Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-01
TESTIMONY OF FIFE.
Nc * SEVERELY DEALT WITH BY
COUNSEL FOR THE ACCUSED.
The wituess Makes Contradictory state
ments--Yesterday's Proceedings Of
the Graham Court-Martiat.

uaftiai yesterday were OF nlgniy inter-
esting nature. Equipment-Yeoman Fife
spent the most Of the day upon the stand
and he was very rigidly cross-examined by
the counsel for the accused.
There was large conconrse of specta-
tors during the days proceedings. among
whom were Mr.. J. B. Pace. Captain
Thomas Potts. Colonel Tszewell Elicit.
Mr.. r. q. Steger, Mr.. Allan Potts. Hon. D.
q. Richardson, James l.. Anderson. Rev.
j.. w. Burton, DIR. }. ID. Pendleton, and
Edmund Pendleton. Esq.
Court was opened at tho usual hour and
Yeoman Fife was placed upon the stand
IS witness for the prosecution. lie told
the story OF the trouble between Command.
or Graham aud Mills Oliver. aud OF the
alleged agreement between these parties.
He said he and the CAPTAIN both were so
happy when Mate Fuller told them that
Oliver had consented to withdraw tue
charges that they shook hands heartily.
Fife then gave TO the court the mar
rative of his own trouble with Com
mander Graham on September loth;
stating that Captain Grsham apoioglzed
10 him, in Mate Fuiler's presence, ana ne
had promised that he would not forward
the report TO the navy. lie said ne uiu
not know what orders were given 70 Miiis
OLIVER on the morning Of December .,
1891, and upon being Intercepted by the
accused asserted that he had not stated III
the direct testimony that he knew what
these orders were. At this point the
stenographer was requested TO read the
question ana answer referring. TO this mat
ter In the direct testimony. 1T ran; 10
you remember any orders on that nav re-
latinp 10 Mills OiiiverYn The reply was:
Yes. sirip and the witness also narrated
what the orders were, apparently. fhe
remembered that the row-boat reached the
ships first, and he heard Commander uia-
ham curse Oliver. saying that no had us
obeyed his orders.
Continuing Flies examination. ne was
asked how be knew that Commander ura-
ham and oliver were together az the mast
on the afternoon OF December 90. ~ re-
pled that Commander Graham was there
and that oliver was bound 20 have been
there also.
NOT sIlMEsE TWINS.
Are Commander Graham and Oliver
formed in any way like the Slamese
twinsy" queried Colonel Stern.
Not that know Of, SIR. What are you
irving 10 ge. through your" was the re-
ply made by Fife.
The Court ordered the witness. to be
more respectful to the counsel TOR the
accused.
Referring 10 the language alleged 10
have been used tv Commander Graham
10 Fife at the carpenter-shop ON September 10,
1881 Fife said that the commanding onlcer
cursed him and said be would put MN on
the bea IN with ignOminy and he thougnt' as
Commander Graham had previously salo' ne
Was Jesus Christ and Angel Gabriel on those
vessels, he might do what he said he would.
AT this point the testimony given before the
court OF inquiry was read 70 MN anu 1 ne ~ raS
a. fs had hann III.
eponded ia the Affirmative, but said II was IN n
modified form. lie had given the whole truth
10 this court, IA II had requested him TO DO
WROTE THB AGREEMENT.
ayes. sir | wrote the agreement that you signed.
I made no copy OF II. Yes, TO the best OF my
knowledge ! am Just as sure OF TINS as a I,l
about any Of the rest OF the things about when
have testified"
In the testimony given by Fife before the
court OF inquiry, he said he carried the ollivef
agreement 20 Commander Graham for MN 70
sign H. lie sWore before the cOurt-martial yes
terday that the paper was carried 10 the accused
by Davidson and kearden.
When asked by Colonel Stern II he gave the
Testimony accredited to him at tie court OF in
auiry be replied that he did not give IL In the re-
corded form.
The counsel for the accused here asked that
three questions and answers contained IN the
record OF tue court " inquiry aud referring tc
this very matter be admitted TO the court-maf-
tial docket TO which the Judge Advocate OBJ
jected.
be upon the question recess was taken for lunch
IN Favor OF TILE ACCUSED.
When the tribunal reassemhled President
Greer announced that the objection OF the Judge
Advocate was oyerruled.
The oath Of Office was administered TO Mr.. o.
X. Brown US assistant stenOgrapher.
Fife was recalled and the cross-examln2tlon
resumed. lie stated that several members OF
the ships company were present when he wes
cursed by Commander Graham, ana heard IT,
He was then asked 10 state who heard II. 10 ihl'
the Judge Advocate objected, but he was not SUE
tainod. The witness replied that no could moi
raw who heard IL. Later on he said Male fuliel
heard the whole, as did also the carpenter
mates and the launch's crew, who we're alsC
present. In reply 10 a query as to the remarks
ave must have this thing hxed,' the witnes:
Faid keardon and others were present.
ENTERTAINED No ASnosITY.
"No. sir; have no animosity toward you,
Baid the witness 10 the accused, . have DeeI
your friend aud am your friend to-day"
Did you not say 20 Paymasters-Y conan Da
wilson one morning after you had just come OF
liberty, The Captain Is down nov let US doNr
the chief engineer and doctOr:'" queTied Colo
mel Stern for the accused.
Absolutely no, sirl" vehemently responde
Fife.
Ibid you ever say to Charles Reardon, Tn
Captains fixed now, the psymaster and chic
engineer ought to be txed?'"
"Absolutely no, sir!"
"Did ycu not say 10 George W. Brooke, 4
speaking OF the Commander, Yes, - 49,
him, III report him 70 the department, an
have him thrown out Of the navy?'" asked Coz
onel Stern.
inc witness here made a disrespectful re
Spouse, TO which the president OF the court said
Keep quiet, sir; answer the question. I'll
then answered, "No, SIR"
lie denied having made the remark, that Nv
have downed old Jimmy, and now we shout
down old Taylor" also. that he SAID 20 blaci
L.. ~ rtf Tar nil "a n
- him, IN have him knocked out OF tn
navy"
The AGREEMENT AGAIN.
After several unimportsnt questions and
number of objections, the alleged aereener
again became the matter under considerable
and the witness went on to say that he took IN
paper, as drawn up, into Commander Graham
ca bin for HIM 20 sign. The latter gentleman
Fiie seid, looked AZ the document and snid
Fife, cannot sign that, for my time will not b
up here by January LIST TO 10th. should IKE
have the GATE changed, 80 u would read that
will ask 10 be detached from this command b
February 18th"
Continuing, Fife said: ~ then took th
agreement back 70 Oliver and Davidson an
Resrdon and the date was changed as desired
The paper was then carried back TO Commando
Graham for his signature by Reardon an
Davidson He gave this statemant 70 explai
ms having testified upon one occasion that tn
agreement was carried 20 Captain Graham b
himself, and upon another that Reardon an
paSldsOn TOOK IL INTO inc tOihhihhuoi D oinSV.
NATE FULLER IEsTIFIES
Mate Fuller was the next witness. The 81
ient points In has evidence were embraced !
the following testimony: ~ was ON board th
monitors September 10, 1891, and know tina
Fife went 10 the carpenters shop. when Con
rnander Graham said, What are you dom
here! il you are not careful l Will put 20
ashore Fife then came 10 me and sald n
wanted 20 see the Captain. directed him
Commander Graham ana walked away. III
next day Fife came 10 the mast with docunen
which be wanted 10 forward 10 the department
Shortly after that was called IN the Captain
on.co, where the latter said: 'tife Is onende
at what have said 10 MIN, and am very sorry
the Commander then promised that he wouI
not iii-treat Fife any more. ] do not know tbs
this report was ever forwarded 10 the depar
ment."
lie corrohofated other testimony concernin
the Commander having cursed Oliver on Il
morning OF December 80.
Court adjourned at $40 to meet at $3.50 tn
morning.