The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-26
EAGAN WAS NERVOUS.
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that it was a complete answer to the
criticisms which had been made against
him, but he had advised some parts of
1t to be omitted Gen. Eagan, however,
was greatly excited and witness thought
he would bring the matter TO his atten-
ton more urgently the next morning,
but witness did not then have a good
opportunity.
Gen. Eagan had told the witness that
he was prevented from proceeding in
military fashion against Gen. Miles by
the presidents order of immunity to
witnesses but that he hoped to be able
to proceed in the matter in the civil
courts.
HE WALKED THE FLOOR.
Miss Willard, Gen. Eagan's stenog-
rapher was then called. She had taken
nearly all of the generals dictations
since September Is last and testified
that she took the dictation of the gem
erals statement before the commission.
From the time Gen. Miles gave his test
imony before the commission Gen. Ea-
gan was greatly excited and while he
was debating his statement he walked
the floor in an excited state. 1t had
never been his habit to walk the floor
while debating. The statement was not
fully completed until the day it was
presented to the commission. She saw
Gen. Eagan only few minutes before
he left to appear before the commission
and he was then in such q, nervous state
that his hands trembled.
The witness thought that the general
had never been able to read the state
ment through as a, whole from the time
1T was begun until it was read to the
commission.
EAGAN TELLS HIS STORY.
Gen. EEagan himself was called. He
said he entered the volunteer army in
1861 and in 1866 was made a second lieu
tenant in the regular army. He then
briefly gave a history of his military
career, which included several cam
paigns against the Indians He received
a wound in the Modoc war for which he
received a brevet. During the war with
Spain he had been in his office every
day with one exception and had worked
early and late. He had given his tes-
timony before the commission under
oath-preferably so. He had first read
Gen. Miles statement in the Washing
ton papers. For a long time he feared
that he might not be called before the
commission, but he finally received
summons to appear Even then he was
not fully prepared, as his statement
necessarily involved the preparation of
records, etc. He had held a converse
ton with the secretary of war in the
course of which he told the secretary
that he desired to defend himself by
bringing proceedings against Gen
Miles, but was told that the immunity
vent any such action. Witness accepted
this as a fact, but he did not think this
immunity covered the newspaper inter-
view in which Gen. Miles had by infer
gain.
EYES FILLED WITH TEARS.
Witness said he became greatly ex-
cited. This statement of Gen. Miles in
the opinion of the witness had taken
away his CEagan's) character. He could
not proceed against Gen. Miles in the
courts or otherwise, and he felt that he
might better be dead in the gutter. Dur
ing this recital Gen. Eagan's eyes filled
with tears, his voice trembled and he
spoke very feelingly His honor as a
soldier, he continued, had been attacked
and soldiers honor should be Sa-
cred as the honor of a woman. He had
kept his sorrow to himself.
He had kept away from the clubs and
very soon found he could not sleep. He
felt that the people of this country had
come to believe that he was a dishonest
man, but 1 am an honest man." said
the general, with great feeling, land L
believe that no one that knows me will
believe that 1 am a dishonest man. My
record is clean, my uniform is unsu1lied,
but 1 have been slandered and
wronged." In answer to a question by
his counsel, as to whether he had re-
ceived any benefit for any contract he
had made, Gen. Eagan said, with great
feeling: con my honor and before my
God, not one cents profit or gain did L
ever receive, and yet my office has dis
bursed $40, 900, 900, and 1 am now poor
man, SO poor that L have not now suf-
ficient money with which to pay you
GOADED TO DEATH.
AS he (Eagan) understood public SEN
timent the public believed him to be
murderer and for gain, and he was
greatly racked in body and brain in con-
sequence. He was goaded to death, and
was very glad of a chance to appear
before the commission and through
them 900 of people in defense of
his honor.
Mr.. Worthington then read a large
number of newspaper clippings, many
of which spoke of Gen. Eagan as
scoundrel and demanded his dismissal
from the army.
At II o'clock Mr.. Worthington an
nounced that he was unable to proceed
with his case, as the secretary of war,
whom he desired to call as a witness
was now before the war investigating
commission and could not appear. Other
witnesses also could not appear until
tomorrow. Thereupon the court ad-
journed until 10 o'clock tomorrow morn
ing.