The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-05
RINGLAND TO BE RELEASED.
THE SOLDIER LOOKED UPON AS
MENTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.

Was Discharged From n Term in the
Florida Penitentiary on This
<sround-Court AdjOurns Until
Monday without Taking Final
Action-Tom Davis Not Deserving
nj the Time He Was Injured by a
Train.
Griffin. Ga. June 4-Court was again
called to order at Camp Northen TINS
morning at 10 o'clock for the purpose Of
irving Private o. E. Ringland charged
with violating article G. Of the army regu>
lations, which refers to stealing.
The reading of the proceedings of Fri
day was heard and were unanimously re-
voked by the court.
Witnesses were again sworn in, when
Mai. W. E. Wooten. counsel for the de
PENDANT. in answer to a question from the
court, said the defendant plead not guilty.
The specifications plead not guilty also.
After the examination of numerous wit
nesses both for the prosecution and de-
Tense, as well as the prisoner himself,
Mai Wooten presented a copy signed and
sealed by the state pardon board Of Flor
from term in the state penitentiary on
the ground of mental disabilities, which
made him wholly irresponsible for the
crime he was charged with.
-Four witnesses testified that they had
known the prisoner for number of years.
ond TO their knowledge and belief he was
"A kleptomaniac.
This caused a change in affairs, which
will possibly cause the liberation of the
young man and his discharge from the
army.
After considerable discussion over the in
PRODUCTION of certain papers in the posses
sion of the counsel for the defendant
which were finally ruled out court adj
tourned TO meet again at 10 o'clock Mon
day morning.
Thus it win be seen that the army court
is quite as slow as all others, and that
a prisoner may have all the time neces-
sary 10 repent for his crime.
The report has been widely circulated
through the state, as well as the camp
that Private Tom Davis of Capt. George
W. Drummonds company deserted yester-
day morning and while en- route to his
home, was arrested in Macon. The facts
of the case, as explained by Col. Lawton,
are as follows: Friday morning at guard
mount Capt Drummond noticed that
Cd for the absent man, but failed to find
him.
About this time a young lady in Griffin
called for Capt. Drummond and over the
telephone he understood her to say one
of his men had run off on the Savannah
train.
The captain Immediately reported the at
fair to Col Lawton, who telegraphed the
United States marshal at Macon, author
izing the arrest of Tom Davis, who was
expected 10 be on the II O'Clock train en-
route for Savannah.
Capt. Drummond came to the city, and
TO his surprise found his man had not
run off on the Savannah train, but had
been run over by it,
Davis had Just before guard mount been
entrusted with some important letters to
he mailed and as the train was nearly
due, he had to carry them to the depot.
In some way Davis fell under the train
before it stopped and had il not been for
his remarkable presence of mind he would
have been killed As it was, he rolled Off
the track next to the platform and only
lost the end of two toes.
In his disabled condition he fulfilled his
duties and was carried to the hospital at
Camp Northen. where his wounds were
dressed. He is doing nicely, and will soon
be able for duty. which he has hereto
fore accomplished with much credit
Col. Lawton to-day received a bill of
lqding for LOCO half-shelter tents, 200 A
tents, thirty-six wall tents, and five hos
pital tents. These are expected by Mon
day, and will be put in position as soon
as possible.
Tents were struck at II O'Clock to-day
and everything allowed to sun until 3 In
the afternoon.
"A school of instruction for non-commis-
stoned officers has been organized, and will
hold daily meetings at 3 o'clock In the
afternoon.
The City Council has authorized the DIG
ging of three wells on the camp ground TO
be used for drinking and cooking pur-
poses. This will prove quite a convenience.
as the men have to walk nearly half a
mile for water