New-York tribune., 1909-07-21
SAW SUTTON FIRE SHOT
OFFICER OF THE GUARD
TELLS HIS STORI.
Differs in Details from -4ddms, bat
fgrees as TO Smcide-RGmpdge
at Marine Camp.

ANNAPOLIS JULY 20.-The proceedings to-day at
,,e inquiry into the death OF Lieutenant James y
sutton I 6. n &, took a sensational turn Wllen
First Lieutenant william T. Bevan, now attached
70 the hatteslip New Jersey. related his part N
fhe tragedy in tho esrly morning Of Octooer 10
1907 Lieutenant Bevan Tas officer OF the guaTd
IN Tho marine camp on that night. and one OF me
first men TO reach the scene Of Sutton's death.
Tx Lieutenant Adams. he testified that Sutton
leera civ shot himself. beyond that cardinal
fact his ,leScriptien OF sutton's alleged suicide
varied IN important details from the story tod by
Adams. the man who said he had taken part I'm
life and death struggle with the young Oregon Aeu-
Genaut Just before the latteT's death
The most glaring disagreement with Adams
story came when Beyan sTore that he ard two
other officers we're on top Of Sutton and trying 10
hold him down to prevent him from using his re-
volvers when Sutton freed an arm from under him
and fired g bullet into his brain after some one
remarked that he ,Suttonl had killed Lieutenant
gRoelLer Adams testified that he had risen from
Lieutenant Suttor's body and that Sutton lay e1-
haslsted and alone the ground when he saw
MIN raise hts right hand and fire the shot that
ended his life
pevan's testimony also revealed that situation
bordering On = Wild West rampage had existed IN
rhe marine camp Just prior 10 the shooting Fheh
Sutton had been tr=inE ~ make Lieutenant Hoeher
dance by lerellinE two Tevolvers Al his feet- ana
that a afterward rushed from the csnp, disregard
iuE his arrest by the officer Of the guard shonhs
ths: he would quit the marines Tor good.
BEvAN NOT WITH ROISTERERS.
u has been remarked. IN view Of the testimony
fsr. which makes # APPARENT more than one Of
che marines IN excited and irresponsible
condition on the night in question that none of
fhenn could be expected 70 give lucid account Of
.h~ Incidents leading VI 10 Suttou's death How
,vsr that may be. the fact that Lieutenant Beran
wzs en- outv and had not had an opportunity 10
ioin in Ire 'qsrys O. his brother officers il bound
alta ch weight to his version of the aftair
f4a made q good impression the witness stand
! and gave his testimony without Nervousness
Major Leonard the judge advocate had not finished
his direct examination o; Bevsn when court ad-
5o1lrre5 1or the DAY.
T7le Trio ~ y-ounE of6cers-A6sins Oste-1us1 sHf
77c7an-vhe al present Sutton's death,
s'ccuried the time Of the court to-day. Lawyer
Davis. Mrs Sufton's counsel. finished his cross
examination Of Lieutenant Adams in quick order
ritter court opened. ara then Lieutenant Osternaa
took The stand, and his direct and cross e1amins-
rion took n7os1 or the day osrsrHlaE, mem
feer IF Sutton's automobile party the night of
October - eerrolo-ated Lieutenant Adsnls's story,
except 70 odd that he said he believed Sutton was
2 badly intoxicated that night
Commander John Hood. senior member of the
hoard Of inquiry, vas called upon % make rulings
% Cav on objections raised te the questions by
both Major Leonard and Mr.. Davis. As proceed
Sings advance more caution Is being exercised by
tle judge advocate well the other interested
sttorneys . curb the latitude hitherto allowed the
witnesses in testifyiug Major Leonard said at the
-
the inquiry to be ended this week
During the examination o. Lieutenant Adams
yesterday he sat at the right OF the Judge advo-
cate and between him and Mrs. Rose Sutton
Parker, the sister OF the dead lieutenant from
whom he vas separated by two others To-
dsy. however. soon after he began tesfffvns - st
the request Of the Court be changed his place 20
the other side OF the table which brought him
directly opposite AIRS Parker. As soon as he sat
down she. fixed her EYES upon him. ard thew
fsesroely left his face for an Instant while he con
tinued on the stand. The eject was paIpabIy 10
oiseoneert Lieutenant Adams, Who showed consid-
srahe nervousness
ADA3IS'S MEMORY POOR.
Ar Davis went over the scene Of the shooting
r ssaln With Adams This morning and dwelt on the
oatals o. distances and tiue IN an effort 70 place
the exact saot where and the time Sutton va
Ehet The witness could rsmernbe- Only APPROX
Tnsteiy about these Details. He said he was sure
Sutton wore that uisl,t. bur did not
remember that Sutton took II of anv time before
ire FIRST auarEsl between himself and Sutton when
They beth stripped to she waists preparatory 30
lighting The lawyer read excerpts from TIeuten-
ant ASsms's testimony ~ the first INQUIRY and
pointed out some Of the discrepancies
The witness Insisted wherever the testimony
seemed 70 ~ary that his answers at the present
. inozIiTE were correct ones
AF Davis pressed the question as to whether
Sutton fred the fatal zhot gith the large service
revolver fce small one.
II Wasn't very light around there" said Lieu
tenant Adams. '7"lt il my idea that he shot
himself with The small revolver"
Hr- Davis called the witness attention TO his
testimony % yesterday, in which said positively
That 81 was the SrelaF Weapon. - have told you
half Sozen tiEnes already this morning that ! did
rot positsaly identify the gun" said the Rf,uess.
Tt di3r't aetru ~ e large a. the service
Euz"
Mr. Davis referred 70 reported interview yvfth
. Adams II 3 New York paper of July lin which
Adams q2ot@.I saving that the Srttons were
1F7iaS 70 trump Ep murder charge against two
1nen who were innocent" and asked the witness
> he said anything Nike that. Commander Hood
presiding, ruled that Adams die not have answer
7he question
Mr- psz5s qfest-aned The witness regard 10 his
interview with Mrs Parker. sutton's sister soon
after SsTstoriS death
. Did Mrs. Parker ask that time 20 rns7Se
statement of rhs t~uth Of this whole AFFAIR.""
asked ~, Davis. The witness said he believed she
.iid-
DIG sou make such stat
"So. SIR" -epiiei Adams.
ar Davis read from the assumed Interview with
NrE Parker sDd asked tie witness If he renern