The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-01-28
End OF EAGANS TRIAL
Accused Oommissary General Now
Awaits the Verdict.
A TEMPORARY INSANITY PLEA.


The Generals Daughter and other
witnesses Testify as to His Changed
Condition After the Publication Of
General Miles, statement.
Washington. Jan. 2s.-The case OF
Commlssary General Charles r. Eagan.
sharged with conduct unbecomlng an
officer and a gentleman, and with con-
duet tending to the prejudice OF good
order and military discipline. is now
in the hands Of the court martial ap-
pointed ia try him. Yesterday the TAX
ing Of testimony was closed and argu-
ments OF counsel submitted. The trial
had lasted three days. and consumed
less than eight hours OF actual sitting
The attendance at the court martial
was much larger yesterday than at any
other time since the trial began, and
among the spectators was score OF
ladies' Several Of them were friends
Of General Eagan's daughter, who was
called as a witness, while others were
attracted by curiosity. The testimony
at the closing session of the court was
directed largely to establishing the
fact that the general had lost his men
tai balance as a result OF the charges
made against him by General Miles.
His daughter and her husband told OF
the generals changed condition, and
intimated that they had great fears
that he might at any time kill his ac-
cuser. Mr.. Mckee, a lifelong friend,
stated that at that time he believed
him actually insane. The facts in this
connection were brought out strongly
by Mr.. Worthington in his efforts TO
show that General Eagan at times was
wholly irresponsible.
A dramatic incident Of the trial was
the testimony OF the generals daugh-
ter, Mrs. Hopkins. in which she de-
scribed her fathers appearance on the
day he first read General Miles state
ment. Standing in the door Of his house
with the newspaper containing the evil
dence in his hand he exclaimed wild
ly: "I have been crucifed by General
Miles" He could think OF nothing
else nor talk Of anything else than that
General Miles had ruined his life. He
was from that time in an alarming
condition. and when witness was COM
PEELED to go to New York she had re-
her father. The witness spoke with
much feeling in regard to her fathers
changed condition. DR.. w e. Hop
kins, Of California and New York, cor
roborated his wife's testimony. and
added that General Eagan could not
eat nor sleep normally.
Other old acquaintances testified that
General Eagan never used profane or
vulgar language, and that he had al
ways been mild before the publication
Of General Miles charges.
Secretary Alger was among the
witnesses called. He said he recalled
a conversation he had with General
Eagan shortly after General Miles had
given his testimony. General Eagan
came into his office in an excited state
of mind and said it was his wish to
prefer charges against General Miles
for what he had said. Il told him"
testified Secretary Alger, that under
the presidents order granting immuni-
~ to officers who testified before the
commission he could not do So"
Q.-Mr. Secretary, did you receive
any instructions from the president on
this point?
Ale said 20 me immunity had been
granted to witnesses.
General Alger was then excused.
Immediately upon the case being
closed the room was ordered cleared
and the court went into executive
session to deliberate upon their find
ings. The court was in executive ses-
sion for a little over an hour, and in
this brief space of time reached its
conclusions, for II soon became known
when the doors were reopened that the
court martial had made its findings.
The fact was confirmed by the an
nouncement from the judge advocate
that the court had adjourned without
day. 1t can be recalled only to correct
fault in the proceedings, which is a
rare occurrence.
OF the nature Of the verdict or find
ings nothing is known positively out
side of the members Of the court who
are all under oath to keep the proceed
ings secret. This secrecy is maintain
ed for all time by the court. but there
is nothing to prevent a reviewing Of
fcer from making the matter public
though it is also the custom for them
to refrain until the last chapter is
ready to be officially promulgated.
In the regular order the findings and
proceedings must now be carefully gon'
| over by Judge Advocate Davis. He
| thought it was possible to conclude his
task today or Monday. He will place
the papers in the hands of Judge Advo
| cate Leiber, whose duty II will be Il
make a most careful examination o
| every part of the record and findings
with a view to the detection of any ir
| regularities in the forms Presumini
that he finds all of these things regular
he will forward the papers to the secre
tary Of war with his endorsement, /
he sees fit to add one, and the latte
will act finally by direction OF tn
president" II is proper to state tina
II is possible for the papers to pas
through the hands Of General Miles a
| some stage of the proceedings, he act
| ng also in the capacity of a reviewin
| authority but this is not a uniform
| practice.
| pvcGIants Arntea Saliva