The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-07-30
Witness IN Sutton Case Reveals
Startling Fact q
Stand.
TELLS 1 STRAIGHTFORWARD STORY
Newspaper Men Called NJ Witnesses;
Mrs. Sutton to Testify.

Annapolis, July 26.-TOday'S seS
sion Of the board Of inquiry at the
naval academy, which Is investigat.
the death of Lieutenant James N.
Sutton of :he marine corps. who was
mysteriously shot two years ago, af-
forded some surprise in the testi-
mony given by Charles W. Kennedy
now a private in the marine corps at
Norfolk, Va. end Surgeon a. D. Nc
Cormick, U. s. n.
Kennedy dropped into the situation
like a bolt from a clear sky and told
a frank, straightforward story Of
some Of the incidents prior to the
shooting which had not been mem
'iontd by a:v of the young officers
who have already testified. Though
an eyewitness to the earlier en-
counter between Sutton and L.:uten-
ant Adams on the aight the former
was shot, Kennedy's name has not
l'een mentioned by the witnesses COLI
cerned In the affair. His testimony
supported the contention OF Sutton's
mother and sister that Sutton did
not seek the fights with Adams and
the other officers. In attacking his
credihlity, Major Leonard, the judge
advocate, went into the private's rec
ord and showed he had been disci-
plined on several occasions in the er.
vice.
Kennedy said that he had been re-
luctant TO mention his part in the
affairs because Lieutenants Utley and
Adams. his superiors, had both adj
monished him on the morning fol-
lowing the shooting to keep quiet"
On his way to relieve a sentry at I
O'Clock on the morning of the shoot
ing, he came upon Sutton, Adams.
Osterman and Utley in an angry ar
gument, the witness said. Adams
was In his shirt sleeves ready for q
fight and Sutton had accosted him.
Kennedy said, and asked him to hold
his blouse. cap and cape.
IAN right, Adams, II you want to
fight, I'll fight you," he heard SUIT
ton say. the witness testified
They fought hard for few min
rtes and Sutton's face was bloody,
and stopped the fight. saying that
the guard would be out IL they did
not stop. A second time. Kennedy
said that he saw Adams and Sutton
together as he was going away to his
| post. Hau an h.snI later Kennedy
| heard the shots from the naval hos
| pital, and soon after Adams appeared
at the hospital and volunteered tht
| Information TO kennalv that Sutton
had shot himself and tina. Adams had
had his finger shot CT. Utley also
told him at that time that Sutton
had killed himself. the witness said
/ he, a.
| him not to say anything about the
affair. While at early drill on tn,
following morning, the witness said
lie saw Lieutenant Utley so tn tht
"!gs of the pa 'ais grounds aac picl
rers rer, when U;lay carried lat tn,
bn:scks with bin v.e is.iden
had been oSserS.0 BY other Iyisa'@,
Ia the COMPANY. tn. witness said.
A'' nedy's sta.-n,an, wss mot shAk
On by the cross examination 3.
Ada Ms COUNSEL. AIR Birncy. nor b!
thai Of Maj1r Leonard.
DR.. Mccormick was present at tn,
autopsy held on Sutton's body an,
examined the bullet wound, he testi
fed. He located the wound back o
and slightly above the right ear Will
DIR. Fickrell testified that 1t wa
near the top of the head.
Several former witnesses were re
called at the morning session toda
and questioned by DR.. Davis. Mrs
Sutton's counsel, as to whether an,
of them had handed revolver 4
Sergeant DeHart on the night OF tn
shooting, as DeHart testified. The
ell denied it. There are no othe
navy witnesses on hand and 1t Is ex
pected that Mrs. Sutton and he
daughter will testify tomorrow.
To substantiate Kennedy's sesti
mony Lawyers Davis and Van Dyke
Mrs. Sutton, Mrs. Parker and severa
newspaper men. went to the parad
grounds after the adjournment an
took the various positions fror
which the witness said that he sa,
end heard the fights. Lawyer Davi
said aftervsrd that their case woul
lest principally upon the testimon
of Kennedy and Mrs. Parker.