Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-05
NEWMAN SOLDIER
SAYS He SAW TWO
MEN SHOT DOWN
Grave Worker Says Hanged
Men Were Returned With
Black Caps On - Major
0pie on Hand

P. Hubbard, of New York, employed
by the American Graves Registra-
ton Service in preparing bodies of
American soldiers for shipment from
France, told senate committee to-
day that on three bodies disinter-
red he found rope around the neck
of each and a black cap over each
face.
Polk Golden, of Newman, Ca, tes-
titled that a major during battle had
ordered a soldier shot down who dis
obeyed orders to remain under COW
er. He also said he saw an officer
shoot a private in the Argonne sec
tor.
Called as the first witness at the
resumption of the hearings of the
committee investigating charges by
Senator Watson, Democrat, Georgia,
that American soldiers were hanged
without trial in France, Hubbard de-
clared there was nothing in the cof-
fins by which the bodies could be
Identified.
''The bodies were identified by the
cross on the outside of the coffin and
the black caps were not removed be-
fore the bodies were shipped to the
United States for BURIAL" Hubbard
testified.
Major Hierame Opie, Of Staunton,
Va, commander of the Third battal-
ion, One Hundred and Sixteenth in
fantry, accused by Henry L. Scott,
of Kenmore, Ohio, of having shot and
killed two. soldiers in France, was
on hand with counsel to enter for
NAL denial of the charge. Because
some of the witnesses were anxior s
to testify and return home there
was no early reference of the Opie
case.
Describing his work in the field a.
an assistant embalmer. Hubbard
went into great detail, while Chair
man Brandegee was attempting to
find out what he knew about charges
of illegal hangings.
i you've written a long letter, now
tell us in your own way what you
: know about. the hanging charges .,
Chairman Brandegee insisted.
While at a cemetery in France
helping to, get the bodies ready for
shipment home,' the witness said,
at saw three bodies brought up with
the rope and black cap as they were
when the men were hanged. I think
two were negroes and one a white
rlan. I think it was disgrace to
the army that the bodies went to the
parents without the black caps be-
Ing removed" The witness gave the
names of several persons who were
present at the cemetery with him.
There was too much hurry in
the registration service he con
tinued, land many sad mistakes
were made"
t"There were no tags on the bodies
of the three soldiers?" Senator Over
man, Democrat, North Carolina,
asked.
81 did not see one" Hubbard re-
piled.
Women Listen Intently.
''Were bodies that were not prop
srly identified shipped home as ident-
ified?" Senator Brandegee asked.
"They were," Hubbard replied.
Many women in the crowded COM
mittee room who lost sons overseas
leaned forward an listened closely
to Hubbard's long recital of care
1esness"-some with tears in their
eyes.
do you know if those three men
were executed in accordance with the
law?" the chairman asked.
IT do not"
"Have you any evidence that men
were hanged without trial?"
mo, sir"
''Know anything of your own
knowledge of cruelty?"
eyes," he said.
1t developed that what he wanted
to tell was hearsay.
"Strike it out, them" said the
chairman,
Examined by Colonel Walter A.
Bethel, acting judge advocate gen.
eraI of the army, Hubbard said sew
eral hundred bodies were taken up
at the French cemetery where he
found three with ropes hooked
around the neck.
"The three bodies were taken ur
in different parts of the cemetery
:. on the same day." he said. 9TH:
rope was about three feet long.
took off the ropes.
"How many other men saw it?''
Colonel Bethel asked.
ST don't know" adding that he die
not report the case.
"And the first report Of it was
made by you to Senator Watson?'
eyes, sir"
"That's ALL" exclaimed Colone,
Bethel.
"What prompted you to write
ne?" asked Senator Watson, taking
the witness.
any duty as a former service
man" he replied.
Bodies Left in Rain
"lf the tag nau DeeH tueIe "oulI
Won have found it?
'T certainly would"
hubbard insisted that the bodies Of
the three soldiers "hanged' were
identified by the cross on each grave
and he presumed they went to the
right parents.
"Are you prepared to swear there
was no tag in any ow the three cot
fins?" Senator Watson asked.
cI am
Hubbard said he protested to Ma
jor Gunner against allowing thu