Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-04-27
An Outrage.

The state department at Washington has
been acquainted with the details of an out
rage committed at Frankfort, Germany,
upon an American citizen, Walter w. Nc
Cormick of Milton, Pa, son of the late
General c. c. Mccormick, that seems to
demand prompt action upon the part of the
United States government. He was mis-
taken for an embezzler, for whom the po-
lice were watching, was arrested, locked up
in dark and damp dungeon, physically
abu'e ed, and kept cold, hungry, and half
clad in convict garb for ten days before he
was permitted even to communicate with
the United States consul. He was arrested
in the Palm garden, and at once taken to
jail The keeper told him to do something,
and because he did not understand the Or
der he was knocked down and beaten. He
was then thrown into cold, damp dun
geon and chained to the wall over night.
In the morning he was given hearing
but could understand nothing of the pro-
ceedings. He asked to be allowed to COM
municate with the United States consul and
was refused. The next day he was taken to
another Jail, where he was stripped of his
clothes and thrown into cold cell. More
than that, a keeper compelled him to stand
up during the entire day. and once when he
fell in faint be was severely beaten. Mr..
Mccormick says:
'For one whole week was kept in that
awful place. had no friends in the city
to miss me or look after me. Finally paper
was given me and l wrote to the United
States consul. Even then they kept the
letter back three DAYS. The American con-
sui came at once. At first he did not be-
lieve my story-it seemed too outrageous to
be true. After he had been to my hotel
and got some of my papers. which identified
me beyond doubt, he informed the police
that the man whom they thought they had
caught had been captured week before in
Spain.
1.-The American consul was most indig-
nant st the way ] had been treated, and
when they gave the excuse that was wait
1 ing for trial Mr.. Hogue, vice consul, III
sisted that | should be tried at once.
| Through Mr.. Hogue | was given my clothes
and a warm room, warm meals were senr
| in from outside, and lawyer was secured
for me. When the lawyer came with Mr..
| Hogue l had not yet received my clothing
nor beer put in warm room, and when
attempted to sign the psper giving the law.
yer power of attorney was so cold and
stiff | ,ull hardly wri'e.
Tiny hurried on the trial and the
sharpers who had accused me gave evidence
but NV innocence beng proven beyond a
doubt was released after four days of aw.
| full prison experience. The American con-
sui 1T Frankfort called on me afterwsrd Al
my hotel and asked permission to make 8
report of my treatment - the United States
authorities.
If Be, i,min Harrison were President oil
the United States at this time, such an cut,
rage upon an American citizen would MOI
be permitted to go unnoticed. Unfor
tunstely, however, the present admin
istrs ioa has nei'her coursge nor patriot n
in its foreign policy. 1t is un-American al 4
cowardly. 1t Is probab G. therefore. thai
this aigh-handed outrage will be permitted
to 60 unchallenged, as others have been
If Mr.. Mccormick were resident of Ala
bama or Mississippi the powers at Washing
ton might be disposed to look int, bis case
but, being a Northern man, his chance.
of consideration at the hands of the Wash
| ington powers are not very encouraging