The Mena star., 1898-09-07
Secretary Alger Wires Gen. Shafter
About Reports of Suffering at
Montauk Point.
TROUBLE OVER A NEGRO PAYMASTER.
Fourth Missouri Regiment Quarantined-
Fears of an Euidemic OF Dipht herIa-
Firth Missouri Leaves Camp Hamilton,
Singing "Homr, sweet Home"-The
Third Missouri starts for Kansas City.

Washington, Sept 6.--The accounts
of suffering and neglect at Montauk
point have induced Secretary Alger to
determine on thorough investigation
of specific case. He has wired Gen.
Shafter as follows:
The New York World of about the 2sth ult,
nublished a statement Of the death OF Private
Hugh Parrett. Of the Eighth regulars. in which
tits charged that when he begged of DR.. ---
Ia take him to the hospital. the doctor notified
him hat the hoslitai was for sick men, and 1t
Il reported that Parrett died that night This
account IS sent me by Representative Gros-
vanor. OF Ohio. who says there is great
INDIGNATION in his community over the case
and il it is as reported there should be-
wish an inquiry Immediately instituted to find
out about this matter and report made to me.
/ understand one Sergt. Rich. of same company
or REGIMENT, is under arrest for having COM
planned Of this matter. / have heard much OF
the neglect OF the men, much OF which no
doubt is fictitious. out if there is any founda-
t!on for this statement. or if there are any men
III 10 their tents that are not provided for,
wish to know the reason why. and at once;
also the names Of the officers in command of
the regiment and company in each case.-R A.
Alger, Secretary of War.
Gen. Wheeler sent this dispatch on
the conditions at Camp Wikoff yester-
day:
Secretary OF War: have made thorough
inspection OF the camp to-day The steam
laundry for hospitals in full operation Water
works are again working satisfactorily; the
health of the troops improving: visit of the
president was very beneficial. Wheeler, Com
mandinG
trouble Over a Negro Paymaster.
Brunswick, Ca, Sept. 6.-R r.
Wright, colored. recently appointed
major and paymaster in the army
through the influence of Speaker Reed,
was in danger of his life yesterday
at Camp John S. Gordon, on ST. Simon's
island. Wright. who is very black,
was detailed TO pay off the seven com
panies of the Second North Carolina
and the Third Texas, now at Camp
Gordon, and arrived yesterday accom-
panied by negro clerk. When the ma
jor appeared in camp the soldiers, all of
whom are white, expressed themselves
so threateningly that the negro officer
appealed to Col. Burgwyn, command
ing the camp. for protection. A guard
detail was furnished him, but he was
ohliged to occupy az abandoned tent,
the white commissioned officers point
edly refusing him the use of theirs.
When Corporal Giddings, of the Third
Texas. was called to receive his pay
he Indignantly declined aud denounced
Wright for his presumption in appear
ing before white men in the role of
paymaster. This precipitated a COM
motion in the camp and it was found
necessary to discontinue the paying
off process.
Fourth Missouri Quarantined.
Camp Meade, Pa, Sept. 6.-The en-
tire Fourth Missouri is quarantin tined
BY order of Col. Girard, chief surgeon
Of the corps, who fears an epidemic of
diphtheria. A number of cases devel-
oped last week and the increase dur
Ing the last two or three days past
has been alarming. The regiment has
moved to a remote point on Young's
iarm and no one is permitted to enter
the lines
Fifth Missouri Leaves Camp.
Camp Hamilton, Lexington, KY,
Sept 6.-Amid cheers and hubbub OF
voices singing Home, Sweet Home"
the train bearing the Fifth Missouri
pulled out of the little camp station at
f'oV o'clock this morning. The train
was IN four sections, averaging II cars.
Third Leaves TOR Kansas City.
harris isburg, Pa, Sept 6.-Delay in
securing clear track held all trains
mere for time to-day, but at l1O this
afternoon the first section of the Third
missouri regiment train pulled out for
Kansas City.