Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-03-30
Another Probable SIoop craGcdy-i Chi
nnmnn Suspected Of Murder.


nnmnn Suspected OF Murder.
Close upon the \. f. Johnson tragedy, be-
low the harbor Of New York, comes another
mystery, connected with the oyster sloop Spray,
which at present appears likely TO equal it in
mystery and horror. The New York papers
have the following particulars:
Capt Webb, of the schooner Tho +. French,
which arrived at this port on Saturday, from
Suffolk, Va, reports that on the , St inst, four
miles North Of Barncgat. he picked up boat
containing q Chinaman, who stated that he had
escaped from the sloop Spray, Of GuillOrd,
Conn, which had that day been in collision
with the sloop Lucinda, of Rockaway; that the
Spray sunk in - minutes after colding, car
rying down with her the captain, named Leetc,
and his brother, who were the only persons OF
board besides himself. The Chinaman was
supplied with hatchct compass and provi-
sionS, and so far as regards the collision, his
statement was correct, rs it was subsequently
asccrtained that the Lucinda put into Little
Egg lIarbor in 4 damaged condition. 1t
is suspected, however, that the Chinaman
murdered the captain and his brother and
then deserted the vessel. Ills name is John
Lowe, and when picked up had on Il coat he.
/
for several Years. His stories concerning the
manner Of the captains death are very conflict
ing. lie first SAID that the captain was thrown
overheard by being struck By the main sheet;
then he said iha, at the time Of the collision
the captain was standing OH tie bow>prit, and
was knocked oil hv the cuncuSsi0n and
finally that he was sick in the cabin and unable
to yet on deck. Immediately on reaching the
4 II.
captain of the Lucinda states that Lowe WAS
the only person seen on hoa.'l the Spray at the
moment of the disaster, which appeared to re-
suit from gross neglect OH his part. The Ln-
cnta after The collision had to keep off for her
own safety, but her captain observed that the
deck Of the Spray was literally covered with
bedding, flags and other articles, showing pro-
badly that she had been ransackcd for the pur-
ginia for a cargo of oysters, and Capt. Lcctc
his cargo The police have the affair in hand,
and day or two may clear up the mystery
that now surrounds it,
This last tragedy is believed to have occurred
at about the same time, in very nearly the
same latitude, and probably with the same OBJ
icct as prompted the murders on board the +.
\. johnson. Albert ". Hicks, alias William
Johnson, the alleged murderer of Capt Barr
and his two townsmcn on board the sloop +. A.
johnson, was arrested at Providence, r. J., on
Saturday, and brought to New York, is ma
tive Of Foster, r. L., is - years Of age, can
neither read nor write and has followed the
SEA for several years. lie has been married
about four years. Un Sunday he was visited
by his wife When taken down to the cell in
which her husband is locked up, she broke out
upon him in the most vitupcrative language
charging him with being a bloody villain. She
held her child up in front Of the cell door and
exclaimed, Look at your offspring you rascal
and think what you have brought on us. II
could get in at you would phil your bloody
heart out" The prisoner looked at her very
cody, and quietly replied. 'Why,. my dear
wife. I've done nolhing-it will all be out in
day or two The poor woman was so over
come that she had to be taken away.
The prisoner vas also visited by watch.
maker who recognized the watch found in his
possession as having belonged to Captain Barr
johnson maintains the utmost coolness and in
difference, and has engaged 4 Connecticut law
yer to defend him.
Delegates 10 the Charleston Convention.
new YokE March 2s.-A reliable private despatch from
Trenton ~ - says that eight Of fourteen dr gates