The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-08
THOROUGH INVESTIGATION
TO BE MADE INTO THE DEATH OF
MARINE HOBART GREEN
Commandant wainwright, of the
Naval Academy, Reports Results OF
His Investigatfon-He Finds no Ill.
Treatment or Neglect During Sick
ness-Wftnesses Summoned to AID.
pear and Substantiate Their Charges


Long today received the report Of Com
tendent of the naval academy, in the
matter Of the sickness and death Of
Hobart Green, private in the United
States marine corps. This case
was brought to the notice OF the navy
department by Representative Rixey
Of Virginia. 1t was represented that
Green's death was due to improper
academy. Secretary Long referred all
the papers in the case to the superin-
tendent of the academy, with instruc-
tions to make full investigation and
report the result to the department.
superintendent Wainwright's report
considers the written charges of J. A.
McGregor and the various newspaper
atm, and says:
"The charges have been carefully
investigated, as directed. There is not
the slightest foundation for any Of the
charges"
Continuing Commander Wainwright
says:
Private Green was admitted to the
sick list on December 18th 1900, with
catarrhus epidemicus. On the 18th di-
agnosis was changed to pneumonia and
the case terminated fatally at 1855 d.
M, on December 18th. Green was seen
frequently by officers, was constantly
attended by hospital nurse. His cot
-;xl~ III
and was screened off on the gun deck
to insure protection from drafts and
disturbance. The Ship was well heat
ed, and there was no unnecessary
cleaning in the inclosure where he was.
His medicines ana stimulants were
given at specified times by a nurse.
His diet was milk anu special diet
drawn from the hospital stores Of ex-
cellent quality, given at frequent inter-
xals by q nurse He perfprmed no duty
after being admitted to the SICK nst.
He received the same assiduous profess
sional attention and nursing care ac-
corded to every serious case, and his
death resulted from uncomfortable
causes. After death the remains of
Private Green were taken charge of by
the undertaken, prepared for burial and
on the afternoon of the 18th inferred in
the national cemetery here with Mill
tary honors, as prescribed by the navy
regulations"
Representative RiXey today received
a letter from Secretary Long, advising
him that the persons said to have in
formation regarding the ill-treatment,
of United States Marine Green on
board the Santee will be asked to ap-
pear at Annapolis and give their testi-
mony, the navy department paying the
expenses of the trip. These witnesses
are J. M. McGreger of Stafford, Va,
who went to Annapolis and made an
investigation which satisfied him that
Green had not been properly cared for
at the time of his fatal illness, and
Rev. J. Howard Gibbons, an Episcopal
minister, and DR.. Payne, both of Stat
ford, who saw the body when it arrived
at Stafford, dressed in shirt and trous-
ers, and not in the uniform said 20 be
required by the regulations.
In view of Secretary Longs assur-
ances that the circumstances OF Green
death will be thoroughly investigated
Mr.. Rixey will take no further step
pending the inquiry, which is expected
to occur as soon as the Virginia wit
nesses can proceed to Annapolis.