The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-23
Says He Heard No Previous
Quarreling Between Sut-
ton and Officers.
SERGEANT DE HART
CANNOT REMEMBER
Solemnly Swears That He Is Not
Trying TO Shield
Anyone.
By THEODORE H. TILLER.

an mistaken, straightforward story
directly in contrast with that of the
forgetful witness who preceded him,
William !. Owens, chauffeur of
Lieut.. James N. Sutton'S automo-
bile on the night Sutton died, al
legedly suicide, after a fight with
fellow officers on the Naval Acade-
my campus here, told today a mar
rative which begins to put a new
light on the revived tragedy of two
years ago.
Owens testified that he heard no
quarrel in the automobile between
Sutton and the three officers who
accompanied him from Carvel Hall
Hotel to the barracks after midnight
on October f3, 1907.
DESCRIBES SCENE.
He swore that he was suddenly
commanded to halt as they entered
the Academy grounds, and that Lieu
tenant Adams, who sat on the front
seat and who had not spoken a word
during the entire time, suddenly
got out of the machine and pulled
off his coat. and that Adams. with
two other officers, whom the chauf-
feur did not know, grabbed SUIT
ton. He continued that Adams,
coatIess, advanced threateningly
toward the lieutenant and that he.
Owens, was ordered away from the
scene, and that in the meanwhile
Adams mOmentarily withdrew from
Sutton.
Adams Advances.
AS he left the spot, Owens declared.
Adams was again advancing upon sut-
ton, while the two others were holding
him. Owens said that Sutton had not
commanded him TO halt the autoTno-
bile. nor TO drive away. When he left.
he declared, Sutton still had on his
coat.
At Adams first rush toward the
young Portland Marine officer the
chauffeur remembered to have heard
Sutton excIaim:
Get away. Adams, 1 don't want any
trouble here"
At the second rush Of Lieutenant
Adams, Owens recalls that Sutton said.
''Wen, If he wants TO tight let him
come ahead"
.Frra
came upon the stand, Sergt.
James De Hart, who had struggled
through the haze Of forgetfuIness since
o'clock yesterday afternoon, was ex-
cused and left the court room with
every indication Of relief. During the
three hours he remained upon the grill
he had cleared up not one whit the
mCst battling question in this whole
second inquiry as 10 how Sutton died.
namely:
+. who gave De Hart the pistol just
after Sutton is said 70 have shot himself
and why did he a few moments later
throw the pistol away upon the parade
grounds2
Little From De Hart.
The transcript OF De Hart's testimony
must show an Il don't remember" az
ter a large percentage OF the most I'M
oortaut questions asked him. In addi-
ton to evidences Of most glaring mem
Dry failure, De Hart, before Re left the
stand, had fatty and persistently de-
,lared that he was not TpoE the pros
-rate body Of Lieutenant Sutton, when
he was shot. the equally positive testi-
nony of Lieutenant. Bevans and Lieu
tenant Wiling TO the contrary, n6twith-
standing
These 2ce the puzZling developments,
sensational Eithal iD their nature. that
today brought forth in the second Sut-
on hearing. That they nonplussed the
court, the attorneys. and the spectators
,apnot be gainsayed. Lieutenant Adams,
who sat Just behind Chauffeur Owens as
be testified, showed the keenest interest,
perhaps, of them all. He flushed and
eaned forward as the young civilian,
youth of twenty-three years, declared
.hSt Adams sudden shedding of his coat
was the first intimatiOn that he, driving
he automobile, had that there was
rouble.
Only one point did he hesitate to ex-
press himself On the cross-eXamina-
lion, Major Leonard. judge advocate.
asked him what impression he had OF
L all. Owens said that he would hate TO
say as he did not know exactly Final
y. pinned down, he said il looked rather.
ike three men were going to beat up
)ne man
why did you want TO stay after or
Tered away?" he was asked.
well" he replied frankly. I un-