The Washington herald., 1909-08-26
REFUSED PERMIT
TO EXHUME BODY


Mrs. Sutton herself. Mrs. sutton had
decided that she wished to see her sons
body to satisfy herself whether or not
he was the victim OF rough play before
his death In October. 1907. at the Marine
Barracks.
Mrs. sutton and Mrs. Parker are both
convinced that Lieut.. Sutton was badly
beaten and dishgured In the midnight
quarrel that preceded his death, and that
among other things. his right arm was
broken, which precluded they say, the
possibility Of his having fred the fatal
shot that caused his death. So convinced
is Mrs. Sutton Of these facts that she
had nerved herself up 70 seeing the body
of her son, and remaining throughout the
autopsy. Mrs. Parker did not wish 20
see her brothers body, preferring 20 re-
member him as she last saw him before
his death.
When the telephone message came form
the quartermaster generals office postpon-
ing the exhumation indefinitely. Mrs. Sut-
ton decided she would not have the
ground where her son lies consecrated yes
terday. The floral wreaths were taken in
carriages and placed on the grave by
the mother and sister. but the consecra-
ton is not TO be made until the body is
taken from the grave.
AstouBded by Ruling.
According 20 Mrs. Suttons friends. both
Mrs Sutton and Mrs Parker were as
founded by the War Departments order.
Mrs. Sutton Is convinced that some
strong pressure was brought TO bear at
the last moment, and that the plea OF
too much notoriety" IS not the real rea-
son. Mrs. Parker is up In arms against
the decision, according to her friends.
and IS determined TO fight the "organiza-
tion." as she puts II. II II costs her
everything she has IN the world.
II is understood that Surgeon Spear. Of
the navy. informed both Mrs. Sutton and
Mrs. Parker after the War Departments
order, that the Navy Department, so
far as he knew. was willing 70 have
the exhumation take place He could
not understand why the arrangements
had been broken al the last moment.
There is something decidedly queer
about this whole business. Mrs. Parker
is understood to have told some OF her
close friends. They think because my
mother and I are women, that they can
trample us under foot intend 20 get
at the bottom OF the whole thing I VIII
do it,"
'"They say we talked about exhumng
Jimmy's body" Mrs. Sutton is quoted
as saying. We never mentioned II To a
soul That - no excuse. We ourselves
requested that the matter be kept as
quiet as possible. Ii is hard enough for
a mother TO look upon the body Of her
dead son without having Il aired before
the public. I made every effort TO keep
the matter strictly private"
Inquiry at the War Department failed
10 throw any light on why the decision
was reversed at the last moment All
inquirers were referred to Superintendent
Humphrey. who was IN charge and who
had dealt with the Suttons Superintend-
ent Humphrey simply said the depart
ment had not yet acted on Mrs. Sut-
tons request. There would be no ex-
humation yesterday. He said tomorrow
or next day. Other than this the de-
partment had nothing TO add.
Col. Charles Doyen Protests.
Another phase of the Sutton case was
brought out yesterday when II became
known that Col. Charles A. Doyen. com
mandant OF the Marine Barracks at An
napolis. who was head Of the School OF
Application when Lieut.. Sutton lost his
life, had visited the Navy Department.
supposedly 10 protest against the minor
ity report OF Commander Hood. which
severely scored the discipline at the
school Col Doyen may ask for an in
vestigation OF conditions al the school
at that time. He was surprised at the
minority report. and feels he has been
accused and convicted by Commander
Hood without being given a chance to
say one word IN his own defense
He was not a defendant at the court Of
inquiry. The first intimaton he had or
any charges. direct or indirect. against
him was when he read Commander
Hoods report, practically convicting him
OF running the school in loose manner.
Col Doyen does not believe this is fair
play. He believes every court in the
country should give him a chance to de-
fend himself He therefore believes that
he has the right TO ask for a full in
vestigatiOn.
Capt Humphrey conferred with Mrs
Parker relative TO the War Departments s
action yesterday. but at the end Of the
conference II was said there had been no
change in the status OF the case 1t was
said, however. thai Capt Humphrey
would make statement to-day clearing
UP the War Departments attitude IN the
matter
AS the body OF Lieut. Sutton was en-
balmed and is In a hermetcally sealed
coffin, Mrs Sutton and Mrs. Parker be-
lieve that It viii be found in good condi-
tion when disinterred. Mrs. Sutton be-
Eeves it will be easy to ascertain whether
or not her son was bruised and beaten
before his death.