The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-03-21
RENO RUINED.
The Gallant Cavalry Officer, Unsensed by
Brutal Lust. Falls from His High
Estate.
HIS Trial by Court Martial in Progress
Conviction and Disgrace Stare Him
in the Face.

n There is quite a commotion in army
circles at st. Paul, MINI, headquarters
Of the Department of Dakota. The
cause is kept strictly within the
circumference of aristocratic circles.
A leak to the well-conined matter has
been sprung at the military headquar-
tiers of Gen. Sheridan, Chicago, and a
LIVELY ARMY SCANDAL
is in consequence revealed. At pres
est the court martial is in session at st.
Paul, with closed doors, trying Major
Marcus A. Reno, seventh United States
Cavalry, for conduct unbeceming an
officer and gentleman, etc.. and if the
the army will be the forfeit. The I'M.
becoming conduct is said to consist in
AMoROUS PROPOSALS
by the Major to the wife of another Off
cer-Captain Bell of the same regi-
ment. The first advances were made
in November last, as report goes, at
Fort Buford. The lady resented ard
informed her husband of the insult.
Bell at once bruited the matter about,
and threatened to
RAISE RENo's HAZE.
Reno thereupon reported it about that
Bells wife was no fit person for other
army ladies to associate with. The
whole affair was officially reported and
both the officers were placed under ar
rest, so they could not do each other
any bodily injury. The Post Com
mander reported the matter to Wash
ington. A strictly
PRIVATE INVESTIGATION
was ordered from Gen. Sheridan's
headquarters. The investigation re-
suited in the convocation of a general
court martial by order from the Secre-
tary of War Cameron.
Brevet Major General HaZen, colonel
of the Sixth United States Infantry
wa appointed President, and Captain
P. p. Hughes, of the Third United
States Infantry, of Gen. Terry's staff,
Judge Advocate of the court.
The court convened on the 9Th inst,
and proceeded with its star chamber
examination so that the scan
dial would not reach the outer
world. The affair becomes of
greater interest when it is remembered
that Major Reno, the chief actor in this
disreputable army episode,
FIGURED CONSCIOUSLY
in the newspaper annals of the Custer
massacre. Captain Bell, the other
party so closely connected with the af-
fair, was at this time a Lieutenant on
recruiting service, and received his
promotion to q captaincy by the death
of his comrades on the frontier. Ma
jor Reno's wife, whom he married at
Harrisburg, Pa, recently died. Mrs.
Bell was married about three years ago.
The subjoined dispatch, was re-
ceived yesterday from st. Paul, Mimi,
The trial of Major Reno, 18th Cavalry,
commanding at Fort Abercombie,
which has been progressing before
court martial, of which Col. w. b. Ha-
zen is presiding officer, is drawing to a
close. The details are not officially
published, but it is known that Capt.
Bell, of tile It'll Cavalry made charges
of alleged Infamous proposals to Mrs.
Bell, and slanderous writings, ETC., du-
ring Bells absence. Bells friends in
formed him of facts known to them
upon his return, and he demanded an
apology.
In army circles here the opinion
seems general that Reno will be found
guilty, and his dismissal from the SER
vice be recommended.
Later Details.
st. Paul, March 20.-In the military
tribunal to-day Judge Advocate Barr
summed up the evidence against Major
Reno. The specifications are that Re-
no, being commander of Fort Aber-
crombie, called at the quarters Of Mrs.
Bell while her husband was absent in
New York at the bedside of a sick
father, and took improper liberties, at
tempting to draw her to his person;
that being repealed, he stepped outside,
but remained inside the storm door,
and when Mrs. Bell was passing out
sometime afterward, caught her hand
and renewed his attempts. This out
rage SHE reported to his wife; that Reno
afterwards threatened to make it hot
for her because she didn't invite him to
a social gathering at her quarters, and
to drive her out of the regiment; that
he cast reflections on her character in
speaking to the Chaplain of the garri-
son, and had insisted on his not stop.
ping at her place or holding religious
services there. Reno said to Lieut..
Wallace that Mrs. Bell had better cease
fighting him, as her character was vul.
nerable. and he could easily blast it,
that afterward he publicly Inundated
Mrs. Bell by giving orders that she
should not play the organ at divine
service, and threatening to stop the ser
vice if she were allowed to play.
The prosecution called Mrs. Bell,
Chaplain Wainwright, Capt. Benton,
Lieut.. Wallace, and others, and clearly
established each specification.
The defence had little evidence, the
accused not being allowed to testify nor
to produce witnesses against Mrs. Bells
character.
Ex-Gov. Davis summed up the case
for Reno, and was answered by Barr,
after which the case was taken under
Amusement and the verdict will he for
warded to army headquarters.
Important TO Black Killers.