The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-04-03
MAJOR FREMONT ELECTED.
President Taft Decides to Dismiss
Him From the Army-A Son OF
'The Pathfinder"


Washington, March 28.-Despite
the efforts of his friends in the army.
In civil life and in congress. Major
Francis p. Fremont. son of the noted
pathfinder" John c.. Fremont. has
been stripped of his commission by
the president and elected from the
army in disgrace. Major Freeman
after having several narrow ESCAPES
from dismissal, finally found his un-
doing in the making Of an alleged
false statement concerning a fellow
oflcer-not to use Mr.. Roosevelt's
shorter and uglier" word.
After having the case Of Major FIRE.
mont before him for several days.
President Taft today closed his eyes
and ears to the influence" of con-
gressmen and to the pleading letter
of former wife Of the deposed Of
ficer, who is now living happily with
her second husband, an officer OF the
Medical Corps, at Western post. AL
though the major and his first wife
had their differences. and each later
took another mate, still the former
wife has written to the authorities
pleading in strong terms that the
father Of her son might not be dis
missed in disgrace.
Major Fremont. who commanded
battalion in the Fifth Infantry, has
been in service in Cuba for two years
past. Just before he was sent to Gu
ba he was accused of chronic pro-
crastination concerning the payment
of debts. The major had been in Gu
ba but short while when he became
generally unpopular with his fellow
officers. Later, it is charged, he
wrote letter to a fellow-officer in
which he stated that Major Wallis o.
Clarke was sadly addicted to the use
Of intoxicants. This statement in due
time was laid before General Barry,
commanding the army in Cuba, and
quiet investigation Of Major
Clarke's habits was made. The result
was a complete vindication of Major
Clarke. and General Barry recon-
| mended to the Washington authori-
ties that Major Fremont be court
| martialed on q charge Of slandering a
brother officer. Later the court-mar-
tial was ordered. He was convicted
| OF violation, Of the 61st Article of War
and recommended for dismissal. As
explained In an Official statement rs
sued today by Major General Aims
worth, the Adiutant-Ge Major
Fremont was convicted on charges Of
knowingly making false statements in
regard to another officer of the army
+ and of making false statements in re-
gard thereto to an Inspector General,
in violation of the 61st Article Of War
| and Of making derogatory statements
to junior officers about their senior of
ficer, in Violation Of the S2nd Arti-
Gle Of War;
The papers in the case reached
Washington about the first Of March
and were left by Secrtary of War
Wright for reviewal by Secretary
Dickinson. First, the courts record
had the approval of Judge-Advocate-
General Davis and. after being in
dorsed by Secretary Dickinson it
| went to the White House for final ap-
proval. In the meantime several let
ters have reached the War Depart
| ment and White House concerning
the case, among these being the ap-
peals for clemency on the part of the
| first Mrs. Fremont. The former wife's
interest apparently was mostly on be-
half of their son, who is now about
York mercantile house The form
er Mrs. Fremont stated that the mai
or had always been an honorable,
honest and truthful man and an ex-
cellent soldier, and accordingly he
should have been acquitted; or, If
convicted, should be promptly par
doned.
Major Fremont stood No. 76 in the
list of majors when he was brought
up for trial. About two years ago,
at Plattsburg Barracks, New York.
ne lost 60 files by being convicted of
failing to pay his tailor and grocery
bills and falling to repay borrowed
money In 1901 he was convicted, in
the Philippines, of cursing and abus-
| ing soldier. He was then suspended
from command for period. but the
sentence later was mitigated on ac-