The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-21
RANc0R OF A MAJOR
LIEUT.. MORFORD ATTRIBUTES THE
CHARGES MADE AGAINST
HIM TO ONE.
SENSATION AT FORT SMELLING
WILKINSON "HAS 1T IN
FOR HIM."
SENSATION AT FORT SMELLING
TELLS THE STORY OF HIS LIFE.
The Lieutenant RecOunts His Elk.
periences, Including an Incident
of Milwaukee Banquet.


proceedings of Lieut. w. H Morford,
at Fort Smelling, have been looking for
ward to something of a sensational ma
ture since the trial commenced-and it
came yesterday. The lieutenant was
or the stand testifying in his own de-
Tense, when his attorney asked him:
Has any officer at the fort been I'M
duly energetic in working up the case
against you?"
Without hesitation the lieutenant
answered that there was, and on being
asked who it was he replied that it
was Maj Wilkinson, of the Third in
fantry. The bad feeling of the two Of
fcers has been of long standing evil
IDENTIFY, and on several occasions in the
past they have clashed, their nature
being antagonistic. In speaking of
this, Morford said:
con two occasions I had words with
Maj Wilkinson, which he probably did
not think comported with his age and
station. At one time I was a member
of a general court martial, of which
Maj. Wilkinson was also a member.
During the proceedings a dispute arose
between the major and myself. He
thought his contention should hold, be-
cause of his superior rank. 1 told him
that I had been appointed member
of that court martial, and that my
voice and vote were as potent as that
of the highest officer of the land, so
far as that court martial was con-
cerned. The major then became en-
ragged and said that he would put the
whole matter in writing. Here the
president of the court called US to
ORDER
"The other OCCASION" continued the
defendant, was some years ago when
1 was at Fort Douglass, where the
Fourth Wisconsin infantry was in
camp. The state had a large club
house. in which there were two rooms.
One room was fitted up as a bar room,
and was furnished by the brewers of
Milwaukee. The next room was kind
of ball room, where they had dances.
One evening another officer and myself
were seated on rustic bench at dis
lance from the crowd, who were drink
ing at the bar. Among the crowd was
Maj. Wilkinson, who, after awhile got
upon a bench to make a speech. That
was not high enough for him, and he
mounted a table Then he put chair
on top of the table and got up on that.
The major was making a fool Of him
self. My friend said under his voice:
Come off-come off the perch. The
major excitedly dared the officer to re-
peat the remark, and he did So"
At this point there was an Interrupt
ton by one of the members of the
court, who called out, ri object to this"
'Is this material or necessary" in
quired the president of the court.
ct don't think So" said the judge ad-
vocate. 81 intend to call Maj. Willzin-
son and all this can be brought out in
cross-eXamination."
81 have right to show feeling and
animus on the part of any officer in
connection with working up a case
against the accused" said Attorney
PEBBLES.
The court was cleared and upon con-
vening the president of the court an
nounced that the objection was over
ruled and that the testimony would
proceed.
Continuing, Lieut.. Morford said: 'T
interfered to prevent an attack by
Maj. Wilkinson on a sick officer. 1t
was then thought best to settle the
matter next day. I was to represent
my friend and go to Maj. Wilkinson
and demand an apology. 1 did so and
Maj. Wilkinson did not seem to like it,
but said he would give an answer at
5 o'clock. I returned to the officer and
told him what was said. He said he
wanted Maj Wilkinson to apologize in
the presence of three army officers
That evening the officer handed me a.
note-it was the apology by Maj. Will
kinson."
Who was that officer?' inquired the
president of the court
Lieut. Frank P. Abel, Third infan-
try" replied the witness Continuing,
Norford said:
II always thought Maj. Wilkinson
had a graudge against me for this
1t will be recalled that there was
| testimony to the effect that it was Maj.
Wilkinson who gave Col. Page the pay
vouchers which it is claimed were
duplicated. The inference sought to
be made by the accused is that Maj
Wilkinson, smarting under the insults
alluded to by Morford, had busted him.
self in ferreting out the damaging evil
dence of the pay vouchers.
A deposition was read from T. H
Norton, a banker of Wheeling, w. Va,
who testified that Morford had done
| business with him and had always met
his obligations with reasonable
bromptness Morford had endeavored
| to borrow enough money to pay off his
entire Indebtedness He gave his per-
sonal notes and a life insurance policy
for $500 as security.
| A letter was read from Capt. DietZ,
of the Third cavalry, to the effect that
Morford's conduct was regarded as
| strictly honorable while he was at the
military school.
| Lieut. Morford read a short account
of his life to the court prepared by
| himself 1t recounted his employment
as bank bookkeeper at Omaha, his
| enlistment and appointment in the
army. He had failed in constitutional
| law in his examination, but was above
| the standard in everything else. He
| finally received his appointment
through Secretary Elkins. He had al
ways been INDUCED at home and con-
tracted extravagant habits because he
naQ the pest OF everything ana all the
money he needed. When he entered
| the army he was heavily in debt, but
had been paying off gradually. He
had but one pair of uniform trousers
| and his blouse and hat had done duty
for two other officers. He did not so
| in society nor go to the theaters.
SHOWS SIGNS OF LIFE.
| Lincoln Club and AssembIyman
Doordo,, Hall m Naat;u-