The Washington times., 1908-06-05
AGED JUDGE SPEAR
AGAIN HELPS SON
Bowed in Grief at Court
martial Of Accused Ma
val Surgeon.

With bent head. Judge William T.
Spear again was before the court
martial at the Washington navy yard
this afternoon to verify and correct his
testimony of yesterday. The judge did
not. however, take the stand again In
defense of his son, Dr. David A. Spear
Court convened at the regular hour to-
day. but, as the record Of yesterday
was not ready, several recesses were
taken and the court did not begin work
until 100 O'Clock this afternoon It
conv ened then only TO verify Judge
Srssr's testimony OF yesterday.
Al during the day the venerable old
man paced the corridors OF the court
building, waiting for the court 10 get
down 70 action. He showed clearly his
mental strain as he paced backward
and forward with shoulders dropped
and head bent.
When they proceeded 10 business. Mrs.
@. L. Stewart, living AT the Marlboro
apartment house, a lifelong friend and
acquaintance of DT. Spear, was called
10 the stand to aid In mis- defense. She
testified 10 his character and hard work.
ana 10 his unfortunate mental cOndl-
Jlon at times.
Other Friends Testify.
Assistant Surgeon b. ". o. Bunker
also took the stand in DR.. Spears de-
Tense, giving testimony similar TO that
OF DR.. Spears other fellows students, 10
the effect that he was a bright man. of
ability and an unusually hard worker,
but that he fell into an unfortunate
mental state probably as the result Of
his drinking TO keep up the pressure or
work.
D. L. Stewart, husband OF Mrs. Stew
art also was present today. IN .Ae wit
ness room. and may take the stand this
afternoon. II Is pTabable that all evil
dence viii be in before court ad1Ourns,
and that the case will be concluded with
he hearing of arguments tomorrow. Dr.,
Spear probably VIII know his tate next
week
Famed as Athlete.
During his college days, DR.. Spear was
a noted athlete. and was a member Of
the University Of Virginia football team
that defeated Georgetown two years
ago. He was one OF the moving spirits
in all athletics at the university. was
leading member OF the field and track
teams, and, because Of his size.
weight ard strength, was far-famed
as a football player. DI. Spear has
q fine physique. be IS six feet tan in
his stockings, is extremely broad in
shoulder, with a broad deep chest.
Dr.. ~ w. B Hough. assistant sur
geon, stationed at Indian Head. a class
mate Of Dr. Spear at the University II
Virginia, testified yesterday that he was
considered one OF the most brilliant men
there. and was we'll liked by fellow
students and faculty, He AND DR. Spear
had room together, he said. and spent
much OF their time together for the
first two years, when he tDT. HouEh)
moved his quarters outside the univers-
ity grounds.
Were Close Friends.
They saw much of one another. how
ever, and last summer were a the uni
versity together. Dr.. Spear did not take
any vacation. and the two studied Tor
the entrance examination Of the Med
zeal Corps. Toward the close OF the
summer, he said. DR.. Spear began 20
drink to keep up his strength. He drank
constantly until March, when his health
gave way. Instead OF one of the best,
as was expected. he passed one of the
worst examinations lit was common
comment that his mind was affected. "
said Dr. Hough. and he frequently act
ed IN an irTationa! manner"
Assistant Surgeon Rhodes. who was
summoned from the Eranklia, at the
Norfolk navy yard, 70 appear as a wit
ness, first met DR.. Spear at the school.
After much questioning by the judge ad-
VOcate, counsel for the accused and The
court, the gist Of DR. Rhodes testimony.
was TO the effect that DR.. Spear was,
on many occasions irrational. and that
he believed him irresponsible. He cited
several instances where he and his
classmates believed that DR.. Spear acted
irrationally.