New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-09
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1877.
THE COURTS.
ARSON ON THE HIGH SEAS.


nURNING OF THE SHIP ROBERT EDWARDS.
The trial of Charles Purdue, Charles Mere
AIR ard Frederick Allen indicted for firing tho ship
pohert Pdwards WA continued in the United States
Cirout Court Yesterday The theory Of tho defense ia
that tho sbip was accidentally fred and that the comics
sions made by the prisoners were induced by force
Edwin winsov testified Tho captain asked Purdue II
he fred the ship he said Eyes did frc IL some one
has blowed on me, and w1x him :" Purdue confessed
tat no bored four holes in the ships bottom and tried
20 ipk her when asked him why be fired tho ship, he
aid Aired because the devil had the upper hand OF
I" worked two days 70 save re- tne Sp ont sas
us up asked Allen why no helped 70 fire the shp 1g
said that Purdue and Meredith go MN INTO nc toid
i' Cros, 81 notwithstanding allowed on boards the
ship Allen worked hard TO put The FIRE OUT but Purdue
wonid not work except when stood over him. aud made
HIM Meredith would not help put out the fire; IL was
rst Thought that the fire was accidental did not ac
a good thing that he jumped overheard; on this yOy
ace never saw lighted lamp in the lower hold.
oseph r. Milford testified: was bOatsteerer on the
Robert Edwards; fired July 90 1870 We left her
in the boats the 22d say the captain seze dRrd n6
Crosse xamined-When the captain had Purdue ~ the
beard did not hear him say 70 pm hoS S pr a
I will not DENY that set bre 10 the ship
Rediroct-when Allen and Meredith were confronted
with Purdue lie accused them OF helping him fire the
ship; after we got board the Mary Rice, Purdue Mer
edith and Allen confessed IN the presence OF the ohcers
that they fred the ship when asked why they dd go
they said. 1t is more than human nature can fathom
Purdue told that he helped ire the snip, ana thN III
no only out OF this serape no would never get
into another.
Is was here contended by b. f. Russell counsel for the
prsopers that the evidence showed Purdues contes-
sions 10 have been induced by threats, and that they
could not therefore, be received against him. but Judge
Woodruff admitted them. -,
James r. Maddox testified was fourth officer on the
Robert Edwards heard Purdue tell the captain that nc
fired the ship he said and the Danish sailor, ana
meredith went down TO the hold and struck matches
their hands shook that the matches they had went out
and Mt the fire." Purdue made this confession before
the capain took him by the beard.
Crosse xa mined-The Danish sailor was accused sOf
firing the ship he Jumped overheard because nc dd not
want TO work; there effort made To save him. we
might have saved him. but had something else To d0
the ship was on fire. ~, a., ,,.,. "a
cant Pease testified was captain of the Robert Ed
warf asked Purdue n he fired the ship; he CRED ana
said Yes bad as am, can't tell lie he sald some
one had betrayed him. and that he would x lu tnen
tool him by the beard and told him that " he attempted
10 innre any ono on the ship would blow his brains OUT
and would have done it; after TOOK PURDUE Dy
the beard the mate hit him the nose; before TINS
never had any trouble with the prisoners; they were
always treated we'll 90 49,, -
samuel c. Duncan, who turned states' evidence was
then examined Duncan is about lS years OF age; Wt
the exception saying that the were badly treated
by the officers that this the reason for hrlng te
ship and that the Danish sailor jumped overheard 70
escape III treatment, his testimony, In substance, cor
robOated that Of the other witnesses Case ADJOURNED