New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-08
THE VEST POINT INQUIRY.
SIDE ISSUES IN THE CASE.


MR. FIERo's MYSTERIOUS HoRsEMEN-THREE MEN
AT RYAN's sALooS-TEsIlMoNIALs TO WHIT
TAKERS GOOD CHARACTER.
TFRoN THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBuNE'I
WEST POINT, May 7.-TbeTe were only
few witnesses examined at the Whitaker Court OF IN
Quy to-day and the testimony OF these related cneny
10 side issues in the case Mr. southwaitc the expert
appeared in Court for the purpose OF making an oral
report but was thought best that be should be gwen
until tomorrow morning. when he will make a written
report on the results Of his examination.
Mr.. Fiero, Assistant United States Dstrct-Attorney
Of New-YOI, then called to the stand ana Dsrct
Attorney Woodord took by his side. Mr. Flero's
testimony was almost wholly in relation to his visit TO
Highland Falls on April IA when two horsemen wear
Ing blue trousers were thought to be following him.
Before beginning the examination, Recorder sears su
that the Court had no desire to interfere III
any way with the investigation which the
civil authorities Of the Government might DC
making in the case The Court simply wished to know
ifMr Flpro could give any Information that would ala
in the inquest and Mr. Ficro replied that nc dd not
think he could suggest any new points The knowledge
he possessed the property OF the Unlteu States
Grand Jury He had attempts, he said 10 con-
ccal anything III the progress of the investigation In
explaining the eport he had been followed to High
land Falls by two mounted officers, Mr.. Fiero said:
"Ia1rved hero by direction of the United States DIS
trict-AtOrney April H. and on April IA started ior
Highland Falls about TO investigate what Is now
known the4SY1u cleW WHICH OAOu7h' ~ ny
attention After walking mile, or perhaps two heard
horses behind me, and on them were two men wearing
blue trousers with stripes; whether officers or not
don't know. sat down rail under n tree ana
whitfield stick for the purpose OF dvertng suspicion
that was going to Highland Falls on the Whitaker
case sat there perhaps five minutes ana the morse
men turned back. I went on, visited a person whom
wanted to see passing what aferward learned to be
sign directing the way to Rvan's saloon, ana
noticing one or two horsemcn turn up This
road. Whether the men were the same that
had seen before not L don't know.
On returning saw two men, wearing blue trousers
talking with Ryan, and he admitted to me In Newfork
recently after denying II at first, that two officers ala
talk with him. On my way back to West Point met
two members OF Company Of the Engineers, the Re
cOrder's company, believe, who knew me ana calico
me by name They were somewhat intoxicated, and
when questioned said that It the custom OF both
officers and soldiers to to Ryans began then to be
q little suspicious"
Recorder Sears then said the Court that General
Woodford had handed him statement TO the effect that
Mr. Fero, in his Official capacity, would give to the
Recorder any in :ormatiOn which he could, " but
as Mr. FIerO's knowledge and judgment were obtained
aud formed in his official capacity as Assistant United
States DstrctAttorney, ne declined to be examined
touching the same by the honorable Court"
Laeuienants William T. Rosclc and Q. o; Gilmore were
called and testified that AT noon on April II tley Wont
had mofhng TO do with the Whitaker case They had
no occasion TO stop to retace their steps Ihcy went
III ~
Lieutenant ROsele did not remember s"eing Mr Flero
whom he Thought WOud recognized had he seen
him He had not taken ride before since this SfinE
Lieutenant Gilmore did not know Mr.. FierO. Here tie
Recorder stated tna the proper time he should pro
dues witness who watched RyduS saloon on April IA,
ana who will testify that that day no Officer visited
the place from II a. m. until p IN. H., 49,. 1890 -,
Recorder Scars then Rad That with two moro Nit
nesses he would briag end the stories about the
"three cadets ut Ryan. Sergeant Engcharit tcst
fed that on the Saturday before tle assault on tue
Saturday before that. and Sergeant Moore and SOL
dier named Murphy in Ryau's saloon. Ryan asked
the witness II he looking for cadets, and the latter
for Joke replied TINT he was. Ryan said that two or
three cadets had been there few minues before ana
tho witness IN order carry out the Joke said that the
hOuse must DC 'arched. Ryan became angry and de-
MED his right search, and the witness admitted that
lie had no power search for cadets or 10 have any
thing 10 do with them. Sergeant Moore testified that
the Visit was between ana y. IN. on April !. He
heard Englehardt and Ryan talking, but did not hear
the conversation Murphy, the Recorder stated, was
DISCHARGE about two weeks AGO.
number OF let and afidavits were then read ny
the Recorder, in which many OF those who had known
Whitaker before he came 10 West Point testified 10 7
good character his hon sly and his tTuhuEcs7 Among
the writers were James s. Kershal and ten others, OF
Camden, 8. c., who sail that WAi.takcr's
character Without reDToach, and that
he was an example for all his cOmpaniOns
H. NJ. Kennedy, mcrcha nj OF Camden, South Carolina,
Monroe BOyken, Of Camden, George f. De SausuTe ana
J. j. Maokay. Of Atlanta, Ga, aud J.. NJ lIHCknrY.A
minister Of WILLIAMSBURG s. c. testified 10 the excellent
character OF Whitaker ana his family
The court adjourned until 10 n. III. tomorrow.