The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1867-08-10
,pt ly, your humble se'rt
AARON B. CRENsHAW.
CALCUTTA, British India, !
March % 1867

CALCUTTA, British india
March 29, 1867
Col. Aaron B. Crenshaw, Matamoras, Mex
ico
DEAR SIR Your communication dated
New York, January 18th has been received,
and contents noted and in response to your
request viz
"That should make some inquiries here
concerning the final disposition made of the
money staked on the wager laid by Capt
William NJ. TOlbert in June last, that J.
Wilkes Booth was still living l take
pleasure IN forwarding you the result Of my
investigations.
It so happens that the persons interested
in this strange affair, are all personally
known to me; they are respectively W. Mar
tin TOlbert, captain of the ship Bird of the
Ocean, and winner of the stakes DR. James
F. Brown, formerly of Boston, Massachu-
sets, the contestant and Iooser of the same :;
Samuel Crawford, resident, holder of the
stakes, and William Miller, resident of the
city; and Theodore Campbell, of London
witnesses chosen by Brown to accompany
TOlbert on a 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 condi-
ton of the same, by Mr.. Brown on the fol
lowing morning. They were substantially
as follows
Tolbert and Brown each staked five hun
d~ed pounds sterling in the hands Of Craw-
ford, to be held by him till the expiration of
six months, and subject, at such time, to the
order of which eyer party should be declar-
ed fairly entitled to it by Judge Knowles.
Miller and Campbell were chosen by Brown
to 60 on a cruise with Tolbert, in his vessel,
their sworn affidavit TO be duly presented to
Y IL
their expenses while on the voyage, and
twenty pounds each per month, additional
The bet was made and the money staked
on the 28th of June, 1866, and two days
hence the Bird of the Ocean sailed ostensi-
bly, for Hong Kong, TOlbert being in com
mand, and the two gentlemen referred 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 Winged Racer,
Captain Hayes. off the coast of Java, bear
ing south Weeks and months elapsed and
no tidings reached here of her having made
a port, when friends finally grew uneasy,
and many thought she had gone to the bot
tom. Bets were made ten, and even as
high as twenty to one, that she would never
return to this city and DR.. Brown felt GER
tain of winning the stakes, when to the
amazement of all parties concerned, the an
nOunceDent was made that the ship Bird Of
the Ocean had arrived from San Francisco
in ballast This was the evening Of Decem-
Der 25th. The notorious pirate, To lbert,
soon made his appearance, accompanied by
Miller and Campbell, and, wonderful to re-
fleet, these two gentlemen sWOre " that
Wilkes Booth was really alive; that they had
seen him. etc 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 one
thousand pounds sterling. Dr. Brown ex-
pressed perfect satisfaction with the result
said he now fully believed that the United
States Treasury had been basely swindled
out of 500, 600 by Col. Baker and his accom-
plices in palming of a spurious body upon
the Government for that of Wilkes Booth,
and claiming the reward offered for Booth 5
capture" The DR.. cheerfully complied
with the full conditions Of the agreement,
and paid the two young men their salaries,
viz, one hundred and twenty pounds each,
and their expenses during the voyage, which
amounted to about two hundred pounds ad-
ditiOnal DR.. Brown is gentleman of good
standing, and has amassed considerable
wealth in the East Indies He says
that he is satisfied that Booth is alive,
as he has known both Miller and Campbell
for wears, and has ever found them high
toned and truthful gentlemen. He tried to
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-
ceaIment but Miller positively refused to
do so, stating that he had oaken a solemn
oath never to betray Booth, and could not
be tempted to violate it if the wealth Of the
Indies were laid down at his feet.
This singular affair has created quite a
sensation in our city, and is being discussed
in certain fashionable circles with consider
| able enthusiasm 1t Is the general opinion.
| entertained by all familiar with the circum-
stances, that Booth is certainly alive, and
that the United States authorities at Wash
ington were victimized by a set of cunning
/ scoundrels. IF such was the case, God
/ grant their Villainy may be exposed.
Captain w Martin Tolbert, after receiv-
! ing the amount at issue, remained IN the
! city but three days then cleared again fol-
/ Kong Hong In ballast The vessel which
! he commands is certainly the most hand
/ some ship have ever seen IN these waters
: She is full rugged clipper, and judging from
/ her model should be capable of outstrip
ping an ordinary sailing vessel IN swiftness
/ She has been inspected by the authorities
here as a privateer, but nothing was done t,
prevent her departure; her papers being ap
parently all right.
You are at liberty to have my letter pub
lished if it is your wish to do so, though i
has not been written with that care neces
sary to meet the eye Of a criticising public
The statements contained herein / shall
take pleasure of substantiating Wheneve
called upon IS do SO.
/ have the honor to remain sir,
FRANCIS W. ODELL,
Ez-Viee Consul for her Britanic Majest
at Shanhai
Ex-Confederate General Louis 7. Wigial