Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-23
EFfE TRIAL OF SERGEANT MASON.
Scenes in the COurt-Martial To-Day.

THE sERGEANT's WIFE AND BABY-THE PRISONERS
CONSUL SAYS HE HURTS HIS CAUSE BY TALKING
TOO MUCH-THE TESTIMONY TO-DAY.
The officers composing the Mason court martial
were in their seats about the long table the bar
racks a little after ten O'Clock this morning. A
new hgure-or rather two new flgures-appeared
on the scene to-day and fitted, during the morn
ing, about the barracks. This was rather q comey
young woman, with babe in her arms. II was
Mason's wife and child, who came up yesterday
from Fredericksburg, Va. to be near her ''bod So
Jer boy during his hour of trial. The only new
feature in the courtroom was pair Of apotheca-
rys scales, in glass case that occupied place in
the center Of the table. Half an hour was con-
sumed BY the officers in talking and smoking be-
fore proceeding to business
WHAT COUNSEL BIGELow SAYS OF MAsoN's PRISON
CELL.
Mr.. Bgelow, Mason'S counsel, was in his place
near the judge advocates end of the table at an
early hour. "YOu newspaper men, he said to THE
STAR reporter, sought not to print these things
that Mason says. he is charged with felony in
attempting to take mans life, and that is thing
he does not seem to understand. If an officer was
charged with the same thing he would be confined
ID the same way Why, his quarters a thou
SAND tunes better than those OF the guard down at
the jail. Members of Congress and others who
read what he says really think that he is treated
outrageously. He does not know that he is tniur-
ing his own caSe.'
COURT OPENED
1t was II O'Clock before the court was opened
ON account OF the absence OF Capt. Craig. Mason
was then brought in, and the usual preliminary
proceedings, including the reading of the entire re-
cord OF Tuesdays session. followed.
1t took nearly two hours to read the record and
make the corrections necessary to give il formal
accuracy.
CAPT. A'GILvRAY CRoss-ExAMINED.
Mr.. Bigelow then proceeded with the cross-ex-
animation Of Capt John McGilvray, OF battery b,
I'd artillery, to which Mason belongs He said he
had been in command Of battery B since the 8th
OF March last He appointed Mason first sergeant
some length as to the direction from which the
battery approached the Jail. and also TO Mason's
position, and distances between various points,
the location of windows, &c. Witness did not
know whether he saw the empty shell In MaSOn'S
muSket or not. Since his confinement Mason had
b en rf1nrned to duty by witness as duty sergeant
questioning as to the time of the arrival of bait ry
b at the Jail, Mr. Bigelow produced a patent medi-
cine almanac to show that the sun set September
1lth at 6:15 I. N. There was some question as to
whether the almanac should be permitted 20 be-
come part of the record, but Mr.. Biselow did not
When Capt McGilyray left the stand short
recess was taken.
WARDEN CROKER A WITNESS.
When the court re-asSembled John S Croker,
warden OF the United States jail, was sworn as a
witness for the prosecution. The witness produced
at the request of the Judge advocate the Police
Court commitment under which Guiteau was held
In confinement on the 18th OF September last, but
teauS CELL and said the arrival of troops could be
witnessed from the window of the cell. Guiteau,
he said, when not engaged In reading or writing,
frequently looked out OF the window.
MI. Bigelow here objected to introducing any
testimony as to the liability of Guiteau looking out
OF the window, unless the judge advocate also
engaged TO show that this habit was known to the
accused
The judge advocate said he proposed to show
this.
The court was then cleared for consultation,
having oeen IN session over two hours without once
closing the doors.
MASON DURING THE SECRET SESSION
entertained those who We're excluded from the
court room by recounting his grievances. When
the dosrs Were opened again, Mason declared that
he would clear the point under discussion by ad-
mlttlng that he did not know Guiteau'S habits but
he was silenced by the president OF the court.
Another secret session was held, and Mr.. Bige-
lows objection was sustained. The judge ad-
Vocate then announced that he proposed to prove
that Mason knew Of Guteau'S habits. The ex-
animation OF Warden Croker was then con-
t:nued, and was in progress when our report
cloSedl