The Boomerang Court Martial
A National Guard captain tries to discipline his lieutenant, but ends up facing his own internal investigation for inefficiency and 'conduct unbecoming.'
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A court martial was held at the armory of Company K for the purpose of investigating charges preferred by Captain A. E. Morton against First Lieutenant D. E. Dunbar. The charges alleged Dunbar had been absent from drills and tried to stir up animosity against the captain. However, the testimony for the defense completely exonerated the accused, showing he had legitimate business absences and that no official record of drills existed. The court then shifted its focus to Captain Morton himself. Witnesses testified that Morton was an inefficient officer and guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, suggesting his charges against Dunbar were a personal vendetta. The proceedings ended with the townspeople banqueting the court members, while Captain Morton faced the prospect of a reprimand.
“It is believed that in preferring the charges against Lieut. Dunbar he took advantage of his official position to avenge an insult he lacked the manhood to resent.”
Internal military accountability struggles echo today's battles over leadership and ethics in civic institutions. This 1891 incident serves as an early example of the 'boomerang' effect in local politics, where an attempt to assert authority ends up exposing the failings of the person in charge.
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