Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-29
Reassembling Of the Investigating
Court at the Navy Yard.
THE COLORED CQMPLAINANTS CALLED
They Name the Seamen Who In.
fIicted Indignities Upon Them.
HE OOK'S DRY

The court of inquiry that is Investigating
the charges of hazing in the class of sea-
men gunners, now under instruction at the
ravy yard, was continued this morning, af-
ter the Thanksgiving day recess. 1t is in
! session in the court-martial room at the
yard. The court consists of Commodore
Washburn Maynard, Lieutenant Command
er Richard Wainwright and Lieut.. W. w.
kimball, with Ensign Warren J.Terhune as
Judge advocate, or recorder.
The Cooks Story.
The first witness called to the stand today
was Matthew Taylor, the colored cook en-
ployed in the dormitory where the seamen
live. He was questioned about the indigni-
ties, which said to have been heaped
Upon the colored members of the class. He
said that he had heard a number of un-
pleasant things said to the colored men.
one Sc imam sang song about New
Coon in Town." and he also heard refer
ences made to "a new niger in the class"
Iaylor said that he overheard Seaman MUIR
ply say something about organizing a
lynching party, and also that if he ever got
out OF that, referring probably to the navy,
they would never catch him again. MUIR
ply is understood to be the man who re-
fused to take his examinations, perferring
to be "plucked' rather than to graduate
with class that had colored men in it.
Taylor said that Seaman Durgan was
the first one he heard singing the song
There's a New Coon in Town." but a
number of others, ten or twelve, Joined in
the singing.
Those Who Sang.
At the request of Mr.. Terhune the Wit
ness named over AS many of the members
of the class as he was certain had taken
part in the singing. Continuing, he said
that he knew nothing personally of any
hazins of the colored men, although he
saw their beds after the contents CT the
spittoons had been eEptied into them. The
only injury that he knew of any of the
coiorsd men receiving was the wound
which Johnson, the colorei seaman, got on
the forehead. The witness said that he
had no idea who Johnsons assailant was.
Have you any business relations with
the claSs?" asked Mr.. Terhune.
No, s!r, except that L shaves them"
DO they Hay you for that?'
Yes, sir
do you fear that your business as ba,
her might be injured If you testified against
any particular person.
Il do, sir
fear would not prevent him from testifying
nor was he afraid of any personal injury
being done him as a result of any testimony
he might give.
which spittocns had been emptied the wit
ness said that all three colored men had
been treated to this indignity but that
Thompson was the worst sufferer.
one Who Was Hazed.
VIM. Johnson. enc of the colored men
who are said to have been hazed,. was then
placed on the witness stand. In his sailor
rig he makes rather attractive figure.
He has been with the class under instruction
in ordnance since September IA last
Mr.. Terhune told him that he was about
II be quest toned about any hazng hooting
jeerng or mlltreatment that had been in
iiicted upon him or that he knew OF having
been inflicted upon any of the other meni-
bers Of the class. If there were any such
cases, the witness was told that he must
give the names of the men implicated
7 would name Seamen Smith, Lamont.
McDermott Murphy, Cclvell, Durgan, Hell,
Fox and Kennedy. Those are ALL.
He was asked whether he afraid of
suffering any personal injury if he should
tell everything within his knowledge bear
ing upon the matters under investigation.
Il would rot be afraid to-
Mr.. Terhure announced that he had no
further questions to ask of theswitness at
this stage OF the hearing, and he was ex-
cused for the time beirg.
Another CompIaira ant Called.
Seaman John Thompson. colored, the sec
end man to make a complaint of maltreat-
n.ent, was then called. Asked to name
over any Of his classmates who might he
implicated by his testimony with reference
t. the charges, he mentioned Seamen Ken
Eedy. Smith and Murphy as those who
hccted at him, Lament, Murphy, McDer-
mott, Smith, Colvell and Fox the COM
mittee who went to the colored men and
bade them leave the regular dining table,
and Smith and Fox applied q hateful epi-
thet to him.
The Alleged Ringleadcr.
Seaman John A. Jackson, the remaining
coIored member of the class, was then call
ed and put through the same list of quel-
tions He implicated Smith the ring
leader Lamont, DurSan, Murphy, McDer-
mott and Kennedy. He said that he vas
not afraid to give his testimony. He was
excused for the present, and the court tH2n
took a recess.
perSounI MCnttnn