The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-08
Evidence Auduced by Defense Goes
Back TO Boyhood Days,
Lingers for a While at Galveston and
Then
Skips Over to Japan, Where the Ac-
cused Was
Held In High Estimation by the Celes-
tial Disnitaries.
Letters Froi& Foreign Ministers are
Offered In Substantiation.
General Augur Adds his Testimony to
the Heap, But
WassOn's ShOulder.StrapS Endangered.

WaSson'S Shoulder.StrapS Endangered.
San ANTONIO, June Especial This
morning a few minutes subsequent to the
hour designated for reconvenipg the court
martial before whom the charges against
Major James r. Wasson are under consider
alton, the members in full dress uniform
and wearing their swords assembled in the
library room, ana the accused also appeared
but attired in fatigue dress, his appearance
being about the same as on the preceding
day.
The judge advocate called the roll, all the
court answering their names as they were
called, and the minutes of the proceedings
of Wednesday were read by him and ap-
proved by the court.
The first witness introduced by the de.
fense was Mr.. W. A. Noble, who stated that
his occupation was that of a manufacture
of wire fence at lndianola, Warren county
Iowa. His testimony was as follows.
Question-Do you know the accused, and
II so, state who he is and how long YOU
have known him
Answer-Yes, sir; he is Major J. r. Was
son, whom have known ever since 1854.
Q-What are your opportunities of
knowing his character and reputation
among those who know him well !?
Al lived in the same place and was in
business with his father for probably three
years, and have known him ever since:
during the time that his father was In the
United States service; during the rebellion
he and l conducted the business, and NV
business association with HIM gave me an
opportunity OF knowing all about him.
Q,-Please state fully what his character
and general reputation in the community
in which he lived during your association
A.-His character was good and general
reputation was also very good.
Q-State any fact or circumstance in his
career you may remember?
A.-Well, when he was boy, he was
faithful, active, reliable in every way i'm
our business relation.
q. Do you know of his ever assuming
financial obligations under which he did
not legally rest, or of any pecuniary sacri.
fees made by him2
A. Yes, sir; his father was financially
embarrassed, and he came to his aid; he
also furnished means for the support of the
family as well as assumed and paid debts Of
his father.
Q. Do you know or have YOU heard Of
any conduct OF his prior to the circum.
stances of which this trial is the basis which
is inconsistent with the character which YOU
have given him?
A. | never heard any.
CR0ssEXAMIEATIoN.
Q,-When was it that he first came to his
fathers assistance and how long ago?
Alt was during his first service after
leaving West Point, and also while he was
IN Japan, eight years ago; he had also
assisted the family since he has been in the
paymaster's service; | would say, in fact.
from the time he left West Point up to the
present he has been furnishing means,
more or less, to his parents, who are old and
needy.
The second witaess swore as follows:
Q-State your name, occupation and
residence.
Az A Hartman, attorney-at-law, In.
dianola, Warren county, Iowa.
QoDo you know the accused, and who
U. S. Army. '''
Q-.'How long have you known the &C.
cused, and what were your means for know
ing his character and reputation among
those who know him well?
Al have known him since his early
boy hood; | lived in the same village in
which he resided.
Q'-"What was his character?n
A.-"Both his conduct ard his reputa-
ton-l knew him from boyhood up-was
good, and never heard any reflection cast
on his character; the entire community es-
teemed him."
Q.-State any circumstance in your
knowledge OF him in support OF the charac.
Al have lived in the same place with
him from the time he was small boy to
1862, when l moved to the county seat
some fifteen miles distant; a portion of the
time that speak ofl was associated in diff
ferent ways and business relations with
his father; the accused was with me almost
every day during that time, and never
knew anything derogatory to his character
In any way and know it is good There
was no cross examination nor questions
asked by the court.
The next witness stated his name was M.
A. Dashill, he was physician and resided
at Hartford, Monroe county, Iowa.
Q-Do you know the accused before the
court?
A-Msjor Wasson2 do, sir.
Q-Doctor, how long have YOU known
the accused, and what were your means for
knowing his character?
A.-Ive known him ever since 1854, when
he was small boy, aud my means for
knowing him were, We lived in the same
village together, and | saw him almost
daily was the family physician and am
yet of his father,
Q,-Please state what was his character
in that community from boyhood?
Alt was good, sir.
q O-plpasa etafa anu f,,te aud u,-...-
stances in support of the character you
have given him.
Ale was kind boy, and everybody
liked Mr.. Wasson; lie always abounded in
hind acts to his family and friends, and was
the pride OF the neighborhoed and its COM
fort you might say, and which Is strictly
true; his benevolent acts to his parents
while they were In difficulties, were very
prais'worthy, and he has been the support
OF the 'amily for many years; while his
father has been in financial trouble he has
paid great many of his debts.
Q-Was his help to his father given as
such or to prevent others from lo.s2
A Il suppose for both purposes. To re.
beye hun and to prevent the creditors from
suffering loss.
Odd not he for this purpose assume
obligations for which he was In no wise
responsible to assist his father and save
creditors?
Ale did, sir.
Odd the accused enter the war of the
rebellion
A He did.
Q--What was his age2
Al think 10
Odd he not, shortly after entering as
q private, obtain an opportunity OF seour.
ing cadetship at West Pointi
Ale did, and wrote letter declining
and stating he had entered the war and
was determined to serve through, or some.
thing to that efiact.
Q.-Was II through your influence he
obtained that opportunity
A Il suppose II was, sir-throueh my
influence aud that OF others.
Q-D, you know or have you heard OF
a,,v act Of his prior 10 the .c,rcu m a rcs.