Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-26
His Death Occurred at The Shorehal
Hotel, In Washington, at a Late
Hour Tuesday Morning, and
Was Unexpected.
HE HAD BEEN BUT SLIGHTLY Ill
The Court of Inquiry Adjournee
for the Day.
CONSERVATION IN THE COURTROOM

Washington. Sept. 24.-The ScbIey
Court OF Inquiry was brought to a sud-
den termination for the day 18 minutes
after oonvening this morning by thu
announcement OF the sudden death Of
Judge Decentralization, senior counsel
for Admial Schley.
The announcement was made to tho
court by the Hon. Isidor Rayner, as
sistant counsel, in the following Ian.
guage: Il have very sad announce
ment to make to the court. / hsyt
Just heard of the death of Judge Wilson
l left him at 10 O'Clock this mornipf
slightly indisposed. | was with hiH
until late last night. 1 saw him thR
morning at 8 O'Clock, and left him ~
10. We have confirmed the runo
through the telephone that he has ing
died at the Shoreham Hotel, and 1
would respectfully ask the court, il II
meets with the approval of the court
to adjourn for today
Admiral Dewey SAID. "I have to an
nouce that, owing to the death of Judat
wilson, of counsel, the court will ad.
journ for today until tomorrow morn
ing"
The announcement Of Judge Wilson's
death created CONSERVATION not only
among members Of the court, but among
the spectators, and some minutes ELAPSED
before the people generally would ac.
cept the report. The judge had been
present in the court all day yesterday,
and, while he had not participated II
any great extent in the proceedings, h(
had appeared physically active and
vide awake to all that was said and
done.
The report first reached nv. Rayns
In the shape of a rumor minute Of
two after Maohinist A. b. Olaxton ol
the Texas, the second witness, had beer
put on the stana. Capt. Parker and
Mr.. league Of Admiral Sohley's Is counse,
immediately went to the telephone.
They returned In few minutes, sayinr
that the report had been confirmed
Mr.. Rayner then made his announce
ment to the court, and asked an aG
journment for the day.
All the members OF the court, iucIud
ing the counsel for the government ant
for Admiral Schley, expressed the ut
most surprise and sorrow over tb
news, while Admiral Schley said 9TH.
news is 80 shocking that | cannot trust
myself to give expression to my esti
mate of the man. can only say tina,
have lost not only clear headed and
brilliant counsel, but also a dear and
much beloved friend. | am shocked
beyond measure at the news, and fine
myself almost unable to acoept the 70
lort. p"
1t was announced in the courtroom
hat Judge Wilson's death had occurred
It LOS O'Clock at the Shoreham Hotel
md that it had been due to acute indi.
,estion and kidney affection.
The proceedings OF the court wers
endered very brief by the announce
nent of Judge Wilson's death.
Commanders Bates and Schroeder
1ere recalled to listen to the reading oi
he official report of their testimony al
iven yesterday, and First Glass Ma.
hinist A. b. Claxton of this city, whs
ad charge of the port engine of tho
'exsH on the day OF the battle off Santi-
60, had just taken the stand wher
ne announcement of Judge Wilsoni
eath was received.
The questions asked Commander Bares
y, the court related first to the coal
lpply of the Texas on May 26th, 1898,
nd to the condition of the machinery
the Texas on May 3lst
The questions of the court and th,
'sponses to them were as follows:
Are you positive that the quantity
coal reported on hand May 26th waf
,rreot?'
Yes. sir, as nearly as anybody ca.
} positive. There was no accurat
cans of weighing what was sent ua
I'd generally there is no absolutely as
lrate means by which coal is weighe
ming aboard ship"
WAS the machinery of the Texas l.
icient condition for service on Ma
str" 40
- should say, by recollection, yes
do not recollect that anything was
.ong about the machinery
Judge Advocate: ''It is the day OF
Q bombardment of the Colon that ia
ferred to, May 3lst
Commander Bates: "There was moth
2 the matter with the engines as
member. On that day we were off
aling."
It had been the intention of the court
call Admiral Cotton, Capt. Wise and
,ers connected with the government
'ut ships Immediately after the dis
arge of Machinist Claxton.