The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-18
srsss ~. 0s.ss.
PHILADELPHIA, April II, 1886.

PHILADELPHIA, April IL, 1886.
Seven colored men, named Alfred Brown, VIM.
Grimes, Camera Swan, Francis Lopez, Geo. Hard
ing. John Adams and John Williams, were yester-
day lodged in Moyamensing prison by Gen. Keim.
r. 8. Marshal. to await their trial for mutiny on
board the bark Cactus, while on her voyage from
SMYRNA bound to this port, In the course OF which
The second mate q the vessel was Oru;sy murasa
vessel belongs to Kennebunk, Maine, but she started
on her last outward voyage from this port, bound
to Smyrna, tor a cargo OF frult, &c. Six OF the
coored men were shipped al !rene, the o'Iel,
port. In addition to the seven men alreaay named,
there was coored boy named Nathaniel Adams.
the nephew OF the cook, and white cabin BOY
named Perkins. The officers were Alden IS DAY,
of New York, captain George H. Douglass, OF this
city, first officer, and Elvin A. Mason, OF kennc-
bunk, Maine, second officer.
The first evidence OF a mutiny occurred upon me
morning of the llth OF February last, though symp-
toms had been perceived previously, when bun three
DAYS out from Gibraltar, having lett on the SD
about O'Clock, on the captain ordering the watch,
whose term Of duty was just expiring, to wash the
decks they refused, being headed In their meeting
by Grimes. The other watch coming up, joined
the malconents, Harding acting az the rinsieader
After the refusal of the men to wash the decks, the
captain seeing that Harding had armed himself with
a handspke, also took one from the rack. for the
purpose of defence Harding then struck blow
at the captain with his handspike which was avoid
ed It was as Mason, the second mate. was gong
to the assistance OF the captain that Harding eveDed
him crushing blow upon the head, and then re.
peated the blow, VIII lie the unfortunate man was
PROSTATE. The others of the crew armed them
selves with handspikes and broom hapdiss'-
time seized by Williams, who attempted to pitch
him overheard and while the two were struggling
together, Harding, having overpowered his opPo-
nent, advanced with the handsplke uplfted 70 serko
Douglass. The latter, however, perceiying the cap
tain returning from the cabin, whittier he had gone
to secure his pistols, cried out to him to Fe, and
this lettering Harding, he laid down his weapon,
officers Mr.. Mason's skull was horribly fractured,
and he survived but six hours in state OF lnsensl-
bihty. The body was committed TO watery grave
the next day. Harding, the murderer, was heavily
were kept IN subsection by the energy Of the captain
and first mate. They were assisted BY two boys,
who, together with dog, remained faithful TO
them The voyage was long and rough one, oc G
Reedy Island, in Delaware Bay, signal was made
to the revenue cutter Forward, Capt. Nones, who.
after learning the facts of the case. removed the
mutineers on board that vessel and lett an ofncer
and several men on board the Cactus to bring her
up to the city. The cutter arrived at the Navy
Yard about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and the
barque arrived few hours afterwards. The mutt
route thither they evnced disposition to resist tbs
officer IN whose custody they were.
| The unfortunate young man who fell victim to
this mutlnOus attempt, was about ~ years OF age
esteemed and respected by all who knew him. he
is the son If Captain Mason, OF Kennebunk. Maine,
who is part owner of the vessel. The intelligence
of this mournful event will carry misery and desc
lation into the family of which he wes useful
member and regret to the large circle OF acquaint-
ances who knew him but to love him.
The first mate, Geo. H. Douglass, was examined
this morning before Judge Randall. His evidence
presents the principal facts as have detailed them
above. The prisoners are defended by Messrs
Smith and Hopkins0n, and the prosecution was con-
Quoted by the Hon. Thomas M. Petit. An effort
was made by the defence to clear some Of the Pm
soners of the charge OF mutny, IN order to make
them witnesses on the part Of the defence. Tho
cook, John Adams, and one or two others Of the
crew, apparently gutess OF any participation in
the revolt.
The cross examination elected the fact that the
crew shipped at this port for the outward and home
voyage, were discharged at Trieste, with the ex-
cspuon Of the cook, they having joined In COM
plant to the U. s. Consul there, account Of bad
| treatment, or scarcity of provisions.
| The Judge decided that there was probable cause
for holding the whole number for trial and the
grand jury would decide upon the bills OF lndict-
ment on Monday, the imprisonment to which they
would be subjected would not be very severe. II
the charges against any OF the prisoners should be
| ignored, they can then become witnesses for the
defence, at the will Of the counsel.
| There is no other news of local importance wor-
thy of communicating.
Stocks remain unsettled, with downward ten
dency.