The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-28
MAY NOT GET
COMMISSION
Charges Preferred Against Cap
tain william P. Crawford.
BY HIS FORMER SWEETHEART
She and Her Friends Attempt TO nus lp-
pulpimsAt as ll,utsnaat IN Regular
Army Apnullsd.

Chester. s. C.. oct 9s President Roose-
Welt aud Adjutant-G General Corbin are 10"
considering one OF the most peculiar
cases that has ever come before The war
department
'rhe Cotrt of Mars has been temporarily
nBt al the disposal Of Cupid. and there
story has been told that will probably
never be known beyond its walls.
The commission OF an officer ~ az STAKE
ann hts honor Is involved ladys name
has been brought into the case by her
friends. The officer has been silent al
home but lie has a story 10 tell M his
own behalf. and Il is supposed that story
VIII be his defeuse before the WAT de-
partment
William r. Crawford ~ this iown'
volunteered al the outbreak of the Span
ssh war. He raised company was com
inissioued az captain and became a part
nf the second Regiment of South Caro-
lima doing duiy IN Cuba. MI Crawford
was the editor and owner Of psper here.
We was twenty-eigbt wears old. tall and
fine looking His intimate friends know
that he had an episode. ~ was limited
that beautiful Virginia girl with whom
lie was deeply IN love had put him on pro-
6ation Tie lived up 80 her requirements,
aud Just when he expected 70 make her
his bride she went 20 the altar with an
other II was believed this was one Tea-
son why Crawford hastened 10 the war.
SOUGHT GREATER DANGER.
Rut the service IN Cubs was too mild
MAR in tie Philippines promised more
danger and excitement. So. on the muster
out or his regiment. he Immediately be-
gan recruiting A company for the war I'm
the East and went there with commits
sion.
-. ~. n 1. ...I
service was IN many fights and made an
excellent record as soldier and officer.
lie chased Fiipino~ through marsh and
forest, became familiar with the music
OF the Mauser bullets and endured hard
ships with unfsiling good humor.
He wished 10 remain over there. but
had 10 come back last summer with the
last of the volunteers However. he ap-
piled for a commission I'm the regular
army was strongly Endorsed by his colo
mel, and on reaching San Francisco pass
ed an examination that put him high up
in the list Then he returned TO his home
in Chester.
About two weeks before the death OF
President Mckinley Il was announced
that Crawford had been appointed lieu
tenant i'm the regular army. The presl.
dents assassination delayed the issue OF
the commission. and In the meantime ar
appeal was made by persons IN this towr
10 the adjutant-g general To prevent the is-
suing of the commission.
COMMISSION WITHHELD.
III -rea~e. alleged WAS that Capt
Crawford had Just declined TO marry th'
young lady TO whom he was engaged
Gen. Corbin was asked 20 Investigate
the matter. This he consented 20 do ant
for several weeks the commission ha'
been withheld.
Capt. Crawford would make no publ,
defense and was this week summoned {,
Washington TO present his case. lie is &C
companied by lawyers OF prominence.
All that has become public here Is tina
the wedding of Capt. Crawford and Mis-
Rebecca Douglass, cultured and beauti
dai Young woman, was to have been cele
nrated "Wednesday. three weeks aec
Capt. Crawford spent Tuesday evening "a
the home OF the hride-elect and Wedncs
day morning II Is said sent her mother
note saying he had ceased TO love he
daughter and could not marry her.
These are the facts that have been Tai
before the war department by friends Z
The young lady, who claim thst CraN
ford, having acted In an ungcntlemanl
manner should not properly be an once
in the army
Capt Crswfofd's friends say he has pt
tent reasons. but whether he will civ
them even 60 Gen. Corbn is another ma
ter. How far Gen. Corblu win consider
his duty 20 probe the matter or where :
'lraws the line for officers eligibility (,
commissions Is unknown