The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-09
Another Cloud of Shoulder. Strapped
Witnesses Bear Testimony
To theAngelic Character Of the Ac,
cused, the
Pride Of West Pelnt aud the Army's
Ornament.
Considerable Address Shown by the
Accused In the
Conduct Of His Defense-Adjournment
TO Monday
To Await Il Material Witness.


SAN ANTONIO, June Especial, l-Short- !
ly after 10 O'Clock on this morning the
members of the court-martial having under Z,
consideration the case against Major i, r.
Wasson met, and the accused was ready in
attendance.
The minutes of the previous days pro-
ceedings were read and approved, when one
of the officers Of the court was called upon
by the accused TO give hts testimony, which
was as follows,
Question (by accused Please state your
name. rank aud station.
AHswer-Thomas w. Vincent, lieutenant
colonel. acting adjutant- general depart
ment of Texas United States army at the
post and city of San Antonio.
Q.-Do you know the accused? If so, state
who he is.
Al do Major James r. Wasson, nav.
master United States army.
Q-How long have You known ,.,imp
A.-Snce Febrary, 1878
Q-What were your oppo rtunities of
knowing the reputation of th', accusedY
A.-Having frequent ir 'tercourse course with
him, both in his official C ,pacity and per.
sonally, | was thus ena oiled to learn his
character.
Q,-Pease state VIII. It his character was.
both officially and p yrsSnally.
At was up 10 tae time that the cir
cumstances arose. out of which this trial
has grown, hon ,rable in all respects.
both the ]uu Sc advocate and the court
ueeilneu 10 CT ass-question the witness, who
then resume d his seat at his place among
the membf rs of the court.
Ihe mex { witness was called and testified
as follow s
s,s,io, SMr lease state your name' rank and
A g. B, RUSSELL CAPTAIN of the Ninth
ohi ted States infantry, detailed on duty as
III Jpector Of accounts in the department OF
].exas and at San Antonio.
, Q-Do you know the accused, and who is
Al do; Major J. r. Wasson, paymas-
ter.
Q-How long and where haveyou known
him. and what has been your opportuni'
ties of ascertaining and ability to state his
character
A. have known Ian ever since 1868;
first knew him when he was a cadet al
West Point and when he was the classmate
Of my brother, and met him frequently
during the years 1863, 1870 and 1871; / have
also known him subsequently in the de-
partment of Texas for the past two years
and half, where We both have been sta
toned and where we tented and messed to.
gethef during two trips.
Q.-Have ycu had any official relations
with him.
A.-Yes, sir; had frequent occasion to
examine his accounts as disbursing officer.
Q.-Please state what his character vas
as a cadet and an officer and personally
prior to the circumstances originating this
case
A.-As a cadet he was held high in the
esteem OF his classmates, his professors
and the officers on duty at the academy;
he graduated No. / In his class and was
second cadet captain in the academy; his
reputation as an officer in the department
was very high indeed, and personally he
was highly respected and regarded by the
officers, and in my opinion his reputation
was beyond reproach.
No cross-eyamingtion.
| The Third witness sHorn gave his testi'
mony as follows:
Q.-Please state your name, rank and
station.
A.-James h. Hickey first lieutenant
Eighth Cavalry, United States army, and
adjutant OF that regiment at San Antonio
post, department of Texas.
Q-Do you Gnow the accused, and If SO
who is he?
Al know him; Major James r. Wasson
pavmaster United States army.
Glow long have you known him and
please state what your opportunities have
been to be able to give his character.
Al have known him since 1867; was 4
class-mate OF his for four ears at the mill
tary academy, and have also been with hin
during his service in T',xas, and being II
the same departmea at with him anC
having met him on Several occasions willis
ne was going through the different post
ulspurs,ng the ir.nds, and being a. thos
posts Afforded ne an opportunity of meet
ing MN and le Arning his character, and
nave heard m frequently allsded to b.
the different officers.
Q'-Whss hes his character been, boil
personal snS officially
A." hile a cadet at West Point no on
s'oo1 igher than he in tho estimation G
h.s c' Issmates, his professors and the off
GERS rsationed there Misconduct by then
W" io1;ed upon as beng very exemplar
o the same department with him, his pei
iscnal and official reputation among hi
. brother officers and the past where he an
! have been, has been considered good, an
he has been regarded ss the soul OF honor.
!. 'Q.@-From your mutual association, whs
have you found to be the habits OF the a'
cused2
Ale has been temperate and nc
given to dissipation and excesses,
i Glow did he enter the academy, IN
how was his reputation acquired
Ale entered entirely without prestiR
and all Of his honors and reputation weI
Y acquired solely by himself and by his exc
tons.
Q.--Prior to The circumstances causin
this trial, have you heard any fact or eli
cumstance inconsistent witn the charact,
you have here ascribed him.
A.-No, never have.
I The last witress sworn gave the follow
ing testimony:
Q-state your name, rank and station.
z, A.-C. ii. Lester, second lieutenai
Y Eighth cavalry. stationed at San Antonio
q do you know the accused, and WI
is hep
AL know him; Major wasson, Unite
= States paymaeter. ...
Q-How long have you known himp
Al have known him ever since eth Il
March, or April, 1877.
Q-Whst opportunities have yoU had
ascertainiug his official and personal cha
: acter
Al have seen a great deal of him cv
since then, haviig been stationed with hi
some months ut Brownsville, where / sa
! him almost every day and boarded at Il
same place there with him..
IS Q.-State what was his personal and oil
- cial character.
U Alt was excellent so far as know, on
8 prior to the affair out of which this mi
- has sprung have never heard that 1t n.
s ever otherwise.
Q-What were your means OF aseertei.
ihg his oiscial reputation for probity sn
integrity
AL have bssn at various posts vislte
BY him for the purpose Of paying th
troops, and Of them his reputation was ID