The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-08-11


captains charges against his wife, it
being alleged that It was unusual, con-
trary to regulations, and the result of
conspiracy among Col. Miner, Com
mandant, Lieut. Poor and Mrs. Tag
CART.
"The custom of becoming intoxicat-
ed Is looked down upon both socially
and officially in the army" the depo-
nent said.
Morton had been in command at the
rifle range when Taggart was sum-
moned back to the fort Testimony of
the details of that summons was large
ly ruled out, through the plaintiff
fought hard to get 1t in.
Morton, however, was allowed to say
for Taggart's return, and that the or
der would have come from no one but
Col. Miner commanding.
IF there's anything wrong in smok-
ing cigarettes, custom will not make it
right" ruled Judge Eason on an OBJ
lection to testimony as to smoking
among army women in general.
1T was fort gossip that the fort
commander imprisoned. Taggart be-
cause he wanted to keep him where he
| couldn't talk. This was the reason
usually given for the arrest" was an
admitted portion of Morton's deposit
tion. 81 went to the hospital to see
him." it went on, "and was told by the
sergeant in charge that he had orders
to allow nobody to see Capt. Taggart. "
1T is one of the strangest things in
the world to put an officer in confine-
ment," deponent had said on cross-ex-
animation. Il never saw it done but
once in my life, when a man was suf-
fering from delirium tremens. saw
Capt. Taggart before he was put in the
| hospital and he was utterly sober.
also knew it was recorded in the hos
pital that he was there for alcoholism
That was wholly untrue, and was put
there to cover up the real facts"
| In reply to a question whether, If
conspired against Taggart could not
have obtain redress through court
martial, deponent said the whole the
ory Of army discipline was that the
presumption was always in favor OF
the commanding officer, and that to
obtain redress Taggart would have to
! overcome that presumption. Miner de
ponent said, was the only person who
could have ordered Taggarts arrest.
The deposition of Col. John Van
Hoff, assistant surgeon general of the
army, followed. He had been at Fort
Leavenworth in July, 1903, and had
gone with Col. Miner to see Mrs Tag
gart. He did not consider her condi-
tion nervous or hysterical, but was
impressed with her self-possession
This was July /, the day Of Taggarts
arrest. The quarrel and skirt-tearing
had occurred the night before.
On cross-examination the surgeon
had testified, that he attended Mrs.
Taggart at Miners request, going first
| to the latter's headquarters. There
Miner told him that Taggart had as
saulted his wife and that she was re-
ported to be in fear for her life. Miner
had called it very disagreeable oc-
|
vice. Capt. Taggart seemed much dis,
tressed, and there was deal of talk
about the affair. Finally Taggart had
said he could perhaps persuade Mrs.
| Taggart to withdraw her complaint
and asked permission to go to see her
That was refused, and Taggart sug-
gested that Col. Miner go. Miner re-
fused to go alone, and Van Hoff had
therefore accompanied him.
Her face bore evidence of having
been bruised in some way" the depo-
| sition went on. Such condition
might have resulted from an assault
such as the one mentioned. l remem-
ber my impression was that her face
was swollen and bruised, but that she
was perfectly composed.
1T was a time record of his condi-
tion at the time, or it would not have
been made" deponent said in regard tC
the hospital entry of alcoholism as the
reason for his presence. He could re-
member no evidence of an assault be-
yond the bruises mentioned. The i'm
preston deponent had was that Capt
Taggart had beaten his wife, torn the
clothes from her back and turned her
out of doors"
Deponent's quarters were within 10(
feet Of the Taggart's, but he had heard
no sound of carnage during the night
Thirteen-year-old Fanny Everly was
the first witness put on the stand She
now lives in Pittsburg, but formerly
lived in Orrville, and frequently visited
the house there occupied by Mrs. Tag
gart. She had seen Billy" Taggart
there often. He seemed to be staying
there, without any particular busi-
ness she had frequently seen Mrs
Taggart and Billy alone in the par
| lnr nncn mhan the door Was closed