The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-24
POLICE COURT
Hobo Hero

One of the genuine heroes of the Spanish
war, a soldier who had fought and bled at
Santiago, in that bloody charge up San
Juan hill. was seen for the first time in the
police court of Birmingham yesterday
morning. He wore the cheverons of first
sergeant, won after a few short weeks
of enlistment for valiant service.
That is, the soldier said that he was at
Santiago, that he was wounded there, and
that he had held an office of first sergeant
in the Fourth Kentucky. But by the time
he had finished a very severe cross exami-
nation he had to climb down off of his "old
glory" perch.
Robert e. Green was the heros name.
He came to Birmingham from Admission
last week and since that time has been
hanging around the city. On Tuesday last
he turned up at the police station and
claimed that he had been robbed on Sat-
urday night, out near the freight yards of
the Kansas City railroad. by two other
soldiers. His assailant he identified as NJ
A. Wall and H. L. Snyder, who were then
in jail on the charge of robbing a fourth
soldier and for which crime they were tried
and bound over Wednesday morning.
Green described the alleged robbery with
great accuracy. He said that it took place
at o'clock. that Wall poked pistol in his
face. that Snyder went through his pock-
ets removing therefrom 1923. 65, and that he
remembered the men perfectly. He said
that he was out in that neighborhood look
ing for a job.
Green's discharge papers showed that he
had been mustered out of his regiment
as private and made no mention that he
had ever held non-commissioned office.
IT resigned it in December said Green,
because I was sick" Attorney Allen who
was defending Wall and Snyder doubted
this story, and proceeded to question him
concerning the duties of the Office Green
got horribly stuck when asked how much
more clothing allowance a first sergeant
received than a private. but he finally ven-
tured 100 cents every six months
''What are the duties of a first sergeant"
was asked?
'Well he must make out his reports and
see that his men get plenty to eat"
Something of head waiter job" re-
marked Mr.. Allen.
The witness and the attorney then had
long set-to concerning simple military COM
mands and tactics.
where have you been eating since
you've been in Birmingham"
"All around" was the reply. Here's one
of the places"
"'E L. Higdon, produce and commission
broker" read the attorney from card
which the man showed him. been down
on Morris avenue eating produce, have
YOU? What were you boring Colonel Hig-
don about?'
Just making him a social visit"
e. L. Russell, another soldier who was
formerly member of the Fourth Ken
lucky, swore that he knew all of the first
sergeants in his regiments, and that Green
had not been one of them.
HE wasn't even a corporal said Rus
sell.
Another one of Green's traits was then
developed. 1t seems that since he has been
in Birmingham, he has been working the
wounded hero of Santiago" racket. Sew
eral persons were found to whom he had
told his story. and they said that he fol-
lowed up his narrative with a request for
a meal. He even had the nerve, the other
day, to go up before Judge Feagin and
ask permission to carry a pistol and on
being refused, volunteered to tell how he
had been shot through the left breast at
Santiago. He didn't ask the Judge for a
meal, though.
do you ever take anything for your
nerves?" asked Mr.. Allen.
''Not that know Of"
Don't you sometimes take raorphine?"
Tea. sir.'
what forr'