Goldsboro semi-weekly argus., 1909-07-21
letter TO SUTTON
REVEALS ILL WILL
1t Is Believed That Lieuten-
ant Was Challenged
For a Duel.
---
STRENGTHENS OWENS STORY

Clash Previous to Young Mans
Death Was the Result of Prear.
ranged Fight.
Annapolis Md, July 19.-The board
of officers appointed to reinvestigate
Re death of Second Lieut. James Srt-
ton, of the Marine Corps, who was
mysteriously shot in Annapolis Oh
October 13, 1907 met here today to
begin the taking of testimony. The
board is composed of Commander
John Wood, U. S. N; Maj. w. C. Ne
vile, U. S. M. c.; Lieut.. H. M. Jen-
sen, U. S. N. and Maj. Harry eLonard
U. S. NJ. c., observation-disclosures
Lieutenant Sutton was killed by
pistol shot after an alleged quarrel
with a brother officer. Sutton, &C
companied by several other officers,
was returning to the Naval Academy
after attending a dance at Carvel Hall
in annapolis. A quarrel developed on
the way, which later led to fist fight.
The evidence adduced by the first
court Of inquiry showed that Sutton
went to his quarters and obtained his
service revolver with the intention of
shooting his antagonist. He fired at
one Of his former companions, Sa-ond
Lieut.. r. E. Adams, but did not strike
him. Lieutenant Roelker another
member of the party, went to Adams
assistance and was dazed by bullet
from Sutton's pistol, when struck
koelker in the chest but lliG not pea
,ertate his body. Somebody- called out
= Locker is deadt" Then sutton &C |
tCording to the evidence, (lreW another |
yer and 81 himself in tie head |
He was hurried to the Academy hos |
pital, but died within a short time.
The court of inquiry held shortly |
after Lieutenant Sutton's death de- |
cided that he had committed suicide /
Mrs. James N. Sutton, the young Off
, GERS mother, was dissatisfied with |
the verdict of the court, and at her re-
tquest the Navy Department ordered
second investigation of the affair One
sOf the principal witnesses in the in
aqdiry, Lieut.. r. E. Adams, has recent
1y been stationed at Sea Girt, n. j.
lieutenant Rocker, who also figured |
prominently in the affray, disappeared
shortly after the affair and his pres
ent whereabouts are said to be un-
known
There is no doubt that the investi-
eating board which assembled today
will make every effort to bring out of
the facts of the tragedy, and either
substantiate the finding of the first
board that Lieutenant Sutton commit
ted suicide, that the public mind will
be satisfied, or to trial any who may
have had hand in his death, if it
should be found that it was by other
than his own hands. William Owens,
the chauffeur who drove the party on
the fatal night, will be an important
witness. He has stated positively
that Sutton did not attack Lieutenant
Adams first, but that Lieutenant Ad-
ans attacked Lieutenant Sutton and
repeated the attack before Lieutenant
Sutton agreed to fight him.
Other civilian witnesses will be at
least two of the employees of Carval
Hall, where Lieutenant Sutton and
his brother officers attended dance
'Cn the n'g:t If he tragedy The en-
p1oyes will, it is reliably understood,
contradict the testimony before the
first investigators in several impor-
tant matters and make statements
tending to show that Lieutenant Suit
ton was sought out by the other Off
GERS that night instead of forcing him
self on them, as was understood.
Evidence that Lieutenant Sutton
received challenge to fight duel
with revolvers has come to light
Two prominent men of Annapolis,
and persons of unquestoned veracity,
who naturally ask that their names
be not used, confirm the ixetsecnhas
be not used, confirm the existence of
certain documentary evidence show
ing almost conclusively that Sutton,
VIII, met his death on October 12, 1907
had beer challenged to fight one of
his fellow officers.
The statement of Owens, the chatt1-
feur. makes it very probable that this
is the explanation of the attack which I
the latter declares Lieutenant Adams
made upon Sutton when the party
a1ighted from the automobile. Owens
has all along said that the affair had
every resemblance to pre-arranged
fight.
One of the persons who saw the !,
documentary proof said today that it