Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-08-02

och VI Lohuoh, withcsscs choseh ~ Drown
to accompany Tolbert on voyage by sea
to some point or port unknown. was not
present when the bet was made and the
articles drawn up; but was fully posted
concerning the condition Of the same, by
Mr.. Brown on the following morning.
They were substantially as follows: To-
bert and Brown each staked five hundred
pounds sterling in the hands of Crawford,
to be held by him till the expiration of six
months, and subject, at such time, to the
order of whichever party should be de-
clared fairly entitled to it by Judge
Knowles, Miller and Campbell were cho-
sen by Brown to go on cruise with Toll
bert, in his vessel, their sworn ailidavits to
be duly presented TO Knowles upon their
return; the loser to pay their expenses
while on the voyage, and EGO each per
month additional.
The bet was made and the money stalk
ed on the 2Sth of June, 1866, and two
days hence the Bird Of the Ocean sailed
ostensiblv for Hong Kong, Tolbert being
in command, and the two gentlemen re-
ferred to passengers. The last seen or
heard of the Bird of the Ocean was on
the 18th of July, when she was spoken by
the ship Winged Racer, Capt. Hayes. off
the coast of Java, bearing south. Weeks
and months elapsed, and no tidings reach
ed here of her having made port, when
friends finally grew uneasy, and many sus-
pected that she had gone to the bottom
Bets were made ten, and even as high as
twenty to one, that she would never return
to this city; and DIR. Brown felt certain
of winning the stakes, when, to the amaze
ment of all parties concerned, the an
nounccment was made that the ship Bird
Of the Ocean had arrived from San Fran.
cisco in ballast. This was the evening of
December 25th. The notorious pirate,
Tolbcrt, sooa made his appearance, ac-
companied by Miller and Campbell, and,
wonderful to reflect, these two gentlemen
swore " that Wilkes Booth was alive; that
they had seen him." &c, &c. Judge
Knowles rendered his decision in favor of
Capt. Tolbert, and the latter, upon going
to the hotel of Mr.. Crawford, was made
the recipient of $1,000. DR.. Brown ex-
pressed perfect satisfaction with the result !;
said He now believed that the United
States treasury had been basely swindled
out Of 100000 by Col. Baker and his
accomplices in palming off spurious body
upon the government Tor that of Wilkes
Booth, and claiming the reward offered
for Booths capture" The doctor cheer
fully complied with the full conditions of
the agreement, and paid the two young
men their respective salaries, viz f120
each, and their expenses during the voy-
age, which amounted to about f200 addi-
tional. DR.. Brown is gentleman of good
standing, and has amassed considerable
wealth in the East Indies. He says he is
satisfied that Booth is alive, and he has
known both Miller and Campbell for years,
and has ever found them high-toned,
truthful men. He tried 10 induce Mr..
Miller, who has been his bosom friend, to
divulge the great secret, viz: where he
had been, and also Booths place of con-
cealment; but Miller positively refused
to do so, stating that she had taken SOL
emn oath never to betray Booth, and could
not be tempted to violate it if the wealth
of the Indies were laid at his feet" This
singular affair has created quite sensa-
ton in our city, and is being discussed in
certain fashionable circles with considera-
Gle enthusiasm. 1t is the opinion, enter
taired by all parties at all familiar with
the circumstances, that Booth is certainly
alive and that the United States authority
at Washington were victimized by a set of
cunning scoundrels. If such was the case,
God grant their villainy may be exposed.