Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-29
VIII rTAK Err.
DAMAGING TESTIMONY.

with Recorder Sears he inspect
ed Whlttaker's room last Friday, May 2Ist,
and found an overcoat hanging in the alcove,
in the sleeve of which was pair of civilian
pants and around which was rolled an under
shirt.
Lieutenant Randolph testified he was re
quested by Recorder Sears, May IS, to be
present at conversation with Whitaker.
The recorder asked Whitaker if he had any
citizens clothing in his quarters. Whitta-
ker's first reply was that he had not, but at
ter further questioning he seemed to qualify
by saying that to the best of his knowledge
and belief he had not. The whole CONVEX
sation impressed witness with the idea that
Whitaker denied having any citizens cloth
ing in his room. Witness was also present
at subsequent conversation in the com
mandant's Office. when the commandment
asked Whitaker to explain why the pants
we're found in the sleeve of his coat. At
first Whitaker was unable to say If they
were his pants or not, and no
was told to put them on, and he
did. They fitted him, and when his name
was found on the binding, he said they were
his. A coat and vest were brought out, when
he was willing to say that all three of the
garments were his. When asked TO account
for the presence of the pantaoons in his
room, he could not; he said that some one
other than himself must have PLACED them
there. He said he hadn't seen the pants be-
fore since last Christmas. Witness said he
asked Whitaker that morning if he had
seen any suit of civilians clothing, or parts
of suit, and Whitaker replied: 'Not since
Just before Christmas"
The recorder said if some one else put the
articles in Whittaker's room they took much
trouble and great risk with no object as far
as he could see. The recorder pointed out
several other minor points to show that
Whitaker was unreliable, and said he whit
taker) had had love affair which had prob
ably made him morbid.
Extracts from Whittaker's diary were read,
in which Whitaker says he believes one of
his instructors was "negroe hater." One
of his notes read: "The instructor does real
ly hate me for being niger. Poor devil, l
shall pray for him, and all like him.
Laughter.
Another extract: II am hated and scorn-
ed for being niger, but some day will
prove me worthless or not.'
Another read: Everybody seems against
me this year, and 1 fear they will floor me
like they did poor Smith,
Another read: ain chem. chemistry
Lieutenant johnson was savage on me. 1
shall study tonight till one or two o'clock,
and may yet go through if they give me
half chance"
Lieut.. knight, in reply to the recorder,
said Prof. Greener, in answer to request Of
the court to make known over his own sig
nature any facts which would tend further to
thoroughly investigate the whole matter, had
sent to him communication May 20, but
the contents had already been thoroughly
Investigated. In reply to suspicious against
Lieut.. Bixby and Tabor, Prof. Greener
wrote: 81 have no personal reason for sus-
pecting these gentlemen Lieut.. Knight
added, ~ do not deem it necessary to occupy
the time of the court in following up any
thing else" This closed the testimony III
the case.
SUMMING UP.
Recorder Sears then summed up. He said
much unfair criticism had been made on
the methods of the court by persons igno-
rant of military law. A misinformed and
violently prejudiced public required that ex-
traordinary measures be adopted in trying
the case. The recorder took the ground
from the start that all the testimony went to
show Whitaker was the author of his own
assault. The history of Whittaker's entry
into The academy was then given. He ex-
pected trouble, but it did not como until
cadet struck him. He did not have the cour
age to resent the blow, knowing, as he
must, that no blame could attach to him for
80 doing. He reported the matter and
Mcdonald was at once arrested, tried, and
dismissed from the academy.
The recorder then spoke of Whitaker q
standing in his class. Previous to the 9TH
of April he was in dangerous position. He
went into the various motives cadets could
have in perpetrating the assault, and Tidi-
culed the idea that they might have perpe
trated so black trick. The recorder said
Whitaker had covered his tracks by PERU
ry. His own testimony and handwriting
without the note of warning were enough
to convict him. He reviewed Whitaker
testimony and pointed out what he called
the Inconsistencies in it. Finally he sum
m ID up Whittaker's motive in committing
the deed to be fear that he would not gradu
I ate.
D Lieut.. Knight, counsel for Whitaker
then said the recorder had given his inter
probation, but there was no reason why thu
court should accept them. He asked tina
the court disabuse its mind as to the brood
ing of Whitaker. On the contrary, thu
l evidence went to show that he was of goo(
cheer and confident. He said there wa
: nothing i'll the evidence to show Whitaker
: story was not true. He ridiculed the idet
that Whitaker wanted sympathy. The cour
would remember that Whitaker was anxiou
to resign at one time 4
be of help to his mother. No evidenc
r had been produced to reflect on Whitaker
character from boyhood to the time he wa
found bound. He demanded q court of in
quiry, which is much more severe than
court martial. Counsel claimed the note o
warning was forgery of Whittaker's writ
ing. That paper was stolen from his room
with the object of fastening suspicion Oh
Whitaker. There was every possibility o
II doing this, as Whittaker's room was easy o
access.
l. Lieut.. knight then took up the writin
experts, and, in most sarcastically amusin
way, showed how repeatedly they contra
dicted themselves and each other. In con
clusion, he pronounced it as monstrous
say young man just entering on manhood
should be thought guilty of such crime
r. with everything to hope for, with brigh
prospects, and nothing to gain by the coul
mission of such a deed. The speech wa
considered most able, logical and legal A
its conclusion the court adjourned sine di
and the Whitaker inquiry ended.