The Daily Gazette

PRELIMINARY HEARING

Dr. Royal S. Burdick, who was arrested at Harrington, on Saturday last, by U. S. Marshal McMullen, on the charge of defrauding the orphan children of William B. Johnson, a deceased soldier, out of $312, was given a preliminary hearing before U. S. Commissioner Smith.

The first witness called was Mrs. John H. Hickman, who testified that her first husband was wounded during the battle of Cold Harbor, in 1864, and died the same day from the effects of the wounds. Twelve years after her first husband's death she married her present husband. A short time afterwards the defendant informed her that there was $1,400 due her as pension money. About two years ago Joseph McDaniel was made guardian of the children of her first husband. The check that was received for the back pension was paid to John C. Pennewill, Register of Kent County, who gave a check for $624 to the defendant, to be paid to Mrs. Hickman as board for her children. The check was cashed, and the defendant demanded half of the amount. This the plaintiff refused, saying she would give the defendant what the law allowed. This he refused and demanded 20 per cent. which Mrs. Hickman refused. Finally after argument and at the suggestion of her husband, she gave the defendant one-half of the $624. As to what became of the remainder of the $1,400 was not stated, the commissioner postponed a further hearing in the case until next Saturday.