Harvey Alford Pilkinton
Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 13 October 1903, page 1
FT THOMAS-Harvey C Pilkington, a dishonorably discharged soldier of Company C, Second Infantry, who was serving an 18 months sentence for desertion, made a desperate but successful attempt to escape early Tuesday morning. Watching his opportunity, Pilkington dashed down the steep bluff and boarded a west bound freight train. Several shots were fired at the fleeing prisoner, but all missed.
Pilkington was born in Columbus Tenn. and enlisted at Denver Colo. He deserted and after being apprehended was sentenced to 18 months hard labor at Ft Thomas. Tuesday he and another deserter were engaged in cleaning up the house, which is to be occupied by the new Commandant. Col Haskell. The commandant at Ft Thomas sent out this following description of the prisoner by telegraph Tuesday at noon.
"Harvey A Pilkington of Company C, Second Infantry, stationed at Ft Thomas. He is about 5 feet 83/4 inches tall, weighs 135 pounds, is probably 24 years old and has blue eyes, light mustache, brown hair and florid complexion. His home is at Columbus Tenn.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 16 October 1903, page 9
FT THOMAS-Information has been received that one Will Smith, dressed in the uniform of a soldier, has been imposing on charitably disposed people of Augusta, Ky. by representing himself as a destitute soldier, just returned from the Philippines. Smith wears a fatigue cap, with the figures 3 or 23 attached to it and claims to have been badly wounded in battle. He received aid from a benevolent society at Augusta and stated he was trying to get to his home in Georgia.
The civil authorities of Augusta, noting in the Post an account of the escape of Harvey Pilkinton and his description, have an opinion that Smith is the escaped deserter and have written to the military authorities here for more information concerning him.