The New York herald., 1870-05-02
AN OCEAN TRAGEDY.
"oNLY "A BIT OF "A GRowL." "
Edward Bevrus. . Sailor, Killed ct Sea, on
Board the Bark Morning Light, by His
shipmate, Thomas II. Johnsen-Ths
Vessel in This Port-Arrest
Of the Murderer.

Of the murderer.
To the many terrible tragedies committed on the
ocean by cod-blooded men there must be added an
other fearful murder perpetratcd in the heat opasson
and SO far as known without the least possible JUS
tincation. The British bark Morning Light, Captain
Joseph A. Lavender arrived In this port yesterday
morning from Buenos Ayrcs, and reaching the East
river set his color union down, to attract the atcn
ton OF officers ON shore. About eleven O'Clock
patromen Dougherty, Selleck and Doyle, OF the
First precinct, procured small working boat at
Whitehall slip, ana boarding her. found that seaman
Thomas H. Johnson had, on the 22d Of April last,
fouly murdered his messmate, Edward Bevrus. while
the foretopmast.
THE SAILOR JOHNSON.
johnson, the murderer OF his shipmate, left New
York In February, 1868, as seaman on board the
steamship James T. Brady, Captain Tattersal bound
to Buenos Ayres. Upon arrival there ne parted
from the vessel and engaged in the ighterase bust-
ness being employed by one captain over sixteen
months. From what can be learned, he was born IN
Rochester, in the year 1s4S, but subsequently re-
moved with his parents to O small town twenty-seyen
miles from Toronto. Canada, where his father,
man Of respectabiity and note, Is practising
physician. Thomas, although rowing character,
is adjudged by his comrades to have been OF quiet,
gentemanly demcanor generally, but possessed OF
q temper az times Of nature uncomfortable, and
which has placed him in his present terrible posi-
ton.
Several of the seamen on board the Morning Light
were discontented when the vessel made the harbor
oil Buenos Ayres, and running away left Captain
Lavender short OF men before the mast, and in
looking around for substitutes he shipped Johnson
and Beyrus, strangers to each other on the 26th OF
February, for the voyage to New York. In doing 30
he congratulated himself that he had obtained two
men many removes from the ordinary sailor.
THE MURDER.
From March until the ed Of April the bark,
SAINT weather as she was waited to her port Of desti
nation, ana the charming manner with which the
crew readily obeyed all orders, and each got along
with the other SO smoothly, made the Olcels nope
for quiet and unusually agreeable termination or
the voyage. Friday afternoon Of the latter date Cap
tain Lavender, through his mate--the vessel being
In latitude 30 30, longitude 6s, and the sea
very calm--Ordered that the topmasts should
be scraped and this duty was allotted to
seamen Johnson, the murderer; Bevrua, the mur
0ered, ana Henry Baker, James Maddox ana Severn
Nord, who at once Went alolt to commence the
foretopmast Each had lis own utensils, but john
son took with him
inches in length similar to those used In South
American countries to xiii cattle. with this he i-
tended TO perform his work; but unfortunately Its
possession &c that time was the cause OF q terrible
tragedy. Nothing was heard Oh deck by the second
mate, Charles Alien Of the aoft until eight bells
-four oclock) when a deep groan, followed by O cry
OF anguish ana tne startling announcement OF John.
he saw pnS IN s
Instantly men were sent aOt TO ascertain the canse
Of Jolnson's expression when they were horrlied
to Ind that Bevrus nad been stabbed in the left sid
by the man who held him and was even then in the
agonies OF death, the blood squirting in thick, hot
victim Of Johnson's deadly knife lie was placed in
the forecastle and every effort made to put
hack nt MS al whSh
the terrible cash required the practical hand
Of o skilful surgeon. SO soon as the dying
would permit Captain Lavender called Johnson aft
to his cabin and asked him .why he had committed
his horrible crime, ana as he sauntered carelessly
away said, 'Wcu, it was done in q passion.'
Bevrus died tWentyonr hours alter he was wounded,
and was buried at sea.
AS two of the before the mast at ihe time ofthe
murder were sick, Captain Lavender was compelled
to allow Johnson his liberty and required him TO
perform his work as before, which, to his credit lei II
be said, was done quietly ana without word being
OF that afternoon.
THE DYING SAILORS DECLARATION.
Lavender and told him sthat he had not given john.
son any cause to stab him. that he was standing on
the ratlins in his bare feet, which hurt them badly,
on, If he would not change positions with him.
Johnson ia petulantiy exclaimed In answer, If you
don't shut up Ill stick you.' well, come Oh,
him.n
Beyrus also told the captain that he was born in
Switzerland, was twenty. three years of age and
requested him TO write to his father OF the nature OF
his death, which he has done, tesfying to his quiet
gentiemaniy habits and willing disposition.
THE MURDERER'S STATEMENT.
Yesterday afternoon Johnson was called upon In
his cell in the First precinct station house, He s
rather go0dlO0ktng young man, of an intelligent
| appearance and seems everything else but a nnr.
derer An hours confinement had had, seemingly,
some effect upon him, as he then began to realize
his position He said, in to interrOgatOries:
never had any trouble with Bevrus; never saw
him before we shipped in Buenos Ayres we got
along pleasantly; did not think had hurt him 80
badly; we had
ONLY A BIT OF A GROwL.
up aloft when the trouble occurred. ii had not
had that knife OF mine should never have done it,;
1t was good knife, and liked it; whenever q sheep
was Killed on board my knife was called for; this is
terrible thing, and God knows
IT WILL KILL FATHER AND MOTHER.
But nave written TO them and expect TO see the m
here soon.
johnson was very solicitous as to what would be
done TO him, and seemed familiar with the course
was anxious TO ascertain IL certain prominent
criminal lawyer of this city still alive, and
answered In the Affirmative exclaimed with salts.
faction, ''We that's the lawyer want.n
The prisoner viii be taken before the United States
Court this morning by Captain Garland, OF the First
precinct TO answer to the charge OF murder.
MISSIONARY SOCIETY FOR sEaMEy, r. z.
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