Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-31
DECATUR'S TRIAL BEGINS
Two Midshipmen Testify that View
Hampshire Naval cadet Hased
Them.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. Dec. 30-Midshipman
| Stephen Decatur. jr.. charged with hazlns
| Midshipmen Isaac n. McCrary and Gaylord
| Church. was arraigned before the naval
court-martial this afternoon and pleaded
not guilty on all specifications.
| Two midshipmen OF the fourth class
Isaac n. McCrary of Calvert. Tex, and
| Gaylord Church Of Meadville. Pa, testified
positively this afternoon that Midshipman
! stephen Decatur, jr. Of Portsmouth. n H.,
| a member OF the first class. had hazed them
on different occasions. Decatur will, ac-
cOrding to his counsel, so on the stand
| Tuesday. when the court will again meet.
and deny under oath every statement the
two under classmen made discriminating
| him. As the evidence of each of the
prosecuting witnesses was to separate incl
| dents and entirely uncorroborated, there is
a possibility that the evidence will be con-
| sidered insufficient to convict Decatur. but
the apparent fact will remain. should the
latter make the denial promised. that u
perjurer is wearing the uniform of a mid
shipman OF the United States navy.
Young Decatur was arraigned at 2:30 this
afternoon and plead not guilty TO every
charge and specification. Midshipman Nc
Crazy was then called and testified clearly
and positively that he had been hazed by
Decatur. who, he said had sent for him to
come to Decatur's room There he had
ordered him TO stand on his head in the
closet, and he had done so until he was
exhausted, about $50 times. Decatur then
compelled him to do mo. 16," and he was
ordered by some one, possibly not Decatur,
he said. to perform "the leaning rest
All of these were continued until the wit
ness could do them no more. The witness
showed the court the manner of perform
ing the two exercises. In NO 49, the
hands were placed on the hips and the
body lowered and raised by bending the
legs outward and Strengthening them again
In the leaning rest" the hands and feet
were placed on the floor with the body
rigid and the body raised and lowered by
bending and Strengthening the arms This
was designated as mo. q in the specifica-
lions, but this was apparently a bunder
McCrary was rigidly cross-examined, but
his story was not shaken. Finally he said
in answer to a question, that he would not
believe Decatur if he swore that he had
not told him to stand on his head and per-
form mo 49,"
Midshipman Church testified that Decatur
had ordered him to stand on his head, but
ITO "oS hDb 81 pOSlllNS DIS MCSTaTy, ana
admitted that he might be mistaken These
were the only witnesses for the prosecu-
ton.
The remainder OF the session was taken
UP by witnesses who testified to the good
reputation for truthfulness enjoyed by
Decatur. Those who gave this testimony
were Commander w. f. Fullam. Lieu
tenant Commander Edward e. Capehart.
Prof, Harry p Hiae
Lawrence S. Stewart and Charles E Hovey
Mr.. Theall. Decatur's counsel stated that
the accused midshipman will go on the
stand on Tuesday and deny specifically
every statement made to the effect that
he had hazed either McCrary or Church
and that there would be evidence offered
tending 10 establish an alibi.
Charges have been filed against Midship-
man Worth Wright Foster of New Albany,
Ind. 1t is specified in his case that he
hazed Midshipman Chester s. Roberts of
Joliet, ILL.,, by compelling him to get under
the table while eating his supper