The San Francisco call., 1909-04-28
POSIMORTEMON
KISS HELD BY
OLD SEA DOGS
Boy Osburn's OscuIatory
EScapade Is Subject of
Official inquiry
SalutafiOn Under MistIetOe Sol
emnIy Studied by Eminent
Naval Men

With gold lace and great mystery,
secrecy and severe pomp of naval regu-
lations, the cold. dead kiss delivered
by Lieutenant Boy osburn TO Mrs.
MaHd Evans. former wife of Naval
Constructor Evans, was hauled forth
from its grave yesterday and made the
subject. OF a dignified postmortem by
board Of inquiry composed of four
eminent. navy personages at Mare
island navy yard. The purpose of the
inquiry is to decide whether Osburn
should be .courtmartialed for kissing
Mrs Evans
Marines stifiy paced in front of the
courtroom. marines marched in the
rear of the courtroom, and more ma
rines shooed away the curious from
the sacred confines where the four
veteran sea dogs held the kiss up to
the light OF maritime examination.
studied it in all its phases and viewed
II fore and aft. port and starboard.
with a view Of deciding whether Boy
Osburn had wilIfully sailed into trou-
bled waters. or whether the collision
Of two. souls was due TO momentary
kink ia the thinking engines OF both.
They examined it all day yesterday,
but the kiss must have been weighty
one. for evening saw it still under FIRE,
and the expectations are that it will
be a week before the court viii arrive
al. its conclusions.
BOARD MEETS IN SECRET
The board consists Of Rear Admiral
Louis Kempff. Rear Admiral William c.
Wise, Lieutenant Commander T. w
Iberle and Lieutenant Commander w.
Blamer- Judge advocate. Evans was
without legal help. but Osburn was
represented by Attorney r. V. Whit
ing The special orders of the secre-
IaTy Of the navy was that the kiss
should. be discussed in private. and the
order WAS obeyed to the letter. None
but those directly concerned in the case
was allowed in the courtroom and all
were. given 10 understand that the
wrath Of two admirals and two lieu
tenant commanders would fall upon
him who whispered a word of the pro-
ceeGings-
The entire day was devoted 10 the
hearing of Evans charge and testi-
rnonx corroborating it. He had not
concluded yesterday and viii take the
stand again this morning. This length
of the testimony led to two theories
one, that the kiss must have been Of
the long drawn. lingering, soul variety,
and another that there was more than
single. kiss. The general supposition is
that Evans testified to various sffec-
tfonate episodes between his former
wife and: Osburn. and the probabilities
are that;-he. VIII call as his witnesses
Anna SUdec, a hOusemaid in his en-
ploy. and Assistant Naval Constructor
= n Henry, both Of whom are al
legged TO have observed Osburn kissing
Mrs Evans.
Osburn's defense. it is generally be-
ueved, VIII be that Evans. who had
frequently quarreled with his wife
took advantage Of a little Christmas
pleasantly 10 secure a divorce, and had
greatly nagaifled the whole situation
Another defense, it is thought. will be
1.-The charge that Evans was extremely
not headed and lost complete control
OF himself when he observed Osburn
and Hrs. Evans engaged in a common
yuietide. custom
BIG RECEPTION FOR MRS. EVANS
While the kiss was being shuttled
hack and forth at Mare island bill
posters were placarding the town of
Vallejo with posters announcing the
approaching theatrical appearance of
Mrs Maud Evans. former wife of
Naval Constructor Evans" 1t is ex-
pected that Mrs. Evans viii be ac-
corded a big reception on her appear
ance at Vallejo.
4 should be very glad if she is"
said Evans yesterday. Nothing would
please me more than see her succeed.
She has a large number Of warm
friends here, and ] presume they viii
90 to see her when she appears. She
was exceedingly popular here, and ! do
not think that popularity has waned."
Although divorced from his wife, that
Evans still maintains a lively interest
in her welfare was shown by the fact
that he had investigated the Captain"
era ham episode. Il have looked into
that matter" said he. and 1 found
that she was not at all 20 blame. You
see. she was placed in very unfortu-
nate circumstances and badly in need
Of a friend when this smooth scoun-
drel approached her. She believed him,
IS nine out OF ten women would have
done
such il the secrecy maintained in
the court Of inquiry that not even Cap
tain Phelps, commandant Of the island,
has any inkling as 10 the testimony.
The court. merely informs him that ii
IS in session or that it has taken a
recess or adjourned, but not word is
forthcoming regarding the testimony.
When a decision is reached il will be
sent to Washington, and then, perhaps,
made public. not before. Osburn was
extremelI nervous yesterday and
walked to and from the courtroom with
flushed face and appeared extremely III
Al ease.