Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-08-11
The Sutton Inquiry.

Annapolis, Nd. Aug Ii. After the
MINUTES of yesterdays session had been
read today The judge advocate sad:
81 would like to have it appear on the
record, 10 connection With private Ken
ned,'s previous testimony, as to Who
was on sentry duty at he hospital on
the night OF the fgbt. | now cay that
1 am willing to summon private hig'
gins from Honolulu CT any other wfrm
climate"
A ripple OF lsuA liter passed around the
room. Kennedy had testified that be
relieved Higgins about the time the
Eight between the officers began but the
Satton attorneys indicsted that they
would not trouble the government to
summon Higgins at this late juncture,
evidently believing Higgins testim Ony,
perhaps cooperative OF Kennedy's, was
not 80 important. James NJ. Wide
field, an undertaken, who embalmed SUIT
toms body after the post-mortem de-
scribed the cut scalp made by the
surgeons knife and went infinitely into
the embslming process but was unable
| to say whether Sutton's arm Was broken,
the purpose for which be was called.
He noticed bruise on the cheek, but
Oh account OF the condition OF the scalp,
could not tell OF the wounds there.
Several witnesses were then called to
verify the slenographic record OF former
testimony. During this period 1t de-
yeloped that the record of the present
Sutton inquiry has now resched more
than 1900 typewriter pages as COM
pared with q record OF 80 pages before
the fofmer inquest which resulted 10 q
verdict that Sutton committed suicide.
II is understood that the Sutton attor-
ueys will press this point in substantial
ton OF their charge of an incomplete
first irqdiry and will urge on account Of
this and other reasons, reversal OF lite
verdict.
Two directly opposite versions as to
the character aud disposition OF the
dead Lieut.. James N. Sutton we're told
| to the naval board today. DR.. Gilbert
IL. Coleman, who, with Mss Mary
Stewart, was the companion of Sutton
before he began the ia al auto ride with
his brother officers, declared him TO be
of a lovable CHEEKY disposition, and
that be was especially happy during the
several hours they sat 10 the assembly
room on The night Of the tragedy. A
lew minutes later his testimony prom
isipg sensations, Lieut.. Allen Sumner,
summoned from Norfolk, took the stand
and declared that Sutton WAS man Ia
be avoided was over-besring and would
not tell the truth.
| Lieutenant Sumner, it developed, was
brought into the case becs1se of the
l6ndirg, among 6ntton's effects, OF
Visiting card on the back of which was
written an apology signed by him
Toe message ran "5utton, | am damn
fool. Call the gun business off Signed
Sumner"
Sumner was asked to explain the cir
cumstsnces of this unique message
which evidently represented the AMI
cable settlement of a challenge to fight
In explanation, Sumner declared tina
a wear before Sutton's death the latte
had challenged him to duel. The guar
rel. be said occurred while he and sat
ton we're drinking 10 Washington
hotel.
| At that time neither Of the men cared
to apologize first aud they evolved
plan of both writing an apology at To-
same moment. Unfortunately, be said
be lost Sutton's apology and SuttoI
mus! have kept bis.