Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-24


Parade-Notes and Incidents of the
Day mt Camp Curtin.
The unfortunate incident of Sunday
afternoon, and the rather exciting
events which followed it. were the
principal topics of conversation in
Camp Curtin yesterday. And the end
is not yet.
In so far as Charles Higgins is con-
cerned, he will probably regard him
self as fortunate to escape with bad
scalp wound, iuasmuoh as section 50
of the military code provides a punish
ment of confinement in the peniten-
tiary for from to years, upon con-
viction, for assault upon or interfer-
ence with an officer of the National
Guard.
During the day a subscription list
was started among the officers. for the
purpose of raising a fund with which
to purchase a new saber for First
Lieut. John Charnock. Adjutant 9f tho
First Battalion. Carnoek's saber
was broken by Higgins. All the OFF,
GERS contributed willingly, aud the
presentation will be made before the
close of the encampment.
A full report of all the facts relative
to the trouble between Lieut.. Char
mock and Higgins, and the subsequent
events in and about hospital head
quarters. was presented to Brigade
Commander c. L. Smith yesterday.
Upon these statements papers were
prepared charging Gen. Morris Hork-
heimer with interfering with an off,
Ger in the discharge of his duty, and
with conduct unbecoming an officer.
The usual procedure would be a
trial by court martial. but the officers
in authority are reticent as to tn cir
plans, and some of them express the
hope that the matter will be amicahly
adjusted without court martial.
The officers are to a man, indignant
/,
and do not hesitate to say so. They
assert that he had no more authority
than a civilian, to give orders on Sun
day Afternoon, and that Ii was only be-
cause of respect for his rank as an ap-
pointee of Governor White that his
interference was not resented at the
time
While Major joseph was dressing
Higgins wound In the hospital tent,
Gen. Horkheimer entered, and engaged
in conversation with Major Joseph,
who stated to a Register reporter yes
terday that he did not know Gen.
Horkheimer, and had not seen him
before to his knowledge.
Gen. Horkheimer made a sweeping
assertion in hospital headquarters,
which reflected upon all the officers of
the National Guard. His. exact
language was repeated yesterday,
and it was probably that fact
which is responsible for the feeling
against him among the officers.
Yesterday afternoon Gen. Hork-
heimer visited Camp Curtin in citi-
zens attire He called upon Major
Joseph, and apologized to him for his
rash assertions on the previous day.
1t is said that he also intimated that
he would resign from the staff of Gov
ernor White.
Gen. Horkheimer's resignation, it is
understood, would not affect the court
martial of the Brigade officers were
disposed to push it.
While Gen. Horkheimer's friends
admit that he made a mistake, they
assert that his intentions were the
best He found a crowd collected in
front of hospital headquarters, and an
officer flourishing revolver. He
knew the temper of the Wheeling peo-
pie, and kenw of the sentiment antag-
onistic to the National Guard. He
feared that serious trouble, possibly
a riot. might have been precipitated.
He did not stop to consider the ques-
ton of authority, but ordered the Off
Ger to put up the gun, just as he might
have done if he had not worn uni
form, in the interest of peace.
The matter has stirred up a genuine
sensation in Camp Curtin.