Salt Lake Telegram | 1906-01-02 | Page 1 | Decatur Denies Story of Hazing

DECATUR DENIES STORY OF HAZING Great-Grandson of Naval Hero Takes Stand in Own Defense. ANNAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 2. The court-martial proceedings against Midshipman Mid-shipman Stephen Decatur, Jr., of Portsmouth, Ports-mouth, N. H., charged with the hazing of Midshipman . Isaac N. McCrary of Texas, and Gaylord Church of Pennsylvania, Penn-sylvania, both fourth class men, were continued this morning, Decatur going on the stand in his own defense. Decatur denied absolutely all the statements of - McCrary and Church which incriminated him. The court is thus left to decide between the testi-many testi-many under oath of the upper and lower low-er classmen. Other witnesses were Introduced In-troduced to hear out the defense's theory the-ory that the prosecuting witnesses were mistaken as to who had hased them. Decatur's case is attracting great attention at-tention and a desperate effort Is being made to save him. He is a great-grandson great-grandson of the famous naval hero of the same name and stands No. 6 In studies in the class - which graduates next month. He haa some very powerful power-ful friends who are willing to help him In every way. Admiral Dewey is a relative, rel-ative, but little help can be expected from this source If Decatur is convicted. con-victed. . -