Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-07-23
WHEELING MAN SAYS LIEUT.. AD-
AIMS AND DEAD MAN
QUARRELED.
ALSO A DUEL CHALLENGE.
This Man Also Says He Knows Where
Rocker, Crime Witness,
Is Now.
ADAMS QUIzzED AT ANNAPOLIS.

WHEELING, W. Va, July 2O.-Ac-
cording to a statement made by Harry
B. Thomas, of Martins Ferry, Ohio,
Edward P. Rocker, the much wanted
witness in the Annapolis investigation
into the death of Lieut., Sutton and for
whom a search has been made all over
the country, is in Wheeling at the pres
ent time. Mr.. Thomas also states to-
night that he was well acquainted with
the late Lieut.. Sutton, U. S. M. c.
Sensational details are given out by
Mr.. Thomas in signed interview which
will no doubt call him before the board
u inquiry now sitting at Annapolis.
Il first met Sutton" said Thomas, lat
Washington, having gone there to pre-
pare for my examination for the United
States marine corps. During the first
week of our acquaintance, Lieut.. Sutton
showed me letter from Adams, chaE
longing him to fight a duel with pistols.
The night of the tragedy Adams and
Sutton were in company at the hall in
Annapolis with two young ladies, one
of them being Miss Stewart Of Pitts
burg.
Trouble Over Girl.
''That evening | went over to Lieut..
SuttOn's quarters to get my overcoat and
80 returning to go to the city when
IIIC dulOulOD1Ie CdIJe up III lloul u LIlC
hall with Lieut.. Sutton, Adams and |
think, Utley. Adams was seated with
the chauffeur.
without apparent warning, Adams
jumped from the machine and grappled
with Sutton. A loud and angry argu-
ment followed L could hear Sutton
from where | was standing state he
would not get into any mix-up, but
Adams and Sutton soon got into a fist
fight in which Sutton was Worsted. They
were finally parted by persons stand
ing by.
Rocker in Wheeling.
Sutton then went to his room. [
D., aited for him and he and l walked to
the gate. l called his attention to a cut
from which blood was flowing down his
cheeks. He said he would get even for
ing the real trouble except he spoke OF
Adams taking away his girl and pay
ing particular attention to her, from
which l concluded the trouble started.
Sutton also stated he would cut off his
own right arm if necessary for his girl,
while at the academy gate and Sutton
appeared worked up over the trouble.
returned to Washington that night seav-
ing Sutton at the street crossing OF the
;nterurban car line between Washington
and Annapolis, near the academy.
ueHEQ Oh 1Ileul. SuIlOll ucdlu AcAt
morning from the papers. l also know
Lieut. Edward P. Rocker, who was dis
missed from the navy and is the missing
witness at the inquiry now being held.
have seen Rocker here recently. He IS
working here, I am told, under an as
sumed name"
Letter Has Great Bearing.
Much interest is being manifested as
to the contents of a letter purporting to
be from Miss Mary Elizabeth Stewart
of Pittsburg, which Thomas says he will
forward to the authorities at Annapolis
late today. In the letter, Thomas declares
that Miss Stewart outlines graphically
the events on the night of Lieut. SUIT
toms sudden death.
Thomas says also that he at one time
considered entering the United States
marine corps but was advised to stay
out of the service. Thomas asserts that
he knew both Lieuts. Sutton and Roel-
ker personally and was Sutton's guest
the day preceding the tragedy.