The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1900-03-09

herman Onlcer. Were Thus slain
Que OF Macy Tragedies.
The recent cruel and utterly un-
founded rumors TO the effect that Mai
Logan was killed In the Philippines
by a bullet from the rife OF one OF his
own men recalls cases OF this kind
which really did happen II seems a
very unlikely thing that In the heat Of
q hard-fought conflict the origin Of a
mans death can be detcrmlned--tha
Is to say whether he died boy the hands
OF one OF his comrades or BY those OF
the enemy; consequently men with "A
grievance against their officers have
often made use Of such opportunities
to wipe on old scores and have gone
undiscovered
A notable instance OF this occurred
Just before the battle OF woerth. in the
Franco-Prusslan war a certain officer
OF considerable repute had got himself
generally dIsllked by his perseverance
In bullying those under him. a few
days before this. the first great battle
OF the ar,when the French were near
ing the border In their hopeless en-
deavor TO reach Berlin. a rumor ran
through the camp late nj night that the
Prusslans were advancing and would
shortly be up. instantly pandcmonium
relgnod and scouting parties were seat
out In all directions Ono OF these was
under the officer In question. and when
some way from camp was fired upon.
the bullet bringing him down. The
Frenchmen. thinking they had got Into
an ambush. retired firing at an invls-
ible foe ~ they did 80. but as no ooun-
ter shots were received they grew cour-
agcous again. and after being rein
forced, advanced to the fatal spot Tho
body OF the officer was found. but not
so that OF his assallant. who had evil
IDENTIFY escaped unscathed on re-
turning to the camp II was found that
no trace OF the enemy had been dis
covered; In fact. at that time the Prus-
SLAMS were far away from the spot on
either side Of Woerth. Accordingly
post norton examination was held ON
the officers body. and a French service
bullet extracted thereirom. but the
murderer was never detected. although
he was doubtless In the camp and had
slipped out unawaros 10 commit the
crime. But this Ia only one Of many
tragedies which took place during the
war. and II Is said that at least two
per cent OF the French officers killed
fell by hands OF their own men, and
little over half that number In tho
Prusslan army. In the former Instance
tho crimes were due for the moat part
to the national failing OF never forget
ting a grievance and In the latter to
the rlgldlty OF discipline which some
times amounts to bullying, Even Mar
shall Bazalne was nearly murdered boz
fore he oapltulated at Metz. He vas
by no means a popular man. AMI on
this account always stood In dread OF
the assassin. and his fears were not
lessened when a plot was discovered
20 put poison In his food, tho scheme
being Matched by his own men. The
offenders. or some OF them. were
promptly tried and shot before many
hours were over
A rather sad case IA recorded In con
nectlon with the Italian disaster at
Adowa OF few years ago. During the
melee a man was seen to shoot In the
direction of his captain. who at the
same time fell mortally wounded.
When the battle was over the man
was charged with the crime and, after
scant trial. shot by his comrades.
despite his protests OF innocence, one
OF the chief reasons for his condemna-
ton being that he was known to have
grievance against the officer New
ertheless the affair was soon forgotten
ill some nine months sfterward. when
q soldier came forward from the same
regiment. self-oharged with the crime.
He related the facts In detail. giving
his motive as petty tyranny on the
part OF the officer some years previous
ly when he. the murderer. was re-
cruit, and stated that he would never
have given himself up had not another
man died In his stead. Needless TO
say, this did not excuse him. and he
perlshed In the prison yard at Ma
Piles.
Not many months ago three Spanish
soldiers were executed at Madrid for
the alleged murder OF an officer dur
ing the hostllitles in Cuba. although
the evidence against them was very
meager.