Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-09-20
The Nathan Murder.
How IrvIng,s Contention was Made.

was telegraphed 10 the East-cohtAlhs |
the following account Of his delivery to
the police ee
" Nearly a week ago a man calling
himself Alexander Brown went to the
shipping Office of Captain G. Naunton,
ON Battery street, and asked to be
shipped On an English vessel. He said
that he had friends in Liverpool whom
he wished to see, and professed to be a
thorough sailor. Captain Naunton ex-
ahmed the man as to his qualifications,
and having satisfied himself as to the
applicants ability concluded to do what
he cou d for him. The captain did not
notice anything extraordinary in the
bearing or conduct of the man. He
seemed exactly what he professed him
self, sailor. There we're marks of
care well defined on his face, which
showed that he had been accustomed TO
a rough life; but other than these there
was nothing to indicate that the appli-
cant was different from the ordinary
men of his assumed class.
"The British ship Coulnakyle was
lying in the stream waiting for her
crew. Captain John Japp, her com
mander, was afriend of Captain Naun-
ton, and upon his recommendation con-
sented to take the man as one of his
crew. He was accordingly shipped and
paid the usual advance, $50. The fol-
lowing day he was sent to the ship, and
entered upon the discharge of his du-
ties. He proved to be thorough
sailor, and for the first few days was
very popular with his companions, and
Captain Japp congratulated himself in
having gained valuable acquisition to
his crew. When Brown first boarded
the ship he was one of the iolliest of
the crew. His work was done with
will, and he entered heartily into all
the simple sports with which the sailor
whiles away the weary hours when of
duty.
"But about four days ago a great
change passed over him. He became
moody and glum. He no more joined
the sailors in their meetings in the fore
castle. Something seemed to be con-
.tinually wearing upon his mind. He
paced the deck excitedly, occasionally
muttering to himself, and his compan-
ions exchanged dubious glances as he
passed them. Many times he approach
ed the officers as if anxious to speak to
them, but he would suddenly restrain
himself as with an effort, and return to
his solitary musings. He never ne
elected his work, but he did not enter
into it with that heartiness which had
characterized him when he first boarded
the ship. The sailors began to whisper
among themselves that something was
wrong with Brown, and with the super
stitious fears of their class began grad
ually to avoid the stricken man.
cat length the crisis came. On Mon
day Captain Japp went ashore to clear
his ship at the Custom House, intend
ing to sail that afternoon. He had
scarcely left the ship when Brown APP
preached the second mate and asked to
speak with him in the cabin. The Off
Ger was naturally surprised at this
strange request, but supposing that
Brown wanted to make known some
some grievance of the men he led the
way to the cabin, the sailor following
closely. AS soon as the door was shut
Brown began crying and grooming like
child. He seemed in perfect agony
and amid broken sobs he told story
which fairly froze the blood of the
hardy old tar. He said he did not wan
to go to sea, for he had made up his
mind that to elude justice longer was il
vain. He belonged to the gallows, ant
the gallows must have him. Six years
ago he and two other men had killed
man in New York. Since then he hat
escaped from the police and led wild
criminal life. He related many ex
PLOTS which he had performed in Sal
Francisco, and ended by imploring TIN
mate to deliver him over to justice, a
his burdened conscience was too mucl
for him to bear.
"To this terrible story the Office
listened in amazement. 1t was som
time before he could realize that he wa
in the presence of self-accused muir
, derer. Then the idea seized. him tina
Brown was mad. But sane or insane
he had but one duty. He ordered tn
unfortunate man in irons and reporte,
the facts to Captain Japp, who soon re
turned with his clearance papers, JUDI
liant with the thought that the Coul
nakyle would sail that night. TIL
captain Immediately returned to tn
city and consulted with the BIRTHS
Consul. That gentleman directed hir
to inform the police, and refused hir
! the consular port discharge papers unit
the case was fully investigated. TIL
police were notified, and Brown wa
. brought from the ship and taken t
4 Chief Crowley's room. Then Capital
9 Lees at once recognized him as a burg
$ lar who had escaped from him fftee
1 years ago, on board of one of the Pr
l cifc Mail steamers. All the afternoo
L the prisoner was engaged in making hi
e confession, which was reduced to VIZ
It ting by Captain Lees. He tells yer
: straight story, but as his statement
: implicate men high in the esteem of I'll
9 public, it will not be published unit
s the facts are authenticated.
y Brown is stout man, with roun
u head, seemingly about forty years OLE
S He is quite intelligent and speaks fl
e emily, evincing no fear of the result
> his terrible self-accusation. The pupi
l. of his eyes are peculiar, covering nea
vs. ly the whole blue portion. Heis dresse
n in gray pants and blue shirt. Chi
% Crowley is disposed to the opinion tn
the man is insane. His confession
not yet completed.