The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-15
Abilene Post, No. 63, Demands
an Investigation.
HAD TOO MUCH LIQUOR
Could Not Install Officers at
Abilene Meeting.
Col. Norton States That He Took
Whiskey For Neuralgia.

Abilene, Kan, Jan. 15.-AHlene post,
Grand Army of the Republic, held a
special meeting last night to take ac-
ton on the action of Department Com
mander Norton, who arrived here Mon
day to install officers of the post and
corps He went to bed as soon as he ar
rived and was aroused at O'Clock to
go to the hall. At the hall he was in
such condition that the post sent him
back to his hotel and had him put to
bed. Judge Moore then installed the Of
ficers. The following was adopted un-
animously by the post and w. S. AndeI-
son, ]. P. Campbell and w. L. David
son appointed a committee to act ON
the same:
Whereas The officers of Abilene post
No. 63, department of Kansas, Grand
Army of the Republic, extended to Com
rade Martin Norton, department COM
mander of the department of Kansas,
an invitation to install the officers-elect
of said post in the city of Abilene at a
public installation to be held on the ev-
ening of January 1S, 1902, and
Whereas. The officers of Abilene
corps No. 63, department of Kansas,
auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Re-
public, extended an invitation to said
department commander to install the
officers-elect of said Woman's Relief
corps at the same time and place, ana
Whereas, The said department com
mander accepted said invitation to IN
at the time mentioned, and
Whereas, The said Comrade Martin
Norton, department commander afcre-
said, arrived in the city of Abilene on
the afternoon of said day in a state OF
intoxica ton, and continued to remain in
said state of intoxication during the
afternoon and evening OF said day, anu
appeared in the room where said in
stallation was to occur, in the presence
of the members of said post and the
women of said corps, including daugh-
ters and children, in a state of intoxi-
cation, and
Whereas, BY reason of such intoxi-
cation the said department commander
was unable in any manner to particl-
pate in the Installation of said officers
of said post and corps, and
Whereas the said intoxication of SAID
department commander was 2 great
humiliation and disgrace to the Grand
Army of the Republic and great hu-
initiation and a gross insult to the wo-
men of the relief corps, whose guest ne
was; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by Abilene post No. 63, de-
partment of Kansas G. A. r., that the
post commander be requested to appoint
a committee to prefer specific charges
against said department commander Tor
conduct unbecoming a soldier ana a
gentleman in his relation to the Grand
Army of the Republic, and to forward
the same to the commander-1n-chlel
with the request for the converting OF a
court-martial to investigate said charge
and that said committee be instructed
to forward to said commander-in-chief
a copy of the foregoing preamble and
resolution, with said charges.
The committee will at once forward
affidavits and formal charges to the
commander-in-chief. Norton left on the
noon train. His only explanation was
that he had been suffering Monday
from neuralgia and took liquor to dead
en- the pain, with the result that 1t went
to his head.
Post Commander Samuel Keifer gave
out this statement:
Norton was so much under the In
fluence of liquor that it was evident
that he could not perform his part or
the ceremony and, although he insisted
on going ahead, a dozen Of the Grand
Army members who saw him quickly
decided that it would not do. We placed
him in charge Of James Adams, who
took him back to the hotel and sent him
to bed. The affair was a disgrace TO
the G. A. r. and both myself and the
members of the post refuse to stand
for it."
Post Commander Robert Korns says:
1.-THE above are substantially the facts
in the matter. We felt the disgrace very
keenIy and it should have proper pun
iShment"