The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-29
RAY IS ACQUITTED
Lieut.. Belts Makes Strong
Plea for His Client.
VERDICT GIVEN YESTERDAY
Army Officers Compliment
Attorney for the Defense

While the Twenty-third Kansas volun-
teers were on their way to Fort Leaven-
worth between ST Louis and Kansas City
George Ray of company H, engaged in an
alteration with William Williams OF COM
pany G, which resulted in the death of
Williams, Ray sta.bbing him to the heart
with a Spanish knife. Both men were
tough characters and as it was generally
conceded that Ray was the tougher Of the
two, everybody in the regiment took it for
granted that Ray would be convicted and
shot for the crime He was taken to Fort
Leavenworth and incarcerated in the
guard house, and an order was issued
calling for a general court martial to con-
vene to try such cases as might come be-
fore it. Among the cases, and the most
important one, was the case of Ray,
charged with murder.
Major Anger consulted Colonel Beck Of
the Twenty-third Kansas concerning
counsel for Ray. The colonel named
Lieutenant ". Z. Belts. of company E,
Wichita, as counsel for Ray and incident
ally remarked that Belts would clear him
if it was possible. The case was called
and Lieutenant Belts was the only vol
unteer army officer before the court.
Lieutenant Rhodes of the Sixth cavalry,
was the judge advocate, and like all the
other members Of the court was a regular
army officer.
When the case was heard nearly every
one around Leavenworth and the Fort
talked about the time and place of Rays
execution. Th ey seemed to overlook the
fact thai Il Wichita man was deien.:ing
him and that he possibly would be clear
ed. The trial came on and occupied near
ly five days, and all the army officers of
the court were completely captfvated
with the ability and skill with which
Lieutenant Belts handled the case. The
argument was set for Monday, April 10,
each side being allowed one hour to make
his argument. Lieutenant Belts, in be-
half of the defense, spoke first and for an
hour held the court in suspense with his
logic and eloquence. His address was
conceded by every member of the court
to be one Of the ablest and most eloquent
ever delivered before a general court
martial. Lieutenant Rhodes, the judge
advocate, spoke at length in behalf of the
government and made an able plea for
conviction. After the argument the court
was cleared and the balloting for a YER
dict was begun After being out an hour
they arrived at a verdict, but unlike a
civil court, they did not make it known.
it being a military law that all verdicts of
general courts martial be reviewed by
higher authority. The proceedings were
sent to General Merriam at Denver, and
yesterday Lieutenant Belts received the
following telegram from the judge advo-
cate: Ray acquitted and released this
morning"
Lieutenant Belts was seen by an Eagle
reporter last night and asked concerning
the outcome Of the case. He modestly
showed the telegram and a letter received
a few days ago from the judge advocate.
highly cOmplmenting him upon his elo-
quent plea, and stating that he had sent
him copy of the argument, thinking Re
would like to preserve such an able ad-
dress.
Lieutenant Belts read law under ]. D !
Houston and though he has never orac- !
used before the district court, he is con-
sidered to be one of the most eloquent
takers in the state. and his argument and |
skill displayed while counsel for the
Twenty-third Kansas in Cuba and at Fort /
Leavenworth has demonstrated that he
possesses talent for one of he ablest
young lawyers in the west, if he VIII onlv |
cultivate it. Wichita IS promo OF I ieuten |
ant Belts and his record as an officer of |
the Twenty-third Kansas.