Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-01-14


els to the rear. We marched all that
day. For some reason We got separ0t.
cu coming back to tire front The Sec
ond battalion had relieved the First
late on October 8, and the second was
III rear OF the front line, Major Opie
was IN rear OF tho Second line with
the Third battalion. (
MAJOR OPIE CALLED "HALIT!"
Il saw n runner pass Major Opie
from the front, and after he had pass
ed the second line trench he passed
Major Opie within five or ten PAGES
at fast walk Or run.
After ho had passed eight or ten
PAGES, Major Optic halted him. He did
not halt when ordered, and Major Opie
called Hat! again, and third time
called Halt" and then deliberately
pulled his gun and shot him in tho
back. then saw him bend over and
take some orders or papers from the
dead older"
Did you see Major Opie bend over
the dead soldier and take some papers
from him?"
Yes"
"You knew Major Opie by sight?"
very we'll.
What did he shoot The man with?"
His .45 revolver.
Witness said Major Opie gave no
orders to remove tho body and he pre-
sumed he wanted It to DO believd tin,
the man was killed in battle.
W.T. OF n,t0 ~ Lao
timer" -fE..@ I.
mo one.", ".
"You saw Opie draw his>45 revolver
and shoot him in the back?"
"Yes, sir. was in Company l. uu
der Captain johnson, Major. Optics bat
TALON"
ANOTHER INCIDENT DESCRIBED
"On another occasion man by the
name OF GoodaM or Woodall, am no.
sure which. from Winchester who had
been sick for days, but continued to
march. saying he did not want to 20
to the rear as his comrades and Office, s
would think he was yellow; saw him
light n cigarette. Major Opie came
hack and drew his gun and threatened
to kill him If he did not put 1t out.
"This was at night?"
EYES," after midnight"
"You were marching at night 10
avoid observation by German air.
planeS?r ....
eyes"
ut was against orders to make
lights?"
eyes"
A sharp spat followed between Coz.
onel Cutchins and Senator Watson, tn.
Richmond attorney resenting the In,
putation Of Senator Watson that ON.
Gers smoked OH march but would not
let their men smoke, when going Into
line. Senator WATSON objected to the
statement Of Colonel Cutchins that the
Twenty-ninth division only went into
the line once, saying he could testify
Mt the proper time, but could not In.
terfere with his witness.
On cross-examination the witness
said he was member Of the intelli,
gehce section, specially trained to &c
forward at nights to get informant III
from No Mans Land. .....
did intelligence mon take prison.
ors back?" .... .....
We were not supposed to-"
yet you and five others took Theses
prisoners back?"
eyes, to the stockades."
who was in charger
II think it was Nick Smith. o,
Iynchburg.'
"Who did you report to on your r..
turn?"
"To no one"
How long after you got back was
this alleged shooting?"
About half an hour"
You say some papers were take,
Off this man--you are not certain they
were orders?"
mo. I saw Major Opic bend over
him and take some papers"
"Who were present."
only the five intelligence service
men and myself"
Give their names"
II would prefer not, because one
have seen in IIynchburg has got cole
feet. l know they saw what 7 saw
Lemuel Smith gave the names Of thu
witnesses who saw Major Opie kill {
man In a dugout and they have de
MED it. You are injuring me IL they
should not back me up
What about injuring Major Opie,
commented Colonel Cutchins.
I'VE cannot excuse you," said Chair
man Brandegee, from giving thu
names Of men you know are materia
witnesses because you fear they viii
not testify as you do"
After some further hesitation tho
witness gave the names of Bob Barkf
dale, formerly Of Lynchburg, a cousin
of Captain A. D. Barksdale, associate
counsel for Major Opie who served as
member Of l. Company Of Lynchbur.
the man named Goodail or Woodall
Of Winchester, Va; Henry p. Burbee
member OF L Company now Of Law
renee. Mass, and Oscar J. May, OF
Lynchburg.
Was Major Optics adjutant with
him?"