New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-02

HOMICIDE ON BOARD THE UNITED STATES STEAM
SHIP BRooKLYS.-Snce the arrival Of the United
States sloop.ofwar Brooklyn, which was duly an
nounced an investigation has been instituted into the
circumstances attending the decease Of George Ritter
who it is alleged was murdered board that vessel
on the 9TH of November last The examination of wit
nesses commenced Wednesday, before Justice Phil
pot WOLF at Nautilus Hall, Staten Island. Yesterday
the examination was continued the captain, David G.
Farragat having been the first witness examined.
The main facts adduced by the testimony are that
some what intoxicated on board the Brooklyn; that
large number of the in the "brig" ships
prison in irons, some Of them in double irons; that
when there they saw Charles q. Cooper, the ships
CORPORAL drag George Ritter from the deck into the
brig; that he dragged him by the irons that fss
tened on his legs his head humping each step of the
ladder as he descended after Cooper that Sergeant
Ray ordered Cooper then to procure gag that Coop
er procured gag, and Ray proceeded 10 administer
the same to Ritter that in doing he struck Ritter in
the face with the gag and ultimately in order to fas
ten it properly he banged il into the mouth Of Ritter,
then putting his knee 10 the mans breast he pulled on
the gagash TO tighten it, and then taking him by the
collar threw him violently against the bulkhead; and
that in fifteen minutes Ritter was dead.
The Captain testified that the gags were under h;s
and could not be procured without his authority
Mr.. Ray Tompkins, who was foreman of the Cor
oners Jury which held the inquest at the time Of
this occurrence testified that the Jury at that time de-
sired that Cooper be taken of board the ship to
be delivered up when called for that the Captain had
promised to 80 keep him and return him TO the Coro-
On the contrary however, it appears that next
morning, the 9Th of November, the Captain sent
Cooper on shore in his own boat or gig and mmedi-
ately thereafter left for
The witnesses examined were, aside from those
already mentioned: Abram c. Harris, John Williams,
Francis Shinkle, DR.. l.. w. Miner, John Tracey,
Francis Clark, Thomas j. Rush, DR.. Theodore Wal
ser, James DAILY, Thomas DAILY DR.. George r. Rich
ardson, John Hadyn, Frederick Wilson, Frank Will
liams, VIM. Huvil, Charles Culbert, Daniel Turner,
Charles Clifford, Thomas Adamson, and several Others
Their testimony throughout was such as des ,ribed
above, and is cOrroborative in all the main facts.
Cooper is now at large Ray, the sergeant on board
the Brooklyn is in prison. The captain and crew are
all TO be held either in prison at Richmond or in bonds
for their appearance as witnesses.
The feeling against Capt. Farragat, on the part of
the Staten Islanders, is very intense. The crew of
the Brooklyn have strong desire for the authorities
10 interfere and to procure their discharge from the
ship, they cay that they feel their lives to bs in
danger owing TO their having given testimony in the
case.
The examination was closed last evening. The tes.
timoDy will next be examined by the Grand Jury Of
County.