The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-28

1t was not thought necessary by the
prosecution to cross examine the witness
and he was permitted TO retire.
Major Mills, recorder to the Alger Relief
Commission, was then recalled to supple
ment the testimony he had offered at the
first sitting OF the court. What was want
ed of him mostly was further details con-
corning the Presidents promised immunity
10 witnesses. The witness dec AIRED that
he was present when Mr.. Mckinley made
this promise TO the members of the ger
Relief Commission, but his guarantee, so
far as Major Mills knew, had never been
reduced to writing. He remembered the
President saying that all officers might tes-
tify before the Alger Relief Commission
without fear of punishment or persecution.
The prosecution desired nothing of the
witness and he was allowed to retire.
MIR. AIGer on the stand.
A stir in the ante chamber of the red
parlor now heralded the appearance of the
Secretary of War. He slowly made his way
through the men and women who thronged
the entrance TO the court chamber and
stopped near the judge advocate. dropping
stuff nod to the accused. Mr.. Wo.thtng
ton took pleasure in having the honor to
present to the court the Honorable Secre-
tary of War. The members of the fri
bunal arose and remained standing while
Mr.. Alger was being sworn by the judge
davocate. Mr.. Worthington. counsel for
the defence then proceeded to ask his
witness two questions.
MIR. Worthington-Mr. Secretary, ] sim
ply wish to ask if you recall CONVERSE
ton with General Eagan shortly after
General Miles appeared before the War
tAlger Relief Commission, when General
Eagan made some reference to preferrins
charges against the General Commanding
the Army?
Mr.. Alger-Yes. sir.
MIR. Worthington-State it. please.
Mr.. Alger-General Eagan came into
my office in an excited state of mind. He
brought with him a copy of the testimony
delivered by General Miles before the
War (Alger Relief Commission, and asked
permission, or said il was his wish, / do
not remember which, 10 prefer charges
against General Miles. / told him thac
under the order of the President granting
immunity TO witnesses before the Com
mission, he could not be reached.
Mr.. Worthington-Mr Secretary, from
whom did you get your information con-
corning this promise of immunity?
Mr.. Alger-The President told me that.
This ended the testimony of the Score
tary of War. The prosecution displayed
no eagerness to question him. and those
who expected that he would be given an
opportunity to commit himself in refer
ence to- his alleged advance knowledge of
the insult planned against General Miles
We're disappointed.
On the Bordcrs of Insanity.
The defence then presented DR.. William
E. Hopkins, son-in-law of the accused,
for the purpose of showing that during
the last stages of the embalmed beef con-
troversy, and particularly during the sew
eral days Immediately preceding his sec
ond appearance before the Alger Relief
Commission, General Eagan was in men
tai condition bordering closely upon in
sanity. The witness recalled in detail the
evidence of mental and physical distress
displayed by the accused throughout this
period. The witness was in New York
when General Miles made his charges
against the defendant and when he Ie-
turned to Washington he found his father
in-law a changed man. He was intensely
restless and unable TO remain quiet. AT
the table he would stop eating and stare
straight ahead of him into space.
The witness was an expert on nervous
diseases that was his profession, and he
treated General Eagan, whose condition
grew rapidly worse in spite OF all that
could be done for him. The nervous
tion of certain parts of the brain. The
witness followed these symptoms and
found more OF them. He spoke to his
wife, General Eagan's daughter, and said
that he believed the general needed watch
ing; that his family must be prepared
for anything.
General Eagans mind, the witness said,
was non-receptive. and had 1t not been
for his duties which forced his thoughts,
~
something serious would have oyertaken
him. He was ashamed TO go into the
street He remained at home as much
as possible and was ashamed to meet peo-
pie in street cars and public places. He
felt that his honor had been destroyed.
The witness said that these symptoms
grew more alarming until finally the fam
lily of the accused began TO fear for the
worst A member of the court enquired
what It was the family feared. The wit
ness did not think he should answer that.
He hesitated, changed his mind and then
declared that there were times when Cen
eral Eagan's soundness Of mind was almost
despaired of; it was feared that he would
lose his mind.
DR.. Hopkins testified that for many years
he had been a warm friend of General
Miles; had been his physician, and was
for long time associated with him in the
service. ne NltUesS WAS a surgeon III
the regular army for ten years. Upon
concluding his direct testimony DR.. Hop
kins retired. the prosecution not desiring
TO question him.
Daughter of the Accused.
The next witness was perhaps the only
one presented during the entire trial who
really enlisted the sympathetic attention
of the court. She was Mrs. Clara Hop
kins, daughter OF the accused and wife OF
the witness who preceded her. Mr.. Worth
ington. counsel for the defendant. an
nounced that he had called this witness on
his own responsibility and against the
pronounced wishes OF both her father and
husband. She had expressed her willing
ness to appear and to anticipate possible
comment on her appearance Mr.
| Worth~Hgton decided to Introduce her for
the defence.
| While this explanation was being adj
| dressed TO the court Mrs. Hopkins adj
! vanced and stood for several seconds alone
/ hardly knowing what to do. The explana.
/ ton to the court continued and her EN-.
! barrassment increased until she was mo
! toned to a seat beside her father, which
! she accepted with graceful acknowledge
/ ment. She turned TO the accused, nodded
| TO him without speaking, and then sat very
| still, awaiting her summons TO rise and b,
sworn.
On the stand she choked with sobs anC
| gave her testimony with considerable DIFF.
! fculty. II was a most trying ordeal, ont
TO which few women are ever subjected
and few could have survived it with equa
grace and dignity.
She recalled the alarming symptoms o
an overexcited mind displayed by hel
! father just prior TO his second appearance,
| before the Alger Relief Commission. Or
the day General Miles made his embalmeC
! beef charges against the accused Genera
Eagan came home with paper in his hand
] He stopnel In the doorway and cried Out