Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-24
ADAMS STORY DENIED
Owens Contradicts Testimony
of Officers at Inquiry.
SUTTON NOT AGGREsS0R
Quarrel Forced Upon Him and He
Consented to Fight.
ARMS HELD BY COMPANIONS
Griffith, Another Chauffeur, Also
Heard Angry Words, But Did
Not Know Cause.
ARMS HELD BY COMPANIONS

ANNAPOLIS, Md, July pa lanky
STRIPPING of twenty. whose uniform con-
sisted of well worn, though neat, gray
business suit. without a splash of color
in the way Of an epaulette. chevron or
button, yesterday provided the first EVIL
dence contradictory Of that given by the
colonel, surgeon-majors, first and sec
onds lieutenants and sergeants who have
ornamented the witness stand at the
Sutton inquiry with varying degrees of
picturesque wearing apparel.
He was William Isaac Owens, chauffeur
and wagon driver. His face was fresh.
frank and intelligent. his memory clear.
and his statements were direct and much
more convincing than those of some OF
the officers of the marine and naval serv-
ice who had preceded him.
Testimony Of Owens.
Confronted by the testimony of Ma
rne Lieuts. Adams and Osterman that
the dead Sutton had initiated the quarrel
that followed their dismissal of the auto
mobile, which carried them from Carvel
Hall to the entrance to the parade ground
of the marine camp. Chauffeur Owens
testified as follows;
.Mr. Adams, who had been riding with
me on the front seat, jumped out OF tho
machine first. He threw Off his coat Mr..
Sutton, who was riding with two other
officers in the rear seat. jumped out. He
paid the fare for the crowd.
'"rhere had been no words that heard
on the way from Carvel Hall. When
Mr.. sutton turned from paying me Mr.
Adams rushed at him. do not now re-
member il anything was said by MI.
Adams.
Ruht afornod
back then. One OF the officers ordered me
Il turned the car and started away.
AS did 80 saw Mr.. Adams rush at MIR.
ing Mr.. sutton. Then / heard Mr.. SUIT
ton say: All right. I'll fight
Then one of the officers said: Let s
call off the gums Another voice said:
Let's call 1t OF till daylight
II was ordered away again. As / went
passed sentry. l told him that he
had better keep his eye open. as there
was "A fuss going on up the road.
1.-The last thing / heard was q voice
that called: orderly.
Original Story of Fight.
In the machine and present at the
| fight, which started as soon as the off,
| GERS had left the auto driven by Owens.
| were Licuts. Adams. Sutton, Osterman
and Utley. Adams and Osterman have
| testified that Sutton started in to abuse
| Adams and challenged him to fight: that
Osterman tried to pacify Sutton; that SUIT
| ton called Osterman vile name and
struck him: that Adams and Utley in
| terfered; that Sutton then went to his
| tent in the marine camp. procured two
| revovers. returned to the spot. resumed
| the quarrel, shot three times at Adams.
| once at Rocker, who had Joined the
party. and ended by shooting himself in
| the head
| 1t was this evidence which prompted
/ the first court to return verdict that
| Sutton committed suicide.
Adams, logged out In q cool, white
| duck uniform. sat not three feet away
from Chauffeur Owens as the latter gave
| his testimony. Although his relation to
| the present inquiry is that of a witness,
| Adams assumed the privilege of a man
/ against whom charges of some kind are
/ pending, and conferred frequently with
| Mr.. Brney and Marine Capt. L. IL.
Brown. his counsel.
Griffith Tells of Quarreling.
| James Edward Griffith, tall, dark