The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-03-29

in the club-room had connected his
name and that Of Mrs. Bell with OBJ
scene suggestions in these words:
"Eyery preacher has his goose and
Wainwright can get his of Mrs. Bell
This was the subject of the fourth
specification. The Chaplain, instead
of being alarmed by these representa-
tions was shocked that lady of whom
he had heard nothing but good hereto
fore should be so grossly illuminated
in the absence of her husband by the
commanding officer whose duty it was
to have protected her. He made in
uuiries Of the officers, and could find
no ground for Major Reno's imputa-
lions. No unpleasant comments that
he could hear of had been made on his
stay at Mrs. Bells house except by
Major Reno himself. All whom he
consulted advised him that it would be
an insult to Mrs. Bell and her husband
to withdraw from her house under the
circumstances. The Christmas Sun
day was approaching. The chaplain
was still at Mrs. Bells house. Major
Reno, as last resort, sent him note
that it would conduce to the peace
of the garrison if he held no religious
services there. The chaplain inquired
what this meant, and was told by
Major Reno that his conduct in staying
at Mrs. Bells house had created a pub
lie scandal, and that in consequence Of
it one gentleman, Mr.. Hazlehurst, had
said that he would take his family to
Fargo to church if Wainwright was
allowed to hold divine service.
Mr.. Hazlehurst's testimony showed
that this story was an invention of
Major Reno that In fact, Major Reno
| had told him that he thought he
should not permit Wainwright to
hold services there, and that there
upon Hazlehurst had said that in the
event he would take his family to
Fargo to church. In the course Of
the same conversation Major Reno, in
demonstrating with Mr.. Wainwright,
said that his staying at Mrs. Bells
would do her no harm that she was
spoiled egg," and warned him that his
own reputation, the cause OF religion
and the good of the church, required
that he should leave her house, and
he gave the names of Captain Ben
teen, Lieutenant Wallace, and another
who is now dead, as authority for in
furious reflections upon her character.
These officers both testified that they
had never made any such statements,
and one of them being recalled for
cross-examination, said he did not
recollect ever having mentioned the
name of Mrs. Bell in any conversation
with Major Reno. The fifth and sixth
specifications relate to the above facts.
The seventh alleges that Major Reno
said to Lieutenant Wallace that Mrs.
Bell had better cease fighting him, that
her character was vulnerable, and he
could easily blast it. Preparations
were being made at the fort for a
Sunday service to be conducted by
Mr.. Wainwright. Mrs. Bell was to
play the organ, her own instrument,
and on New Years eve party of off.
icers and their wives were assembled
at her house to practice for the oc'
casion. Major Reno sent his post ad.
jutant to her house to notify the com.
pany that they might take the organ
to the church and it might be played.
but that Mrs. Bell should not play on
. it, and if she attempted to do so he
would stop the services.
The general sopinion is that Major
Reno will be found guilty and dis.
: missed from the service. The trial
, has concluded but the finding will be
kept secret until promulgated through
the War Department.