Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-01-07
CASE OF KREIDER
Davenporter Testifies at Trial ct
Soldier Convicted of
Treason
IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Interesting Account of Affair That
Resulted in Accused's
Release.

There is considerable local interest
in the report of Gen. Chaffee on his
action in the case of John Thomas
kreider, corporal of the 3Sth volun-
teers, convicted for treason and sen
fenced for life, which was reversed
and the man set at liberty.
First Sergeant Il. Il. III. Macrorie, of
Davenport, was a member of krie
der's company and was very well ac
quainted with the alleged deserter.
He was called as witness in the
mans trial, and was compelled to
testify to Kreider's signature to the
proclamation inviting American sol
diers to desert their own troops and
join the ranks of the Filipinos. The
story of Krieder's career is known
by Sergeant Macrorie from beginning
| to end.
! Kreider's disappearance from the
company took place during the early
fall of 1900, and at time when the
garrison was nearly all out on
hike Kreider had been in the
habit of gathering up Filipino relics
and had mixed a great deal with the
natives, thus becoming very well
versed in their language. He was
considered very good Spanish and
Tagal linguist. He had habit of
wearing a Filipino uniform under his
American uniform. and he explained
this by saying that he wore it in lieu
of under garments. The night he left
quarters he took with him his six
shooter. having to leave his belt ana
rife because orders had been issued
that none could take them out of the
lines. II was just dusk when Krieder
| left
The next day the soldiers were out
hunting for the missing man, and
they found his American uniform in
hut near the edge of town. Detach-
ments were sent out to capture him
but the search availed nothing.
Some Queer Stories.
Queer stories, however. began to
come to the garrison. One man told
| how Kreider had tried to get him 70
go along and join the insurgents.
Then came the rumor that he was an
officer in the Filipino army. One day
the company to which Kreider had be
longed had a sharp battle with
number of the Tagals near an old
stone house. After the fight there
were many of Kreider's old comrades
ready to testify that they heard his
voice giving commands to the enemy.
These rumors kept floating into the
garrison from time 10 time until
came the one that said he was adju-
tant general for Gen. Marbar, the
commander in chief of the entire
Filipino army. Following this inter
testing rumor came the document
bearing his signature. and calling up
on the Americans to desert their flag
and take service in the Filipino army.
The document was couched in Ian
guage that men who had known krei-
der from early days, said was his
style. 1t likened the war to that of
the American revolution, and COM
pared the struggling Filipinos TO the
colonists who were fighting for lib
erty in the time of George Washing
ton. 1t told the American soldiers
they would he fighting for liberty.
They were offered high commissions
in the Filipino army.
Mr. Marjorie had had occasions
many times to take notice of Krei-
der's penmanship, and so when the
document turned up he was called
upon TO tell whether Kreider's sigma
ture was genuine or not. He imme-
diateIy swore that il was. There
were the names of nine other Ameri-
cans, seven of them soldiers. attach
ed to the document, but ii was after
ward proved that they were for
geries.