Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-20
STORY OF SUTTON'S
DEATH IS RELATED
Lieutenant Adams Tells of Strug-
gle He Had in the Dark With
Sutton After a Quarrel-Illus-
trates Story as He Tells It.
(By Associated Press.)

ANNAPOLIS, Md, July 19-The court
of inquiry investigating the cause of the
death of Lieut.. James n. Sutton, U. S.
M. c., of Portland, Ore, opened at 10
o'clock today. Lieutenant Sutton's death
on the night of October II. 1907, result
ed from pistol shot wound in the top OF
his head. The bullet, afterward found
within the skull was apparently the same
cartridge as is used in the regular 3S-cal-
ibre service revolver. Immediately fol-
lowing the fatality, an investigation was
made by the naval academy authorities
with the result; that Lieutenant Sutton
was officially recorded as having COM
mitted suicide.
Since then the mother and sister of the
dead lieutenant have been unremitting IN
their efforts to have the case re-opened.
The court is composed of Commander
John Hood, u. S. N, president Lieut..
Henry N Jensoon, u. s. N, and Maj. c,
Wendell c. Neville, U. s. M c., with
Mai. Henry Leonard, U. S. NJ. c., judge
advocate. o.,
The latter has declared that the pres
emf investigation will be most thorough
and when it is concluded thare will be no
doubt in any impartial mind as to wheth-
er Lieutenant Sutton committed suicide or
not.
The fornalities incident to the opening
of the court which is conducted oehlno
closed doors, soon concluded, then the
hearing was thrown open and the taking
Of testimony began.
Only fifteen witnesses had been sum-
moned today. Major Leonard is author
itv for the statement that If from the tes-
ttrnony il appears that any others than
the fifteen can throw light upon the death
of Lieutenant Sutton, they will be sum-
moned if they are within reach of the
mandate of the court of inquiry.
The court, after organizing, adjourned
until l D. m, to meet in the auditorium
of the academic building, where more
commodious quarters could be hao: Ma
for Leonard read the various official COM
municatIons from Secretary Meyer, OF
the navy, governing the proceedings, and
then administered the oath of office to the
members of the board.
Major Leonard announced that dairy
sessions would be held after today ana
the proceedings conducted with all posi-
BILE dispatch.
Among the witnesses so far supenaed
by the government is Surgeon George
PickreII. u. S. N, of the navy yard
Charleston, S. c.
At the opening of the first session this
afternoon, Judge Advocate Leonard read
into the record the government order rat
the hearings should be open to the public
Lieut.. Robert f. Adams, party to the
inquiry, was the first witness. The
Judge advocate asked him to tell of all his
movements from p. m. to a. m. on the
night of October 1913, 1907, the night
Lieutenant Sutton was shot.
The witness said he attended the dance
at the academy on that night and AFTER
ward went to Carvel hall with Lieutenant
Osternan and Lieutenant Utley. There
they met Sutton, and later on started In
Owens automobile from Carvel hall with
Sutton to the marine camp.
I'VE went over the College creek
bridge sal dthe witness. "and going
over the bridge the machine was making
considerable noise, and as we were out
after hours. z o'clock being the limlt.