Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-18
THE ARMIES COURT.MART1AL.

THE ARMIES COURT.MARTlAL.
Testimony for the Defense Today
Gov. Beaver q Witness.
STORIES OF EYE-wTrNEssEs OF THE AVENUE IN
c1DESTs AND THE RIees HOUSE Eprsopx-rHE
INTERVIEW BETWEEN GOV. BEAVER AND CAPT.
ARMIES BEFORE THE SosE-rwKAK1Sa
The court-martial trying Capt. Armes met.
according to agreement, at IL o'clock this
morning, and Judge-Advocate Davis began at
once to read the record of Tuesdays proceed
ings, consisting merely Of the testimony Of
Assistant District Attorney Shillington. Capt.
Knox, who started in to act as counsel for the
accused, but withdrew from the case when the
services of Judge Hubben were secured by
Capt. Armes, entered the courtroom during
the reading, and took seat at the counsel
table in the corner. He has had a
good deal to do with the
cross-examination of the prosecutors
witnesses, asking no questions but making
whispered suggestions to Capt. Armes and
to Judge Hubbell, that have usually resulted
looked upon as part of the counsel for the
defense, although he formally withdrew.
MOTION TO STRIKE OUT.
When the reading was completed judge HUB
bell arose with paper in his hand and said
May it please the court ask on behalf of
Mr.. A-mes, that we be allowed to strike out
from the record of the first day that portion of
his remarks relating to Col Barr" This re-
mark was to the effect that Col Barr had acted
as Secretary OF War for Mr.. Lincoln.) A mem
Der OF the court suggested that the remarks
~ hn Ixxle TIL Iii
around and asked those at the table behind
him - Captains Armes and Knox-"Who is
Col. Barr?''
Before any reply was made Col. Dodge said
that he did not think it competent for any
Withdrawals to be made, but that the Judge
could file his request and that it might amount
to the same thing.
THE QUESTION OF JURISDICTION
Judge Hubbell then presented plea for what
In civil court would be nolle pros, alleging
lack OF jurisdiction on the part of this court.
He read this at some length, but Col. Dodge
replied that the court had already decided this
point, and unless any member wished to dis
cuss 1t anew the trial would go on without in
terruption.
TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENSE.
A. W. Gully was called by the defense. He
was employed on Inauguration day as special
officer on Pennsylvania avenue. He noticed
disturbance on the Avenue near the Vice-Pres-
ldent's carriage, between three army officers,
Col. Gibson, Capt Armes and Capt. Bourke.
Capt. Bourke came riding toward him and told
him to put that man. Armes, out of the process
sion. Witness asked him what were the
charges against the man. Bourke replied that
1t made no difference, that he
had no authority in the line and had to be re-
moved. Witness reminded the captain that
there must be some charge against the man
before he could put him out. Bourke repeated
what he had said. when Armes demonstrated,
saying that he did have authority for being
there IN his pocket. Capt Bourke thereupon
called on Private Sawyer, who
PUT THE CAPTAIN OUT OF THE LINE.
The latter then asked for Lieut.. Kelly and was
directed to the Peace monument, and rode down
that way. In few minutes he came back, and
witness was going to stop him when Sawyer
said: Its all right, let him 60" and Armes rode
ahead. In the opinion of the witness Capt
Bourke was rather excited, attracting some
attention from those around him, but he was
not in an intoxicated condition He rode his
morse up to Capt. Armes at a slow trot.
LIEUT.. GOV. wooDBURY's TESTIMONY.
The next witness was Lieut.. Gov. Woodbury.,
of Vermont, who recognized the accused as
"Geo. A. Armes," whom he has known for
twenty-five years. He explained that he met
veteran reserve corps of Vermont, having lost
his arm. Armes came to him as second lieu
tenant, and he had some acquaintance with
him. He found him to be q young man of
good character, mild disposition and
had no personal knowledge Of his
character. He has some pecularities Of char
acter which to him would excuse some things
which would not be understood by those who
did not know him. He was man of good i'm
pulses who would do anything for a friend
perhaps little suspicious of Others For all
that the witness knew Armes had never done
anything dishonorable or ungentlemanly. Of
course he had his faults, he explained, as all
have.
Other witnesses gave testimony as to the
Avenue incident and the trouble at the Riggs
house.
THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN BEAVER AND ARMIES.
Judge Hubbell next called Mr.. Edwin Smith,
a resident Of Washington. He was little deaf
and his questioners had to raise their voices
somewhat above their usual tone, He has known
Capt. Armes for fifteen or twenty years. and
was present with him in the lobby of the Riggs
house on the afternoon of March 81. The wit
ness produced "a little diagram" and referred
to points marked in it as he told the story
OF the woodworking. He said that he was
standing with Armes il front of the counter. con-
versihg, when Gov. Beaver appeared When
he saw Armes he said holding out his
hand, How do you do, Armes?" The
major shook hands with the governor
and introduced the witness Armes and
the governor then entered into conversation.
Armes began to complain of his treatment on
Inauguration day, and said that there had evil
IDENTIFY been a conspiracy against him to dis
grace him, and that he thought the governor
was partly responsible for it. The governor
replied that he was sorry that he had not known
of the matter until next morning. After some
further talk Armes asked the governor why he
had not replied to the letter he sent him. This
SEEMED TO EXCITE THE GOVERNOR
somewhat, and he replied that he did not an
swer it because he did not consider it worthy of
reply; that he thought it insolent. Capt.
Armes still pressed him for reparation of
some kind, but at this point the governors at
tention was attracted by friends and he turned
away. Armes followed him and still insisted
upon some action on the part of Gov. Beaver
The latter seemed very anxious to get rid of the
captain. Armes held out his hand to stop him
and said: Governor. / want this matter settled"
The governor still went on, when Armes. step
ping up behind him, extended his hand over
his shoulder and passed it under the brim of
his hat. The witness could not see whether or
not the hand touched the governors face II
was soon withdrawn, and Capt. Armes stepped
back and the governor turned and for four or
five seconds stood still, as though dazed, and
undecided what to do. Then be made
ALUNGE AT ARMIES WITH HIS CRuTcH.
Armes had retreated behind pillar, and so
escaped being hit by the blows of the crutch
Witness had taken up position near the two,
with the fixed intention to interfere il Armes