<title type="main">William S. Beaucamp to James F. Robinson

To his Excellency James F. Robinson Gov. of Ky.

Your petitioner William Beaucamp states that at the September term of the Fleming Circuit Court in the year 1861 he was Indicted by the Grand Jury of said county for cutting and wounding another in ^a^ sudden affray, without previous malice and also in another Indictment for carry concealed a deadly weapon -- which indictments are still pending and undetermined in said court -- The cutting and stabbing charged in the indictment took place under the following circumstances -- The person cut-and stabbed was John Keithly a man of very bad character both as to honesty and peaceable habits -- a man who had been frequently engaged in brawls and fights, and notoriously a dangerous violent man -- your petitioner was summoned as a witness to give evidence on the part of the Commonwealth against a man for stealing a pocket book and some money, who was an associate and neighbour of Keithleys -- Keithley had declared that petitioner should not give testimony in the case and threatened to drive petitioner from town if he appeared -- petitioner went to town in obedience to the summons and having heard of Keithley's threat he had a small sheath knife on for his personal defence if he should be assaulted --

There was another witness in the same case in town by the sam name of Ham, and Keithly early in the day they went to town, assaulted and beat Ham -- and upon your petitioner meeting him and asking him why he struck -- Ham he struck petitioner two blows one with his fist and with some hard substance which he held in his hand which your petitioner believes was a sling sho --. Petitioner was stunned by the blows and grappled with Keithley who is a very large and stout man -- and bearing great injury from him he drew his knife and cut him in buttock a flesh wound and not at all serious -- These are the facts and nearly all or quite all of them will be fully proved if the witnesses can ever be got to trial -- Keithly soon-after entered into the service of the U. S. as a private soldier and is still in the Service But he voluntarily made a written statement desiring the Indictment to be dismissed which statement is filed in the case a copy of which is herewith filed as part of this petition -- The other Indictment is for having ^the knife^ which your petitioner and on the occasion on which he was induced to carry because of Keithleys character and threats -- One of the witnesses who saw the fight and by whom nearly all the facts can be proved is George Taylor

who is a soldier in the 10th Regt of Ky. Cav. in the service of the United States -- Your petitioner is also a true and loyal man to the Government and has always been -- He is a mechanic and poor and has a wife and five children to support and raise by his labour -- He wishes to remove to the State of Illinois where he believes he can better his condition -- But he can not leave with the indictment hanging against him without subjecting himself to more expense than he is able to defray in returning to meet his recognizance without any certainty of the time when he can obtain a trial -- and he is unwilling to forfeit his bail -- The attorney for the Comth resides some 30 miles from Flemingsburg, and is a stranger to your petitioner and to his case -- your petitioner therefore prays your excellency to interpose in his behalf and repreive him from said Indictments -- and in -- duty bound will ever pray &c --

Wm S Beaucamp

Sworn to before me by William S. Beauchamp this 11th day of December 1862

John M. Harbeson clerk Fleming Circuit Court