Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-20
"SWORN TO SECRECY.n
The Armes Court Martial with Closed
Doors.

The court-martial trying Captain Armes for
conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentle
man met at eleven O'Clock this morning and ex-
amined Col Richard W. Tyler, of this city. as
to Armes character.
ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
c. Fl. Armes was called to the stand. He
identified warrant sworn ont by the accused
against Capt. Bourke and said that several DAYS
after the 5th of March his messenger brought
him warrant, in which his brothers name oc-
CURED. Without knowing whether his brother
was defendant or prosecuting witness he
turned the warrant over to Mr.. Shillington
and asked him to investigate il, that he had
perfect confidence in his judgment. He had a
delIcacy about proceeding in the case Mr.
Shllllngton afterward told him that he had
looked into the case and recommended nolle
pros, to which Armes' name was signed by
Shllllngton. with the formers consent. Several
days afterward his brother came into his Office
and made inquiries about his case. asking WHY
he had not been summoned. Witness told him
that he
DID NOT Know ANYTHING ABOUT THE CASE,
and his brother left the Office be remarked:
well, this is not the last of this" Last Thurs
day his brother came to HIM again and told
him of his trouble about this warrant for Capt
Bourke's arrest. Upto that time he had scrupu-
lousy avoided reading the newspaper accounts
OF this court-martlal case and knew nothing
about 1t. He then became interested and looking
into the records found that no subpoena had
been issued to witnesses in the Police Court
case and he looked up the officer who had had
the duty of serving the warrant. and learned
from him that he had kept the warrant in his
pocket for two or three days before serving il
and had not summoned any witnesses.
Capt. Lyman. fifth infantry, testified as to
Armes good character.
After the recess Surgeon Smart of the army
testified that during war time he knew Armes
as a brave officer. de sometimes did reckless
acts and achieved reputation for being I'M
necessarily rash In some of his deeds. He re-
membered one ride in particular that aston
ished the officers. He knew nothing against
Armes' character.
THE REPoRTER's SHUT OUT
Col. H. L. Swords, who was one of the sec
retaries of the inaugural committee, was next
called. Before he went on the stand the ac-
cused and his counsel had consultation with
him in the ante-room. and when they returned
Judge Hubbell asked that the court be cleared.
You will not be able to stay here in that
case" said Col. Dodge.
Then l ask that all reporters and snectators
be excluded while this testimony is being
taken"
The court agreed to this, and all but the
court. Judge-adyocate, accused. counsel steno-
grapher, and witness were sent from the room
The court was in secret session for about Is
minutes and when Colonel Swords came out he
said to STAR reporter that he was sworn to
secrecy.
PRIVATE SECRETARY HALFoRD WITNESS
Mr.. E. w. Halford, the Presidents private
secretary, was the next witness, the court being
in open session. He knew Capt Armes. He re-
membered. while in the Vice-President,s car
rage, returning from the capitol on inaugura-
ton day, an oficer-not Armes-rode up to the
carriage and asked Mr.. Morton if he was being
disturbed.
He thought that this related to a number of
people breaking through the lines and irving to
shake hands with the Vice-President. He eonld
not remember any disturbance by Capt. Armes.
put would probably remember it had any oc-
CURED.
WARD Il. LAMoN A WITNESS
The next witness was Gen. Ward H. Lamon.
He told the court that just before the war
Armes, then lad, was brought before him. as
marshal OF the district, under arrest on suspi
cion OF disloyalty. Secretary Seward vouched
for his loyalty and he was released
from arrest. Mr.. Seward took a
deep interest in Armes and often
witness presence. He detailed his success as
a military officer and spoke highly of his char
acter. He said he had always looked upon
him as a little erratic.
BUT ONE MORE WITNESS.
When General Lannon's testimony was con-
cluded at o'clock, Judge Hubbell asked that
the court adjourn until IL o'clock on Monday
morning. He had but one more witness
and he and the judge-advocate wished to ar
range some admissions of facts
The court adjourned as requested
The case of DR.. Waddie Lynham, the South
Washington druggist, charged with receiving
alcohol stolen by Thomas Skinner from the
Smithsonian, knowing the same 10 have been
stolen, was tried in the Police Court yesterday
and the court imposed fine Of ESQ.,
jury summoned by the marshal to-day
found VIM smith, colored, to be insane.