The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-14
MANS IDENTITY
STILL MYSTERY
ATGgyN.TY.FARM
Disabled Veteran Changes His
stoFy- Fears lnvestiga-
tionofiHls Past.

Tor ~ fae local order Of the Dis.
abied American Veterans Of the
World War at an isolated cottage
On the county poor farm at pres
Ont. Ii proving a thoroughly yer.
satiie Character. Several days
ago the man, who claims to be a
Russian; was taken in charge by
the veterans. organization after
the authorities had been inform.
ed BY Miss May sMaloney, county
health nurse, Of his existence at
the poor house and Of the condl-
ton Of his physical being.
a short time ago the doctor in
charge Of the man while he was at
Downs his former home, sent him
TO Cook Hospital for treatment.
When his financial condition was
discovered TO be too low TO main
iaIn him at the institution the
tase was turned over to the local
authorities OF the Red Cross.
Working in the capacity Of her
connection with this association
Miss May Maloney requested
'sherift Charlton TO keep the man
IL the city jail until other quar-
ters were obtained. Tho man,
Who Is suffering with tuberculosis
and was at that time supposed to
have been mentally deranged, was
Kept at the Jail for two days pre-
yiousito his removal to the county
poor farm.
AT the latter institution he was
discovered by the local order OF
the disabled veterans after tho
members had been informed OF
the fact that the patient was In
ex-seryice man. At the present
time he Is confined in a cottage
on the poor farm and Is being
cared for by graduate nurse
employed by the. veterans organ
ization in view OF the fact that
me county refused to hospitalizs
nm The man is about 81 years
Old and since receiving the recent
Treatment ne Is responding rapid
- in gaining health.
Hoping to better his condition
lie local authorities OF the veteri
aus association have pried Ill"
nan with questions in order 10
.lfse0Ser relatives or some clue TO
MI DIST. Tie man first claimed
I,is itdnled to be John Plttic and
laim6d toFhaye seen six OF seven
months. service in the army. He
stated atfthe beginning of the in,
taffogatIons that lie had been
drafted In Pennsylvania. was
Transferred to Texas and Ilnallj
received This discharge in New
ork. Ipon the request OF his
discharge papers H. claimcd tha:
stieS were accidentally destroyed
IN anticipation of receiving
oyefnment aid for the man,
Charles White, local chapter COM
4nandor OF the disabled veterans.
communicated with the army
headquarters in regard to John
f'ittle's time and place Of service.
aihe man himself claimed no re.
6ollectlon OF tile camp he had
sirained in. Recent word from
army headquarters is TO the effect
that no John Pittlc served With
the United SStates Army during
the World War.
Starting upon q new trial. the
scent being derived from several
iettefs written to Charles Draho
and found at-Pittic's home at
Downs, the local veteran author:-
ties questioned Pittic in regard to
Biiether or not he had served in
the army under the name OF
Draho. Plttic admitted that he
mad, but expressed himself to the
effect that he was afraid to be
Questioned further. Later de-
Seiopments diyulged from tho
mans statements are to the ei'
fect that he may prove to be Il
daserter from the army, having
let slip the words that John have
ieht with two men. One man
maybe die. John run away. Nc
50 back"
Other developments In the case
cite the fact that John had sweet
heart, who recently lived in Man
nington, bu twas. formerly from
sIarksyillo, Pa. Intending &c
marry Sophia Herrick, the woman
Ia question, he had fitted the
foprToom house at Downs In new
furniture, Including player
piano. The contract on the last,
named article proved the clue tC
the Identification of the woman's
name, Il being signed in connec'
tioh With Pittc's. John had also
canned 100 Jars OF fruit in anti
cipations Of the coming union and
had trusted his fianee with CAPT.
tai 10 the amount Of $500. When
Sophia decided to leave Pittic, the
money accompanied her. The
woman Is being traced at Clarks.
vie 1T present. When Pittic wac
asked by Commander White II he
wished the authorities to locate
the girl he replied, me no want
girl. John have enough trouble
without the women.
An eftort is being made at pres,
emit by the local authorities to OBJ.
tain an Interpretation. Of the let,
tefs found at Pittic's home IN
Downs Communication will also
Sc made with the adjutant gen.
eral Of the United States army IN
regard 70 the service record oil
the supposed Charles Draho. The
man Is conceded to be exception.
ally brilliant instead OF mentally
tiefanged. as was at first Supposed