Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-25
ADAMS by any one who has yet testi-

Adams by any one who has yet testi-
fed.
Then Adams story of the affair
picks up the thread of the narrative.
lie had been directed by Utley. Adams
said. to go back to the scene of the fist
fight between Osterman and Sutton and
see II any clothing had been left there
and to bring back what he might find.
On his way, Adams says. he saw a
white form rise up. 1t was Sutton. who
asked where he was going. Adams told
him he was going after clothing.
Sutton. so Adams story ran said he
was going to kill Adams. He fired
point-blank three times. AS he fired
Adams rushed him. reaching him at the
third shot. which cut Adams finger.
They grappled and struggled. AS
they were whirling about Adams says
he caught a glimpse of Rocker, APP
parently ready to rush I'm and help.
During the struggle Sutton's revolver
went of again. Then Adams threw
Sutton face downward upon the ground
and held him until help came.
This. in effect. is the story practically
established by those who were eyewit-
nesses to what Immediately preceded
the killing. And SO far there has been
none to controvert their testimony.
II is true that different stories have
been told The essential point. that bear
ing on the manner In which that last
shot was fired, has been made clear by
those who saw the occurrence.
Cause OF Row vague.
Going back to the beginning Of the
row between Sutton and Adams. there
Is conflicting testimony as to the cause
OF the trouble.
Adams and Osternlan, who were in
the automobile. say that Sutton called
Adams coward when. In response to a
suggestion from Utley. Adams said he
thought it would be best not to take
the automobile into the reservation when
they had overstayed their liberty. Fol-
lowing a remonstrance on the part of
Adams. Sutton. SO Adams and Osterman
say. added that he would beat Adams.
Then the automobile was stopped. SUIT
ton and Adams got out, Adams throwing
his coat on the ground as he did SO. But
Sutton did not prepare to fight
Instead he asked Adams what lie was
going to do. Adams told him that he.
Sutton. was the man to start as he had
made the threat.
But Utley, who was senior officer. told
Them to stop and wait until just before
reveille to settle their trouble. This is
the story as told by Adams and Oster-
man.
1t stood before the court until yester-
day. when William Owens. the chauffeur
who drove the party took the stand. He
said that Adams sat beside him on the
front seat, and that he heard no word
spoken by Adams during the entire ride.
When the machine stopped Adams got
fare and stepped back from the machine.
Adams rushed at him. Utley and Oster-
man Owens did not name them. because
he said he did not know them) held SUIT
ton by the arms.
Sutton Avoided Fuss.
Sutton told Adams he did not want to
fight. Owens was ordered to move his
machine on. but he moved slowly. desir-
ing to see the fight, il there was to be
one.
Adams again went toward Sutton. SUIT
ton said:
"If he wants a fight I'll give it to him. -
Then Owens was ordered away again
Taking the story Of Adams and Oster-
man from this point. the attempt on the
part of Adams and Sutton to fight ended
there. Utley ordered them both to go to
camp. Adams started and Osterman tried
to quiet Sutton down.
But Sutton would not be quoted. AS
Osterman turned away Sutton called
Osterman a vile name and struck him in
the back of the neck. Then OSterman
went after him and thrashed him.
When they were finally separated by
I-tley and Adams the party broke up.
Sutton went. swearing to kill them all be-
fore morning.
That Mrs Sutton and her daughter
Mrs. Parker. believe firmly that the young
lieutenant was badly beaten-so badly
that he might have died from the effects
and was shot to death. and that they
hope to prove it's unquestiOned. In In
terviews and In the statements they made
10 the Secretary of the Navy when re-
Guesting reopening OF the case they
have told of number of alleged confess
involved in the affair which are at vari-
ance with what has been told in court.
No Evidence Of Murder.
testimony as given SO far ends in the in
evitable conclusion that no direct evil
dence on the murder theory has beer pro-
duced.
Sutton attorneys say they have some
thing up their sleeves. A report current
here tonight Is that Sergt. Charles Ken
nedy. summoned from the Norfolk navy
yard. was an eyewitness to the affair
unknown to those who participated In it,
Kennedy will probably be the first wit
ness called Monday.
Mrs. Parker still maintains that many
things were told her in private inter-
views with several officers that disprove
the suicide theory. Lieut.. Adams. she
has said. told her a great deal about the
fight that he did not tell at either in
auiry.
When asked the direct question by At
torney Davis. of counsel for the Suttons.
Adams denied fatty that he ever dis
cussed the killing with Mrs. Parker. He
said that. at her request. he talked with
her about her brothers character and
told her why he was unpopular
But when she asked him about the
death OF her brother, he says he de-
ciined to discuss 1t and referred her to
his testimony before the first court.
Thus IL will be seen that when Mrs
Parker comes to tell her story should
she say that Adams said things he has
said he did not say, the question will
resolve itself into one of veracity between
Adams and Mrs. Parker. And Adams
saw what happened and Mrs. Parker did
not.
Disinterment of Body Unlikely.
The reiteration of Mrs Sutton of her
intention to have her sons body ex-
humed. that the skull and ribs may show
the nature of his injuries. meets with dis
approval on the part of her attorneys
Unless the testimony Of Surgeon Cook,
who Is on his way from Europe to tes-
tify.e Is highly unsatisfactory to the SUIT
ton attorneys. there will be no disinter-
n,ent If Mr. Davis and the Van Dykes
csn prevent il.
Cook is the man who. as medical officer
for the first board of inquiry, performed
an-autopsy to determine the exact causes
Of Sutton's death. He and Lieut.. Utley
are expected August d or T.
One important point that remains to be
cleared up is how Sutton was relieved
of one OF his revolvers. the Smith &
Wesson, which he Is said to have had
lust before he was killed The only man
who has given any information about
this so far Is Sergt. DE Hart.
He says that when he came upon the
scene Sutton was lying on the ground
A.