Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-15
NAVAL oFrlcEa ARRESTED. }
Lieutenant SsiIlix.s ~. thomson May
be Tried by Court Martial.

NAVAL OFFICER ARREsTED.
Lieutenant SsiIlix.s ~. 1ho,n.on May
be Tried by Court Martial.
Chicago, Aug. 10.--Lieiitenant Will
liam II. Thompson, navigating officer
of the ldler, the Chicago ships crews
boat, was put under arrest last night
at his home, 1857 Deming court. The
formal notice was served by Ensign
James B. Bradwen. Lieutenant Thorn
son replied he would report at the
Bord du Lac Camp today. The offense
OF the naval reserve officer was in COM
ing to Chicago, acting under permis-
sion, he declares. II is said he will be
tried by court-martial. What the
charge will be his superior officers
have not decided, but INSTRUMENTATION,
desertion, and disrespect are under
consideration.
Ensign Bradwell reached here from
Waukegan at 7:45 p. IN. and went d.
rect to Lieutenant Thomson's resi-
dence. where the warrant was served.
Lieutenant Thomson looked the pa
pers over carefully and then said:
II shall report tomorrow. have
some business matters that will re-
quire my attention for IA short time
and then ! will leave for Waukegan."
When asked what I've had to say re-
gardng his arrest Lieutenant Thom-
son said: 81 don't know as ! have
anything to say now, but ] am likely
~ have considerable to say little lat
er on. When | went to the encamp.
ment stated that wished to have
leave of absence, and on Aug. 6 re-
ceived an order relieving me and in
structing me to turn over the I1ler,
launches. cutters, ETC., TO Lieutenant
Commander Allen w. Clarke. | was
also instructed to report back with all
the men under my command, except
such as Commander Clarke would re-
quire. If necessary | was instructed
to remain myself, sending back such
men as were not needed
Lieutenant Thomson added that he
came to Chicago surprising he was en-
titled to do SO, but noticing what was
in the papers concerning the matter he
wired Commander Johnson, inquiring
us to his status, and received the fol-
lowing telegram in reply:
"Waukegan, H., Aug. 9.-You are
on leave permission. However, report
here as soon as possible. Correct err
roneous newspaper report.
Charles w. Johnson, Commander"
"Commander .Johnson's telegram re-
assured me- added yne lieutenant,
but imagine my surprise tonight to
be served with notice of arrest. What
the meaning of it is is more than l
Gan understand, but ], will make ii my
businesshto find ont. y s
Bord du Lac, ILL.,, Aug. 12.Navigat-
ing Lieutenant William Thomson will
Ia
but will be publicly reprimandcd.
commander johnson, who gave Thon-
son verbal leave of absence, will be
censnred for exceeding his power.
CAPTAIN Shatfner has decided upon tlis
course after hearing the testimony pre-.
| sented by the crew of the Tdler TO
Commander johnson and after con-
sulting with the officers of the regular
| navy now on board the Michigan.
| Lieutenant Thomson, however. says he
will refuse to accept public repri.
mand and will demand court-martial.
He has decided TO Wire his attorney,
| w. j. Mcmillan. the former commanders
of the first ships crew, to come to
camp and consult with him in regard
TO his future movements.
Officers of the Michigan say Thorn
son has no right to demand court
martial 1t was much against his will
that Capt Shaffner determined to let
Thomson off so easily, but the cost to
the state deferred him from ordering
Il conrt-martial.
An informal court OF. inquiry was
! held in Captain Shaffner's headquar-
tiers yesterday morning, at which the
evidence obtained Thursday was dis
cussed before all the officers of rank
| equal to or higher than that OF Thorn
i son. Men who previously had declared
| that Thomson said he was 10 leave the
| service When he left the ldler refused
to testify to that effect.
1t isfeareu there may be trouble yet
! in tho. camp The fact that Thomson
has selected former Commander McMil-
Ian as his attorney will not help mat
| ters, since Mcmillan was involved in
| former troubles with Capt. Shaffner.
| The order reprimanding Thomson
and johnson will be read at dress pa
rade tonight, after the articles OF war,
some OF which will Cover the Thomson
cpse. have been read to the men by the
officers of the Michigan. It is then
that trouble is most likely to ensue.
Lieutenant Thomson took his trou-
| BILE greatly to heart yesterday mor,-
! ing and in the afternoon reported to
the hospital. DR.. G. j. Brougham said
that the patient apparently was suffer-
| ing from nervous prostration. Nor
phine was administered, and. after
few hours of sleep he was dismissed
from the hospital.