The San Francisco call., 1904-06-12
TLDO YOUNG LLEUTEN.ANTJ
FORCED TO RESIGN FROM ARMY
An8eL Island Orgie
Causes Great
Scandal.
Officers Pay Dearly
for Insult to
Post.

Inc climax IN recent army SenSa-
tons is presented by the forced resig-
nations, now in General MRcArthur's
hands, of Lfeutenants Charles W.
Smith and W. W. White. stationed at
Fort Mcdowell, Angel Island. The
designations followed a long course
of riotOus dissipation ending in
gTievOus insult TO the post.
Colonel Markley. commander CT the
Thirteenth Infantry. at Angel Island.
is a very forbearing man. but he had
20 draw the line when Lieutenants
Smith and White one night last week
brought women into the camp and in
dulged in an orgy that stirred the
quiet post OF FOrt Mcdowell into a
frenzy Of excitement and indignation
The genial colonel could overlook a
great deal in a young officer who came
over 10 town and ouaffed the flowing
bowl 10 the limit. but returned 10 an
swer roll call. Perhaps he could, and
did, condone the lack Of strict attention
10 even this regulation form Of early
morning duty.
The colonel. however, put his foot
down squarely at the final insult to
the post and 70 the army and told the
offenders that there was only one
course for them to pursue. That was
their designations or their trials before
q court-nartiaL
OFFENDERS RESIGNED.
LIeutenants White and Smith i'm
mediately handed IN their designations.
II now rests with General Macarthur
whether he viii indorse them and hand
them TO the President or VIII demand
a trial by martial here.
Lieutenants Smith and White were
ordered out 10 Angel Island about four
months ago. Smith went 10 the dis
charge camp and White TO the post at
Fort Mcdowell
Being young men Of convivial spirit
they soon formed a close friendship.
Joint visits 70 the city generally ended
iu sprees. Both got a reputation as
hard drinkers. II is reported that
sometimes the sprees lasted eoar spr
i've days. Reveilles were not answered
and, in fact, the commanding officer
= often 20 reprimand them for this
onense. The climax came. however,
when they introduced the women into
their quarters.
As is well known, no person IS al
lowed 70 land upon Angel Island with
out q written order from the command
ant OF the island or an order from the
general commanding the department.
The two women in question hired
launch and boldly sailed up to the Nc
Doweu dock, where they were received
BY Lieutenant White, who, at that
tine. was officer Of the day.
U-Efs. --oece1 4J-c-y7 ~g7~s0-rcf -, Ifras
and they at once proceeded to his
quarters. About this time Lieutenant
Smith Joined IN the festivities. Tn
fortunately for Lieutenant White, his
house was in a long row, in prox-
unity 10 those OF the other officers.
The early part Of the evenings enter
tsinment passed of quietly enough. but
as the night wore on and the joyous
ness Of the sparkling wines they i'm mbibed
was communicated TO the merry max
ers laughter became unrestrained and
the peace Of the little fort was for the
nonce turned into a mild pandemonium-
The orgy is reported to have lasted
until the wee small hours"
Next morning all kinds Of reports
were handed 10 Colonel Markley. He
Immediately summoned the two officers
before him and requested them for
their own representation TO hand in
their designations. This they took un-
der consultation In the meantime the
two women who had taken part in the
orgy wandered down TO the dock in
the most nonchalant manner and took
the steamer Mcdowell back TO San
Francisco.
TRIED TO EXPLAIN.
Soon after this Lieutenants Smith
and White called upon Colonel Mark
ley and tried TO offer an explanation
for their extraordinary conduct. The
colonel refused 10 permit any discus
sion Of the matter as their actions had