Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-26

THE OYSTER SLooP TRAGEpY.-Capturs of III.
Suspected Murderer IN Proridsnee f. I-Wm
johnson, alias Alfred w. Hicks, the suspected
murderer Of Captain Burr and crew of tie oyster
boat l.. A. Johnson, near New York was arrested
on Saturday morning, at Providence, r. I and
arrived arrived at New York, in custody of Detectives
day afternoon. The prisoner it appears. took the
ran River boat and not the Stonington one, as at
nrst supposed, and immediately after reaching
ran River he took the cars for Providence, R. l :,
where he was arrested early Saturday morning
He was found on the outskirts Of the citv in an
out-of-the-w way place, where he had engaged pri-
sate lodgings for himself and family. Upon en-
tering the room occupied by johnson, they found
the latter In bed, pretending to be asleep He was
perspiring very freely but aside from that there
was nothing unusual In bis appearance Niyens
oney np Hm ,b with having passed counterfeit
necessary to convey him and his baggage tn the
lookup johnson denied having passed anv had
money, but expressed Willingness to accompany
nounced his readiness to depart.
pom taklng the prisoner to the prison, Nivens
informed MIN Of the real charge preferred against
..id o.t ne took the matter quite coolly, and
was all a dodge, as he was certain he I'D nnt
passed any spurious coin. In reference to the
onssSe OF murder, the prisoner said he knew
oyster slooP; that lie was never on board tl,e ve.
Sci, and was not acquainted with Ca plain Rurr
or any Of the crew OF the ill-fated vessel. Afr
a. no
cells until morning Previous TO ocking the
isoner up. however, Niyens asked him IF he
was willing to go on TO New York without a
Iequisition, when he replied In the affirmativs
and said he preferred being taken f,rXvarJ ~
meoistely 10 being imprisoned at Providence
until the requisition papers could lie procured
Great curiosity to see the prisoner was mani
tested all along the route from Providence N
New York On his arrival I'm New YorI the
prisoner was brought into one of the inner roon,.
and told to be seated, while the police went in
Johnson remained perfectly calm dnring the
whole OF this time, and coolly smok ed a keSsr "a
II nothing in the world had occurred to disturb
ais equilibrium. Soon one of the witne.se.
named Burke, came in, and on beipp confroptaJ
with the prisoner at once identified him as The
man who had left No. 129 Cedar street on W ed.
nesday, and went on board the FalI River boat
in company with bis wife and child naUisi
Simmons also came forward and Identified The
prisoner as one Of the hands who sailed In thu
oyster slooP, and asked Johnson if he did not
know Capt Burr. To this question the prisoner
replied in the negative, and said he never sailed
IN the vessel Of which Capt Burr was comman
der To numerous other questions put to him by
Mr.. Simmons, the prisoner answered In a manner
so cool and unmoved that even the detectives
were taken aback.
After the prisoner had undergone a critical ex.
animation at the hands Of all the policemen and
spectators who happened to be In the station
lonse, detective Nivens produced small Dor in
Wien he salo Yves slowed the prisoners money
LIVERY &C silver watch, which the prisoner
- III MS possession over three
Seafs, wds nrst brought from the box. Upon
being banded to Henry Seaman, an old friend Of
Csf,aih burr,s. II was ident led rs the property
OF the latter by several unmistak.ahIe mertc
Two canvass bags, which the prisone, ia y.
mace win his own hands, Were also identiscd bv
soto ar. seaman and Simmons as beinv Tn.
properly OF captain Burr The identincation of
.bese articles produced a profound sensstion j.; y,
.he :oom and all doubts IS to the prisoners @nit
H,Ie olspeueo as unworthy of moments CON
sidsranos. Besides two Poctetbooks, the tox
contained two knives, couple Of pocket hand.
terchiefs, some keys and pipe. There were no
With the exception Of very slight bruise on his
Hsh. arm In personal appearance johnson is a
iormlds bic looking fellow, about six feet high.
and wei-built In proportion. So
During the entire time occupjed in brinoinv
pm TO New York he has shown no disposition 10
unf9iy, and quietly followed the officers every
y 'e ne was bede. After being exhibited to a
a., Number Of persons, the prisoner was taken
49,. Ssirs and locked up In one Of the cells,
nc now remains, under close surveillance,