<title type="main">David Schroeder to Thomas E. Bramlette

Tho E Bramlette Governorof Kentucky.

I David Shroeder would respectfully state that in the month of November 1861 I purchased a cow of Joseph Nicholas on Market streret near 6th ^street^ in Louisville Ky in open market & in presence of Joseph Kramer & my son Johnthen about 13 years old. On the following day I killed the cow and sent the hide to a tanner. One Geo F. Huber on the same day having lost his cow as he said, went to the tanner and there among about 20 green skins found one which he claimed as the hide of his cow. I was arrested & gave bail for my appearance at the next term of the Jefferson Circuit Court. At the next term in Jan 1861 I was indicted for stealing said cow. The case was continued from time to time, till May 14th 1864 when it was stricken from the docket with leave &c. On the 5th Sept 1865 the case was reinstated

I state that Joseph Kramer shortly after witnessing the purchase of the cow by me as above stated enlisted in the28th Regt Kentucky Volunteer Infanty28th Regt Kentucky Volunteer Infanty and was killed wounded and taken to the Hospital in Nashvillewhere he died in the spring of 1864.

My son John left home on Sunday last that is on the 43rd inst to go toMexico with the intent to remain there several months -- perhaps a year. If I had known that this case would be reinstated I would not have permitted him to leave. I had no notice that the case would be reinstated, and I supposed that it was ended forever.

I state that several other

persons were present when I bought said cow as aforestated but no person except said Kramer & my son John knew that ^the^ cow which I killed and from which I took the hide claimed by said Huber was the very cow that I bought of Nicholas as aforesaid

I state that Nicholas was killed at the battle of Shiloh, but if he were living he could ^not^ know that the hide to be the same taken from the cow I bought of him.

I should regard my position as dangerous even if my son John was here from the fact that the oath of a young son in faver of his father is regarded with distrust. If Nicholas & Kramer were living and I could procure their testimony I would court an examination, but situated as I am I fear to trust my case to a jury.

I now pray your Excellency to pardon me of the offence charged as will be seen in the Copy of the indictment which I send herewith a part hereof and as in duty bound &c

David Schroeder

Subscribed and sworn to before me by David Schroeder on this 7th day of October September 1865.

John N Mattingly Notary Public Jeff Co Ky John N. M Sept 7 /65

I Isaac R Greene state that David Schroeder employed me as his atto' to defend him on the charge contained in the Copy of indictment sent with his ^foregoing^ petition I talked with said Joseph Nicholas Joseph Kramer & John Schroeder.

Nicholas said that he sold a cow the to Schroeder on the morning before, that is one day before the hide was claimed by Huber and that the skin resembled that skin which Huber claimed at the tanner's as his -- Nicholas saw the skin in possession of Huber some three days after he got it from the tanner. Nicholas appeared like a good man.

Joseph Kramer & John Schroeder both told me that they were present saw David Schroeder buy the Cow of Mr Nicholas -- they saw him kill her and John took the hide to the tanner soon after it ^was^ taken from the cow as was his custom when his father killed a beef. Schroeder at the time was engaged in the butchering business. Kramer was a simple man -- appeared honest and looked as though he told the truth I considered Schroeder perfectly safe while Kramer was living. On trial before the examining ^court^ there were no facts or circumstances proved against Schroeder. Huber swore positively to the skin and on the proof he was required to answer give bail to answer. I live near to Schroeder and am sure that John Left before the prosecution was reinstated

Isaac R Greene

John N M Sept 7 /65

Subscribed & sworn to before me by Isaac R Green on this 7th day of September 1865

John N. Mattingly

Notary Public Jeff Co Ky

To the Governor of Ky

We the undersigned pray your Excellency to grant the foregoing petition of David Schroeder.

The Position in which the accused is placed by the death of an Important Witness and the absence from the County of Another. It seems to me presents some claim for Executive clemency. & particularly so after a lapse of so much time

Geo W. Johnston. John N. Mattingly John Sullivan Michal Sullivan Timothy Sullivan Jos,, Clement. Hamilton Pope F G Dannecker H. W. Hinman Saml. Matlock

E W, Rutledge L. A. Wood Philip Tomppert Mayor J, H, Price W R Hydes Z. P. Gailbreath Tervel Wurtele Christ Kronmueller N. Oerther