Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-02
WERE IN UNIFORMS.
Negro Positive His AssaiIants
Wore Soldier Clothes.
MAY HAVE BEEN DISGUISED
Theory Advanced That Gaithersburg
Affair Was Something More
Than Soldiers Lark.
Special From a stan Correspondent.

Special From a Staff Correspondent.
GAITHERSBCRG. Md. July Pit was
rumored here last night that soldiers had
roughly treated q white woman while
they were In camp the Big Seneca
branch. near Middlebrook Sunday. but
none of the residents of that section
could be found to verify the report. No
complaint of .uch an affair has bean
made to the county authorities. and 1t IL
not believed there was any foundation
for the rumor.
Henry Bernard Stewart, colored. who
was so roughly handled while on the
road near here last Sunday night. still
insists that two soldiers assaulted him.
II can't be mistaken he told Star
reporter. 1.-THE men were in uniform and
were on horseback. 1 saw their uniforms
when they stopped and tied their horses
Many persons who think Stewart is mis-
taken about soldiers having assaulted
him are Of the opinion that his injuries
were inflicted by some persons who were
actuated by motive other than lark.
Stewart denies that he was intoxicated
Sunday, or that he was guilty Of any i'm
proper conduct on the road.
II had taken a few drinks" he ad-
mitted but / was able to attend to my
work, and / was in splendid condition
when I started to Mack Walkers farm
Sunday night. At time that day did
fall by the roadside and make a nui-
sance Of myself
May Have Been Disguised.
Stewart does not remember that there
was much of a struggle at the time he
was assaulted. He says all he remem-
bers is that when the men grabbed him
he struck at one and kicked at the
other. Then he was thrown to the
ground and he knew nothing more until
he was taken to the house of his brother
1t is regarded as possible that his as
sailants may have disguished themselves
as soldiers, but most of the residents of
this section doubt that they really were
soldiers.
1t is recalled by the residents of the
town that number of soldiers were
about here Sunday afternoon and even
Ing, having been seen as late as 1880
o'clock. Some were riding mules. some
horses and others were afOOt. During the
afternoon a number Of the uniformed
men picked blackberries. but there was
not the slightest misconduct by any of
them.
The condition of the road where Stew
art was found made it certain that there
was desperate struggle, and surprise is
expressed that Stewart did not make
noise enough to arouse the residents of
the cOlored settlement, only about 100
yards distant. 1t was after midnight
when Vernon Holland found Stewart ly-
ing on the road. about three hours after
he says the assault was committed, and
DR.. EtchsOn was surprised that he had
not lost blood enough to make his cOndi-
ton critical.
1t was suggested by one of the persons
interested in the affair that Stewards
statement that not a word was spoken
while he was being handled indicates his
assailants were persons who knew him.
Had soldiers subjected him to suCel treat
ment merely as lark, they thought,
there would have been loud words.
None Absent From Camp.
Early Monday morning the affair was
reported at Middlebrook. and soldiers
came here to make an investigation of
the affair before making a start in the
direction of Gettysburg. 1t was said by
the soldiers that none of their men was
away from camp Sunday night as late as
the time Stewart says he was assaulted.
j. Melvin Etchison, deputy sheriff here
visited the wounded man the day before
the latter was seen by F. Bowie Waters,
states attorney, and Magistrate Garrett.
The complaint filed with the War De-
partment officials will probably result in
an investigation by representatives of the
department before any action is taken.
1t is probable that Capt. Curtis w. OF
well and Lieut. Charles L. Hall, in
Shos sc VI tire uctdtiiiitIt VI SoIulcTS, are
conducting an Investigation Of the af-
fair while in camp at Gettysburg.
The continued illness OF Sheriff Viett
prevents him from taking an active part
in the investigation. 1t is thought that
the assailants Of the colored man must
have had their clothing blood-stained
and had soldiers returning to camp dis
played such a condition il would have
been an easy matter to fasten the crime
upon them. Stewart is still i'll, although
his condition is much improved. 1t will
h. time haf0ro ha