The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-04
Verging on Nervous Collapse and Had
Recourse to Qufnine and Whis-
ky to Sustain Himself.
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE SAID
AND WAS HORRIFIED ON READING
THE NEWSPAPERS NEXT DAY.
Testimony of the Chaplain I'm His Own
OregOn's Long Cruise.

DENVER, Col, Oct. Sat to-day's ses-
sion of the court-martial trial of Rev.
Joseph P. Mcintyre, of the battle ship Ore
gon, for the sensational charges against
brother officers of the navy made in a lee
ture delivered in Denver on Aug. s. the
chaplain went on the stand in his own de-
Tense His testimony is intended to estab-
lish plea of responsibility for his utter
ances on the occasion. In a straightfor-
ward simple, yet graphic manner, he told
the story of the Oregon's wonderful trip
from San Francisco around Cape Horn; OF
the terrible extremes of heat and cold
passed through; of the nervous strain
which the constant dread of meeting the
enemy caused; of the excitement of the
blockade, and the great battle Of July 3,
followed by a nervous collapse on the part
of the present narrator. He told how, after
he reached Denver in his weakened condi-
ton he repeatedly refused to lecture, only
conserving finally because it might be of
benefit in a financial way to the Young
Mems Christian Association, himself de-
Ginning to receive a cent of the proceeds.
He told how, with whirling brain, he stood
before the audience, and then of his horror
next morning when he read the published
report of what he had Saddle made no
denial of the reports saying that he could
not remember his words. He only knew
what he intended to say. 1t is expected the
defense will rest its case tomorrow. Ply
sicians will be introduced to show the effect
upon Chaplain Mcintyre of medicines taken
just prior to the lecture.
At the morning session Of the court
George w. F. Briefly, musical director, and
w MI
testimony. They practically corroborated
preceding witnesses for the defense.
When the court reassembled in the after
noon Mr.. Copeland was placed on the stand.
He denied that Chaplain Mcintyre said the
Oregon was the only battle ship that was
honestly made Mr.. Copeland said the chap
lain, after describing the running fight and
the surrender of the Colon, spoke exultantly
of the fact that when the Oregon had en-
trapped the Spanish ship the rest of the
American squadron was "hull down" be-
hind and the chaplain exclaimed: "And
where was Fighting Bob Evans?" Con-
tinuing, the witness asserted that Chaplain
Mcintyre said at the time of the Colon's
surrender the New York was within signal
ing distance. He corroborated the testi-
mony previously given as to the division
of the prize money and the comparison of
the work of Admiral Sampson and OF the
audience in the capture of the Colon.
w H. Banner, local secretary of the Y.
M. G. "A, testified that on behalf of the
association he arranged for the lecture of
Chaplain Mcintyre. He testified that when
he asked the chaplain to lecture the latter
at first refused on the ground that he was
very ILL., Chaplain Mcintyre received no pay
for his lecture.
Chaplain Mcintyre, the defendant, was
then put on the stand. He stated that his
home. when not on duty as chaplain in the
navy, is in Denver. He said that he was in
exceptionally fine physical condition when
he sailed from San Francisco on board the
Oregon when she started on her memorable
voyage around Cape Horn He told the story
of that trip. He said that while passing
through the tropical regions the vessel was
placed in a condition of readiness for battle.
Matches and gangways were closed, pre-
venting the circulation of fresh air. The
temperature ranged from 95 to 1O7 degrees
In his quarters. The ice machine failed to
work satisfactorily. so that the water drunk
was warm. Passing Cape Horn the temper
allure was AZ degrees below zero. On coming
north the high temperature was again ex-
perienced. These changes of temperature
were ulSdSlTOuS 10 MS health. Tn the north
ward trip after they had passed through
the tropics he was attacked with a severe
illness, including terrible pain in the back
Of his head and in his spine. Three times
he awoke in the night with his left arm
helpless and seemingly paralyzed He was
then fearful that he was threatened with
insanity. After the battle of July 8. when
the strain of the excitement was over he
fell to the deck and had to be carried to
I'M fhn
of physician until he left the vessel and
was sent to the naval hospital at New York
There medical survey pronounced him a
SUFFERER from nervous prostration, or, as
the physician privately stated, nervous
bankruptcy"
After briefly relating the story of his trip
to Denver he told how. after repeated urg-
ing, he consented to deliver the lecture of
Aug. g. to aid the Y. NJ. c. A The work
OF preparation for the lecture irritated his
nerves so that on the afternoon of Aug
ne was on the verge of a nervous collaDse
TO sustain him he took qunine and brandy
during the afternoon and after reaching the
church he took eighteen grains of ouinine
and half to three-fourths an ounce of
brandy, being actuated by a feeling of
failing strength. He was detained for nearly
an hour after arriving at the church before
beginning the lecture and when he began
MS head was in a whiri. Witness testified
that ne had clear ideas of what he Intended
TO say, but could not be certain what he
II cannot find words to tell the horror
with which / read the report of my lecture
as it appeared in the Rocky Mountain
News. SAID Chaplain Mcintyre in reply to
a question by Attorney Doud Statements
contained in that article could not have been
further from my thoughts"
The chaplain said that in replv tn an in
quiry from the Navy Department the day
following the lecture, he denied having
made use of the expressions attributed to
him. He did this because he knew that i'm
preparing the lecture no such thoughts were
entertained
Owing to the fact that the chaplain was
much fatigued by his recital. his cross-ex-
animation was postponed until $50 Tuesday
and court adjourned.