to kick the other man, but the
one who held me around the waist and
had my arms pinioned threw me to the
ground. One of them put his handkerchief
over my mouth, and that was the last
knew until | was found and taken to my
brothers house. The two men were dressed
in United States soldier uniforms"
States Attorney Bowie F. Waters went
to Washington one day last week and called
at the War Department for assistance in
locating the soldiers wanted in connection
with the assault. He filed with the de-
partment two afiidavits one by the colored
victim telling of the assault the other by
DR.. Etchison. explaining the condition of
Stewart
In order that there might be no delay in
the matter the papers we're sent immedi-
ately to Brig. Gen. Wotherspoon, command
ing the camp of instruction at Gettysburg,
with instructions to make a thorough in
vestigation, 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
Gen. Oliver. acting secretary of war,
said Tuesday that the charge is being
thoroughly investigated by the military
authorities. Although the investigation is
not yet completed. evidence has been sub
mitted which tends to throw serious doubt
on the charge that the outrage was perpe-
trated by soldiers.
Capt. C. W. Orwell. commanding the en-
gineer company which was in the vicinity
of Gaithersburg at the time of the assault
on Stewart. made an investigation as soon
as he heard of the occurrence He visited
the injured man the next day and got his
version of the affair. and then Intercepted
the men of his company. including the
non-commissioned officers. He has made
a preliminary report. from which it appears
that all the horses and soldiers of his COM
mand were in their proper places on the
night of the assault.