The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-23
cRUEL TREATMENT OF HAMMOND.
Witnesses Testify to Barbarons Conduct
IN Part of Captain Lowering.


on Part of Captain Lowering.
CHICAGO. Nov. 22-Captain Leonard
r.. Lowering. Of the Tenth Infantry. sta
toned at Fort Sheridan. appeared be-
fore a court-martial at that post to-day
to stand trial on the charge of Conduct
prejudicial 10 good order and military
discipline" The specific charge is causing
Private Hammond TO be dragged over the
ground by the heels from the guard-house
TO the Office of the regimental adJutant,
after Hammond had refused to walk.
The court was an hour late in conven-
ing. because OF delay in the arrival
of Brigadier-General Wade. the presiding
officer.
A cold wind from the northwest blew
across the parade grounds. and Private
Hammond. who stood without an over
coat. on the porch OF the Officers Club.
where the court was held. under guard
OF three soldiers. wrapped I'm heavy army
listers. shivered while his teeth chat
tered and his face turned blue from
tho cold The four men stood i'm the fan
ing snow for almost an hour the guard
with their hayonets levelled toward the
prisoner until Lieutenant Williams. who
had been notified Of the delay, took pity
on Hammond and ordered him back 10
the guard-house HammOnd's army over
coat was at Plattsburg, n. Y, where
he left II when he absented himself with
out leave. and there was 30 coa' Tor MN
at Fort Sheridan.
The first witness was Lieutenant John
Bernard. Lieutenant OF the day ham
mond was dragged. He testihed tlat
he ordered Hammond TO appear before
the summary court and that the latter
refused 10 90. He exhausted all means
TO get the prisoner to go before the
court and then reported the matter I"
CAPTAIN Lowering who was officer or the
day
"Did Won hear Captain Lowering use
oaths in his language to the prisoner
Judge Advocate Hunter asked.
81 heard him say d you come
out " was the answer.
The Lieutenant was unable IN state
nositivelv whether Lowering kicked or
stabbed the prisoner.
rorDo-al New who was corporal OF the
dav on October 9th. but who has since
been reduced to the rank OF private
stated that Lowering as officer OF the
dav sent three men to Hammond cen
with orders to prod him with the bayo-
net II he would not walk
Gle said he would die before nc woulu
walk" said New, and then | saw Low
oring kick him twice and prod him WIN
his sword. -, ,ho
How hard did Lowering prod the
prisoner with his sword?'
..'rhe sword must have passed through
uammond's clothing" said Private New
..for he cried don't do that when
tho nrisorer had been dragged down the
ouordhouse steps saw Lowering proc
lin ooain That time it was In the mana
and saw the blood trickle from the
wound ~, - o,ava
cerrsont Barnard was called and gave
a minnie description Of how Harmon"
ms dragged feet first over the Sill OF ms
eli down to the guard house stone steps
n hundred wards along the walk uo"h
over the curb up again on the WAN,
dou,n again and across the road' over
the onposite curb. up the steps 20 'oii'-
many DIS headquarters, then down oNer
The curb. and finally up the steps 10 the
adiutant's Office.
How dld Hammond look when ne ar
r,,,od y, the court?" asked Colonel
Hunter. - o NOS
,okcn from his feet" answered the ser
lent "Uis pants were worn through
- tho akin and when I returned with
hin, "a the ptiard-h house he showed me
the cuts made by Captain Lowering ;
sword. They were all deep ana pieeu-
ing" -. .,,,oss
Corporal Ward was the last witness.
and his evidence corroborated that OF
the preceding witness.
The court then adjourned