May 2, 1864
Arrest of a Bounty Jumper. - On Friday last special detective Perry Tracy arrested a man by the name of Hiram K. Morris, a bounty jumper, whose history is somewhat as follows: Some months ago Morris enlisted in the 15th West Virginia Infantry, at Independence, under Lieut. S. Porter, and received about sixty-five dollars bounty. He was examined by Dr. Hazlett, who, we believe, rejected him on account of his being afflicted with rheumatism. At the time of examination the Doctor noticed that one of Morris' fingers had a peculiar formation. Morris, however, succeeded in passing as an acceptable recruit under some other Surgeon, and received his bounty, as above stated. On Tuesday last he again turned up here, and enlisted with Capt. Holmes, receiving another bounty. While being examined by Dr. Hazelett, the singularly formed finger was observed. The Doctor made some allegations to the fact, when Morris said that he had a cousin in the 15th Infantry who resembled himself very closely, and who also had a crooked finger. He was passed as Hiram Morris, and properly mustered. A short time afterwards Capt. B.B. Stone received a descriptive list of Morris as a deserter from the 15th Infantry. The descriptive list confirmed the suspicions entertained, and Morris was arrested.
General Sigel has been advised of the fact of the arrest, and it is likely that Morris will be court martialed and shot.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: April 1864