The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-08
THE MURDER AT SEA.
ARREST OF THE BowEN,s CREW.
The Cause and Ehect-A Mystery and an Ocean
Grave-Trials and Tribulations Of Pas.
fenger-A Herald Yacht as an
Arm Of the Law-Both
Sides Of the Story.

Tuesday night about half-past ten O'Clock. The OH
Ger in command, unwilling 10 trust himself another
night In the company OF his crew. determined to
ask assistance from the first vessel he should meet.
The night was very dark and heavy fog hung upon
the water. As the darkness became more intense
the captains anxiety increased, fearing no help
would come to him. One OF
THE HERALD's STEAM YACHTS
however. came In sight as he was on the
point OF giving all up in despair. Captain
Sleeper hailed the boat and she came
alongside. He then requested that they would
inform the officers at the nearest police station
of what had occurred on board the ship. The yacht
put into Stapleton, s. l., and brought out force OF
police. who took the mutineers into custody She
then took them all ashore, and brought the news OF
the arrival and the arrest up to the city time for
the morning edition Of the HERALD. The prisoners
were brought up to the city on the Ierryboat yeser
day morning.
During all this time the Bronx, with tive United
states Deputy Marshals board, who were sent
down for the purpose OF capturing these men. was
lying at a dock at the Upper Quarantine. Mr..
Sleeper says he would not have
PASSED ANOTHER NIGHT
on board the ship with that crew for any considera
ton, being almost worn out from three days con-
slant work and watching, dreading at each moment
or to take his life. 1t was a double necessity that
compelled HIM to endeavor to get ria OF them. The
passenger Mr. Seyfrey, young Spaniard, who has
been employed for some time In the firm of Amos
Plough 4 Co., OF Boston, says the mutineers also
threatened his life, and since the murder OF the
captain he has been compelled to 60 about the ship
ARMED WITH KNIVES AND PISTOLS,
even while attending TO the two wounded men, as
all the duties OF ships physician fell upon him.
During those three days. he says, his life was one
continuous series OF tortures; he dared not 60 to
night lie was obliged to 90 among the men and
answer their inquiries about the captain, while the
poor commanders dead body was lying in the
SILENT AND TERRIBLE MYSTERY
The captain died short time after he was taken
ike crushed eggsnell the blood gurgled from tue
wounds IN ever direction and
LUMPS OF BRAIN
were scattered all over his clothing. The mate and
Mr. Seyfrey watched by the master till his body
cold, and then held short consultation upon the
the conclusion that they would be obliged to
keep the death OF the captain a secret
@ r 1ny old got mans Tna Death heaoH Was OF
painful one; ne. uttered no sound nor gave any
signs OF PAIN but his eyes turned mournfully upon
cabin, and while she seemed TO return that love OF
o lifetime centred in a look
HIS SPIRIT PASSED AWAY.
board the mate or the Europa they told the crew of
the captains death. The men were very much
shocked at the news and apparently disllKed the
reserve that had been maintained in the matter.
Early on sunday morning, after the usual premi-
narles, the captains body was carefully encaSed In
canvas and dropped overheard down into the deep
bosom OF the ocean.
results he never thought could arise from 80 little
cause. The four seamen were flashing the anchor
looking on AS tney were doing their work II, M" a
lazy, clumsy manner he asked them II they were
Wno e OF
the wrong way continued to DO 30 in the same man.
ner after, being told il was wrong and desired TO
change 1t. Then the mutiny began and
GENERAL MELEE SET IN.
The mate flung snort, narrow piece OF plank at
one OF them, but missed him. The captain. who
was playing backgammon In the cabin with Mr.
Leyfrey, hearing the alteration, came forward on
the toD-galiant forecasrle and told Mr.. sleeper to
take no "back slack" from these fellows. One of
them, almost Immediately struck HIM with cap
STAN bar, tumbling him In lump. AS he
over on the deck. where he lay until he
was carried AFT. The onslaught was then
made on the two officers, and both were laid pros
trate and senseess. Mr.. Sleeper soon after recov-
cred sulnclently to look after matters around the
for two days. unable to move. The steward was
frightened out OF his wits He, too heard the dis
turbance on the forecastle, and rushed up to see
what was the matter; but he was met at the house
by an upliited capstan bar ana
A THREAT AGAINST HIS LIFE.
He Turned at once and scuttled away ait, concealing
himself where he could.
The ship was anchored In the Narrows, where the
HERALD yacht boarded her on Tuesday night, an d
remained there all day yesterday. AT three ocloc X
yesterday afternoon four deputy United States
Inarshals went down to the vessel on tugboat a nd
arrested all on board witnesses. The trip OF the
marsnas was somewhat DELAYED by
AN ACCIDENT ON THE RIVER.
When lust OF Governors Island one of the m ar
shals noticed q small yacht called the LIZZIE.
which was flying before the WIND suddenly keel
on board peeled of his clothes, preparing to swim
ashore, the BOAT was lurching and would soon have
assistance lifted the young men on board and took
the boat IN tow. She so full OF water that as
soon as the hawser tgntened she capszed. The
yacht taken into the dock and rlgnted, and the
the six witnesses. }. W. Sleeper, William John.
son. John Dol. Henry Boyle, George Crane and
Richard seyfrey, were taken from The snip and
brought up to Ludlow Street Jail. An examination
VIII Oe held to-day before United States Commas
Davenport, after which they Will be retained
until the opening OF the court IN October.
THE POSITION or THE PASS ENGER,
Mr.. Seyirey is most unfortunate one. He had OBJ
taned a leave OF absence from his employer, and
was on his way 10 see lis family IN spaln on board
the j. l.. Bowen when this frightful affair occurred
He will now he compelled to remain Jail as wit
ness until October. unless he is baed out by some
Manuel Antoine. James Thomas and Mike An,
tome are now in Ludlow Street Jail, awaiting
the examination and trial. Thomas is thorough
negro, with rather intelligent cast OF counle-
nance. He was born IN Port au Prince and has been
for some time living In New York lie has vile
OF the Cape de Verde Islands. lie has a bright,
quick eve, but
MOST DETERMINED RUGGED CoUSTESANcE
Roach is a savage-looking mulatto, born in ia.
maica, and evidently possesses the combined evils
OF the opposite races Nike Antoine is a native OF
the West India Islands and looks II he were half
witted These men state, through their spokesman,
Thomas, that the disturbance was caused by the
chief mate, Sleeper, whom they accuse OF abusing
them without cause while they were at work. They
say lie struck a. them when they were doing their
duty, and because tney could not get along fast
enough TO suit him he insulted them and provoked
them In brutal manner. Manuel Antoine has q
cut on his head which he says the mate gave him,
ana which would have killed a white man. Roach
has his arm in sling and pretends TO be seri-
ously injured He lays the blame on the officers.
acted In self-dcfence. George Crane, the second
mate substantially supports the story OF the mate
and ADDS that the whole aiiar was most unfOrtIi-
nate occurrence, as the SHIP was good one They
had every convenience on board TO make their voy-
age peasant, aud almost at the outset OF II they
were stopped by frientml crime, which Will bring