The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-09-24
Sudden Passing of Jeremiah Wilson, the Dis
tinguished Lawyer and Counsel for
the Applicant.
Court Thrown Into CONSERVATION by the Sad
Event Members and Counsel EuIogize
the Deceased.

Washington, Sept. 24.-The Schley court
of inquiry was brought to a sudden ter
mination for the day eighteen minutes
after convening this morning by the an
nouncement of the sudden death of Judge
Jeremiah Wilson, senior counsel for Ad-
miral Schley. The announcement was
made to the court by Isidore Rayner, as
sistant counsel, in the following Ian
guage:
l have a very sad announcement to make
to the court. I have just heard of the death
Of Judge Wilson. l LETT him at 10 o'clock
this morning, slightly indsposed. l was with
him until late last night l saw him this
morning at o'clock and left him at 10. We
have confirmed the rumor through the tele-
phone that he has just died at the Shoreham
Hotel and I would respectfully ask the court
to adjourn for to-day:
Admiral Dewey said:
have to announce that owning to the death
OF Judge Wilson of counsel the court will
adjourn for the day, until tomorrow morn
Ing.
Mr.. Rayner said that so far as he could
now see. the counsel for Admiral Schley
Will be able to proceed tomorrow, bat he
added that there would be a desire to at
tend the funeral when it occurred. Ad-
miral Dewey and Captain Lemly agreed
that this detail could be arranged later.
The Court in Condemnation.
The announcement of Judge Wilson's
death created CONSERVATION, not only
among members of the court but among
the spectators, and some moments elapsed
before people generally would accept the
report. The judge had been present
in the court all day yesterday; and while
he had not participated to any great ex-
tent in the proceedings, he had appeared
physically active and wide awake to all
that was said and done.
The report first reached Mr.. Rayner in
the shape of a rumor a minute or two
after Machinist A B. Claxton of the
Texas, the second witness, had been put
on the stand. Captain Parker and Mr..
league of Admiral Schley's counsel i'm
mediately went to the telephone. They
returned in a few moments saying that
the report had been confirmed Mr.. Ray
ner then made his announcement to the
court and asked an adjournment for the
day.
All the members of the court. including
counsel for the government and for Ad-
miral Schley, expressed greatest surprise
and sorrow at the news, while Admiral
Schley himself said:
The news is shocking that cannot trust
myself TO give expression to my estimate OF
the man. l can only say that l have lost
not only a clear headed and brilliant coun-
sci. but also a dear and much beloved friend
l am shocked beyond measure at the news
and find myself almost unable to accept the
report
1t was announced at the court room that
Judge Wilson's death had occurred at
11:OS a. m at the Shoreham Hotel and
that it had been due TO acute Indigestion
and kidney affection.
Proceedings Brief.
The proceedings of the court were rem
dered very brief by the announcement of
Judge Wilson's death. Commander Bates
and Commander Schroeder were recalled
to listen to the reading of the official re-
port OF their testimony as given yesterday
and First Glass Machinist A. B. Claxton
of this city, who had charge Of the port
engine of the Texas on the day Of the bat
tie off Santiago, had just taken the stand
when the announcement was received.
1t had been expected by the government
that Mr.. Claxton would confirm the state
ment Of Commander Bates concerning the
reversal of the engines of the Texas. Dur
ing the short time that he was on the
stand Commander Bates was asked a few
questions. One of these was by Captain