Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-07-25
BOOTH REDIvIyUs.

Two communications have already been. publish
ed concerning the reported existence of. Wilkes
Booth, and giving the particulars of bet made by
| Commander Tolbert that the man was yet alive.
The report was generally discredited, but Mr..
Francis W. Oddel, er-Vice- Consul for b. B. NJ,
at Shanghai, has written circumstantial account
of the affair which seems to set the matter Of MIR.
Booth existence beyond doubt
I. Mr.. 0ddel's letter, which is dated Calcutta,
March 29, 1867, is, in part, as follows:
COL aaron B., Crensha,o, Matamoras, Merioo
DEAR SIR: Your communication, dated New
York, January 18th, has been received, and con,
tents noted and in response toYouf request, viz
'That Ishonld make some inquiries here concern
ing the final disposition made of the money staked
on the wager laid by Captain VIM. NJ. Tolbert in
June last, that j. Wilkes Booth was yet living. y
take pleasure in forwarding you the result of my
investigations. 81
It so happened that the parties interested in the
strange affair, are all personally known to me; they
are respectively W. Martin Tolbert. Captain Of
the ship Bird of the Ocean, and winner Of the
stakes; DR.. James F. Brown, formerly Of Boston,
Mass, the contestant and loser of the same, Sam,
uel L. 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 voyage by sea to some
point or port unknown. 1 was not present when
the bet was made and the articles drawn up; and
but was fully posted concerning the condition Of
the same, by Mr.. Brown, on the following morn
ing. They were substantially as follows: Tolbert
and Brown each staked five hundred pounds ster-
ling 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 which ever party should
be declared fairly entitled to it by Judge Knowles.
Miller and Campbell were chosen by Brown to so
on cruise with Tobert, in his vessel their sworn
affdavits to be duly presented to Knowles upon
their return; the loser to pay their expenses while
on the voyage, and 500 each per month, addition
al.
The bet was made and the money staked on the
2Sth of June, 1866, and two days hence the Bird
ofMe Ocean sailed ostensibly for Hong Kong,
Tobert being in command, and the two gentlemen
above referred to passengers. The last seen or
heard of the Bird ofhe Ocean was on the 18th Of
July, when she was spoken by the ship Winged
Racer, Captain Hayes, off the coast Of Java, bear
ing south. Weeks and months elapsed, no tidings
reached here Of her having made port, when
friends finally grew uneasy, and many suspected
she had gone to the bottom. Bets were made
ten, and even as high as twenty to one that she
never would return to this city and Dr. Brown
felt certain of winning the stakes, when to the a.
mazement of all parties concerned, the announce
ment was made that the ship Bird oftle Ocean
had arrived from San Francisco in ballast This
was the evening of December 25th. The notori-
GUS pirate, Tolbert, soon made his appearance ac-
companied by Miller and Campbell, and wonderful
to reflect, those two gentlemen swore "that Wilkes
Booth was really alive; tbat they had seen him, =
&C. Judge Knowles rendered his decision in ia
vor of Captain Tolbet, and the latter, upon going
to the hotel of Mr. Crawford, was made the recip-
lent of slOOO sterling DR.. Brown expressed per-
feet satisfaction with the result said he now fully
believed that the United States Treasury had been
basely swindled out of 100000 by Col. Baker and
his accomplices in palming off spurious body up
on the government for that of Wilkes Booth, and
claiming the reward offered for Booths capture y
The doctor cheerfully complied with the full con-
ditions of the agreement, and paid the two young
men their respective salaries, viz: sl20 each, and
their expenses during the voyage, which amount
ed to about e2OO additional. DR.. Brown is q gen.
tleman of good standing, and has amassed consid-
erable wealth in the East Indies. He says that
he is satisfied that Booth is alive, as he has known
both Miller and Campbell for years, and has ever
found them high toned, truthful men. He tried
to induce Mr. Miller, who had been his bosom
friend, to divulge the great secret, viz where he
had been, also Booths place of concealment; but
Miller positively refused to do so, stating that "he
had taken solemn 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 sensation
in our city, and is being discussed in certain fash
ionable circles with considerable enthusiasm. 1t
is the general opinion, entertained by all parties
at all familiar with the circumstances, that Booth
is certainly alive, and the United States authorities
at Washington were victimized by set Of cunning
scoundrels. If such was the case God grant their
yillany may be exposed.
Capt. w. Martin, ,Tolbert after receiving the a.
mount at issue, remained in the city but three days.
then cleared again for Hong Kong in ballast The
vessel which he commands, is certainly the most
handsome ship I have ever seen in these waters.
She is full rugged clipper, and judging from her
model, should be capable of outstripping any or
dinary sailing vessel in swifness. She has been
subjected by the authorities here as q privateer,
but nothing was done to prevent her departure,
her papers being apparently all right
You are at liberty to have my letter published,
if it is your wish to do so though it has not been
written with that care necessary to meet the eye
of a criticsing public The statements herein con-
tanned shall take pleasure in substantiating, when
ever called upon to so do.
have the honor to remain. sir,
FRANCIS W. ODELL,
Ex-vice Consul for r. B. NJ, at Shanghai.