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for the State is exceedingly inimical to me since I refused to live with him, and will greatly exert himself to procure my conviction.

In the absence of the proof which I could make by the Federal soldiers, if their testimony could be procured, I submit the accompanying affidavits from Judge J. A. Abrahams and Jack Croom, in corroboration the statements contained in this petition. While the testimony is such as to convince any unprejudiced mind of my innocence, yet I am told that it is not such as will be admitted in the trial.

I therefore respectfully and earnestly ask the interposition of your authority to stop this prosecution against me, that injustice and disgrace may not be visited upon me for doing what I considered to be my duty, and especially as the means of establishing my perfect innocence of crime, by legal and sufficient testimony, has been destroyed by the removal and disbanding of the Federal troops that were here at the time.

Arthur his X mark Croom

Sworn to & subscribed before me this 12th day of August 1867
J. A. Abraham
Probate Judge