Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-17
GIVEN WARNING.
How n Sailors Dream Was Fulfilled.
From the Detroit Free Press


About two weeks ago, the marine
columns of all the daily papers in this
city contained the announcement that a
man named Murry, mate of the schoon-
er Plover was drowned off Erie, no
particulars of the case being given.
Murray was Detroiter, and his widow
and children now occupy house on
Orchard street The family were
visited by an officer of the vessel the
other day, who desired to give them all
possible facts IN connection with the I'M
fortunate occurrence. He related what
many will consider as superstitious,
but for the truth of the fact that he
did relate the incident, those doubling
are referred to Sergeant Bachman, of
the police force, who was present when
the story was told to our reporter
Murray was not given to whinas OF
fancies, was thorough seaman, a kind
husband, and q ntan Of energy and in
dustfy. On the last trip he was ever
to make, he was cheerful while loading
and getting under weigh, and left his
| family without a thought that mona Of
them would eves see him agaih, dead or
alive. On the night to his death, Muir
ray had dream, and he related it to
the captain next morning in such q
serious way that prevented ell Joking or
attempts to be merry over It. iethought
that the vessel vac going along under
! easy sail at night, and that he was
standing on her port quarter, gazing
over the side. As he looked the water
seemed to grow muddy and he..thought
he was about I'd sing out to the helms
man 10 kaep her away for fear that
/ size was in shoal water, when the face
of a floating corpse suddenly rose to
the surface, and the epeh eyes, glazed
by deaths LOOKED full into his. It was
his own face! The corpse had on his
clothing, its features were like pho
tograph of himself, and he hung TO the
rail and saw the waves toss il shout
until it faded away I'll the darkness
astern drifting at the will Of the wind
| ana wave.
The captain did not try to scout the
idea that it was a singular dream. bnt
he reasoned thet there was nothing In
dreams, and asserted tsat such a Wis
sion was az apt TO bring good luck as
bad, Murray remarked that he felt it
to be an omen of evil, and, fatherlike,
turned his thoughts homeward. and
half believed that there WAS accident
or sickness in bis family. Ailday long
he labored under q strange feeling, and
a score OF times asserted that some
thing was to surely happen. He made
but pretense of eating his meals, and
his conduct was SO strange that the
crew noticed and commented on it.
That night it was his watch on deck,
and the captain turned in and left him
! still possessed of the uneasy spirit,
After the light was properly fixed and
the lookout stationed, Mprrat Wsthee1
up and down until. his watch was near
ly half through, when the breeze fresh
4 eiaed, and the waves began to tumble
the schooner about. In company with
the lookout, the mate stepped on to the
bowsprit to make some change in Alb
sail, and in q moment WIS gone. falling
down into the white waters without so
much IS gFoan or cry. The look
OUT dtd not realize the accident for a
moment, as the post was safe for even
the poorest seaman, and when the
alarm was given it was too late for the
slightest hope that the unfortunate
man could be found, He YVES not seen
TO slip, and no rope OF stay was broken.
He seemed TO drop right off the lib
| into his grave, and the body, although
diligently searched for, has not vet
been found.