davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19
CENTENARY OF BURDE7T-COUTTS

come Of $4,000 a year She gave large
sums 10 build and endow churches and
schools, and built model dwellings and
houses for women in need OF reformation
4 visit TO poorer sections OF London
with Dickens led her to spend money in
improved dwelling houses She erected
Columbia Square, a series Of model dwell
ing houses, in which 200 families could
be accommodated, and gave TO the city
OF London the Columbia Market, BethnaI
Green. for the purpose OF affording an
opportunity TO the East Side poor to pur-
chase wholesome food at a fair price near
their homes. She endowed three colonial
bishoprlcs at Cape Town. Adelaide and
Vancouver. and erected several fountains
In London. Through her generosity
many poverty stricken London families
were enabled TO leave their miserable sur
roundlngs and emigrate to the colonies
II would be difficult TO enumerate the
number of her gifts
She was made a pceress by Queen Vic
toria i'm 1871, when che took the title OF
Baroness Burdett-Coutts The following
year the city OF London conferred the
freedom OF the city upon hor She was
the first woman to receive this honor.
Two years later the city of Edinburgh
bestowed similar honor
Among the students who entered Christ
College. oxford. In the early 7O's was a
boy named Ellis Bartlett. On the oc-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19

ton 20 through, and Major Koehler had
his household effects taken from his
home, in Officers Row. at Plum Island,
and placed on the sidewalk, awaiting
word from Washington that he would be
allowed 10 quit, when q message came
saving that he must stay and face
court martial The Secretary Of War
despite the influence Of politics and
wealth, refused to show him any favors.
Not IN many years has an officer Oh
such high rank been dropped from the
service under circumstances similar TO
those under which Major Koehler VIII
leave. While the dismissal OF an officer
Is not uncommon under the new army
regime" as soldiers call the service since
the Spanish War, the action is rarely OF
sufficient interest TO come 10 the atten-
ton OF the public
AS an officer and soldier Major Koch
ler's army record ia one OF which any man
In the service would be proud 10 boast.
Officers who fought with him In the
Philippines have declared that more
gallant man IN action would be hard to
find. A captain then, Major Koehler led
lis company into action on more than one
occasion, and although men fell dead or
wounded all about him he was never
known 10 waver or exhibit any but cour-
age OF the highest type. The story OF his
dismissal from the service briefly Is as
follows:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19

~HE personality OF few persons born
in the year 1914 can he recalled
by the present generation One
woman, born on April p, 100 years ago,
however. does meet this test. She was
baroness Burdett- Coutts. who was de-
scribed twenty years ago as the richest
woman I'm Great Britain" and the wearer
Of clothing '1ndescribably ugly. old-fash-
toned and unbecoming." She died I'm 1905.
Although she probably gained more
space I'm the press In connection with her
marriage with a young American forty
wears her junior than from all her other
deeds, her remarkable character made for
her "A name that ranks high among those
which served To- lend glory TO Queen Vic
toria's reign. one might almost call her
the Andrew Carnegie OF her day and
generation. Her chief delight seemed TO
be that OF getting rid Of her money for
the benefit OF mankind. She spread her
largess abroad through many channels.
for she was broad minded. and intelligent.
She was n personal friend of Queen Vic
toria.
Her estate which consisted chiefly OF
the interest OF her grandfather In a big
London bank. she received I'm 1887. ut the
age Of tweuty-three. through inheritance
grandfather widow. 1t produced an in
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19
RESUME OF THE PROGRESS OF
THE CASE.

on February 20 The Tribune exclusively
published the fact that Major Koehler
had been deprived OF his command at
Fort Terry and was under arrest at the
post. Under arrest" meant he. was
merely confined to the post. II was an
nounced that Major General Thomas II.
Barry commander Of the Department Of
the East al the time, had ordered court
martial.
The events leading up to the trial began
some time in the middle OF the winter,
when a fellow officer at Fort Terry for
warded 20 the commander Of the New
London artillery district, which includes
Forts Terry, Niche and II. G.. Wright.
the eastern dcfenccs 20 the Long Island
Sound. charges cf grave nature against
Major Koehlcr The latter at the time
was away on leave OF absence From the
district commander the charges were for
wardcd 10 Governors Island. A report
was also circulated that the officer who
preferred them took them there person
ally. At any rate. the matter came 10 the
attention Of the War Department Major
General Barry upon receipt OF the dec
laratiOn that Major Koehlcr had resorted
10 immoral practices. ordered Inspector
General Mills 20 20 10 Fort Terry TO make
inquiries. There he examined more than
a dozen persons. and their stories caused
him 10 return 10 Governors Island con-
WINGED that court martial should be
held.
Learning Of the Investigation. Major
Kochlcr forwarded 20 Major General
Barry his resignation. The department
commander gent the report Of the in
spcctor general and the resignation 20 the
War Department. expressing his willing
ness 10 have the resignation accepted and
the matter Of the charges dropped
Secretary Garrison, after n conference
on the matter with Major General Leon
ard wood, chief Of stan, and Brgadier
General Crowder, Judge advocate general.
announced that the resignation w1uld not
be accepted. Major Kochlcr. b, said. II
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19

caslon he recited Longfellow's "IIia-
watha.' poem selected for him by his
mother. II made such an impression upon
the baroness that she sought out the
boys mother. She soon became acduaint-
ed with William L. Ashmead Bartlett.
another son. and became very much at
tached to him. In due course he became
her almoner.
Among his errands OF mercy for her
was that to Turkey when she sent thou
SANDS or pounds for the use OF the suf-
fering Turks on the line OF the Russian
march' The baroness. as a result OF this
grit received the first class Order OF Me-
dJidie from the Turkish sovereign. being
the nrst woman SO honored
Her marriage 10 the young man I'm 1881
caused great deal OF discussion and
promised legal complications, for her
fortune. according to the terms OF her
grandmother, would be forfeited IL she
married an alien. In the height OF the
discussion she declared that she was quite
able TO take care OF herself. although she
was slXty-seven years old. Considerable
mystery enveoped the proposed marriage.
the papers taking sides on the question ma
To whether II would take place or not
she ana her lance successfully kent
their plans To themselves. Nothing has
ever been made public indicating that She
and her husband ID he not happy In their
twenty-five years ~ married life.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19

ealthy and a political power, from &c
neya, Neb, allied themselves TO save the
major from the results of a court martial.
They constituted the hidden power"
They appealed TO Secretary Garrison. and
were told that as the charges were Of
such serious nature. either Major Koch
Ter or the eighteen men, officers and en-
listed soldiers who had either made affi-
davit or sworn verbally to Major Koch
ler's practices. would have to answer be-
fore a military court
So insistent were the Koehler brothers
that the whole affair was trumDcd up TO
disgrace a single man that Secretary Gar
rison decided that another Investigation
should he made before the case was called
for trial Major General Barry was in
structed TO have the best judge advocate
on the staff OF the judge advocate gen
eral OF the Department OF the East con-
duct a separate inquiry. Captain James
j. Mayes. a former newspaper man, sta
toned at Governors Island, was detailed
to Fort Terry for the investigation The
result of his activities was a communi-
cation to General Barry that the prepon-
derance of evidence was that Major
Koehler was guilty of the charges and
that his trial before a military court
should proceed at once
There was no conspiracy. he said. A
conspiracy could not involve such a num-
Der OF accusers. Major Kochler was
charged with an offence which in civil
life was punishable by a long term I'm
the penitentary. Under military law the
sentence, should the accused be judged
guilty. was practically life sentence in
a federal or military prison, dismissal
from the army. or both Following Cap
tain Mayes's report the order for the trial
was issued and the court 10 sit on the
evidence selected. The day named for the
converting was that following Washing
tons Birthday.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19

Colonel Harry J. Hawthorne. OF Fort
Strong. one of the defences OF Boston,
who is among the armys highest author-
ties on martial law. was chosen to defend
Major Koeher. Later Samuel II. Hudson,
a Boston attorney. was selected to assist
Colonel Hawthorne.
The court named 10 hear the evidence
was composed OF Colonel Kirby. infantry
OF Madison Barracks, president: Colonel
Adelbert Cronkheit, commanding the ar
tillery district of Eastern New York;
Colonel George T. Bartlett, commanding
the artillery district Of Portland; Lieu
tenant Colonel Herman c. Schumm, COM
handing Fort Wadsworth; Lieutenant
Colonel Faison. 9th Infantry, of Plstts-
burgh Barracks, New York; Lieutenant
Colonel Edmund NJ. Blake. coast artil-
lery. commanding Fort Williams, Maine;
Lieutenant Colonel S. NJ. Jordan, coast
artillery. commanding Fort Strong, Bos-
ton; Lieutenant Colonel Morris X. Barroll,
commanding Fort Hancock. New Jersey;
Lieutenant Colonel Delamere Skerrett,
commanding Fort Hamilton, New York:
Lieutenant Colonel Henry d. Todd. jr,
commanding Fort Mckinley. Maine;
Major Joseph Wheeler, jr., Of Fort Tot
ten: Major William +. Martin. of the 5th
Infantry, and Colonel John G. Barrette.
commanding the New London district, in
which Major Koehler was stationed. Cap
tain Mayes was named as Judge advocate.
The personnel OF the court reflected the
Importance of the case, including the com
handing officers of every coast artillery
pest in the East, rs well as the COM
handing officers Of Plattsburgh Barracks
and infantry officers from other important
posts
The members Of the post assembled at
Fort Terry. Plum Island. twelve miles out
in the Sound from New London. on Feb
ruary %. The following day was passed in
preparing for the onening of the trial
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19
- e~ .Jssees<&z<- ysssssssy s-z-
AJOR KOEHLERS FALA CASE THAT STIRRED ARMY AND MA ITO

Colonel Jordan, Of Boston. was excused
from serving, as he expected 10 be called
as a witness When the trial began the fol-
lowing day. Lieutenant Colonel Skerrett
was challenged by the defence and also
excused from duty, leaving eleven mem
bers to decide the case.
Major General Barry, because Of the
nature Of the evidence which would be
presented, ordered that the trial should be
held behind closed doors. Newspaper men
and. for a time, even visitors were ex-
Guided from the fort. When a demand
that the trial should be thrown open was
made to Washington an order from Sec
rotary Garrison, who was opposed TO
secrecy. was issued. 1t stipulated that
open sessions should be held.
The Koehler forces then became active
again. While influences at Washington
were at work Colonel Henry Kirby tee-
graphed the Secretary of War declaring
that there were certain witnesses for
Major Koehler who, according to the de-
fence. II forced 10 testify IN an open court
would be Influenced in such manner that
what they told would be detrimental to
inc ue1euOdll. Appended 10 OOlONel
Kirby's message was one from Major
Koehler himself asking that the proceed
ings go on behind closed doors.
Meanwhile the court had adjourned I'M
I'll further word came from the Secretary
of War Colonel Barrette, commanding
the district, still refused 10 allow news
paper men to visit Fort Terry, although
the court was not in session. THE court
has been ordered OPEN" was the explapa-
ton given the correspondent at New Lon
don. but the order forbidding you 10 land
on Plum Island has not been rescinded.
Following the receipt of Colonel Kirby's
message, Secretary Garrison vacated his
order and left the matter to the discre-
ton Of the court. The result was that
the ban upon publicity was re-establshed
and next day the proceedings went on.
Reporters. however. were given the free
dom of the entire length of Plum Island,
some two and half miles Of rolling. tree
less sand hills. and passes TO ride on the
government transports to and from the
fort. The wing OF the post library and
gymnasium building. in which the trial
was conducted. however. was surrounded |
by armed guards.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19

guilty Of the charges, should be pun
ished
At that stage Of the proceedings
charges OF a "frame-up" TO have Major
Koehler disgraced and dropped from the
army were made by members OF the
family and friends of the accused Of
fcer. With the enlisted men at Fort
Terry he was popular, because he went
out Of his way to see that the com
panies under his command were cared
for even a little better than the regula-
tons called for. In many Of the men he
took a personal interest. BY his sub
ordinate officers, however, he was not
generally liked. He was a strict discipli-
marian and literally made them toe the
mark"
The actual trouble that led to his ar
rest his friends declared. occurred one
evening last fall when Major Koehler
was in temporary command OF Fort
Terry. That evening, the story goes,
while several officers were indulging in
a quiet game of cards in the officers
club. a row took place between captain
and n young lieutenant. The Junior officer
was charged with being altogether too
familiar with the captains wife A fist
fight followed and 1t was several minutes
before order was restored. Furniture
in the room was said to have been re-
duced TO hndling in the melee
When word Of the affair reached Major
Koeher he promptly closed the club. The
officers felt their loss keenly and a COM
mittee waited on Major Koehler I'm an en-
deavor 70 have him reverse his decision
He held firm. however. and from that
minute. II was alleged, the plot thickened.
Senator Hitchcock, OF Nebraska: Frank
Koehler, a wealthy banker of Kansas
City, a brother Of the accused officer, and
Bat" Koehler. another brother. also
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19
THE CAREER OF THE ACCUSED
OFFICER.

The dismissed officer was born January
I. 1872. and entered the United states
Military Academy at West Point on
June IL. 1898. He was graduated on June
II. 1897. and was assigned 70 the lth
United States Infantry as a second Heu-
tenant. On April ,. 1895. he was trans
ferred 10 the 9Th Coast ARTILLERY.
In May OF that year he was ordered 20
join the Aston Battery In New York and
proceed with il TO the Philippines Less
than year later he was made a first
lieutenant In the ith Artillery. a captain
in the artillery corps In 1891. and In 1911
he became a major and was assigned 70
Fort Terry.
Major Koehlers rise in rank was eN-
ceptionally rapid. owing. Il IL said. 10 his
brilliance as ~ soldier. AZ tho time ~
his court martial he stood rortieth in the
list for promotion and In the course Of
few years would probably have been pro
NOTED To the rank OF lieutenant colonel
with bright future ~ 81 axuay s,fiicial
before him.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19

wv ITH the approval By the Presi-
w dent and Secretary OF War Car
w rison Of the verdict Of the mill
tary court which tried Major Benjamin
NJ Koehler. Of the Coast Artillery, and
recommended his dismissal from the gov
eminent service, one Of the most sensa-
tional trials in the annals Of the army
will be concluded.
Surrounded by q veil Of secrecy which
the army took extraordinary precautions
70 prevent news Of the proceedings from
leaking through-Major Koehler was
brought 20 trial at Fort Terry, on Plum
Island, near New London, Conn, the post
At which he was stationed. More than
thirty witnesses were examined, thou
sands Of pages Of testimony were taken,
then the dozen officers conducting the
trial voted as 20 tire guilt or innocence
of the accused officer and slipped away
from the fort without intimatng which
way the verdict had gone
In 1912 there were twenty court maruals
in the army. Two OF the defendants were
majors, seven were captains, seven were
first lieutenants, and four were second
neutenants. The trials resulted In six
officers being dismissed. Three OF them
were captains, while the other three were
second lieutenants. Not IN several years
has an officer Of tho rank Of major been
dropped from the service.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19

two weeks an adjournment was take
suddenly. The officers Of the court packer
their trunks and returned 70 their posts,
/ while rumors were rife that Major Koeh,er
was TO be "vhitewashed' and the charges
against him dropped. Secretary Card
/ sons attitude, however, dispeiled that
view. and later ii was learned hat the
testimony was so volumnous that the
court stenographers were simply swamped<
The adjournment was taken merely 10
give them A chance to transcribe thtelr
notes 10 sheets Of foolscap. which, VheuI
placed in order. made a pile fOotF thick
on March %. more than month fom
the converting Of the court, the trial was
resumed All that remained was a plea
by the defence and the vote OF The court
on each separate specification Of the
charges. That there was a unalimty OF,
opinion among the Judges WAS evident
from the dispatch with which they arrived
al their conclusion. Little more than an
hour was required 10 settle the fate OF
Major Koehler The verdict was scaled
Immediately after IL was reached and for
warded 20 Governors Island, the Depart
ment OF the East Headquarters From
there II was sent TO the War Department.
which made It evident that the findings iu-
Volved the dismissal of Major Koehler from
the United States army. Had II been rec
commended that the charges be dropped or
a lesser penalty than dismissal admins
tered the matter would have been dis
posed OF and announced by the derart-
ment commander.
Throughout the trial Major Kochier.
who is about five feet seven inches In
height. smooth shaven and stockuy built
seemed confident OF verdict OF acluittaL
The last witness 10 take the stand In his
behalf was his sister. Miss Sophia NJ
koehler. who kept house for him. She
sought to establish alibis for him on
dates when witnesses alleged he was en-
gagged I'm performing acts for which he
was brought TO trial. She made a favor
able impression on the court. and on her
testimony her brother relied considerably.
Major Kochler prior 10 his trial had
been stationed at Fort Terry for three
years and was one OF the best known
men I'm the service. He was attached 10
the famous Astor Battery. which WAS
organized at the suggestion and expense
OF the late Colonel John Jacob Astor and
sent TO the Spanish War. Later he ac-
companied IL 10 the Philippines
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19
NATURE OF CHARGES WILL
NEVER BE PRINTED

The exact nature OF the charges upon
which Major Koehler was brought 10
trial and subsequently dropped from the
army will never be printed. Even on the
general order from the Secretary Of War
diminishing him from the army in place Of
certain Of the specifications will be substi-
tuted clauses stating that the charges
are OF a nature unfit 10 print.
BEFORE the trial actually began at Fort
,rerrv on February p It was generally
known that the charges against Major
YoebIer. A bachelor, fOrty-two years OF
.,,,e involved conduct prejudicial % good
morals"
Colonel Henry Kirby. Of the % United
a,stes Infantry. president Of the court
martial when he arrived at New London
,.-ior 20 the trial declared that in the
interests Of the army and public morals
ne nature Of the charges or the pro
,,o0tngs OF the court would not be made
public.
n was the hght put up by 2 hidden
rooger" backing Major Koehler. 10 have
the proceedings kept absolutely quiet
,baf nearly drew certain " the officers
of the court into an open controversy
,qitt the secretary n War and gave tho
case countrywide Interest Major
Hoebier - a member ~ a wealthy West
ern family. and 10 the political influence
which certain Of bis brothers exert S. at
tributed the unusual situation which
arose when the court martial took an adj
lournment after the Secretary Of War
rad ordered the trial open 10 the pub
lic. and dld not resume untii Mr. Carl
son resclnded his order.
IN spite Of HE backing. however. tho
defendant WAS not Eaycd from dismissal
from the army When rumors Of his al
ieged misconduct first dr1fted into official
orioles friends Of Major Koeher sought
10 case the way FOR Dis resignation A
feslgnati0n Na8 forwarded ~ him 10 the
hea0quarters u tho department Of the
East a. Governor Island bat an inyes-
,iaaflon had already been begun. Hlgb
gficials were entrcated 10 let the resigna-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19

wv ITH the approval By the Presi-
w dent and Secretary OF War Car
w rison Of the verdict OF the mill
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1914-08-06
SPECTACULAR AIR
BATTLE ON FRONTIER
BELGIAN SWooPs DOWN ON GER
MAN AND BOTH ARE
KILLED.

Brussels, Aug. 6.-The second spec
tacular battle of the air in the great
world war was fought here. A German
aviator, scouting as part of the ad-
vance of the $4,000 invading Germans
who were attacking Liege, was engaged
by a Belgian airman in an exchange of
shots, in which each tried to hit the
rival aviator, his engine or his propel-
Ter.
Suddenly, while at height Of 500
meters, the Belgian abandoned his cir
cular course and dashed straight for
the German flying machine. The Ger
man tried to evade the attack by lower.
ing his planes, but with swoop the
Belgian was upon him and struck the
enemy's aeroplane in the centre, cut
ting it in two.
Both machines hurtled to the ground
together in a tangled mass Of steel
rods, wire and canvas. Both aviators
were reported killed.