The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-08
TRIED TO FIX HIM
CHARLES EISENMENGER TELLS OF
A LETTER LIEUT.. MORFO3D
SENT HIM.
ASKED HIM NOT TO APPEAR,
AS EVERY WITNESS STOPPED
WOULD HELP HIS CASE SO
MUCH.
COURT MARTIAL AT SMELLING
Begins the Inquiry Into the Alleged
Irregularity of the Finances
of One officer.

In the cosy little chapel at Fort
Smelling an interesting proceeding is
being enacted of vital Importance to
at least one man, Lieut.. William H.
Morford, whose honor is at stake. He
is being tried by a general court mar
tial for conduct unbecoming a gentle
man and an officer, twelve different
allegations or charges being made
against him, all of which have refer
ence to his alleged financial embar-
easements, and if he is adjudged guilty
it will result in his dishonorable dis
missal from the service.
Thirteen superior officers have been
selected to sit in judgment upon the
evidence submitted; they come from
all over this department, none Of them.
however, from the resident post of the
accused, Fort Smelling. The court
was organized yesterday morning, and
they all appeared and answered roll
CALL as follows:
Col Andrew s. Burt, Twenty-1fth infantry.
Maj. Stevens 7. Norvell, Tenth cavalry.
Maj. Theo j. Whit, Tenth cavalry.
Maj. James n. Wheeian, Eighth cavalry.
Capt James Miller, Second infantry.
Capt Washington l. Sanborn, TWenty-tifth
Infantry.
Capt Thaddeus W. JONES' Tenth cavalry.
Capt w. s. Scott, Twenty-ffth infantry.
Capt. William ]. Turner, Second infantry.
Capt. Charles w. Rowell, Second infantry.
First Lieut.. Charles H. Grierson, Tenth
cavalry.
Capt. Scott was substituted for Capt.
Henry P. Retzius, Twenty-fifth infan-
try who was released from serving on
the court martial. They We're all II?
full dress.
The court is ranged along one side
of a long table, facing the defendant,
the Judge advocate and the witness
seat. BY reason of being the senior
officer, Col. Burt occupies chair Iii
the center of the line and presldes
over the court.
Lieut.. Col Edward Hunter has been
deputized as judge advocate, and his
duty is not only to conduct the prose
cution, but also to bring out all the
facts and to protect the defendant as
well. court martial is radically dill
ferent from a trial in a civil court IN
this respect, and a great deal OF latl-
tude is allowed in the proceedings, the
object being to bring everything tC
light, without prejudice for or against
the accused, and in the course OF the
trial Col. Hunter really appears as at
torney for the defendant.
Lieut. Morford, in fatigue uniform
sat at a little table close by, and at
his right hand is his counsel, Attorney
David PEBBLES. The lieutenant is con-
Quoting his own defense, and that, too
in an able manner. He has frank
open way of talking, and his BEARING
produces a pleasing impression. His
unpleasant situation and the pos
sible results of the trial may haVf
told upon his nerves during the pasi
few weeks, but he certainly does moi
show it.
A stenographic report is being taker
of the proceedings and testimony, tC
be sent to the war department at
Washington. After the usual prelim-
inaries of organizing the court had
been perfected the charges were read
and in substance are as follows:
First-Obtaining from Anton Miesen, or
April s. 1896 the sum of $500, by representing
that his CMorford's) wife was i'll and wa:
obliged to leave the city and that the money
was expected by him within a day or two
when it would be refunded.
Second-Similar to above, and the giving t
Miesen q note for $500, payable on demand
and failing to meet the payment on same.
Third-The making Of a statement to Col
Paige that he had an understanding with Mr.
Miesen that he would pay $40 month on the
note, which agreement had been satisfactory
and that this statement was false.
Fourth-Obtaining $40, on May 5, 1897, from