Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-09


concerning the existence Of j. Wilkes
Booth, which detailed the terms Of bet
made by Commander TOlbert that the man
was yet alive We find in the Galveston
Bulletin, Of the Goth, the following remark
able letter, which gives a very circumstan-
tial account Of how the wager was won:
MATAMoRAs, MEXICO, June Is, 1857
EDITORS FLAKES BULLETIN, GALVESTON,
TEXAs-SIRs: The question of Booths
present existence having again been agi-
tailed, take pleasure in inclosing you a
copy Of letter which have Just received
from Mr.. Francis W. Odell, whose ac-
quaintance ] formed while at Shanghai,
some years since, at which time he was
filling the position of Vice consul of Her
Britannia Majesty, in that city He is a
very estimable gentleman, and one upon
whose words the public may rely. The
truly remarkable statements contained in
this letter will throw additional light upon
one of the greatest tragedies Of the present
age.
Respectfully, your humble servant,
AARON b. CRENsHAw.
CALCUTTA, BRIT. INDIA, March %
lS67-CoL. AARON B. CRENsHAw. Mata.
moras, Mexico.-DEAR SIR: Your com.
munication, dated New York, January Is.
has been received, and contentsnoted and in
response 10 your request, viz THAT should
make some inquiries here concerning the
final disposition made Of the money staked
on the wager laid by Captain William NJ.
Tolbert in June last, that j. Wilkes Booth
was still living" / take pleasure in for
wardlng you the result Of my invesliga-
lions.
IL 40 happens that the parties interested
IA tins strange affair are personally known
me- they are respectively w. Martin Toll
bert, Captain Of the ship Bird of the Ocean.
and winner Of the stakes; DIR. James +.
Brown, formerly Of Boston, Mass, the CON
testant and loser Of the same Samuel l..
Crawford, resident, holder of the stakes.
aud William Miller resident of the city.
and Theodore Campbell, of London, wit
nesses chosen by Brown 10 accompany Toll
bert on a voyage by sea TO 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, 10y Mr. Brown, ON the follow
ing morning. They we're substantially az
follows: Tolbert and Brown each staked
$500 in the hands Of Crawford, 10 be held
by hlm tall the expiration of six months,
and subject, at such time, to the order of
whichever party should be declared fairly
entitled 20 It by Judge Knowles Miller
and Campbell were chosen by Brown TO go
on a cruise with Tolberi, in his vessel. their
sworn afhdayits to be duly presented 10
Knowles upon their return the loser 10
pay their expenses while on the voyage,
and go each per month additional.
The bet was made and the money staked
on the 18th 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 above referred
20 passengers. The last seen of the Bird
of the Ocean was on the 18th Of July.
when she was spoken by the ship Winged
Racer, Captain Hayes, of the coast of Java.
bearing south. Weeks and months elapsed.
and no tidings reached here Of her having
made port, when friends finally grew un
easy, and many suspected she hsd gone 10
the bottom. Bets were made ten, and even
a. high as twenty TO one that she would
never return 10 this city, and DR. Brown
ielt certain OF winning the stakes, when, 10
the amazement of all parties concerned,
Tue announcement was made that the ship
bird OF the Ocean had arrived from San
Francisco, M ballast. This was the evening
OF December %. The notorious pirate
Iolbert, soon made his appearance, accom-
panied by Miller and Campbell, ard, won
dertul to reflect, these two gentlemen swore
that Wilkes Booth was really alive: that
they had seen HIM" etc. Judge Knowles
rendered his decision in favor of CAPTAIN
Iolbert, and the latter, upon going TO the
hotel Of Mr.. Crawford, was made the re-
cipient Of $1,000 sterling. DR.. Brown ex-
pressed perfect satisfaction with the result.
said "he fully believed that the United
States Treasury had been basely swindled
out Of 100000 by Colonel Baker aud his
accomplices in palming offa spurious BODY
upon the government for that Of Wilkes
Booth, and claiming the reward offered for
Booths capture
The Doctor cheeriully complied with the
iull conditions of the agreement, and paid
the two young men their respective salaries
va; AlZO each, and their expenses during
the voyage, which amounted to about GOO
additional. Or. Brown is a gentleman of
good standing, and has amassed considera-
bic wealth in the East Indies. He saws he
is satisfied that Booth is alive "a ne has
known both Miller and Campbell for wears
and has ever found then high-toned truth
iul men. He tried 10 induce Mr.. Miller.
who hao been his bosom friend. 10 diyulge
the geat secret, viz where he had been.
and also Booth place of concealment :; but
Miller positively refused 20 do so. stating
that he had taken a solemn oath never 10
betray Booth, and could not be tempted TO
violate It il the wealth OF the Indies we're
laid at his feet"
This singular affair has created quite a
sensation 10 our city, and is being discussed I
IN certain fashionable circles with consid-
erable enthusiasm. IL Is the general opin-
son, entertained by all parties at all fsmil-
lar with the circumstance, that Booth is
certainly alive, and that the United States
AZ Washington were. victimized
by set Of cunning seoundrels. III such
was the case, God grant their yillainy' may
be exposed.
Captain W. Martin Tolbert, after re-
ceiying the amount 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 hand
some ship | have ever seen In these |
waters. She is a full rugged clipper, and, |
Judging from her model, should be capable |
OF oulstnpPing any ordinary sailing vessel |
IN s"ii'ness. She has been inspected by |
me authorities here as a priYateer, but /
nothing was done 10 prevent her departure, /
ser papers being, apparently, all right. As /
II nay not be uninteresting to you 20 know
something more OF her Captain, / will ap-
pend bnei description Of him as he APP /
peared while taking an evening promenade |
along one OF the fashionable throughfares Of |
this great Indian city.
he was dressed from top to toe in
handsome suit OF gray cloth wore a black
SILK hat a ponderous moustache, and an |