New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-16
A SENSATION AT WEST POINT
WHITAKER UNDER FIRE.


TVRoM sPEcIAL coRREsPoNDENr OF THE TRrBusE.l
WEST POINT, May 15.-The Whitaker Court Of
Inquiry reached climax to-day. There were many
exciting scenes In court. The library was filed
throughout tho day with eager spectators. Gen.
eral SchOfeld and nearly ell the officers and corps
of instructors we're presonk
The first witness was Joseph Pain, the writing
expert from New-York. who, it will be remembered,
examined the note Of warning and the specimens
few weeks ago, but who arrived at
no conclusion. In his reply to-day he said
that the similarity was so strong as TO warrant him
in giving an opinion as an expert thar the note OF
warning was written by tho writer Of set No. 1.
The witness discovered evidences Of an attempt
at disguise in the sliDs which he had re-
ceived No attempt had been made to influence bis
opinion, and he did not understand that he was en-
gagged upon any side. .t.......
Cadet Whitaker was then called to the stand.
There was O rustic Of expectation In the court
room. As Whitaker advanced to tho chair
Professor Greener advanced to speak to
him. but Lieutenant Knight, his counsel.
quietly stepped in front Of Mr.. Greener.
and talked with the young mon for several min.
utes. Recorder Sears was at first extremely
brlsque and short In his manner Of asking Ques-
tODs The Recorder began by asking Whitaker In
regard to the treatment which he expected to re-
oeive before he came to West Point Whitaker re.
pliedi
had heard Of the treatment Of coorcd cadets and
expected to be treated the Others had been treated
thought should be ill-rreaed personally and should be
Osrtsolsed was pever devilled or hazed, however.
aDd except when I was struck ey Mcdonald, yas
work
Recorder sears-Rave you sny clew that would lead
to the detection OF any one whom you suSpects
Recorder sears.Do you suspect any cadetsS
Whittaker-Yos; Mr.. Blake and Mr., Mcdonald.
RacordoF sears-What are your reasons for suspect
Wntiaker-From the way Mr. Blake etreated mo one or
wo days before the outrage, and month HEo had some
was angry with me for It. he moved out Of my way
With very scornful aud angry look,
Recorder Sears-DO you think that a sensible man
would do suob thing as this, and by mutllating feb
low cadet lay bmself liable to dismissal and mprison-
Wnittaker-I don't know whether q map who would
pclOn was formed after the 18th OF April suspected
Mcdonald perhaps on account OF the trouble bed WITH
aversion, hut none 40 strong as his.
"Is that your writing - said Recorder Sears.
after few other questions, showing to the wit
ness o long, hnely-written letter. 81 must
read tho letter to see," replied Whitaker, leaning
forward and attempting to take 1t. /" IL that your
letter. :" repeated she Recorder, still moro gruy.
still holding tho letter. u will read the letter and
if you please" said Whitaker. taking hold Of the
letter. Let co." said Recorder SearsI "yOu can
read your own writing, can't yOup "Yes, sir, but
cannot say unless read the letter"
Lieutenant Knight finally rose and stepping for
ward took tho letter. saying to Recorder Scare,
" Let me be responsible for it."
As Whitaker began to read the letter Recorder
Sears said that he supposed any man would know
his own handwriting, and that If he had known that
Whitaker wanted to read 1t through he would
have let him have it.
ynfYn-
Recorder sears-i would ash that If anybody not
moved rom the room We have bad that several times
before, and have never made any objection tolt.
never do object 20 IT,
President Mordecai then made an announcement
in compliance with the Recorders request.
Recorder Sears then took up the long letter
which the detectives found IN New-YOrk. The
letter was written to Mr.. Wester. The Recorder
quoted from it certain opinions which he thought
were inconsistent with Whttaker's testimony.
Cadet Whitaker then read the letter aloud with
gestures expressive Of his feelings. The letter
a long one, and in it the cadet rehearsed
the incidents of tho assault and referred
in strong words to the mitigation which
he felt mt the outrage. He was troubled and de-
pressed ho said but tho officers were looking into
It. and be hoped that the fends would be discov-
cred He felt that deep injury had been done
him, but as he had never injured any one
the wrong carried with 1t q greater sting.
His blood boiled at the recollection of tho hendish
and cOwardly act of bis persecutOrs who were baSer
than savages. Yet this" the letter con-
tinued, at school which boasts Of
it's gentlemanly conduct ana nonor-
empty phrases A beautiful reputation does this
put upon one of the most famous schools of the
country. l teel that some day retributiOn will
come to my cruel and heartless Prosecutors" The
letter was read in q clear, deliberate voice.
These" said the witness. d" were my sentiments
then, as they arc now. They were not supicons."
Tho Recorder then asked Whitaker to bare his
ears so that the members of the court could see
them, and he did so. He regarded them as distig-
ured not because Of the cuts themselves, but on
account of the manner in which he received them.
He was asked how they marked hogs down
South. He replied that he had seen hogs go of
Recorder Sears then returned to che Wester letter.
" Is no an intelligent man u asked the Recorder.
" don't know about his education, but he Is gen.
Whitaker was then questioned on
the Ku-KIux outrages in South Carolina. He said he
had heard of shooting. cutting. hanging and every
of O feigned outrage where coloTed mans nose or
lips were cut. Other questions brought ont the
fact that Whitaker was accustomed In his leisure
moments to write stories OF more or less sensa-
tional character, intending some time to publish
them. ,o. uuoo;o1 ,,,..;o,,
for the social elevation of your racep asked
the Recorder. ~ believe that every man
has some good work to perform, but /
A great many other questions were asked, Whit
taker denied that he had burned any paper
in his room, although the Recorder said
there had been traced to him. when asked how 1t
happened that he noticed the clothes which his
assailants wore, but did not see what he was
ma reOlI9d
couldn't be expected TO see what. was
being used to cut his hair unless he bad an
organ of sight on the side Of his head.1 Tho details
of the attack were reviewed at lengtn
the Recorder evidently desiring to zee If Whit
taEer would contradict bis former testimony in any
taten nm in which it was thought he
was inconsistent. He was not so frightened.
he said, but that he defended himself as well as he
might have killed him by striking hanging, shoot
an ar ruttinQ.