Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-06-09
THE SUPPOSED PIRACY.
Further Hearing OF John Peterson.
HE IS COMMITTED TO JAIL, WITHOUT BAIL.

HE Is COMMITTED TO JAIL, WITHOUT BAIL,
John Peterson, the man arrested for bringing
the sloop Achilles into this port under suspicious
circumstances, and subsequently charged with
murder and piracy, had another hearing before
U S. Commissioner Harman on Friday after.
noon. The first witness called was Christian
Leibers, who testified that he keeps Sailors
| boarding house at No. 81 West street. New York,
situated about 90 feet from Pier No. 7, North
River; know the prisoner; had known him abou
two months and half; he came to witnes
| house to board about that long ago. know Her
mann Wurdemann about ten years; he was a
seaman, and ranked as first mate. One evening
last April in the bar-room of witness house, Wur
demann remarked that he had been Mate for a
good many years and he would like to buy q
vessel for himself. Peterson, who was present,
| said he knew all about the coasting busineas,
| and if he would buy vessel he would go with
| him. This conversation took place about the
1 Goth or 9th of April, i'll witness bar-room, in
| the presence of seven or eight persons Peter
son was then Second Mate of the barque Pdllds.
| In few days Wurdemann purchased the sloop
| Achilles for 1900 or $3.50; after the purchase he
heard Wurdemann tell Peterson he would give
him half of what he made on the first trip saw
them start together on the I'd of May; they said
| thing they could, copper, iron. and anything,
| they even mentioned eggs; Wurdemann had
| ?100 in 80 notes when they started; witness
knew the amount from the fact that Wurdemann
| had just paid him $40 board and as he did so
remarked that he had a little over 300 left, and
counted 800 on the counter Peterson had about
$14 when he left on being asked how he knew,
witness answered, that on Sunday the day before
he left,) Peterson was drunk and gave witness
his money and watch and when he got sober he
ron mi nothing about IL. xvitnaaa did not
return them to him till a short time before he
started he then did SO the money amounted
| to about SO; knew it was not 800; when wit
ness handed it to him Peterson hnaded him back
"a; saying he would pay him the balance he
owed him, S1.22, again, but could not spare it
| Them he subsequently did pay it; Peterson at
one time owed witness s44 witness shipped him
as Second Mate on the Pdllds and received his
first months wages S35, in part payment got it
| from the owners; thinks that was about the 25th
of January; the balance due him. about 80 he
got afterwards thinks prisoner was gone about
two months the Pdlids had been back but four
five days before the conversation about coast
ing took place; witness was here shown pocket
book; thought it was Peterson's.
The next time lie saw Peterson after the sail
ing of the Pdtlds was on May 18th in his own
bar-room; told him he was glad to see him, and
asked where Wurlemann was Peterson said he
had sold the boat to fisherman for S110, and
then paid his passage TO Philadelphia, when he
shipped on barque to Rio; told the name of
the barque but witness had forgotten it Peter
son said he had come to New York to catch the
barque Pdllds but had just missed her; did not
say any thing about hunting up Wurdemanns re-
lations Said he was going mp to the Lakes.
Went out about 10 or 15 minutes. and then came
back. and said he should go back to Delaware I;
he could make more money there than on the
Lakes Witness asked him to sit down and have
talk about Wurdemann, remarkinS that it was
queer he had not written to him, as he had
always done so before, when he shipped OF
whenever he made port. Peterson said he had
no time to talk, and left. Witness knew the
boat was Wardemann's. Peterson read aloud
in English, the papers, one evening, in the bar
room. Nothing was ever said about Peterson
having any share in it. Heard Peterson remark
that they had nearly provisions enough for
year. Saw the provisions and hardware.
Amongst the latter were a new saw, hatchet,
plane, &c. The hatchet was a pretty big one,
with large handle. Never knew Peterson to
be on any vessels but the Pallas and Achilles.
Cross Examined by Mr.. Patterson. Did not
introduce prisoner to Wurdemann. He intro
duced himself with the remark that he knew the
whole coast from Egg Harbor to the Breakwater.
Knew nothing of Peterson having been in the
Galveston trade. The way he knew that Peter
son had no money but the S14 was that before
witness gave him back his money, the prisoner
said he had not cent, not enough to get glass
of beer. Never examined his person. Had
heard of men carrying money in belts, but Peter
son could not have had belt for he was SO
drunk that Sunday night that two men had to
carry him into the house, and, in doing 80, his
pants and shirt parted so as to expose his waist
Heard Wurdemann say he had nearly 800 worth
of provisions, hardware &c. Witness supposed
there was provision enough for two months.
Re-direct.-The witness was shown hatchet,
and asked if that was the one with which they
started. Said no; that one was much larger
than that. Wurdeman had a large leather trunk
containing clothes, and a revolver, &c. Witness
had sold him the trunk--had seen it, together
with bag containing clothing taken to the YES
sell Peterson had also yalise and bag; Wuf-
deman had red blankets; both had mattresses.
To Mr.. Patterson think Peterson's va
lise was locked one; thinks that just he WAS
leaving on the 18th, Peterson told him If the
PdltaS came in, to send him letter to Delaware.
Officer Evans testified that when the vessel
was searched, they found no trunk aboard.
| Marshal Dunn said they had not searched pris-
oners purse. Prisoner had said he had the Cap
tain's pocket-book, containing $40 of the Cap
| tain's money.
Mr. Higgins briefly urged that the evidence
| was such as to warrant the sending of tho case
| to the Grand jury
| Mr.. Patterson, for the prisoner, thought there
was not enough evidence to warrant his clients
/ detention.
The Commissioner committed Peterson with
ont bail, to answer at the next term of the U. s.
| District Court.