Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-11-24

witness in the Lowering court martial
capable of holding his own with the
attorneys who are acting for Captain
Lowering. He gave damaging evidence
against Lowering and could not be
made to contradict himself on the
stand, nor was he at any time con-
fused by the sharp ss-examination
to which he was subjected.
Questions relating to his personal
history before he entered the army he
quietly refused to answer because, as
he said, they have no bearing on this
case" Hammond, in his evidence,
nearly doubled the number Of sword
thrusts mentioned by preceding wit
nesses, and then proved his evidence
by showing the scars.
Judge Advocate Hunters first ques-
ton to Hammond was:
''Have the articles of war ever beer
read in your presence?"
Eyes, l have heard Them" replied
Hammond.
What orders did you receive on the
morning of October 8, and relate what
followed" was the next question.
Il was told that l was wanted at
the summary court, but l said that 1
would not go, and after that message
had been repeated to Captain Low
ering he came to my cell and told me
to get out and walk. He gave the or
der, 'Yank that man OUT and I again
refused, and as l was part way out Of
the cell door he prodded me twice
with his sword and then stepped past
me into the cell and kicked me on
the shoulder. He stepped over me as
| y on the floor and gave me two
more prods in the left side. He also
gave me another order to walk, but I
did not answer. Then the rope was
tied upon my feet and I was dragged
over the curbs, sidewalks and roads
and up and down steps until l reached
the court room in the adjutants Of
fice.'
when you refused to walk to the
court, did any one ask you for your
reasons?" was the next query of the
court.
Members of the guard asked me-"
replied Hammond, "and l told them 1
thought l ought to be tried for the first
offense before I was tried for the sec
ond The first offense was that Of leav-
ing my barracks at Plattsburg, N. Y,
without leave"
cit has been said that while you were
being dragged an order for double time
was given. Is that true?" asked Col.
Hunter.
Eyes, sir" said Hammond, Captain
Lowering told the men to double time
but they were unable to comply with
the ORDER
The witness was then given to At
torney Blair for cross-examination.
''You had been working from the time
you reported at this post on September
20 up to October s." said the attorney.
Now why was it that you changed
your mind about work about the latter
date?"
Il had been waiting for a trial and I
thought it was about time had it,"
said Hammond.
let me see, said the attorney, you
come from Michigan, do you not?"
Il refuse to answer"
do you know man named Van
Dorsten. who lives in Michigan"
This question Hammond also refused
to answer.
Then followed a query about the al
legged shooting of Van Dorsten and the
attorney followed it with the remark,
"And you joined the army to escape the
warrants which were issued for your
arrest, did you not?''
Silence was the only reply the at
torney could gain for the last ques-
ton, and then he went back to Ham
mond's departure from Plattsburg bar
racks. Hammond admitted that he
left his post to attend business in Chi
cago and was asked to state what
route he travelled on the journey.
Il came through Albany, Buffalo,
Cincinnati and Chicago" said Ham
mond.
"And from there to Pentwater?"
added the attorney.
What was the last town you stop
ped in before CLicago?" asked Attor-
ney Blair.
Pullman, sir" said Hammond
''And the one before that was Pent-
water?" again added the attorney.
NO. sir" said Hammond. 4 de-
cline to say whether l went to Pent-
water or any other place in Michigan.
and refuse to answer all such ques-
tions. / came here and gave myself
up before the end of ten days; that is
enough
.sYou say you were stabbed six
times7'' was the attorneys next ques-
Continued o s11tlI