Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-05
CHARGE is BEING PROBED
Lack of Motive for Vicious Attack
Is Pointed Out.
REVENGE THEORY ADVANCED
Belief Expressed That Negro Was
the Victim of Members Of
His Own Race a

Gen. Oliver, acting secretary OF war,
said today that the charge that two mem
bers OF the engineer battalion at Wash
ington barracks had assaulted and mutt
lated negro named Stewart near Cath
ersburg several nights ago while the
troops were on their way from this city
to the camp OF instruction at Gettysburg.
is being thoroughly investigated by the
military authorities. Although the in
vestigation is not yet completed, evidence
has been submitted which tends to throw
serious doubt on the charge that the
outrage was perpetrated by soldiers.
Capt c. w. Otwell. commanding the
engineer company which was in the vi
cinity OF Gaithersburg at the time OF the
assault on Stewart, made an investigation
as soon he heard OF the occurrence
He visited the injured man the next day
and got his version OF the affair, and
then interrogated the men Of his com
pany, including the commissioned Of
fcers. He has made a preliminary re-
port. from which IL appears that all the
horses and soldiers Of his command were
In their proper places on the night Of
the assault.
Investigation Is Thorough.
oWms W ldCl tiidt the lTOOpS were
under marching orders the officers did
not have much time TO devote to the
investigation while in the immediate vi
cinity. Since then, however, the entire
matter has been thoroughly investigated
under the supervision Of Gen. wother-
spoon. commanding the camp OF instruc-
ton at Gettysburg. States Attorney Wa
ters. who is investigating the case for
ho nfx loc sv,s,g e>l
go to Gettysburg and confer with Gen.
Wotherspoon and the officers OF the en-
gineer company with a view Of unraveling
the mystery. IL possible. An army sur
and made an examination OF his injuries.
He is still in a serious condition. When
able to move he will be taken to Gettys-
burg for the purpose Of identifying il
assaulted him without provocation.
One OF the points which the authorities
are endeavoring to establish 10 what pos
sible motive any soldier or citizen could
savage manner. To that end his move
ments and actions for several days prior
to the assault are being looked up, in
order to ascertain II he had quarreled or
had any serious trouble with any soldier
or with any civilian, white or colored.
living anywhere near his home who might
have had some cause, imaginary or 9TH
erwise. to Justify the infiiction Of ven-
Se6uC6 OH 6teWAIt- f.
Pigment Of Excited Brain.
The impression prevails In some quar-
ters that Stewart was the victim OF
some members of his own race. and that
his story about soldiers was the figment
Of an excited brain. But the puzzle
is why should he want to shield his
assailants IL he knows them.
The authorities OF the War Depart
ment naturally desire to protect the rep
utation of the army, but at the same
time they are determined that any SOL
dier who misconoucts himself shall DO
punished
As one officer said today. this policy ap-
plies as well to the white soldiers as to
the black soldiers. He added that 1t also
was the policy Of the department to pun
ish individual culprits where they can
be found and to avoid visiting their sins
upon the organization of which they may
happen to be a part. 1t was stated that
IL it should develop that soldiers made
the attack on Stewart they will be turned
over to the civil authorities OF Montgom-
,rrfv n trial.