Posted on: Bradford County Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Fl/Bradford/10317 Surname: Wilkinson, Moseley, Kilner, Noble, Dees, Middleton ------------------------- Searching for the families of Leroy WILKINSON sons George and Elisha. BRADFORD COUNTY TELEGRAPH 7 JUNE 1918 WILKINSON, OF MAXVILLE UNDER BIG BOND CHARGED WITH AIDING AND SHELTERING DESERTERS ELISHA AND GEORGE WILKINSON IN TOILS CHARGED WITH DESERTION Elisha and George WILKINSON of Maxville were arrested last week by a detachment of soldiers from Camp Johnson, under command of Capt. MIDDLETON, assisted by Deputy Marshall KILNER, the men being charged with desertion from Camp Wheeler. It is reported that thirteen to fifteen men, who have deserted from various camps and others who failed to answer the call to appear before their local boards for military service are hiding out in the swamp of Maxville and Highland sections. Up to date four of these men have been arrested a squad of 50 soldiers on motorcycles are now patrolling the entire district searching for the deserters. The commanding officer of this squad has orders to stay in Maxville section until the last man has been rounded up and sent to the guard house at Camp Johnson. The WILKINSON brothers were caught in a swamp near Maxville and their father Leroy WILKINSON was arrested, charged with giving shelter and food to deserters. Earnie DEES, residing in the same locality, was also arrested on a charge of failing to report to his local board for military duty. The Times-Union of June 4th carried the following account of the action of Federal Court: "charged with giving shelter and sustenance to a deserter from the army and encouraging him to evade military service, Leroy WILKINSON of the Maxville section, was given a hearing before the United States Commissioner Carl NOBLE yesterday and held for that action of the United States grand jury in the sum of $5,000 bond. It is charged that a brother of WILKINSON was one of the boys who quit Camp Wheeler some time ago and who have been taking refuge principally in the woods in the Maxville and Highland sections. Government agent gathered what they believed to be the facts of encouragement which had been held out by WILKINSON to the young deserters. Following the hearings he qualified in the sum demanded and was therefore released from custody. "Jim MOSELEY, who was arrested the same day as WILKINSON, was given a hearing also before Commissioner NOBLE and held in sum of $500 bond, charged with using his influence in a wrong manner with a drafter. He could not make the bond and went to the Duval County jail as a federal prisoner.