Evening star., 1901-09-24
THE INQUIRY PUT OFF
Adjournment of the Schley
Court.
Mr.. WILSON'S DEATH ANNOUNCED
The Days Proceedings Suddenly
Ended.
TO BE RESUMED TOMORROW

| was brought to a sudden close today by the
| announcement at twelve minutes after the
| court had assembled of the sudden death
Of Mr.. Jere M. Wilson Of counsel for Ad-
miral Schley. The court was promptly ad-
| journed as a mark of respect for the emf
nent lawyer.
Admiral Dewey had opened the court
| the chief engineer on the Texas, was the
| first of the witnesses called, and he was
| asked to approve the stenographic report of
| his testimony, which he did without sug-
gesting a single correction.
The Judge advocate laid before the wit
ness two questions by the court as follows:
Q. Are you positive about the amount of
coal reported on hand on the Texas May
%? A. Yes, sir, as near as anybody
could be positive of the amount of coal on
board ship. There is no absolutely cor
rect means of telling the amount or coal
on the ship.
Q. Was the machinery of the Texas in
good condition for service on May 81 A.
should say, by recollection, yes. 1 don't
recollect anything wrong
| Capt. Schroeder was called and certified
to the correctness of the report OF his tes-
timony, and he was told he could return to
Guam
Albert B. Claxton, who served on board
the Texas as an assistant machinist, was
called. Questions to place on the record OF
| the court his name and duty on board the
Texas were asked when an orderly brought
In a message that had just been received
over the telephone and was written on the
back of an envelope. This was handed TO
one of the court officials.
The expression on the face of the mes
senger and the abruptness with which the
message was brought within the railing
about the court caused the proceedings to
stop and every one looked on, feeling that
something unusual had happened. Admiral
Dewey kept his seat with an inquiring look
on his face. Admiral Schley was sittillr 1t
the table reserved for his use with his
counsel The message was placed in the
hands Of Mr.. Rayner and in Whisl efed
words the fact that Mr.. Jere Wilson OF
counsel for Admiral Schley had just died
at the Shoreham Hotel was communicated
to the court and to those In attendance on
the trial. The scene at that moment was
tragic. A death-lke stiffness was on the
court and assemblase. Inose IN the rear ear
part of the room were in ignorance or the
nature Of the news that was brought In,
but they were affected by the attitude OF
those who surrounded the court Admiral
Dewey who had risen from his place on
hearing the news, was evidently greatiy
shocked
The Announcement to the Court.
The announcement was made to the court
by Mr.. Rayner in the following language:
..J have very sad announcement to
make to the court. 1 have just heard OF
the death Of Judge Wilson. 1 left him at
10 o'clock this morning slightly tndisposed
7 was with him until late last night
saw him this morning at o'clock ana ie1t
him at TO- We have confirmed the rumor
through the telephone that he has Just
died at the Shoreham Hotel, and L woulu
resnectfully ask the court, if it meets with
the approval of the court 10 adJourh ioi
today"
Admiral Dewey said: 81 have to announce
that owing to the death of Judge Wilson,
of counsel. the court will adjourn tor To-
day until tomorrow morning.
Mr.. Rayner said that SO far as he could
now see the counsel for Admlra. schlet
would be able to proceed tomorrow, put
he added that there would be desire 10
attend the funeral when it occurred Ad-
miral Dewey and Capt. Lemly agreed that
this detail could be arranged later.
The announcement of Judge Wilson's
death created CONSERVATION not only among
members of the court, but among the spec
tators. and some minutes elapsed nefore
neople generally would accept the report.
Mr. Wilson 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 Wideawake to all that was SAID
and done
Admiral Schley Shocked.
Admiral Schley upon hearing the news
said. 1.-THE news is so shocking that I can
not trust myself to give expression to my
estimate of the man. I can only say that
I have lost not only clear headed and
brilliant counsel, but also dear and much
beloved friend 1 am shocked beyond
measure at the news. and find myself un-
able to accept the report
Effect ON the Inquiry.
Admiral Dewey said that he did not
think the proceedings Of the court would
be interfered with largely by Mr.. Wilson's
death There would, he added, be an
other adjournment on account OF the
funeral, but beyond that he did not antici-
pate there would be further cessation OF
the proceedings
Judge Wilson's DEATH" he added, "is a
severe loss. 1t is a loss not only to the
community at large, but especially to the
court at this time. His amiability, con-
servatism and long experience in public
affairs rendered his presence here most
acceptable Personally too, I have suf-
fered a severe bereavement in his death.
We had been friends for twenty-five years,
and l had come to both love and respect
him for his many excellent qualities OF
head and heart"
Witnesses Slated for Today.
Witnesses were slated for today by the
Navy Department in the Schley court Of
inquiry with the end in view Of bringing
out the facts concerning Admiral schley's
knowledge Of the condition Of affairs at
Cienfuegos before the arrival of the Mar
blehead under command Of Captain Nc
Gala, and at Santiago. when the flying
squadron first reached the vicinity Of that
port before making its retrograde move
ment toward Key West. The friends of the
admiral have claimed that he had no init
nation that he was expected to communi-
cate with the Cuban insurgents on the
shore, but the government has called Lieut..
Spencer s. Wood who was in command Of
the dispatch boat Dupont. with the view of
showing that the commander-in-chief had
the information previous to McCalla's ar
rival. The commanders of the scout ships
Yale, st. Paul and Minneapolis have also
been called with the expectation on the
part Of the department of bringing out tes-
timony to the effect that Admiral Schley
was notified upon his first arrival OF San
tiago of the presence of Cervera's feet In
side the harbor at that port. There are
several of the witnesses and IT is not yet
known how much time they may occupy.
but whatever the length Of time necessary
this Is the next step to be taken after dis
posing of the part taken by the Texas IN
the battle of July and the loop made BY
the Brooklyn at the beginning OF that im-
portant days events.