New Britain herald., 1922-01-17
Hartford Military Man Testifies That In Each Instance Condemned Man Had Been Tried
Also Expresses Opinion That Body Was Placed in Coffin With Rope and Cap Still On It.

Washington, Jan. 17.-Former serv- ice men detailed for duty with the American graves registration serv- ice in France denied before senate committee that tho bodies of the soldiers legally put to death in France were buried with rope around the neck and the black cap which had been placed on them on the gallows.
 Complainant "Trouble Maker"
 John R. Flynn of Cambridge, Mass, and G. A. Bamford of Washington. both testified they had heard of noth- ing to substantiate such charges. Flynn declared that Rufus P. Hub- bard of New York who had testified that he saw bodies with rope and cap intact was trouble maker" who had to be transferred on that account.
 The committee went into hanging methods as part oi its general investi- gation of charges laid before the sen- ate by Senator Watson, democrat, Georgia that soldiers were hanged without trial in France.
 Flynn insisted that if they were un- able to identify body it was re-in- tered.
 Lynching Story Denied
 Taking up the cast of Benjamin King of Wilmington. N. c. reported by the war department as killed in &C., tion and claimed by former witness to have been lynched the committee called Vainey F. Wells of Wilmington, who said King was member of his platoon.
 'I saw King just before we jumped off into battle and l never saw him again" said Wells. T am satisfied he was killed in action. King was one of the best soldiers in the outfit and there never was a complaint against him."
 How was 1t reported to you that King was killed?" Senator Overman, democrat, North Carolina asked. "I have no direct proof" he said, but it is my best opinion he was kili- ed, A sergeant who was nearby told me King was blown up with shell. I know he went into battle and never came out Like many others he was reported missing when the battle end- ed"
 Disagrees With Others
 Disagreeing with witnesses who pre- ceded him, Richard C. Sullivan or Somerville, Mass, an assistant em- biamer with the graves registration service declared he saw two bodies taken up with rope and black cap in- tact.
 'Everybody I helped prepare for shipment home was positively identi- field" said Sullivan.
 Was there any evidence that the heart and brain were removed from the bodies of the men hanged?" asked Senator Watson.
 'I did not notice.'
 Were they buried in separate part of the cemetery?"
 "rhey were not"
 If the skulls had been opened to remove the brain would you have noticed it?" asked Chairman Bande- gee.
 Undoubtedly was the answer.
 Col Lamb Testit1es
 Edwin F. Lamb of Hartford, Conn.,, la lieutenant colonel with the ex- peditionary forces and formerly of the 26th division was called next.
 Did you witness any executions in France?"
 "Yes. two at Bazailles. Both were court-martialled" he said.
 Lamb gave the committee the names of both men who made 'ramb- Hing statements, which were taken down" he said. The condemned men were given opiates before the hanging to compose their nerves, the witness declared.
 Did the men claim they had not been tried? ?'
 | No sir"
 Neither protested his inocence?"
 No" "In the case of the second man hanged I thing the body was placed quickly in a coffin with the rope and cap still on it." Lamb added.
 What is the probability of men being hanged without trial?" asked the chairman.
 Not the slightest Lamb replied.
 And you mean to say that these men hanged for an almost unmention- able crime were hurled along with the honorable dead?" Senator Watson asked.
 "Yes. They were our men who had fallen and paid the extreme penalty.
 Some of the doctors later suggested, he added, that in future executions, the bodies be buried in separate lots. but there were no other executions at that post.