Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-08
FLIPPER ON THE STAND.
A STOUT DENIAL OF GUILT.
His own Story of His Trouble
Warm COmmendasIOn of the Ac-
cused from His SuPeIIOFs.

SAN ANTONIO, TEX, December Tin The
court-martial of Lieut.. FIipper yesterday, ].
NJ. Dean, County Attorney, testified that
he had resided here three years and had
known Flipper twelve months. He was
acquainted with the circumstances of the
present difficulty. He had heard Colonel
Shsfter testify before the Commissioner
Had heard him say at st. Louis that he
would get Flipper on his trial or make
similar remark. He had said he was getting
more evidence, and was piling it up on him.
These remarks were made shortly after be
testified before the Commissioner. He bad
been led to believe that Sbafter was Flip
per's friend until he heard these remarks.
He then thought be was playing him double.
He was well acquainted with Fipper's
habits. Considered them remarkable good
for man of his age in this country, aud
not extravagant or dissipated.
Major Mclaughlin, OF the Tenth Cav
airy, said FIipper had no bad or extrsvagapt
habits. The defense offered letter from
Colonel GriersOn, Of the Tenth Cavalry,
Lieutenant Flipper's regiment, speaking in
high terms of The accused, both officially
and priva' ely. The court ordered the let
ter as testimony.
Lieutenant Fipper made the following
first charge and its specifications in his
case: 81 declare to you 10 the moss solemn
and most positive manner possible that l
am innocent In every way, shape and form
That l never, by myself or by ano her, con-
verted or applied to my own use a single
dollar or penny of government money,
or permitted it to be done, or
author zed any meddling with 1t whatever.
OF course | am not guilty. The fluids for
xuhf oh I ruoc To-,
ters In my trunk because felt more secure
10 have them in my own custody. On he
ID OF May received telegram from GIN.
Small not to transfer any funds, as he in
tended being absent from San Antonio.
This construed to apply to everything per-
tanning to the funds, as was not informed
that some one would be left to attend TO
routine business there. During his ab-
sence l submitted my funds regu-
larly to the commanding officer for
inspection. did not make a
statement in conse quence of the telcgram
of May 2 l thought it unnecessary and
discontinued 1t for June. The accumulated
funds, after YER tcatiun, we put 10 a trunk,
and it was not examined until July 8, when
1t was referred to Immediately for the Gus
tOmarY inspection. Then was discovered a
discrepancy OF $l,540. l did not know
what to do, but chose TO put in my own
1t personally in the bank before l was re-
quired to remit a check.
81 expected my company in from the field
on the 10th of July l Anew they had two
months pay In checks, aud thought could
get what wanted, but the post trader cash
ed them before | could d. so. l then re-
lied on getting money from the publisher of
my book, who had promised it. l was dis
appointed again l believe the shortage OF
NV mis- In
me for stores so TO men and laundresses
on my personal account. Il caused me no
uEeasiness, however, as l thought when
the money should be paid l could deposit it
to meet the check, IL not able to meet it
with personal funds. When Ieav-
ing my quarters on the 18Th
| OF August, | believe and still
sponstbie were IN my trunk except this
check. When / learned otherwise was
perfectly sstonisbed and entirely ignorant
Of where they were. ! was not responsible
except to make them good, which have
done. My servant lived with lauudTess
who had no place to keep her clothing On
her request allowed her to put part 10 my
trunk l always retained the key except
when it was given to her for a short time 10
| rearrange her clothing. had no
reason to suspect dishonesty. l
never lost snything worth
attracting attention. l had been warned
previously that the commanding officer
would take his first chance to get me in
trouble. | paid but little attention to this
at the time, bnt afterwards remembered it
distinctly. / knew him by reputation and
observation to be severe, stern man. Hsv-
ing committed my first mistake, i INDUCED 10
that ir seems were false hopes, that would
be permitted to work out on my own respon-
sibllity, without giving him any knowledge
Of my embarrassment