The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-16
The Mysterious Disappearance OF Mrs. Capt.
Brnnnnn-Further Investig ations.


II will probably be remembered by the readers OF the
HERALD that On the Goth Of July last Mrs. Brannan wife
of Capt John NJ. Brannan, of the United States Army,
mysterously disappeared. Her husband was then at
Key West, Florida duty, and she was temporarily re-
siding with her mother Mrs. Col. Crane, Chelsea,
Staten Island being visit the North for the benefit
Of her health which had been seriously impaired by
fever contracted while she was with her husband in
Florida.
When Mrs. Brannan disappeared she In the thirty
fret year of her age and had married Captain
since the 10th Of September $780, The only Of their
marriage is female chld named Ada about
years DID, who resided with her mother at Mrs. Coone
Cranes and is now under the care Of that lady
appears that the morning Of the Goth of July Mrs
Crane, Mrs Brannan, her brother William and the child
Aida rode together from the house the former the
steamboat landing called the Chelsea landing There the
two ladies' separated from the child rs Brannan kiss
ing her daughter as her nvarabe when they
parted and took the boat for New York Mrs. Brannan
left her mother in the city to visit friend agreeing 10
meet her on the boat which TO leave for Chelsea at
half past three O'Clock p that day She was seen at
the Port Richmond ferry by Mr.. George vreeland ex
press agent shortly after the boat left having arrived
late, again at the ferry that evening" at seven
O'clock under circumstances hereafter stated Mr. vree-
land knew her WELL recognized by at that time,
CDterVeu
AS she did not meet her mother nor return home that
night her absence occasoned anxiety when 30 much
time had elapsed made it apparently that
was not to reurn measures were taken to discover what
had become OF her.
The police apprsed Of the above facts and Depu.
ty Superintendent Carpenter Of the Metropolitan police,
and large force OF detectives employed to draw If poss
bic the curtain from the mystery Rewards were also
offered by the relatives Of the lady, and also by the S
pervsors of Richmond county, but all effect and up
to this time her whereabouts is mystery.
While the investigations progressing, Mr., Pick
ersg resident OF Staten Island communicated the fol-
lowing facts He said be left New York that evening for
the Quarantine by the O'Clock boat Just after the
Port Richmond boat had passed out Of her slip, lady
dressed in full mourning and attired as Mrs. Brannan
proved by her mother to have been that day. to
the ferry, and finding that she too late exhibited
agitation The boat for Quarantine had thcn moved
her Of the @ that wa e a boat %
island that night The boat backed TO the wharf, she
board and passed into the cabin, the collector
having informed her that she could get carriage at the
Quarantine to take her 10 Port Richmond. These incl
DENTS and the fact Of her being unattended drew Mr.
Pickersg's attention to her. He observed her, at
time, dressed in black, whom he at first sup
posed acquainted with her. but this opinion he
abandoned, as they did not converse or communicate
with each other any way. When the boat reached
Quarantine landing she passed off it alone, and walked
towards livery stable close by kept by Mr. Matthew
Carroll, being followed at short distance by the in
black. She spoke TO Mr. Carroll left him. and went TO the
driver Of public hack carriage then standing in front
of Mr. Carros stable Immediately after she entered the
vehicle. Then the man in black after apparently speak
ing TO the driver also got in and took seat beside her.
| but they did not communicate with each other.
is customary the Island to their carriages In the
same manner as stages omnibuses in New York,
and is common for persons going in the same direction
to ride in them together, although not acquainted with
each other. Another carriage started from the ferry at
the time the carriage that contained Mrs. B. and the
stranger in black but they separated at point short
distance from the landing and different direc-
toDsba supposed to contain Mrs B. and the stranger
taking the road to PoFt large part of which
On the statement by Mr.. Pickersgill complaint
the 3lst Of August 1851 made before Justice de
Forest, Of Tompkinsvle, Staten Island, and nvesga
ton had Pckersgi was examined, Mr. Matthew Carroll,
| his son John Carroll and all the drivers and
the day evening question: had vehicles at the land
ing But not discovered who drove the carriage
containing tho lady and man, nor what had become Of
driver horses vehicle passengers The elder Carroll,
however, testified to the important fact that the arrival
of the O'Clock beat that evening, lady dressed in
black came to him. asked him how much he would charge
to take her Fichmond had answer
ed the question: inquired Of him whether he knew Colonel
Crane He answered in the negative, adding that he
knew the Colones son, William. She then left him. and
be never saw her again. nor was he aware of having
| seen her before There was no means by which a We.
hce could leave the island that night the last boat from
having then gone, and there being bridge carriage
way between any part Of the island and opposite
shore.
Nothing this of facts warranted the Justice In
holding any party ana no warrant was issued by him.
ed IN New York on the 2lst day OF September, ira
yelling with all possible despatch but having been
PEELED to wet until he procured leave; he forthwith set
on loot new inquiries and engaged the services of George
W. Matse Esq, late Chief of Police and editor of the
Police Gazette 10 aid in solving if possible the mystery
which then shrowded the fated of Mrs Braupan The
Chief, with the Captain and other persons called to his
aid, explored the region OF Staten Island over which she
would have passed on her way home, made thorough
search of the woodsory in many places where the ap
pearapce Of the earth indicated that a grave might be
fcund-and had ponds in the neghborhood dragged but
| all 10 no purpose
| From that time to the present. having procured his
leave TO be extended he has devoted himself continually
and ndefaeaby to search for the person Of his wife,
some information as to her fate having in this effort the
advice and assistance Of Lot C. Clark aud James T. Brady
the former Of whom is well known counsellor at law
residing on Staten Island The operations thus carried oh
kept secret in the hope that something might thus
be accomplished and all the while rumors such as have
already been mentioned, we're rife in the commupitv
Not of them however, has proved to be In any par
tcua correct and beyond the established facts that Mrs
Brannan went TO Staten Island in the O'Clock boat
on the evening Of the Goth Of july there spoke 10 Mr.
Carroll stated and got into public carriage nothing
whatever as to her whereabouts has been asccrtsned
When the efforts so made proved thus fruitIess, Cap
Brannan by advice Of his counsel the 9th day of
January last instituted complaint before Justice L.
the belief Of the detectives that his wife had been
dered. On this, thorough examination has been had,
under the direction of Alfred Delpoo Esq, District Attor
| ney of Richmond County, aided by Mr.. Matse and
Messrs Clark and Brady. Pckersgil, the two Carros
all the drivers and employees before mentioned and every
person who might possibly throw light the has
been examined. And on this occasion Mrs. Crane Capt
| also Pickersgill and the CAROLS.
II appears from the testimony that Mrs. Brannan was
lady OF refined education and demeanor religious In feel
ing fond Of literature of domestic disposition, affection
ueVOleu as daughter, sister and WIFE,
Her relations with her family and society were such as to
preclude the idea her voluntarily separating herself from
her husband child and kindred, and keeping them in
utter ignorance to whether she living or dead At
the time of her disappearance, and for time previ
ously she had contemplated, and was making arrange
menis for visit 10 Maine, and thence the White Noun
aips, with her child and her friend Mrs Anderson To
this visit she looked forward with pleasure
She had also, by correspondence with her husband set
tied upon joining him at Key West in the fall which was
deemed the most suitable for that purpose in re-
ference 20 her health And in view Of this event she had
purchased furniture for her intended home at Kew West
some portion of which had even then been actually shipped
She had about her person when she went away only the
garments she wore, paraso, watch and chain her
wedding ring, diamond rngthe gift OF her husband
and purse containing small amount Of money. She
had eticuc, travelling bag, vaise or other article
for sin aruse. All her other apparel trinkots letters
and personal elecswcre and are her mothers house
at Chelsea.
These facts exclude the belief tha, such wife mother
or daughter world secretly abscond They seem 10 leave
other explanation OF her fate than that her life ended
Staten Island during the night Of the Goth of July
whether she assassnsted for the sake of the art