The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-25
Foot and Sword Needed TO Make the
Stubborn Soldier Move.
fhe Captain II Uneasy on the Wit
ness stand Tcstimoay Already
Given In Substantially Correct
To Have Hauled the Prisoner in
Cart Would Have Set a Had Ex-
ample Col. Hall Approves All
Thof Was DOne-The Case Nearly
CoAcluded-LiEht Penalty, II Not n
Verdict Of AcQuittal, In Expected.

court martial of Capt. Leonard A Lover
reached tomorrow. The court-mariiai to-
night closed the hearing of testimony cov-
ering the incidents of Private Hammonds S
involuntary appearance before the sum-
mary court at Fort Sheridan on October 6.
There viii be protracted meeting tomor-
row. as all the evidence taken during the
last two days sessions must be read tor
the second time TO the court in order TO
follow out the court-martial proceedings.
The entire morning session will neces-
Judge Advocate Hunter and then the
twelve officers of the court will settle
down to a private discussion Of their opin-
ions of Capt. Lowering and his way of en-
forcing military discipline. The general
opinion is that the verdict. if 1t is not for
aequittal, will be foc a light penalty.
The chief witness OF the day was Capt.
Lowering. who admitted that the testimony
of previous witnesses. was substantially
correct. He claimed. however. that he did
only stirred him up with my foot and
sword" was the way he put it.
Col Hall. of the For.ieth Infantry, de-
clared that ne approves of everything
Capt. Lowering had done. The arguments
for and against Lowering were very brief.
and at their conclusion the court adjourned
for the day.
Post Surgeon Lippencott was the last
witness for the prosecution. He testified
TO having been called upon to attend
Hammopd's wounds. which he said were
Insignificant.
Attorney Blair for Lowering, presented
letters from various officers under whom
Lowering had served. They referred to the
defendant as an efficient officer and good
soldier.
Col. Hall was then called.
What report did Lowering make to you
regarding this AFFAIR."" asked Attorney
Blair. of the commanding officer.
He told me of Hammond's refusal TO ap-
rear before the court and of his direct dis
obedience of my orders and said he had
dragged him from the guardhouse with
rope"
what comment did you maker
Il commended him highly for his ac-
tion'
Blair closed the questioning by asking
him If a report had been made 10 him that
Lowering had kicked and stabbed the pris-
oner.
We'll. now that you recall IT," said the
witness. Capt. Lowering did tell me he
had stirred Hammond up little. and l
SO approved that"
Then Lowering took the stand in his own
behalf He was very nervous and blum
dered several times while going through
the formaiiiies OF the examination
is the testimony thus before the court
correct?'' asked his attorney.
'It is substantially correct" said lover
ing. "only the amount of force / used has
been exaggerated. stirred Hammond
with my sword and foot i kicked him TO
make him open his eyes
Lowering was asked why he had not re-
ported the prisoners refusal 10 go TO the
court. instead cf postponing action till he
received orders from Col Hall
II should have been ashamed" said
Lowering 'to have reported TO any person
that had allowed prisoner 10 get the
better OF me-
Gould you not have secured a wagon
II would not have done so under any cir
curnstances. 1t would have been a bad
example for the men"
After Lowering had told Of his twenty
FIVE years service In the army without
ever having been court -msrtialed before.
he was excused and the taking OF test!-
Inony was over.