The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-28
LAST DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
Witnesses Testify TO General Ea-
Gan's Mental Condition.

GRn's Mental Condition.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.- The case of
Commissary General Charles p. Eagan,
charged with conduct unbecoming an officer
and gentleman and with conduct tending
to the prejudice of good order and military
discipline, is now in the hands of the court
martial appointed to try him. To-day the
taking of testimony was closed and argu-
ments Of counsel submitted. The trial had
lasted three days end occupied less than
eight hours of actual sitting. A session be-
hind closed doors of an hour or so sufIices
for the court to reach conclusion and en-
body it in a report. What the verdict was
is altogether a matter of speculation, and
officially at least, will not be made public
by the trial board military regulations re-
quiring that its finding shall go through
prescribed channels and be kept secret un-
til action be had and promulgated by the
proper reviewing authorities.
The attendance at the court-martial was
much larger to-day than at any other time
since the trial began, and among the spec
tators was a score or more of ladies. Sew
eral of them were friends of General Ea-
gan's daughter, who was called as a witt
ness. while others were attracted by curl
osity. The testimony at the closing session
Of the court was directed largely to estab-
fishing the fact that the general had lost
his mental 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 ntimated
that they had great fears that he might at
any time kill his accuser Mr.. Mckee, a
lifelong friend, stated that at that time he
believed him actually insane The facts
in this connection were brought out strong
ly by Mr. Worthington in his efforts to
show that General Eagan at times was
wholly irresponsible. A dramatic incident
Of the trial to-day was the testimony of the
generals daughter, in which she described
her fathers appearance on the day he first
read General Mies's statement. Standing
in the door of his house with the newspaper
containing the evidence in his hand he had
exclaimed wildly: Il have been crucified by
General Miles"
Throughout the three days of the trial
the members of the court-martial sat in
their places and attentively listened to every
word Of testimony. Only on two or three
occasions did they ask the witnesses any
questions, and then, an answer of ''yes,
sir" or mo, sir" sufficed. Where their
sympathies were what was passing in
their minds not disclosed by even the
slightest change of expressions. Immedate-
ly on the case being closed the room was
ordered cleared and the court went into
executive session to deliberate on their find-
ings
The first witness to-day was Mr. David r.
Mckee. of this city, for many years aAa
agent of the Associated Press. He had
known General Eagan thirty-fve years
They were intimate friends as boys ana
been interrupted although they at times had
not seen each other for long periods. During
the period between the time General Miles
gave his testimony before the war invests
eating commission and the day on which
General Eagan made his statement the Wit
ness saw him two or three times. He them
seemed careworn and much preoccupied. Mr..
Mckee said that the impression General
Eagan then made upon him was that he had
become insane.
Major S. c. Miles, the recorder of the war
investigating commission was recalled and
he knew the order OF the President granting
immunity to witnesses before that body had
NOT been reduced 10 writing. Ihe witness
was present at the meeting between the
President and the members of the war inves-
ugating commission. The witness said: The
matter Of immunity for witnesses came up.
/ think il was called up by Mr.. Dodge and
the President said that the witnesses who
should appear before the commission could
ut - NAtlloul any AStit VI puitlaniHtHt or
persecution.
Mr.. Russell A, Alger, the secretary of war.
was next called 70 the witness stand He
said that 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 ii was his wish TO
prefer charges against General Miles for
what he said. Il told him." testified Sec
retary Alger that under the Presidents
order. granting immunity 10 officers who
testified before the commission, he could
not do so"
MIR. Secretary. did you receive any In
structions from the President on this point?'
He said 10 me immunity had been granted
to Witnesses, replied the secretary
General Alger was then excused the mem
bers Of the court rising TO their feet as he
withdrew.
Colonel Alexander and Colonel Davis were