Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-20
SERGEANT MASON on TRIAL.
The COurt.martiaI Organized.
OPENING PROCEEDINGS TO-DAY.

OPENING PROCEEDINGS TO-DAY.
The court-martial ordered by Gen. Hancock for
the trial OF Sergeant John A. Mason battery b, 81
artillery who shot through Guiteaus cell window
at the Jail the 1lth of September last assembled
| at the Washington barracks to-day, according TO
| the order constituting the court The body is
composed OF Lieut. Col. Henry r. Miner, 10th in
tantry: Major l. L. Langdon, ID artillery; Capt. r.
II. Hall, 10th Infantry; Capt C r. Throckmorton,
4th artillery: Capt j. h. RawleS, 9th artillery;
sth artillery: Cart John W. Ro,er. sth artillery:
| First Lieut. II. j. Reilly. 5th artillery: Second
Lieut. II. A SprnSett, 4th artillery; Second Lieut.
| Brow n. 5th artillery, Judge advocate.
Several OF the officers composing the court
Senbied in the court martial room in the Old bar
racks building at IL O'Clock, but the pro eedings
were delayed. owing to the fact that some OF the
| members of the court had by mstlke gone tn the
Marine barracks. A long table, amply supplied
with writing materials. WAS provided in the court
room for the accommodation of the officers. Mr.. j.
c. Bigelow, Mason's counsel, arrived on the ground
early.
THE TRIAL TO LAST ABOUT A WEEK.
Lieut. Brown, talking To THE STAR reporter be-
fore the court opened, said he expected the trial
would require about week, and that the court
would probably assemble at II and sit Till O'Clock
every day.
THE COURT OPENED.
1t was noon when the members Of the court,
arrayed In all the Splendor OF fu-droSS Uniform,
sat down to the long table Every officer wore an
appropriate badge OF mourning for the late Presi-
dent, the SIX months during which they were re-
quired to show respect to the memory OF the de-
ceased not having expired. Col. Miner, IN virtue
o. his Office president of the court, sat at the
head OF the table, while Lieut. Brown, judge advo-
cate, sat at the opposite end. When the roll WAS
called, and all the members being found present,
SERGEANT MASON WAS BROUGHT IN
from the guard house and stood by the Judge ad-
vocate While that officer read the various orders
under which the court assembled. When the
emony was concluded, the Judge advocate said:
"HaVe you any objection, sergeant, TO be tried 10y
any member OF the COurt?"
"NO, sir: have not" responded the prisoner.
The members OF the court then rose, and raising
thelf right hands were sworn In due form 10y the
judge advocate. The judge advocate was in turn
sworn by Col. Miner, upon which the court was
declared duly organized
THE PRISONERS COUNSEL.
The prisoner, upon inquiry, said that he had
counSel-Mr. Bigelow-and that gentleman, who
was In the adjutants Office, sent for and soon
appeared. There some discussion as TO pro-
curing stenographer, but no decision Was reached.
Mr. Bigelow was then introduced TO the court, and
suggested that competent person be employed TO
make plat of the front of the JAIL to show, as he
claimed, that it was utterly Impossible Tor the
prisoner to have committed the crime charged
against him. He thought the officers called here
could not give an Intelligent consideration OF the
case without such draft.
Lieutenant Brown said he had visited the jail.
and made rough draft OF the premises, which, he
thought, would show everything; he thought IL
would be necessary for the officers OF the court to
visit the Jail anyway He suggested that a string
should be passed from Guiteaus cell out through
the windows of the JAIL in order to show the exact
position where the man who fired the shot stood.
Colonel Miner said he thoughtitwould be neces-
sary to visit the jail
Mr.. Bgelow said that he thought they should
have the plan as part OF the record.
NE: Bigelow said he thought the court could
finish its work in three days with a steaOgrapher,
whereas it would take a week without one.
Col. Miner having explained that Stenogra-
pher could be obtained here for the amount al
lowed by the government $50 per day),it was de-
cided To telegraph to a Buffalo stenographer for
stenographer who wanted the task.
After some discussion, the court was cleared, and
the prisoner, his counsel, and the reporters ad-
jOurned to an adjoining room.
MASON MAKES NO PLEA
The court remained in secret session for about
20 minutes. When the room was throw open
again the prisoner was brought in and tn Judge
advocate read the charges and specifications to
him, eging violation OF the cd article OF war
@ with M to @ is his
muSket at ChaS J. Guteau, prisoner there con-
fined. When asked what he had to say TO the
charge, Mason said: 81 make no plea, Sir.'
"Enter plea OF not guilty." said the president
After further discussion. in which it was decided
best not to make the propose visit to the Jail until
the case was further developed. the court ad-
Journed few minutes before one O'Clock until
WHAT MASON SAYS.
Mason is looking very well, though he complains
considerably OF his confinement Il wouldn't care"
he said to STAR reporter, s'If it wasn't for shoot
ing at such a ID unchrStian dog as that.
NueIl WAS uTSt cUHHIfea uiuhG nave a IrleHd
come 10 see me except this gentleman here,
pointing to Mr.. Bigelow.) l don't know any OF
the officers of the court" continued Mason ~ am
willing to trust to them"
Some one having toked him about the pictures
that have been published OF him, Mason said: 81
ought to be allowed to have NV photoeraph taken
and be allowed to sell them Just as Guteau does
There" he said to STAR reporter, opening an
envelope and taking out a small scrap OF paper,
sis specimen OF my handwriting. never learned
to write till went into the army"
The scrap or paper contained simply the auto
fsh9 FiIisry '0Nn A. A"S0n sergeant battery B. ID ar
RATS IN MAsoN's CELL
Mason, while talking to the reporters, seemed
much disguised with his quarters In the guard
house. He said rats had free access to his cell
Last night one visited him while he as in bed,
and he killed 1t by squeezing 1T with his hand.
WHAT GUITEAU SAID TO LIEUT.. BROWN.
"There's good story you ought to print" said
Mr.. Bgelow, who was standing by Mason; Lieut.
Brown went to the jail Yesterday, and hile there
whZzed so close to his head that when it fattened
on the wall it was found like his profile. He thought
that the impression was made by passing so near
his head"
The Condemned Assassin.
SOME LETTERS HE HAS WRITTEN TO MIR. RRED-How
HE PROPOSES TO REWARD HIS COUNSEL
Mr.. Chas. H. Reed, Mr.. ScovlEes associate in the
letters recevS By
the condemned assassin The notes or letters are
all OF the same character, requesting Mr. Reed to
ments that the nom jurisdiction OF the is his
strong point; and that he wants Mr. Scoville of
the case In cue letter he says: 81 will give you
and Mr. Merrick Gen. Butler and Judge Ma
gruder my note, payable one year hence for 5000
each If you win get me out Of here. 1 think you
jurisdiction OF the court. have just written to
my brother to make this oner to Gen Butler and
gentlemen, and depend on you to secure Mr.
Merrck. Please call with Mr. Merr1ck without
delay. presume could make $50, ,0OO next winter
lecturing II get out OF this. have an offer OF
$500 per night for six nights from Boston low."
In another letter he says OF Mr.. 5000 81
wish him to retire at once from the case as soon
as he submits his bill OF exceptions to my new
counsel He is out OF luck and has been for some
time, and want nothing to do with him on this
case. Please see me tomorrow or to-day IL you
can, and bring Mr.. Merrick and will give you
$40 II you bring Mr. Aerrick to see me-"
In the next letter he says:-"Merrick is down on
ScOv1lle because he put Robinson on the case
Merrick recommended Robinson, and the court ap-
pointed him on that ground As soon as we can
get rid OF ScOvile think we can get Merrfck. /
want SrOyillp to file his executions q once apd