Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-31
CADET WHITAKER.

The Court of Inquiry Concludes that tn
Colored Cadet Whitaker Gut His Owl
Hair and Ears and Is a Liar Whittake
Placed Under Arrest Until the Presiden
Passes Upon the Findings of the Court.
WEST POINT, May 29.-The court of in
quiry in the case of Cadet Whitaker met IL
secret session to-day, and agreed upon fina
report, which was signed by all the member
| of the court. The conclusions are as fol
| lows:
First-The court is unable to believe thai
such slight wounds as Cadet Whitaker re-
ceived could have been inflicted by persons
| In the manner and under the circumstances
described by him.
Seconds does not see why man with
his surroundings and in his constitution and
frame of mind, as shown by his own evil
dence, should have submitted to an assault
such rs is alleged, without summoning as
sistance during the assault or Immediately
thereafter.
Third-It believes person tied as he was,
and left as he claims to have been, could cas-
lily have released himself had he exerted him
self to do so.
Fourth-Fron the testimony of the post
surgeon and others the court is compelled to
believe Cadet Whitaker was neither asleep
nor insensible when he was examined on the
morning of April 6, 1880, but that he was
feigning. "A@
Fifth-The court is not able to discover
any motive that any person other than Cadet
Whitaker could have had in making such
an assault, and there is no evidence what
ever to warrant the belief that any other per-
son did it.
Sixth-It believes that the hair clipping,
flesh cutting and binding could all have
been accomplished by Cadet Whitaker him
self.
Seventh-As to the theory that the note
of warning is an imitation of Whittaker's
writing. in the opinion of the court, the
severe tests to which the experts in hand
writing were subjected, and their positive
testimony, place it beyond doubt that Cadet
Whitaker himself wrote the note of warning,
and therefore that he is not ignorant of the
person or persons engaged in the affair.
This latter conclusion is strengthened by
the fact that half of the sheet of paper in
which this note is written was found in
Cadet Whittaker's possession.
The opinion of the court is as follows:
From the strong array of circumstantial
evidence, from the testimony of experts in
handwriting, and from the conflicting state
ments of Cadet Whitaker, and the lack of
veracity evinced by him in certain cases dur
ing the investigation, as shown
by the evidence, the court is
of opinion that the imputation upon
the character of Cadet Whitaker referred to
in the order converting the court and con-
tanned in the official reports of the COM
msndant of cadets and post surgeon, is
fully sustained.
When the report was sent to Gen. Soho
field and read by him he caused letters to
be addressed to Col. Lazelle, commandant
of the corps of cadets, directing the arrest
of Whitaker and placing him in confne-
ment in his room. The order was prompt
Iy carried out and Whitaker will remain
under arrest until the case is disposed of
and guard will keep him under surveil-
lance.
An officer in high rank being asked what
disposition would be made of him if the
findings of the court are approved by the
war department., replied if he was com
missioned officer he would be tried by court
martial, but it was probable if the president
approves hewill be dismissed the academy
or turned over to the civil authorities.
Whitaker still protests his innocence.
The findings of the court will be forwarded
to the war department tonight.