Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-03
HIS PUNISHMENT LIGHT.
The Private Admitted That His Suf-
ferings We're Very Slight.
BOTH FEET TOUCHED THE GROUND.
Officers Who Felt Much Worse Than the
Victim of Discipline.
THE CASE TO BE FINISHED TOMORROW

that lams punishment was mild; that part
of his sickness as g result was due to his
having swallowed tobacco, and that the
doctors, including the defendant, DIR.
Grimm, who superintended the punish
meHt actually, did their utmost to avoid
causing Iams pain or permanent physical
injury. The most important witness was
soft-hearted Dr. Ullum, who testified that
he had agreed with DR.. Nef TO make the
punishment of Iams as light as possible,
and that he, DR. Ullum, had told Iams
after he was cut down to feign ill effects
that he did not really feel in order to i'm
press the regiment with the severity OF the
ordeal.
The court was not so crowded in the
morning as it had been on previous days,
but after lunch the spectators focked in.
There were several ladies present, and two
clergymen, including the Rev. E. X. Done
hoo. 1t is certain now that the case will go
to the jury, probably tomorrow, and that
the charge of Judge Porter upon the law
will, to great extent, decide the result
Followed the Unwritten Law.
Colonel Hawkins cross-examination was
concluded the first thing. He was ques-
toned sharply as to his knowledge of mill
itary law in general, and in particular as to
Article &c of the Articles of War, which
provides that soldiers charged with crime
shall be confined till tried by court martial
The witness did not know that the only
punishments permissible in the United
States were reduction, confinement, con-
finemert on bread and water diet, and ball
-
branding. CARRYING weights, standing on
barrel, placarding, etc, were forbidden in
the United States Army. He said that
Iams' punishment was in accordance with
the customs of the United States Army
and the unwritten law in time of active
service in the face OF an enemy
Robert w. Herbert was called to prove
the state of affairs existing in Homestead
before the troops were called there, and
the story OF his experience as newspaper
correspondent was so intensely Interesting
that the jury before he had gone far were
all leaning forward drinking in every word
Judge Porter was weaned away from his
law books and the courtroom was perfectly
still. Mr.. Herbert also told of his hearing
Iams call for three cheers for Frick's assas-
sin, but more important bit of evidence
was the witness account of an interview he
had with Ians
Threatened His superior Officers.
The latter told the witness on the Mon
day following the punishment that he
meant to shoot Streator on sight and also
get even with General Snowden, whom he
characterized as ''that four-eyed ---
on the HILL" Mr.. Herbert also
stated that affairs were very ugly-looking
in Homestead on July %, when Iams' Of
fense was committed.
Sergeants j. L. Russell and b. NJ. Lud-
wig, of the Tenth Regiment, furnished
small links in the detense's account of
1ams' arrest and punishment, the Court
making another ruling in the defenses
favor to the effect that a military officer in
the field has judicial discretion in enforc-
ing discipline, and could even kill soldier
to suppress mutiny. Judge Porter assented
10 the Commonwealth's position that such
extreme penalties conld not be inflicted
without court martial four hours after the
offense as punishment
After dinner Captain II. c. Cuthbertson,
officer of the day, when Iams was strung
up, testified that he didn't think Iams suf-
tered much, his heels were one inch off the
ground, and while he was hanging he made
remarks showing unconcefn.
Sergeant Ludwig, recalled, averred that
he was more nervous than Iams when he
was strung up, and under rcross-examination
admitted that lams while hanging might
have had his full weight upon his toes.
Wanted to Go to the Gardhouse.
Sergeant Russell, the next witness, said
Iams had told him some days before July
% that he wanted four days in the guard
house.
Surgeon Major George W. Neff gave a
minute account of Iams' punishment, show
ing that in conducting it he exercised hn- |
manity. He wanted to be as mercifal as
possible, and although Colonel Streator |
told him to keep Iams hanging up until Sc
yerely punished, he cut him down as soon !
as be showed signs of sickness. The knots !
tied about Iams' thumbs were double |
ore-half bitches, or close bitches,
recommended BY DR.. Gross, the eminent |
surgeon, for use in operations as the least |
likely to injure the flesh. He didn't think |
Iams suffered much; certainly no permanent |
injury, and he was not unconscious when |
cut down. The chaw of tobacco Iams is |
said to have swallowed might have caused !
the relaxation of muscles and other symp- |
toms of sickness Cross-examined, Dr. Neff /
admitted that he had heard patients under
the knife give vent to unparliamentarv
language such as Iams used in referring TO
Colonel Streator while he was hanging un
If Iams had swallowed tobacco it might |
have made him vomit but not necessarily.
Iams did not vomit.
DR.. Ullum, the Junior Assistant Surgeon |
of the Tenth Regiment, put new face on
Iams' ordeal. He said that ne had objected
to obeying Colonel Streators order to hang
up Iams, but had been shown by Colonel
Hawkins that it was his duty to be present
merely. On the way to the fy tent be had
agreed with DR.. Neff that Iams should not
suffer physically. When Iams was cut
down, OUT of sympathy for him as a hu-
play off sick and appear as if he
had been suffering. Iams seemed to be all
right, the skin on his thumbs was not
broken, and the witness admitted that he
had suggested to Iams to act as if he had
been suffering, in order to impress the repi-
ment with the idea that the punishment
had really been severe. The witness good
natured face colored up as he made this
confession, upon which the prosecution did
not cross-examIne him. DR. Ullum also re-
lated threat made on the Monday follow
ing BY Iams that he would shoot Colonel
Streator. At the same time Iams had told |
the witness that he was none the worse for
bis punishment
A Witness Claims to Fame.
j. 8. Leasure, of the Tenth Regiment,
produced q section of the rope used to hang
relic. Another claim this witness had to