Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1890-03-14
!. II CALLA'S MANNERS.
Enforcing Discipline on an Amer
lean Sloop-of- War.
A FIREMAN STRUCK WITH A SWORD

Commander Assaulted II Man In IroDs.
The Witnesses Agree That tho Crow
Was n Hard Ono and Loose Disc pline
Prevailed.
NEW YORK, March 13.-Thc court of
inquiry into the allegations of cruelty
against Capt. Bowman Ii. McCalla,
commander OF the United States cor
vcttc Enterprise on the recent cruise of
that ship i'll European waters resumed
It's hearing.
Lieut.. lngcrsolI, chief officer of the
Enterprise testified that he had been
with the Enterprise since Oct. 4, 1856.
Asked us to the system of discipline
maintained on the Enterprise, under
McCala's command, he said it was the
same us wa; authorized by the rules of
the navy department.. He cited num-
Der O. instances of punishment inflicted
on members of the crew. The first
case alluded to was that OF a sail
makers mate, who became drunk and
,Iisordcrly in the harbor of Algers in
April, 1888. This man had been placed
in irons. Other cases OF similar pun
i.,hmeuL were those of John l.. Walker,
fireman, and George Ross, boalswain's
mate.
Fireman Walkers Case.
Asked to detail the history of Walkers
case, the witness said in substance: In
tho harbor of Christiana, Norway, on
the night of July 10, 1888, about / |
o'clock, he was awakened by tn cries,
shouts and cursing of a man on deck,
apparently under the influence of
liquor. Commander McCalla left his
room, went on deck and asked the OIL
Ger of the deck if he could not have the
noise stopped. AlcCalla then retired,
but as the noise continued, came out
again lie had his sword with him.
The witness followed McCalla on deck.
The man making the cutlery was
found To hc John Walker, second class
fireman When the witness; arrived on
The scene Walker WAS being placed in
IRONS. McC'alla stood back at the bridge,
Walker Il little distance Off. While his
aims were being pinioned behind his
back Walker was cursing the com-
mandcr and using abusive language.
He was in Il violent condition. In the
struggle made in getting him under
control he moved his position a little
further aft. McCalla then ordered that
Walker he gagged. This WAS done by
binding the blade of bayonct across
his mouth. But the fireman did not
stop his noise. The gag was therefore
removed at McCalla'S order.
Tie Commander Uses His Sword.
The latter then ordered buckets Of
Ia 4 h. china ci1a
These were drawn, and AIcCalla dashed
them. one after another, over Walker,
striking him in the face. Wal kor con-
tinulng to cry out. McCalla drew his
sword and raising his arm TO about tho
level of his shoulder struck Walker a
sharp blow on the head with 1t. Soon
after this Walker fell to the deck,
stretched out at full length and ceased
to shout. McCa!la then ordered Walkers
effects to be sent up from tho forccastle
and deposited on deck beside him. 4
tarpauln was thrown over him to keep
off the dew. lie afterward recon-
menced his cries. The witness finally
persuaded him 10 stop. saying 1t would
DO him no good TO keep up the noise.
Asked rs TO whether he knew any IN
stances OF abuse of inferior officers of
the ship. the witness said he had occa-
sion twice himself 10 iutlict punishment
OH insubordinatc scamcn.
y Hard Crew.
From his experience of twcntysix
wears in the navy and on board ship he
considered that the crew of the Enter
prise was an unusually rough lot.
About onc-cIghtl Of the whole were an
unusually unruly set. y few men were
especially violent and insubordinate.
Notwithstanding this the witness de-
clared that special pains were taken by
McCala and the officers on board the
Enterprise TO insure the comfort of the
men.
II, The ,s s9 aeG The EHtsrqrisas
book containing $3.50. lilo pea "a
guilty and was sentenced to Jaii IL. 10
GItasn days. The pocket book va
the property of Mia. Morgan 81 ~ y,
lett street. When Smith saw that tn
officers were after him, he took to nj
heels and an exciting chase TOO
Mace down Railroad avenue, which wa
participated in by a TINES rsporte
who was "in at the dSath' as 1t wer