The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-01-28
END OF EAGANS TRIAL.
Accused COmmissary General Now
Awaits the Verdict.
"A TEMPORARY INSANITY PLEA.
The Generals Daughter and Other
9
Witnesses Testify as TO His Changed
General Miles, Statement.

Ihe Genefai's Daughter ana Other
Witnesses Testify as TO His Changed
Condition After the Publication OF
General Miles, Statement.
y Washington, Jan. 2S.-The case of
Commlssary General Charles P. Eagan
charged with conduct unbecomng an
officer and a gentleman. and with con-
duct tending to the prejudice of good
order and military discipline, is now
in the hands of the court martial ap-
pointed to try him. Yesterday the TAX
ing Of testimony was closed and arGu-
nIents 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 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. AMI
tntimated that they had great fears
that he might at any time kill his ac-
cuser. Mr.. Mckee, lifelong friend.
stated that at that time he believed
him actually insane. The facts in this
connection We're brought out strongly
by Mr.. Worthington in his efforts to
show that General Eagan at times was
Eholly irresponsible.
! A dramatic incident Of the trial was
the testimony OF the generals daugh-
ter, Mrs. Hopkins, in which she de-
scrtbed 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
aence in his hand he exclaimed Wild
iy: "'I have been crucifled 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 so to New York she had re-
turned almost at once to help care for
her father. The witness spoke with
much feeling in regard to her fathers
changed condition. Dr. w. f. Hop
kins, of California and New York, cor
roborated his wifes testimony, and
added that General Eagan could not
tat nor sleep normally.
Other old acquaintances testified that
General Eagan never used profane or
vulgar language, and that he had al
tays been mild before the publication
Of General Miles charges.
Secretary Algcr was "mong the
witnesses called He said he recalled
:! conversation he had with General
Tlgan shortly after General Miles had
liven his testimony. General Eagan
jane into his office in an excited state
y mind and said it was his wish to
trefer charges against General Miles
Or what he had said. Il told him.
testified Secretary Alger, that under
the presidents order granting immuni-
ty 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 to me immunity had been
granted to witnesses. E.
I 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 little over an hour, and in
this brief space of time reached its
for 1t soon became known
when the doors We're reopened that the
court martial had made Its findings.
The fact was confirmed by the an
nouncement from the judge advocate
chat the court had adjourned without
i,ay 1t can be recalled only to correct
. fault in the proceedings, which Is q
are occurrence.
OF the nature Of the verdict or find
rigs nothing is known positively out
iie of the members Of the court, who
--"o all under oath to keep the proceed
E'rS satret. This secrecy is maintain
nd fnr all time by the court, but there
q nothing to prevent a reviewing Of
q tcr from making the matter public.
though 1t IS also the custom for them
10 refrain until the last chapter is
'cady TO be officially promulgated.
II the re guar order the findings and
must now be carefully gouo
over by Judge Advocate Davis. He
bought it was possible to conclude his
ask today CT Monday. He will place
he papers in the hands of Judge AGvO-
'ate Ieibcr, whose duty II will be to
make most careful examination of
,very part OF the record and findings,
Si,l a view to the detection of any ir-
eguarities in the forms. Presuming
hat he finds all of these things regular.
@ will forward the papers to the secTe-
.ary of war with his endorsement, If
Ie sees fit to add one and the latter
vii act finally "by direction of the
PRESIDENT 1t Is proper to state that
+ is possible for the papers to pass
Trough the hands of General Miles at
one stage Of the proceedings, he act
ng also in the capacity of reviewing
authority, bat this is not a uniform
lractice