The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-01-02

annapolis, Nd. December 30-Afid-
shipman Stephen Decatur. Jr.. of
Portsmouth. n. H., charged with haz-
ing Midshipman Isaac MeCreary of
Calvert, Texas, and Gaylord Church, OF
Meadville, Pa, was arraigned before
the naval court martial this afternoon.
and pleaded not guilty on all specifica-
tons.
McCreary and Church. testified pos
itively this afternoon that Decatur had
hszed them on different occasions.
Decatur will, according to his counsel.
go on the stand on Tuesday when the
court will again meet, and denr un-
der oath the statement which the two
unoerclasS men made, discriminating
him. AS the evidence of each of the
prosecuting witnesses was to seperate
incidents, and entirely uncorroberated,
there is possibility that the evidence
will be considered insufficient to con-
vict Decatur, but the apparent fact
will remain should the latter make the
denial promised, that a perjurer is
wearing the uniform OF a midshipman
of the United States navy.
Midshipman McCreary testified that
Decatur 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 50 until he was ex-
Eausted, about $50 times Decatur
then compelled him to do Number 16''
and then he was ordered by some one,
possibly not Decatur. he said, to per-
form 1.-The leaning rest" ALI Of these
were continued until the witness could
do them no more.
the witness showed the court the
manner OF performing the two exer-
c:ses. In Number 16' 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. McCreary was rigidly cross
examined but his story was not shak-
ell. Finally he said In answer 10 a
question that he would not believe De-
oatur If he swore that he had not told
bin to stand on his head. and perform
Number 16."
Midshipman Church testified that
Decatur had ordered him to stand on
his head, but he was not so positive as
McCreary and admitted that he might
be mistaken.
These were the only witnesses for
the prosecution.
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 We're Commander w. f.
Fullam, Lieutenant Commander Ed
ward e. Capehart, Professor Harry p.
Huse and Midshipmen Lawrence 8.
Stewart and Charles f. Hovey.
Mr.. Theall, Decatnr's counsel, stated
ttat the accused midshipman viii 60
OH the stand on Tuesday. and deny
specifically every statement made to
the effect that he had hazed either Nc
Creary or Church, and that there would
also be evidence offered tending to es-
tablish an alibi. He would prove,
Mr. TheaH said, that the case was one
OF mistaken identity.
T'renmor Coffin, Jr., whose trial for
the alleged hazing OF Midshipman Kim
brough was concluded yesterday. was
before the court for brief period, and
heard the record OF yesterday read and
approved. 1t is practically conceded
that Coffin has been convicted and viii
lie dismissed. though. of course, moth
ing is known officially.
Charges have been fled against Mid
shipmen Worth Wright Foster, Of New
Albany. Ind. It is specified m his case
that he hazed Midsnipman Chester s.
Roberts, OF Joliet, Ill. By compelling
him to get under the table while eat
ing his supper. This Is another usuai
form or hazing az the academy, but
one which has not yet been specified
in any charge. As an officer is always
In the room during meals. the hAzlng,
ii II took place must have been under
an officers eyes, but II Is explained
that he cannot see all that goes on be-
cause OF the large number of midship-
men and the distance between the dif-
ferent parte Of the room.