The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-22
COL. FLETCHER's TROUBLES
II Locks Very Mach % IL lie has Tarned the Tables
on Ills AcenserA.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: There has
been n remarkable revolution In public senti-
ment IN regard TO Col. Fictcher's case. So In
dustfiousy had tho rumors derogniory 20 him
been circulated aud magaihed that at tho be-
ginning of the trial 10 seemed only question
OF whether the court would palpably whitewRsh
him or force him completely out of the Army.
Now II appears rs If his active prosecutors will
have 10 stand trial Oh the charge Of conspiracy,
aud some of them go out Of the Army.
At the first session last week several witnesses
were introduced 10 repair the raEages which. had
been made In Mrs. McFariRnc's reputation by
those who testified against her. Two or three
Of her peighbors stated that they were we'll &C
quainted with her. aud never bad heard any.
thiug to her detriment. Later, number OF
witnesses were called aud recalled 20 testify to
minor points that had been brought up In the
course Of the trial. when the ease was closed,
aud Col. Clapp made an argument for the de.
fensc He spoke OF Col. Eletchcr's gallant
conduct upon the battlefield. and said It was
not possible TO believe that Ia the space Of a
few months that ha should have become a
coward aud liar. IL was mlcii easier 10 sup
pDse that there had been great and cruel mis-.
take aud grieyous wrong done him, aud that.
though entangicd in the web OF circumstances
and conflicting statements, IL was possible TO
explain these Ia n way TO leave no doubt re-
gErIiing his integrity. lie then made a careful
Analysis OF The evidence, aud explained away
si that appeared 10 reflect against tho Colonel.
Hon. John q. Webster followed Col. Clajp for
the defense aud tore Mrs. hcFarlanes evidence
TO sllreds. lie paid his respects severely 90 DIR.
Henderson, Capt. Dempsey aud otlers who had
testified against the Colonel. and closed with
an eloquent appeal against the destruction Of
the reputation OF a man who mad served his
country 50 faithfully aud who bore a commits
sion signed b. the great Abraham Lincoln, upon
| the iimsy aud prevarIcating testimony OF wit.
nesses who were animated by malice and per.
sonal dislike.
Capt Chas Porter. 9Th Inf, Judge Ad yocate,
| closed for the prosecution. He defended Mrs.
McFariane protested against the imputations
on her character, aid the same for Miss Mix.
and insisted that the testimony supported the
charges and specifications He claimed that
this accused's good military record bad nothing
| 20 do with the case. Some very great soldiers
| had been brutes and tyTanta at home. lie rub
bed up Lieut.. Towsley pretty severely, and
bore down bard upon the acensed's ofeDse Ia
| going away from the post and leaving IL with
| out commander
The court was then cleared OF all but the
members. who spent Al hour in considering q
| verdict, which was agreed upon, made out
formally, and sent by Capt. +. Henry Ray
Assistant Judge Advocate General, 20 Gen
| Brooke at Fort Robinson. IL Ii understood
| that this ezonerates Col. Fletcher from the
charges but mildly reprimands him for slack.
| ness of cipline.-SEcoED IsPASTRY, Fort
| Omaha.