The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-18
WILLIAM ECKHARDT ON THE
STAND IN THE COURT MAR
TIAL PROCEEDINGS.
QUESTION OF DRUNKENNESS
RECEIVES A GOOD DEAL OF AT
TENTIoN,> ALTHOUGH NOT IN
SPECIFICATIONS.
WITNESS SAYS HE DOESN'T DRINK,
While He Testifies That Cant. Han
nay Frequently Accused Him
of Doing So.

at Fort Smelling to investigate the
charges Of INSTRUMENTATION preferred
against Private William Eckhardt, of
Company A, Third infantry, by Capt.
Hannay is drawing to close Several
witnesses were examined by the de-
tense yesterday afternoon, and shortly
before adjournment the accused was
put on the stand to testify in his own
behalf, but his direct examination was
not concluded and will be finished this
morning. Capt. Hannay will be recall
ell by the defense today to explain why
he called Private Pat Doyle before him
few days ago. The captain, in his
testimony, claims that he sent for Pri-
Vate Doyle to find out why he shaved
eff his hair and and eyebrows. The
defense will endeavor to prove that he
sent for Doyle to give him to under
stand that it would displease him
Capt. Hannay) if he gave testimony
which favored the defendant. The
prosecution will also examine Capt.
Hannay and attempt to disapprove the
statements made by Eckhardt in his
evidence.
The line followed by the defense yes
terday in the examination of it's wit
neSses, was to prove that Eckhardt was
not intoxicated on the morning of Dec
Il. The specifications contain no charge
OF drunkenness, but Capt. Hannay, IN
his testimony, says that he was led
tc believe that Eckhardt used some
thing to produce a peculiar frame of
mind. Eckhardt also claims in his
statement that Hannay repeatedly
charged him with being drunk and
ordered him to the hospital on a num-
Der of occasions when he was recoVr-
ing from peculiar aching in mis- bones
caused by taking too much quinine
during a spell of malarial fever. A
number of witnesses testified that Eek
hardt was never drunk to their knowl-
edge, and some of them had never seen
him take a drink, although they had
been with him many times. All the
witnesses examined by the defense yes
terday, testified that Eckhardt was not
defiant on the morning of Dec. 81.
When Private Eckhardt was put on
the stand, witness was asked if at any
time Capt. Hannay had exhibited any
feeling towards him. Eckhardt an
swered that Capt. Hannay had on sew
eral occasions since July. 1895. The
first time was at Frontenac. He was
company cook at the time, and they
had gone into camp at Frontenac. Pri-
vate Caldwell came to him and asked
If Lieut.. Edwards dinner was ready,
Eckhardt replied that he would have
1t ready soon. Caldwell asked Eek
hardt to wrestle with him. The two
Wrestled for few minutes and Capt.
e., L.
later. He had before him in his tent
a written sheet Of foolscap. Capt. Han
nay read the written sheet aloud to
accused and asked him if the state
ment contained in the paper was cor
rect, accused replied that it was not
Capt Hannay said, didn't Caldwell
throw you down and chew your ears,
Eckhardt still refused to subscribe to
the paper, Whereupon Capt. Hannay
said: eff 1t were not for you 1 could
give this man a general court martial,
and now [ can only give him a sum-
mary or garrison" Witness further
testified that Capt. Hannay had shown
him in his speech and looks that he had
a feeling against him, as before the oc-
currance with Caldwell, who had since
been transferred at his own request to
one of the Western posts, Capt. Han
nay had always complimented his cook
up his work. Upon being questioned by
counsel, Eckhardt testified that the
next time, Capt. Hannay had exhibit
ed dislike for him, was in the soldiers
quarters. He had gone in to lie down
as he had not recovered wholly from
the effects of the Quinine which he had
taken some time before to break up his
fever. The captain was inspecting the
quarters, and came up to Eckhardt's
bunk and accused him of drinking,
which Eckhardt stoutly denied. Capt
Hannay then told him he would give
him one hour extra for drinking, and
If he persisted he would give him a
general court martial. Capt. Hannay
ordered Eckhardt to the hospital, where
he explained his condition to DR.. Bor-
den, who prescribed for him and mark
ed him in the day book for sick quar-
ters. Capt. Hannay came in and talk
ed to the doctor while he was waiting
in the office, and as the captain went
out he shook his head at Hannay. Ac-
cused also testified of another instance
where Capt. Hannay had accused him
Of being drunk, this time in the din
ing room.
Fckhardt testified that last spring
he had received an invitation to a par
ty, and went up to the captains house,
and asked him to excuse him from
check that night. The captain excused
him, but, just before he left the yard.
the captain said: "Eckhardt, what is
the matter with you, why don't you
stop drinking?" Accused replied that
he was not drinking man.
Eckhardt then related the incident
of his going to the greenhouse on
Seventh street in company with Pri-
vate Pat Doyle Capt. Hanney accused
him next day Of being down town,
which the defendant denied. saying
that he had only gone as far as the
greenhouse. Witness also admitted
saying: ut seems strange to me that
my company commander should see
one man of his company and not an
other" Capt. Hannay asked him If he
meant to call him a liar Witness re-
piled that he did not. Capt Hannay
came to Eckhardt the next day and
said, after investigating the matter, he
had found that he had not gone further
than the greenhouse, but he must have
gotten off while the car was going. as
he did not see him get off. Witness
replied that he stopped the car to get
off, and that he could prove it by the
conductor.
When Capt. Hannay goes on the
stand today, he will testify that the
reason he saw Eckhardt and did not
recognize Doyle was because Doyle had
shaved off his eye brows and hair. The
defense will try to prove, as stated
above, that he sent for him for other
reasons.
Eckhardt proceeded with his story
but, when the incidents of the 21st of
December were reached, upon which
the specifications in the complaint are
based, the court decided to hear the
rest of Eckhardt's testimony today
Sergt. Carl Morecraft. Of Company
E, Third infantry. was the first witness