The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-17
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
Col. Fife Tells of the Feud That
Started I'm Camp.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Jan. 1e-Wltn
reference to the killing of Scott and
others by Col David G. Colson, at FRANK
fort Ky, today, Col. ]. j. Fife, late Oh
the Third Tennessee volunteer lnlahtry,
who was the president of military poaro
appointed by Maj. Gen, Joseph Wheeier's
which tried Lieut.. Scott on the question
of his competency, capacity and gooo con-
duct, on charges preferred py Sol' ~
son, said tonight:
"NIore than once during the trial it
looked as though a personal difficulty
would hardly be averted in the presence
of the board Col. Colson was present.
as was Lieut.. Scott, during the entire
proceedings, and Col. Colson's arraign-
ment of the subaltern was one OF the
most severe, caustic and Jealous L nave
ever seen or heard, notwithstanding there
were rumors that Scott had said he would
kill Colson if his (Scott's) character was
arraigned.
'"The testimony taken by the board
sbowed that Scott had acted the part of
spoiled boy; that he was totally without
military experience, training or olsclplhe'
and that he resented his colonels eHorts
To break him in. Colson charged that
Scott was in the habit of drinking ana
lettering around saloons, remaining oue
of camp. and that he had never drilled
with his company puI q ''AA-S 70
the six months of service
Col Colson testified that Scout hao
frequently visited saloons
elbow do YOU know that l visited sa-
loons?' asked Scott, glaring at his antag-
onist with his right hand hid under pig
army cloak.
BECAUSE I saw you there, repeated
the colonel. toying with his side arms.
"'What were you doing there SIT
r1t 6ri
'rThe board recommended that Scott be
discharged on the charge of incompe-
tercv. Gen. Royal T. Frank, who sue
ceeded Gen. Wheeler in command OF tine
Fourth corps, approved the innings OF
the board, and sent them to washington
Scott procured a leave of absence, ana
| after the ten days returned ana an
nounced that he had been to Washlng-
ton and had got 1t fixed, ana that ne
would stay with the regiment
sTh,ngs were no better between them,
opd Col Colson preferred charges against
! him for disobedience Of orders, disrespect
! to his commanding officer and conduct 10
| the prejudice of good order and military
| discipline, and asked that he be tried by
| a general court-martial.
| zone of the specifications to the charges
! SET out an open defiance on the part or
! Scott of Col Colson's authority, In the
nresence of other officers, and he harbored
| o desperado and bad character in his
| quarters after the colonel had issued
orders for his expulsion from the camp.
| "Gen. Frank scented serious trouble,
and being always a peacemaker when pos
chile sought to patch up the difficulty, as
| the regiment was soon to be mustered
| ont and induced the colonel to withdraw
| the charges. After this things were quiet
mill the regiment was mustered out The
| dav after that ceremony was concluded,
| hostilities began in earnest. Lieut.. Scott
| wae dining at restaurant with party
| of friends. Col. Colson entered, and. CIV
ing his order for dinner, proceeded to the
| only vacant seat, at the table where Scott
| and his friends were seated, apparently
not noticing the presence of the latter un-
| til some remark made by Scott attracted
! his attention Col Colson thought it was
intended as an insult.
"Just what followed next 1t Is impos-
sible to say, but Scott arose, deliberately
| and quietly laid down his napkin. pushed
his chair to the table and, stepping behind
1t. raised his pistol AS he did this Col
Colson fred, the ball passing through the
space Scott had just vacated
ST do not know who fred the first shot
but several shots were exchanged, one
lodging in Colson's groin, from the ef-
feet of which 1t is said he will never
recover No notice was taken Of the mat
ter by the military authorities, as the
men had been mustered out The civil au-
thorities also ignored it,