, 1889-08-29
CoNrRABAND LEMONS.
The Fateful Fruit That Caused Worry
and Court Martial at West Point.
LMesl Point Speninl to Now York World

lwest Point Special to New York World
Everybody may not know tnat the in.
nocent lemon Is contrabaud OF war at tho
nations military academy in these pip.
ing times of peace, but IL is, and its sur.
rcptitious passage of the sentry lines has
produced q lot OF tribulation, which eli
NAKED in n court martial, besides calls.
ing much worriment and expense.
At dress parade Tuesday evening an
order from the headquarters of the army
was read, reciting that Field Musician
Irving III. Delamater, "having pleaded
guilty to the. charge OF absence from his
post without permission and with con
duct to the prejudice of good order and
military discipline. Is hereby fined tile
amount of two months pay" The story
on which this finale rests viii now come
TO light for the first time, as Musician
Delamater gave it while seated on an
army bunk I'm the band barracks.
Dcamater is II bright-loobing youth
of about Is years, and has been in the
government service for two aud Is half
years He was at one time resident of
Poughkeepsie, but ut the time Of his
enlistment was employed at the Print
Works, Wappinger's Falls.
"1o begin with" said he. 'I pride
myself on being q general fuvorite with
every cadet In the corps and being such ,
/ have many good times not enjoyed
by the other boys. The first class OF the
corps wanted to have blowout and
were desirous of obtaining some sup
plies. a committee consisting of
Charles Keller and tour others--whom
will not mention, as Their names have
not yet figured in the affair and
it would give them needless
trouble-visited me one day when
/ was on duty as orderly. They
asked me TO permit the use OF my name
as purchaser OF the articles and later to
receive thcm and deliver them at camp,
promising to use me well for so doing
OF course | agreed. Keller sent letter
to Il dealer in Sixth avenue, New York,
for two boxes of lemons, BY some mis-
take OF the dealer they were shipped to
Cadet Keller direct. I'm due time they
were landed ut the government dock,
and Sergeant O'Laughlin, the guard, as
his duty required, reported the case to
the acting commandanl, Captain Dorst.
The matter soon went to the superin-
tendcnt in the shape of complaint
that Cadet Keller had ordered goods for
camp without permission.
Three Endorsements were made on
the complaint before the final point was
reached that the responsibility must be
get in trouble. At this juncture lie sent
for me, explained the fatal mistake
made in New York by the dealer and
proposed that permit him TO state on
tho final explanation that he (Kellcr)
ordered the goods for me. In return
for so doing lie said i would receive a
check for $l25, payable by, keller's
from all trouble ! might get into, I
agreed to this, and on Saturday, July
IS, the check was placed in my hands
and all seemed lovely. was determined
to have a good time, and IN the after
noon went to Newburg. While there |
stopped over night Mt the United States
hotel and left next morning by the West
Shore road for New York, there to meet
Cadet kcller's father by appointment,
/ did meet the father and he honored
the check.
with plenty of money in my pocket
| went to Syracuse, Rochester, aud other
points in the western part of the state.
In few days had blown In nearly all
my money, and with the balance bought
"a railroad ticket, plug hat and cane and
returned to the Pointto take my punish
ment.
II arrived at tho post on Friday, July
10Th, logged out like dude and reported
for duty, only To bs put under arrest for
being absent without leave and for con.
duet prejudicial to the service. ON trial
i'm the latter part of July pleaded guilty
TO both charges, thus preventing the ox-
posure of the members of the first class.
Cadet Keller then told me tho first class
would see that | was reimbursed for the
fine. Besides the S24 which is very
easy sentence, | was compelled to forfeit
SO for absence from duty during the time
] was away. understand some of the
authorities will make an effort to have
me dismissed the service, but Mr.. Keller
saws his father will see that get some
thing better in civil life il they succeed
in their cndeayors."