Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1901-09-25

for Admiral Schley. The announce
ment was made to the court by Hon.
Is1dor RaynOr, assistant counsel in the
following languages:
II nave very sad announcement to
make. l have just heard of the death
OF Judge Wilson. left him at 10
O'Clock this morning slightly indisposed.
/ was with him until late last night. /
saw him this morning at s o'clock and
left him at 10. We have confirmed the
rumor through the telephone that he
has just died at the Shoreham hotel and
l would respectfully ask the court, if it
meets with the approval of the court, to
adjourn for today"
Admiral Dewey said:
81 have to announce that owing to
the death of Judge Wilson, of counsel
the court will adjourn for today until
tomorrow morning
Mr.. RaynOr said that so far as he
could now see the counsel for Admiral
Schley would be able TO proceed tomor.
row, but he added that there would be
a desire to attend the funeral when it
occurred. Admiral Dewey and Captain
Lemley agreed that this detail could be
arranged later.
The announcement of Judge Wilson's
death created CONSERVATION, not only
among mem bers OF the court. but among
the spectators, and some minutes 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 extent
In the proceedings, he had appeared
physically active and wide awake to all
that was said and done
All the members of the court, includ-
ing counsel for the government and for
Admiral Schley, expressed the utmost
surprise and sorrow over the news,
while Admiral SChley himself SAID:
1.-The news Is so shocking that | can
not trust myself to give expression to
my estimate of the man. I can only say
that have lost not only a clear headed
and brilliant counsel but also a dear
and much beloved friend. I am shocked
beyond measure at the news and find
myself almost unable to accept the re-
port.
1t was announced at the courtroom
that Judge Wilson's death had occurred
at 11:08 a. m, at the Shoreham hotel,
and that it had been due to acute indi-
gestion and kidney affection.
The proceedings of the court were
rendered very brief by the announce
ment of Judge Wilson's death. Com.
manders Bates and Schroeder were re.
called to listen to the reading of the off.
cial report Of their testimony as given
yesterday, and Firstclass Machinist A.
B. OlaxtOn Of this city, who had charge
of the port engine of the Texas On the
day Of the battle off Santiago, had just
taken the stand when the announce.
Of . Il
ceived.
1t had been expected by the govern
ment that Mr.. Claxton would confirm
the statement of Engineer Bates, con.
corning the reversal of the engines of
the Texas. During the short time he
was on the stand Engineer Bates was
asked few questions. One Of these
was by Captain Parker and was In re-
gard to the steam log of the Texas. In
reply to the first inquiry Commander
Bates said the log had been written up
the day after the battle.
The other questions by the court
related first to the coal supply of the
Texas on May 26, 1898, and second to
the condition of the machinery of the
Texas on May 81. The questions Of the
court and the responses to them were
as follows:
''Are you positive that the quantity of
coal reported on hand May 90 was cor.
rect?''
Yes sir. as nearly as anybody can be
positive. There was no accurate means
of weighing what was sent US. and gen.
orally there is no accurate means by
which coal is weighed coming aboard
ship. All naval officers know that coal
is weighed to the best of our ability and
an accurate account kept to the best of
our ability, and it is generally a good
estimate. 1t is weighed out in the same
way"
"Was the machinery of the Texas in
efficient condition for service on May
31?"
II shall say by recollection, yes. dc
not reoollect that anything was wrong
about the machinery"
Judge Advocate: "It is the day of
the bombardment of the Colon that is
referred to, May 81. -
Commander Bates: There was moth.
ing the matter with the engines as I re.
member. On that day we were off
coaling."
1t had been the intention of the court
to call Admiral Cotton, Captain Wise
and others connected with the govern.
ment scoutships Immediately after the
discharge Of Machinist Claxton.