The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-03-10
WITNESSES TESTIFY THAT LIEU
TENANT is VICTIM OF SU-
PERlOR'S ANIMosITY.
EVIDENCE IS PRESENTED
Prosecution Closes Its Case Against
Doctor and Defense Opens With
Testimony That Accused Has Suf-
fered Persecution at Hands of Cap
tain Duncan for Six Months or More.

That Lieutenant Wallace E. Park
man, now on trial before courtmar-
tial at Fort Mssoula, has been suffer-
ing persecution at the hands Of his
superior officer, Captain L. c. Dun
can, for six months or more past, was
the sworn testimony of Major j. II.
Beacon and several other officers who
were witnesses for the defense before
the court yesterday. The testimony
of Major Beacon, who was post COM
mandant at Fort Missoula until re-
Gently, was of particular Importance
to the defense and his statements rel
ative to the conduct Of Captain Dun
can towards his subordinate officer
was reiterated by other officers who
are stationed at the local post and
have been in a position to observe the
relations between the two men for
half-year past.
The prosecution completed its case
yesterday and the defense is now hav-
ing it's inning. There are numerous
witnesses yet to be examined and
though an effort will be made to COM
plete the hearing today. it is possible
that it may run over into tomorrow.
Evidence Given.
The evidence presented yesterday
by the prosecution was in substan-
tiation Of that presented the day be-
fore relative to the charges preferred
against the lieutenant. Nothing OF I'M
portance in addition to the alleged
facts already brought out, was ELECTED
from the witnesses examined.
One of the important witnesses for
the defense was Pullman Conductor l..
M. Fisher Of the Northern Pacific rail-
way, who gave testimony in relation
to the charge that Lieutenant Park
man smuggled his Filipino servant
from Hope, Idaho, to American Lake
and then back to Missoula, thereby
defrauding the railroad company of his
fare. The conductor denied in positive
terms that he had received 85 cents
each for berths for the servants of
Major Beacon and Lieutenant Park
man. His statement was to the effect
that he had been informed by the
lieutenant that he and his commanding
officer were entitled to carry their
body-servants with them This state
ment, the conductor said, he did not
question and that ended the matter so
far as he knew.
Of Own Accord.
. To further refute the charge of
"smuggling,'' Manuel Val Morris, the
Filipino servant in question, was
placed upon the stand and swore that
he and the majors servant rode back
from American Lake in an empty am
bulance because they wanted to. He
denied that they rode there at the or
ders or instructions of the lieutenant
or major and further denied that they
had anything to do with it.
When Major Beacon took the stand
the following question was put to
him:
From what you have observed and
from what you have seen occurring
on and about this post during the last
six months, would you say that the
defendant is suffering persecution at
the hands of his superior officer,
Captain Duncan?"
The prosecution entered an objection |
to this question, but this and the |
succeeding witnesses were permitted to
answer it. Major Beacom's reply was
yes
Strong Witness.
Major Beacon proved a strong wit |
ness for the defense and recited mat
ters which came under his observation |
as post commandant, to substantiate |
his reply to the formal question sub
mitted.
There were several other witnesses |
whose testimony was that Lieutenant |
Parkman had been suffering persecu-
tion at the hands of Captain Duncan |
for months past Among these wit |
nesses were Lieutenant F. w. Pitts |
Captain John A. Randall and Lieuten-
ant w. T. Conway. Captain Laurence |
Halstead, who is acting in the capa-
city Of counsel for the accused. was |
also witness for the defense and pre-
sented evidence in support of the de-
fendant's claim that the present |
charges were inspired by The personal
animosity toward him, harbored by |
the plaintiff, Captain Duncan.