Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-07-21
SAYS IT WAS SUICIDE, HOWEVER
Witness Swears. That He and Two
Others Were on Top OF Sutton and
Struggling With Him When lat
ter Got Arm Free and Fired Bull
let Into His Own Brain.
(By Associated Pressj.


proceedings at todays session of the
court CT inquiry which is investigating
the death of Lieutenant James \. SUIT
ton. u. $. NJ. C., of Portland, Ore,
took sensational turn when First
Lieutenant William F. Bevan, Of the
United States Marine Corps. now at
tached to the battleship New Jersey.
took the witness stand near the ad-
jcurnment CT court and related his
part in the tragedy in the early morn
ing Of October 13 1907, when young
Sutton met his death.
Lieutenant Bevan was officer of the
guard in the marine camp on that
night and one Of the first men to reach
the scene of Sutton's death.
Like Lieutenant Adams, he testified
that Sutton deliberately shot himself.
but beyond that cardinal fact, his
description CT Sutton's alleged suicide
varies in important details from the
story told by Adams, the man who
said he had participated in a life and
death struggle with the young Oregon
lieutenant just prior 10 mis- act of self
destruction.
Gisring Disagreement.
The most glaring disagreement with
Adams story came when Bevan swore
that he and two other officers were
On top of Sutton trying to held him
down to prevent him from using his
revolver when Sutton freed an arm
from under him and fired a bullet in
to his own brain, after some enc re-
marked that he (SuttCn) had killed
Lieutenant Rocker. Adams testified
that he had risen from Lieutenant
Sutton's body and that Sutton lay ex-
hausted and alone on the ground when
ne saw him raise his right hand and
fire the shot that ended his life.
Bevan's testimony also revealed that
situation bordering on a wild west
rampage had existed in the marine
camp just prior to the shooting, when
Sutton had been trying to make
Lieutenant Rocker dance by level
ing two revolvers at his feet and af-
forwards rushed out OF the camp. dis
regarding his arrest by the officers
of the guard and shouting that he
would quit the marines for good and
all
Bevsn Makes Good Impression.
The fact that Lieutenant Bevan
was on duty and had not been af-
forded an opportunity to join in the
"larks" Of his brother officer, is bound
to attach weight to his version Of
the affairs.
He made a good impression on the
witness stand and gave his testimony
without the least conjunction or ner-
vCusness.
Major Leonard. the judge advocate,
had not finished has direct examina-
tion CT Bevan when court adjourned
for the day.
The trio Of young officers. Adams.
Csterman and Bevan who were all
in at the death, so TO speak. occupied
the time Of the court today
Lawyer David, Mrs. SuitOn's counsel.
completed his crcss-exsmnation of
Adams in quick order after court
opened. Osterman. as q member OF
Sutton's automobile party on the night
Of October u. cOrToboTated Adams
story except to add that he believ-
night.
Won't Finish This Week.
Major Leonard az :he Adjournment
Of court said that he did not expect
the inquiry 20 be completed this week
Major Leonard brought out for the
first time today evidence in regard
20 the space Of time between the fir-
ing OF Eve shots.
Lieutenant OSterman testified that
the FIRST three shots were fired IN
rapid succession. win a perceptible in
tcrvai between the fourth and fifth
shc;s. The witness said he could
not say what Suttoa's physical conGi-
ton was after the fEhf with him.
Lawyer Davis referred 20 Miss Stew
art. 81 Pitfsburz. the young woman
with whom Sutton Is supposed 10
have spent the evening prior TO the
shooting
When ven vent 20 Carvei HAL did
ycu see Lieutenant Sutton and a
young LADY, asked Mr.. Davis
Saws sutton Started Trouble.
u did answered OSferman. Os-
ternan insisted that no argument took
ri1ce In the automobile on the way
20 camp until Lieutenant Utticy sue-
Eextcd that they better get ont and
walk - camp. Then Lieutenant Srf-
ton said he would not get out no mat
Ter What the others did and turned
n Adams. calling him a coward.
Adams jumped cut ard unloosen-
ing his coat. said that " suttoa vas