The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-05-16
GENERAL MORT0N'S FAIRNESS PREVENTS
 UNJUST SENTENCE
Camp Mcclellan Comman- der Saves One of His Men From Long Term in
 Prison

Anniston, May 15 f (Special) . When Private Walter Jack McClain, Company A, 112th machine gun battalion, and Miss Nell Jane Firth. of 520 Tuscaloosa ave- nue, Birmingham, stood before the altar and were made man and wife last Satur- day afternoon by Chaplain S. c. Key holds of the 1i5th infantry. it was the second time that they had undergone this experience. and attached thereto is a story of more than ordinary interest
 Before entering the service Private McClain contracted a marriage in anoth- CT state, and for reasons not made pub lie the union was not happy one. The first wife of the soldier filed suit for a divorce. The decree was not granted, but the machine gunner's grandfather had written him that the courts had en- tered up legal separation from his first wife.
 Acting in good fafth the machine-gun soldier was married to Miss Firth. Sub sequently he was brought to trial before a general court-martial at Camp McClel- Ian under a bigamy charge, found guilty by the court and sentenced to serve 15 years at hard labor.
 With the characteristic thoroughness with which Maj. Gen. Charles G. Morton handles every detail of the command over which he presiaes, and in giving the sol dier the benefit of the doubt the com manding general disapproved the find ings of the court after reviewing the case Going behind the evidence sub. mitted to the court. the commanding gem eral verified the claim made by the en- listed man, and after deciding that the soldier had acted in good faith an order disappearing the findings of the court was entered up by the commanding gen eral.
 Displaying a further interest in the case the commanding generel expe- dited the matter ofea divorce for the young soldier, and the Maryland court having jurisdiction. granted the decree from the first wife of the machine gun soldier on May 2, and the second ceremony this time declared to be le- gal, was performed in this city late Saturday afternoon by the chaplain of the 115th infantry.
 The ceremony was witnessed by Mrs. R. A. .Credille, mother of the bride. and her aunt, Mrs. R. J. Glaze, and the groom was attended by Private Joseph Butler of Battery E. 10th field artillery.
 Approval of General Morton's atti- tude in the case was received at the headquarters of the Twenty ninth di- vision Wednesday morning from the judge advocate general of the army, and the final settlement of the case has attracted more than usual atten- tion on the cantonment and in An niston, because of the unusual features involved.
 The action of General Morton in bringing about thorough investigation of the case and in disappearing of the findings of the court is thoroughly in keeping with the commanding generals entire familiarity with affairs on the government reservation, and is further typical of the desire on his part to see justice and fair play meted out to every man under his comamnd.
 Mrs. McClain. before her marriage. was known as very accomplished in Birmingham, and the roc nance which has finally resulted in her becoming the bride of the machine gun soldier was begun following an &C., quaintance between them sew eral months ago while the Mcclellan soldier was visitor in the Magic City