The Washington times., 1904-05-07
Defendant Bent by Age
and Manned by
Paralysis.
ATTENDED BY HIS WIFE
Has Spent Years in Govern
ment Service and Is Now
Battling for Liberty.

If human feelings, instead of a strict
Interpretation Of the fine points Of the
law. could determine the issue Of the
most important case now pending in
the local courts. Gen. James n. Tyner
would most probably find himself free
to come and go without the least
thought that his personal liberty is in
danger before the bar of Justice
As principal defendant in the conspir-
acy case now occupying the attention
lof Judge Pritchard and a jury in Grim
final Court No. I, General Tyner is an
interesting and pathetic figure. White
haired. wrinkleG. bent with age, and
manned BY paralysis, the former official
OF the Postcfice Department awaits the
judgment OF twelve OF his fellow-nen
sitting in the jury box, while some OF
the most brilliant legal minds of the
country take the witnesses in hand. one
after another. and exert their skill 10
elicit answers favorable TO their re-
spective contentious.
Watching the Trial.
General Tyner maintains the courage
and spirit of former days, in spite f
the burden of his present physical in
firmities. His eyes fash with fire IS
he hears limitations OF opposing at
torneys rejecting on his Official record
Again they glisten with tears as the
lawyers try 70 draw from witness some
admission which would stamp him as
lawbreaker. Most OF time. propped Up
in Norris chair, he sits listening pa
tiently 10 the monotonous, hundrum
repetition OF questions and answers.
Information which General Tyner
could give almost instantly, because OF
his years Of service in the department.
must be gathered Up bit by bit from wit
nesses whose Information is a Nlatter OF
only days or months. Incidents which
he feels are as open and above board as
those IN anyone's daily life. ne must
hear interpreted IA whatever way may
seem best TO uncover what are alleged
to be unlawful deeds and acts Of con
spiracy for which he now stands
charged before the court
Once a National Figure.
This is his unfortunate predicament,
after service Of almost a lifetime for
the Government. AS Postmaster Gen
eral Of the United States in the Cabinet
of General Grant. General Tyner was
national parsonage. He was one OF the
chosen advisers OF the greatest nation
al hero in the minds Of living Ameri-
cans. He sat in charmed circle and
gave his best talents to the nation
Consenting TO remain in public life in
lesser position after his mature vigor
had departed. ne finds himself. in the
closing years Of long life. battling for
personal liberty.
As General Tyner comes to the court
house each day In his handsome Vic
tOrla, with coachman holding the reins
over a splendid span Of horses, he
r. a frr a off CF
prominence out for a daily airing. AT
his side is always Mrs. Tyner. attentive
TO his least wish and watchful Of his
comfort. f
Arrival at Court.
The coachman drives 10 the front of
the courthouse and stops, as shown in
the picture. at the head Of John Mar
shall Place. Awaiting his arrival there
IS his trusty colOred servant. with an in
valid 5 rattan wheel chair Three court
attendants are also at hand
With the utmost care General Tyner
IS lifted from the carriage. His left side
IS paralyzed. and he rests his weight
on his right leg. AS shown in the second
picture. he leans with his right hand on
the arm of his servant, while the left
arm hangs limp at his side.
Presently he is seated in the wheel
chair and the little procession crosses
the brick walk leading up 10 the gray
steps OF the court house General TIMER
IS the picture OF detection and the wreck
: OF his former self. But he goes unfal-
teriugly 10 the court each day. Since
the trial began he has missed only one
half day session, although granted per
mission by the court 10 absent himself
at any time his physical condition makes
II necessary.
In the Courtroom.
The fourth picture shows the attend
inc
cial up the steps and wheeling his chair
into the courthouse. WWhen the court
room IS reached General Tyner is Lifted
into the Morris chair, placed directly In
front Of Judge Pritchard, and nea- his
attorneys. Mrs. Tyner sits on his Ief.
and attends 10 his comfort through the
long hours OF each days sessions On
his right are four or five other womer
interested In the outcome Of the trial
Harrison J. Barrett. co-defendant with
General Tyner. as well as his sOn-in-lau a,
and former assistant, sits al the counsel
table with Colonel Worthington and the
other attorneys. From time 10 time he
responds 70 General Tyner's summons
ana assures him on some point Of the
testimony or makes suggestion as 10 an
additional query
One Weeks Evidence.
The evidence given at the trial in its
hSt week seems not TO have been so
strong as TO cause the defendants any
great amount or anxiety Witnesses
called by the prosecution have also
given testimony which has been regard
ed valuable 10 the defense. General Iy-
ner's attorneys have lost no opDortun-
ity. while the prosecution has been occu.
pied with building the framework Of
facts and figures on which TO rest theil
case, 10 kick out q DrOD here Or fhare
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