The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-10-29
TO HEAR ADM|RAl'S STORY
All Available Space oeeupied-Men
and Women Standing to
Listen to Recital.

j.. day Admiral Schley had not complet-
ed his testimony in chief. He took
the stand about 1890, just after the
witnesses had been recalled for the
purpose of making corrections in and
additions to their testimony, and con-
tinued his statement until the court
adjourned at 3:40 p. m. This adj
journment twenty minutes in advance
of the usual time was due to the fact
that the admiral's throat had become
somewhat sensitive as a result of his
cintinuous talking yesterday and to-
day. He had made complaint to the
/. court Of the condition of his throat
Immediately after concluding his re-
cital Of the story of the battle off
Santiago, and Admiral Dewey, who
evidently himself had noticed the diff
ficulty, responded by showing a will
ingness to adjourn the court. Mr..
Rayner, however, expressed a desire
to proceed, saying that he had a num-
Der Of questions which he wished to
ask, and Admiral Schley assented to
his %counsels suggestion. A quarter
= of an hour later Admiral Dewey him
self renewed the suggestion for an
adjournment and all concerned agree
ing to the proposition the court adj
journed until Monday at II o'clock.
The day was a notable one in the
court. BY all odds the largest crowd
that has yet attended any Of the ses-
sions was present and a earnest in
terest was manifested throughout the
proceedings. Long before the begin
ming of the morning session all the
seats reserved for visitors in the
court room were occupied and the
greater portion of the space in the
e a of these seats was covered by
men and m standing. They not
only stood upon the floor, but upon
windowsills and tables, and even the
rude elevator machinery in that por.
ton of the hall was covered by men.
On only n occasion was there any
effort at applause and this was sup
pressed before it had reached any
magnitude.
The chief event of the day was the
admirals relating of the events of
July 3, when the American fleet sent
Cervera's sqadron to the bottom of
the sea or to the beach. He told
his story Of this historical occurance
In plain words and in unaffected style.
but he narrative was straight-for.
ward and to the point, indicating close
familiarity with all the phases of that
event.
He said that the Brooklyn had for.
a time sustained the fire of all four of
the Spanish ships, and also the fire
OF the Spanish land batteries. Elk.
planning the historical turn of his own
nagship, the Brooklyn, he said she
mad not approached to within less
tnan 600 yards of the Texas, and that
ne never had considered that vessel
In the least danger.
he also stated, in response to an
interrogation from Mr.. Rayner. hat
ne mad never during the battle en-.
in any ~colloquy with Lieutenant
fodgeson and he had not used the
expression attributed to him nv
Hodgeson. This refers to the alleged
colloquy in which the admiral is
charged with having said: damn tho
Texas"
Admiral schley also gave the details
OF the reconnaissance of MAY 81,
when the Spanish ship Cristobal Col.
on was bombarded. In this connec.
ton he denied the statement attribu+.
&c to him by Commander Potts of
the battleship Massachusetts.
Preceding adjournment of the court
today the question of calling Admira,
Sampson to the stand was revived
by Judge Advocate Lemly who re.
minded Mr.. Rayner that he (Rayner)
a suggested some time ago that
he desired the admiral called. Can.
tain Lemly said he was prepared to
Issue a summons if called upon to do
SO, but Rayner responded that the
Incident which seemed to demand the
admiral's attendance had dwindled in.
to comparative insignifcance and, he
added, that 1t was well understood
the condition Of Admiral Simpsons
health was such that he could not be
expected to appear upon the witness
stand.
Az Admiral Schley left the court
room today he was given quite an
ovation. A large number OF persons
had halted outside the court room dool
and many insisted on shaking hands
with him. The assemblage escorted