Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-02
A C0URT-MARTIAL.
ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE
CASES or MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
Evidence that an Accused D~sertcr Wss a
Marine and Wee Versatile Court
Givcs Up the Rhidie.
View York sv.nins Telegram. |


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c1ew York Rvsnins telegram
Cases of mistaken identity arc fre-
quent, but probably the most remarka-
bic one on record is that Of b. +. Hsr-
ris, an alleged deserter from the army.
The telegram is indebted to an army
officer for o recently completed history
OF the case. On ale in the State Depart
ment at Washington is the evidence OF
a number of prominent officials whose
veracity as TO the facts IN this case GER
tainly could not bo questioned.
In October, 1885, a general court-mar-
tial was ordered 10 convene at Jefferson
Barracks. ST Louis. Among the nu-
merous cases before tho court was that
of private charged with desortion.
While at Fort Worth, Tex, attached to
Company f, Seventieth infantry. he do
serted. A man supposed to be Harris
was arrested at Washington a few days
before the court-msrtial assembled and
forwarded TO the authorities at Jefferson
barracks.
The prisoner said his name was Is. III.
Fisher and that he was attached 10 the
Marine Barracks ut Washington. The
Oommsndant of the Marine Barracks
was notified, aud he detailed Captain
CLAW. Of the Marine Corps, to look after
the interests OF the accused. Captain
Clay Immediately repaired TO Jefferson
Barracks and without any hesitaney
identified the prisoner as one b. +.
Fisher. who enlisted in the Marine
Corps at Washington in May OF the pre-
cpdlua year. As the accused WAS
charged with desertion from tho army in
Texas in April-a month previous to the
time in which he was supposed to have
enlisted in the Marine Corps at Wash
ington-the charge OF desertion WIS
quite plausible.
Upon cross-examination the prisoner
stated that he had formerly lived IN New
York, and not having much luck he de-
cided TO try Washington, whore he
thought he could earn an honest liveli-
! hood. He was fortunate enough 10 &C.
cure letter TO q man named John Gland,
who, he understood, had powertul
friends in the Post-0liioe Department.
he declared that he had presented this
letter TO Gland. but stated that Gland S
friend. a certain Third Assistant Post
master General, had resigned, and hence
could DO nothing for him. Efforts to
obtain employment, stated the prisoner,
were futile, and finally, in nj OF des-
peration, he concluded, as a last resort
to enlist in the Marine Corps
MYSTERY Grows D.SPRR
The court-msrtial realized that IL the
fact OF the prisoners temporary resi-
dence in Washington could be es-
tablished the charge of desertior
would fall. Captain Clay and hi'
assistants at ouco began an investigs
ton. The prisoner could not remember
tho number Of the house on K street
where Gland resided. lie, however, IN
telligeuty described tho residence, which
he said wss an Old mansion OF peculial
architecture. Captain Clay after some
difficulty found a house on II street
some distance away, corresponding VIII
the description given by the prisoner
lie also ascertained that John Glan(
lived there. Gland denied having eve
known Fisher and stated that he haC
only resided in the house in question
short time.
Captain Clay, in accordance with hi
syora testimony, found the name o
another John Gland in the city direc
tory. Who stated that he had formerl,
resided in the residence Of pecuha
architecture on II street, then occupied
by Gland No. |, that ho knew the &C
cused, end that his story, so far as b
(Gland's) connection with 1t was con
cerned, was trne. John Gland No.
vas an employee OF the general post
Office.
The court-mSrtisl then concluded t
discharge Fisher, but, with view o
placing the responsibility OF his arres
where it belonged, the investigation wa
continued. Fisher said he was arrested
by O policeman on q street, Washington
The policeman was called as O witness
and testified that while he was patrol
INK his beat along @ street in the morn
ing OF o bright day In the earl.
part Of March, 1886, man whom
he identified as Fisher approached hln
and asked him il no wanted to make
$40. Being policeman and poor mar
no promptly answered "Yos tishel
then told ham that he was q doserte
from the army thet there Was rewar'
of $40 on bis head that he was tired o
bis service ia the Marine Corps, ant
thst he wished b return to his fnend
in the army. The policeman, according
10 his story. turned the prisoner over {
the authorities and received the reward
The strange testimony OF the police
man. which, Of course, the accused
+ denied, caused fresh complications an(
the nonplussed court martial concluded
10 continue the trial until more testimony
as TO the prisoners innocence could o'
obtained. 4 Washington detective VIII
makes q speciality OF hunting down dc
serters testified that the policeman acei
, dentally overheard q description OF
deserter in his Office, met the prisone
on the street, and finding that his az
pearance tollied with the description
the deseTter in question, arrested him.
WHY srRosG IDENTIFICATION.
Lieutenant Wood, First-5ergean
Wood. and several other members G
Company +, Seventieth regiment, test
; fed that they recognized the accused a
e h. H.. ...r,..s. ID.