The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-24
SILENT AS TO HIS PAST.
QUESTIONS REGARDING HIS LIFE
BEFORE HE ENTERED THE
ARMY IGNORED.
SWEARING NO SIN IN SERVICE.
Objection to Testimony as to
Whether Command Was Ac-
companied by an Oath.


proved himself entirely capable of hold
ing his own with the attorneys who are
acting for Capt. Lowering. He gave
damaging evidence against Lowering
and could not be made to contradict
himself on the stand, nor was he at
any time confused by the sharp cross
examination to which he was subject
ed. 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 dou-
bled the number of sword thrusts men
toned by preceding witnesses, and then
proved his evidence by showing the
scars.
Judge Advocate Hunters first ques-
ton to Hammond was: Have the arti-
cles of war ever been read in your
presenter
Yes, I have heard Them" replied
Hammond.
What orders did you receive on the
morning of Oct. 9, and relate what
followed?" was the next query.
IT was told that 1 was wanted at
the summary court room, but 1 said
that | would not go, and, after that
message had been repeated to Capt.
Lowering, he came to my cell and told
me to get out and walk. He gave the
order, 'Yank that man OUT when 1
again refused, and as I 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
in the shoulders He stepped over me
he nd
two more prods on the left side. He
also gave me another order to walk
but 1 did not answer Then the rope
was tied upon my feet and 1 was drag
ged over the curbs, sidewalks yld road
and up and down steps until preached
the court room in the adjutant's Office"
when you refused to walk to the
court did any one ask you for your
reasons?" was the next question of
the court.
Members of the guard asked me-"
replied Hammond, and 1 told them 1
ought to be tried for the first offense
before 1 was tried for the second, as
the last offense was leaving my bar
racks at Pittsburgh, N. Y, without
leave"
1T 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 capt.
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 Sept. 20
I'D to Oct. 50" said the attorney. Now
why was it that you changed your
mind about work about the latter
date?"
81 had been waiting for trial and
7 thought it was about time l had it,
said Hammond.
Let me see," next asked the attor-
ney, you come from Michigan, do you
not?"
Il refuse to answer"
do you know man named Vandor-
stem who lives in Michigan?'
This question Hammond also refused
to answer Then followed a query
about the alleged shooting at Vandor-
stem and the attorney followed it with
the remark. "And you Joined the army
to escape the warrants which were is
sued for your arrest did you not"
Silence was the only reply the attor-
rey could gain for the last question,
and then he went back to Hamrnond'S
departure from PlattShurgh barracks.
Hammond admitted. that he left his
&c st to attend business in Chicago and
was asked to state what route he traV-
eled on the journey
Il came through Albany. Buffalo,
Cincinnati and Chicago" said Ham
mond.
And from there to Pentwater?" add
cd the attorney. What was the last
town you stopped in before Chicago"
asked Attorney Blair.
Pullman, SIR said Hammond.
And the one before that was Pent-
water" again added the attorney for
the defense.
mo, SIR said Hammond. 81 decline
to say whether I went to Pentwater or
any other place in Michigan, and l re-
fuse to answer all such questions. L
came here and gave myself up before
the end of ten days and that is
enough"
you say you were stabbed six
times?" was the attorneys next re-
mark.
Were those stabs mere pin scratches
or are you SCARED for life?'
'I will bear the marks to my grave, "
replied Hammond.
The attorney expressed a desire to
see the scars, and Hammond barred
his limbs and exhibited four marks,
two on each thigh, to the court. One
of the scars was on his right hand and
a minor one is on the shoulder.
Private Snyder was called, and he
told of helping to drag the prisoner
after the procession had gone 100 yards
and assistance had been ordered. He
said they had been commanded to
march at double quick time, and that
the prisoner was covered with dust
and his clothes torn, when the sum-
mary court was reached.
DO you think there was any other
way in which Hammond could have
been taken to court?" was asked by
the judge advocate.
Yes" said the witness, there wassa
cart, and I think this could easily
have been drafted into service"
Brig. Gen. Wade then asked if the
witness had ever seen a prisoner taken
to court in a cart.
mo" Snyder answered, they're not
usually quite so kind as that" He
was then excused, and Lieut.. Andrus.
the prison officer, was called. His evil
dence was not important.
The prosecution has but one more
witness to call, Post Surgeon Lip
pincott, and then the attorneys for
the defense will be given precedence.
Capt. Lowering is expected to take the
witness stand and has two witnesses,
Whiting and Sipple, both of whom
are general convicts in confinement
at the post prison.
Private Waddell was the first wit
ness today, and during his examination
there was a diversion. A question was
asked as to whether 4Gapt. Lowering
had used an oath in commanding
Hammond to leave the guard house.
To this Attorney Blair, who is defend
ing the accused officer, objected.