The Wrangell sentinel., 1945-11-02
Staying Mars Navy Day Program
 In Wrangell

lsecond class, and an eye witness of the assault was first to testify at the coroner's inquest He told of returning aboard the Sellstrom from shore leqye with Supernaw and said he understood the quar- rel between Supernaw and Willis was the outgrowth of Willis hay- ing kicked Supernaw earlier In the evening
 We came aboard and were going down to turn in when We saw three fellows standing in the pas sageway arguing. One of them was Willis who turned and ran when he saw Supernaw. Supernaw caught up with him and kicked him. I caught up with Supernaw and Supernaw almost stopped 1 went into compartment POI and there was no one there. went into compartment 202 and found Willis standing there with an iron pipe about ten inches long in his hand it's a wrench used to tighten the dogs on the hatehes. I talked him
 
 talk to supernaw Willis promised me he'd hit the sack if I could get Supernaw to do the same.'
 Waters went on to say that Willis then moved to the port side of the ship. beyond tier of hunks, and hearing an argument there Waters went over and found Willis with a knife in sheath. "I told him to put the knife away or I would use the iron pipe on him., Waters said
 Willis put the knife in a nearby locker and Waters said he walked over to Supernaw and warned him that Willis had a knife but, he added. Supernaw apparently did not understand. Supernaw, he said again went after Willis and Willis. to avoid him circled around a tier of hunks, baEk to the locker where he had put the knife and dropped to one knee before it. He thrust his arm into the locker while Supernaw was standing above him. pulling at him and trying to get the negro to stand up and fight like a man."
 Waters said at the same time 5upernaw told him to stand up and fight like d man., he heard Willis say words to the effect: I have knife.' By this time Willis was half erect and he saw Willis put his left arm around Supernaws neck, pull him toward him and drive the knife three times into Supernaw's back.
 Waters said he was too far away to get to Willis and Super naw at the time, but he saw four or five men grab Willis, who still held the knife, and others helped Supernaw, laying him on the lock CTS Ships medical officer, pr. LOT en E. lines was called immediately and he testified at the inquest that Supernaw died within about ten minutes of the stabbing.
 Richard Dee, another eyewitness ! to the alleged crime and Raymond Allen, fireman first class who did
  heard the argument between Willis and Supernaw were also called on to testify at the inquest. All men testified that Willis and Supernaw had been drinking but neither of them appeared drunk.
 Allen, in his version, said he heard a seaman named Newman tell Willis to go to the "O.D" (of- i ficer of the day. for protection. He said he didn't see the actual say- ing but saw blood on the knife ia Willis hand when they pulled the negro off Supernaw
 Following the staying Deputy Marshal James Noan was called by ships officers and Willis was removed to Federal jail. Three other negro members of the crew were also lodged in Federal jail for safekeeping while the Sellstrom was docked here.
 Some seamen aboard the ship said the crime was result of sever al days quarreling between Willis and Supernaw and that Supernaw had been picking. on" the negro. Final quarrel is said to have started at a local cocktail bar. At the inquest Monday 1t was brought out that Supernaw was a man of about 1S0 pounds while Willis, who seemed still dazed and uncomprehending, was slight and of about 40 pounds. He hah diff ficulty in speaking and answering questions put to him many times by Judge Richard Suratt and FBI | Agent s. D. Baskin.
 Supernaw's body was flown to Ketchikan last Saturday and the prisoner, after being arraigned and