The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-25
DrsgRxcE FOR A SOLDIER.
was This Punishment Too Great Tor Cheer.
Ing for Frick's Assnilantt

| discipline here Is very strict, and the camp
lines are difficult to pass.
| So Il happened that the punishment and the
| creat disgrace Of n man who had expressed
| his appreciation OF the anarchistic decd had
passed before any outsider heard Of Tho
man was n private soldier OF Company X OF
the Tenth Regiment, Thomas Iams. and
whole brigade very few outside OF his own
company had heard Of him.
Iams Is less than 80 years Of age and comes
OF a good family. His father was at one time
Commissioner Of Green county and quite
wealthy. The young man is a drummer for q
pittsburgh house. and although his home is
in Wayuesburg he is in Pittsburgh most
OF the time and has large circle
OF friends there. He was standing in
front OF his tent in the company street. cleaning
his rifle. There were dozens OF soldiers stand
ing and sitting about In idleness Lieut. Col.
Streator, while Col. Hawkins Is acting as
commander Of the brigade. is In command Of
tho Tenth Regiment. He approached a group
OF men and said:
We've Just heard terrible news from Homo
stead. Mr. Frick has been shot"
Other men approached tho group. Jams
stood his rife against his tent and fastened
m the rroup also. He said to the first man he
met:
Whats that Streator says"
"He says Frick was shot"
"who did It? Who did itT 1ams asked
eagerly
The soldier to whom no put the question
did not know and Iams returned to his tent.
took UP his rifle again. and stood for mo-
ment buried In thought Then he raised his
voice and cried:
Boys. let's give three cheers for the man
who shot Frick Hooray"
All voices ceased and the men looked at one
another in CONSERVATION. Col. Strentor had
started to walk of He turned and looked
Iams full in the face. 1ams stared at him de-
family. The other members OF the company.
anticipating trouble. walked slowly away to
be out OF hearing. The Colonel walked to
where Iams stood
Young man. what did you mean by that?"
he asked. Iam3 looked down sulkily and
answered. 81 meant that was glad that Frick
was shot and am too
Now. my friend. you're q soldier and you
have no business to make such remarks. Do
Won want to retract it?" Iams thought for
moment and then raised his head and said:
mo, sir; am glad that Mr.. Frick was shot.
and cannot retract anything said that
really meant
The Colonel turned and left him. Five min
utes later he gave tho order for the regiment
to assemble without arms. Tho men OF Com
pany felt what was coming and assembled
with serious faces. The other companies. I'M
aware Of what had happened. answered the
call. asking one another what was the matter.
There had been no such order before since tho
organization Of the camp.
When the regiment was finally assembled.
Col, Streetor addressed the men thus:
when the news OF the attempt on Mr..
Tricks life was announced here q few minutes
ago member Of the regiment offered three
cheers for the assassin. I want that man to
advance two PAGES"
There was deep silence. but no ono moved.
II know the man." the Colonel continued
land he can gain nothing by keeping silent
order him to stop forward at once"
There was another moment OF suspense. and
then Iams advanced two PAGES. saluted re-
spectfully. and stood at attention. In spite Of
the severe discipline OF the camp the other
soldiers could not refrain from looking around
at Iams. Col. Streator advanced to where
Iams stood. took out his penknife. and. amid
the most profound silence. cut the buttons
from the soldiers uniform. When he had fin
ished and retired a few PAGES to look al him
Iams sauted again in a most respectful man
ner.
Corporal OF Company f." called the Colonel.
A corporal advanced and saluted. Take a
RuaTO anu Cak6 tnlb man 10 tuo RuHTu tent
Ask the surgeons to stand by. and string this
man up by his thumbs until he can stand 1t no
longer"
Iams. who up to this point had stood flush
ed but entirely self possessad. turned the
color OF chalk and trembled. but he never
finched. With another salute to his Colonel
he turned and followed the corporal to tho
guard tent. The men were dimissed. and with
awed faces retired to their tents. They did
not dare discuss what had taken place.
Three regimental surgeons followed Jams
to the guard tent. The young man soon re-
gained his self possession. and held out his
thumbs for one Of his fellow soldiers to tie.
stout piece Of Irvine was tied tightly TO each
thumb and Iams raised his arms while tho
corporal drew the line over the tent
pole The cord was pulled by three
men until Iams stood on tiptoe. and then it
WAS made fast. The surgeons took turns
| counting his pulse beats. They had to stand
on a chair to do 30. Not a word was spoken.
The young mans facc was dcathly white. but
his eyes were brilliant with determination.
His arms were rigid with his weight.
The Irvine was cutting into his flesh.
but no pressed his lips firmly together and did
not allow n moan to escape him. The soldiers
and the corporalturned their faces away. The
sight was too painful. The surgeons witch
IN manu-. Kept tHclT on his pulse. Tho
boats came faster and faster. and slowly the
mans h cad fell forward on his breast and his
eyes closed. He could no longer press the
ground with his toes. This dead weight hung
heavy on the Irvine.
Minute after minute passed. and his pulse
heats were constantly increasing. At last ono
surgeon said. "One hundred and twenty beats.
Let him down." Iams had hung for nineteen
minutes A surgeon held him firmly while
the soldiers cut the cord. The young man fell
into his arms and was laid gently on the
ground. His eyes opened soon. and Jams
said +" Let mo lie here. feel sick"
They covered him with blanket and with
drew and Iams lay there In the guard tent
all night Col. Streator made his report to
Col. Hawkins, who endorsed 1t. and sent 1t by
m orderly across the river to Gen. Snowden.
Gen. Snowden read II over carefully and en-
dorsad n.