Los Angeles herald., 1892-05-20
NEARING THE END,
The Court Martial of Col. w
H. H. Russell.
How He Happened to Take Com
mand.
Exhaustive Testimony Taken as to the
Alleged Onense-The Substance
of the Evidence-The Case
Continued.

The Colonel Russell court martial was
in session all day yesterday, at the
Seventh regiment headquarters, and a
continuation of the testimony brought
all the facts before the court by the
time OF adjournment at IL O'Clock at
night. Thirteen witnesses have. been
examined, and the incidents surround
ing the attempt of Colonel Russell to
get sight of the muster roles of the
Seventh regiment March 22nd, were
etfectually sifted to the bottom.
The courtroom was free to all, an d
during the sittings was crowded with
interested members of the regiment.
Colonel Russell is represented BY j. A.
Anderson, who sat by his side and occa-
sionally consulted with him as points
came up for objection.
Gen. E. P. johnson was called in re-
buttal of the statement by Colonel Rus
sell as to his (Russell's) authority to
come to headquarters on the memorable
occasion which gave rise to the present
court-martial. General johnson testi-
| fed that he advised Colonel Russell to
keep away until he received orders rein
stating him as colonel of the regiment,
because he was afraid if he went to
headquarters it would precipitate row.
Colonel Russell said that he would 90
there anyhow, and General johnson
told him if he did it would be on his
own responsibility.
Testimony taken heretofore was ready
by Judge Advocate G. Wiley Wells, and
| that, together with the testimony dur
| ing the day was very exhaustive of the
| SUBJECT. In substance certain witnesses
stated that on the date mentioned
Colonel Russell came to headquarters,
| in the Seventh regiment armory build
| ing on Broadway, and>demanded the
muster rolls OF the regiment. That he
was accompanied by three men not
members of the regiment. He APP
preached the sdjutant of the regiment,
Captain Franklin, and calling him Mr..
Franklin, was proceeding with his de-
mands, when the latter told him he was
Captain Franklin, and that he desired
to be addressed as such. Colonel Rus
sell repeated the language, and made
his demands for the rolls. Captain
Franklin demanded his authority, and
Colonel Russell told him it was none of
his business, that he had authority but
would not show it.
Lieutenant Alfonso stated that he
made some remark as. to Colonel Rus
sells right to be there, when the latter
arose from his chair and placing his
right hand under his coat in his hip
pocket, and his left in his overcoat
pocket, he said: "It is none of your
business, and if you say any more, you
do it at your peril" Alfonso then with
drew, thinking Colonel Russell was about
to do something desperate, and tele-
phoned to General johnson.
Colonel Russell. in his testimony, ad-
mitted using some of the language at.
tributed to him, but denied that he re-
sorted to the hip-pocket episode. The
reading of the testimony of several OF
the witnesses occupied several hours
last night, and the court adjourned
until this morning at 10 O'Clock, when
the proceedings will be resumed.
The witnesses who have been exam.
ined are: Gen. E. P. Johnson, Capt. j.
B. Franklin, Capt. F. A. Martin, Lieut..
I: L. Baldwin, Lieut.. Miles Anderson,
Lieut.. M. L. Shaw, Capt. Theo. Meyers,
Lieut.. D. w. Permar, Serg. Maj j. H.
Keller, and for the defense, Colonel
Russell, John Blosser, J. Fred Blake and
Mr.. Gouchmer.