Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-19

CHICAGO, March 1s.-The court martial
for the trial of Second Lieutenant Nj. L.
Steele, Eight hCavalry, United States Army,
convened to-day in Battery ID Armory.
The members of the court were in full uni
form and wore their side arms, Captain
Arthur Murray, acted as Judge Advocate.
Lieutenant Steele appeared in fatigue uni
form. without his sword, and sat beside his
counsel, Lieutenant E. H. Crowder, of the
Eighth Cavalry.
The Judge Advocate read the formal
charge. 1t alleged in one charge and two
specifications that on October "a last, Lieu
tenant Steele used insulting language to
Private Dell P. Wild and afterward struck
him, all OF which was prejudicial to good
discipline and contrary to the proper con-
duct of an officer.
DISCIPLINE MUST BE MAINTAINED.
To this charge Lieutenant Steele, who had
remained standing while the charge was
being read, pleaded not guilty, both as to
the charge and the specifications.
Liertena Ii Crowder here arose and said:
t'I wish to say few words as to our plea.
We plead not guilty not because we deny
the facts alleged, but IN order to facilitate
the fullest inquiry into this matter. Our
defense will be that whatever was done was
necessary act, and was necessary for the
maintenance of good discipline and Tor
the good of the service"
Private Dell P. Wild, the complainant,
was then brought into court and sworn. In
low voice he told his story:
THE PRIvATE's STORY.
'I was ordered to carry piece of canvas
to Lieutenant Steele's headquarters. was
told to take it to the back yard, where 1 was
met by Lieutenant Steele. who requested
me to assist in placing the canvas on storm
roof Leading from Steele's back door to an
clubhouse. 1 did not think he had any right
to ask me to do that, and so 1 says: Lieu
tenant. refuse to do that work because
don't have to act as servant to no officer. If
YOU ask me to split or carry in wood, I'll do
it. but I won't do nothing OF this kind. 1
think it is menial work, He then called me
a deserter and swore at me, and finally
struck me in the face, knocking my hat into
tub of water. then started out OF his
ward, when he ordered ME to halt and had
me placed under arrest. l was taken to the
anu luSu sOb pClAAselOu W ~ OoSh
and get nv cap. which was still in bucket
in the Lieutenant's yard.
PREMIUM ON CRIME.
Corporal Scott took me back, and when
/ got to the gate Steele says: What do you
want?' and says, L want my cap, cir, and
he says, Get it and get out of here l went
back to quarters, where stayed until 1 was
tried in November. Twas imprisoned from
the oath Of October until the trial.
The defense then examined Wild, and at
tempted to prove that he had frequently ex-
pressed the wish that he had killed Lieu
tenant Steele. In reply to question as to
the truth of this statement Wild replied:
"I refuse to answer that question; it amt
got nothing to do with this case. 1 amt on
trial here" He finally admitted that he
had said that be would have rather killed
Steele than to have struck him, because"
he said, 81 could get justice in United
States Court, but 1 can't get no justice in
military court"
APPLAUSE FOR THE JUDGE.
Did you ever join the United States
Army under the name of E. P. Ward?"
asked the counsel for the defendant.
81 object" said the Judge Advocate, "on
the ground that that is irrelevant to this
case"
The spectators INDUCED in applause at
this position taken by the Judge Advocate.
After the attorneys argued the point, the
Court retired TO an ante room TO consider
the question. They returned alter several
minutes absence and sustained the obiec-
tion.
Lieutenant Crowder then asked permis-
sion to bring into court one McComas, who
had known Wild under the alias of Ward,
The Court again retired to the council
chamber and this time ruled in favor of the
defendant. McComas was then called in,
and in his presence Wild was asked if Nc
Comas was not his (Wild's) Sergeant in the
Fifteenth Infantry. The question was not
answered, as the Judge Advocate objected
to the question, and the objection was sus-
tanned.
THE LIEUTENANT WAS ANGRY.
Corporal Hiram Scott, who had charge of
Wild after his arrest, testified that he took
Wild back to Steele's house to obtain the
missing cap.
"What was the prisoners demeanor at the
time?" asked the Judge Advocate.
'He appeared very angry"
The witness was then dismissed but was
called back by the Judge Advocate who
inquired: "To whom did you refer when
you said the prisoner appeared angry?'
81 referred to Lieutenant Steele. Wild
seemed nervous That was all noticed"
The audience again took occasion to ap-
plaud, showing their sympathy with the
private. The prosecution here rested the
case and defense asked for more time in
which to prepare for the presentation of
their case. The court was accordingly ad-
journed until tomorrow, when it will meet