The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-04-18
Tho Whitaker Examination.

West Point, April 1.-THE New York
Times correspondent was called to the stand
and handed copy of the Times of April
10Th, BY advice Of counsel, he refused 10
answer questions, on the ground that infor'
nation impaired to him in confidence was in
his profession capacity. Recorder Sears
stated that tho article referred to begins by
speaking of highly important clue that was
known to the reporter on the first day court
convened, and that the reporter took every
step of evidence to support the clue, but
was unable TO get anything to positively
Justify him in placing the parties alleged to
be concerned with II upon the witness stand.
On reading the article referred to, no found
such positive statements that he deemed it
important to put the reporter on the stand in
hopes of getting something to slbstantiate n
clue.
Major General Schofeld, in command of
the Depa, tment of West Post, states in sub
stance that he had received messages from
the cadets barracks, about six o'clock on
the morning of the 9Th of April, requesting
him to 90 there Immediately, stating that
Cadet Whitaker was seriously injured. He
responded as quickly as possible, and when
he had nearly reached the barracks he was
told that Whitaker was not so seriously
hurt as was at first reported. When he
learned the facts, however, he gave the or
der for an investigation, when members of
the corps came to him, expressing indigna-
ton over the occurrence, and encouraged the
idea of an investigation. General Schofeld
then thought that the guilty party could ca
silly be found. Investigation pursued by the
commandant Of the corps lasted three days,
and the result was reported TO him, when he
sent for Whitaker and informed him of the
result as prejudicisl TO him. Whitaker
made positive and earnest denial, and do
manded court inquiry, and Scofeld stated
that Whittaker's frankness i'm.
pressed him that he could
could not be guilty; after investigation
there were reports that the guilty parties
were beyond West Point, and then the
authorities had to look elsewhere; in the
meantime Whitaker could rest under the
imputation cast on him, and the Court of
Inquiry ordered hearing of the corps of
cadets Of Whitaker impressed the General
with the innocence of both and the clue out
side had also failed. In closing. Schofeld
said the method pursued in this investigation
was adopted solely in justice to Whitaker,
and If the investigation lad pursued another
course It Is unknown TO me. The whole fact
bearing on Whitaker must be left in public
suspicion until guilty parties were found.
Every means known to rae, or which have
been suggested 10 me from any other source
by which investigation could be pursued,
have been adopted. Other testimony re-
vealed how colored cadets have been ostra-
cised and ignored in the past. The clerk Of
the Quartermaster was sworn and identified
the handkerchief found ss the same style as
those issued to cadets, but said the points of
the necktie are different from those in his
possession. No necktie has been issued 10
Whitaker since May 10th, 1878. Witness
testified that handkerchiefs like the one found,
had not been for sale in Highland Falls for SIX
months. Court then adjourned until Mon
day.