The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-15

A Swedish Sailor Sheaths His Knife Five
Times in the Body Of His Adversary.
Arrest, Confession and Impriscn.
ment of the Murderer.

Tragedy, and the cycle OF crime wncn mas Deen
moving over the land would appear to have found
It's centre in that city on Tuesday night. The VIC
tim Of the latest murder was sailor native Of
sweden young man about "a years OF age. The
assassin was countryman Of the deceased,
morose heavy built seaman of 80 years. The scene
OF the bloody fracas was 'ongshoreman's or
water rats" boarding house. No. 68 Columbia
street, SoNh BROOKLYN a low neighb0rhOOd, and
one much frequented by shallow water seafariDg.
men and those who make livelihood about the
shipping and docks. The house In question tt is
due to the proprietor to state, is neither very;
good, nor yet very bad, as far as the police nfor-
nation Is concerned regarding Its inmates and
management. 1t will henceforth be memorable,
however, because OF the awful human butcher1
which took place there shortly after the echoes Of
the stroke OF the midnight hour by the neiQnbors
ing clock Of St Peters church had died away on
the heavy, snOw-laden atmosphere which hung
over the city In the early minutes OF Wednesday
morning.
THE ORIGIN OF THE PRAcAs.
In the sitting room OF the boarding house in
question were seated for several hours on Tuesday
night George Peterson, proprietor Of the place.,
his brother Frederick and Peter Swanson and
Charles Nelson. The two latter named men were
drinking eating and playing cards at the table
discussion arose concerning the manner ana
tor. Swanson, according to report, decried the
reputation OF his landady in such way as to ex-
cite the anger of Nelson, who retorted in her de-
fence, abusing her defamer in no measured terms.
One WORD borrowed another, ana Nelson's tem-
per, heated by stimulants and the severe epithets
which his opponent heaped upon him, raised
his hand ana dealt Swanson q stunning
blow on the nose. rapid exchange OF
blows ensued, during which the Petersons endeav.
ored to separate the angry sailors, but did not
succeed until Swanson had received the worst OF
the encounter, being badly bruised about the facd
and scratched. About twelve O'Clock Swanson
Withdrew from the apartment muttering threata
of vengeance, and repaired to his bedroom, which
was just or the scene of the encounter. Here he
remained for a few minutes girding on his sheath
knife, 1t Is supposed, and then reentered the sit
ting room, and, approaching the table, renewed
the quarrel with Nelson. The latter strike
him, when Swanson with sudden movement
DREW HIS KNIFE
and thrust it into the body Of Nelson Five times
in rapid succession the murderer plunged the
broad bladed weapon into his VICTIM and the blood
from the wounds spirited over his hands, face and;
clothes. Four staos were in the groin and side, and
the final one in the region Of the heart. The
murdered man fell to the moor, groaned once and
son brothers. gave the alarm, and the other
boarders and all within hearing rushed into the
room, but too late to be Of any assistance. There
with the gaping wounds Of the sturdy
sailor, who but few short moments before was
IN the enjoyment OF health and animated by all the
angry passions which, when given vent to, beget
misery and an awful DEATH Taking advan-
sase Of SAe horrible excitement which he had
THE GUILTY WRETCH EFFECTED HIS ESCAPE
from the scene which will haunt him to the GAL
lows. In moment the terrOrS OF his position en-
vlrOned his imagination, and a vain hope OF avoid
ing punishment at the hands OF the law awoke
quaintance, a friend, in the person OF Norwegian
named Jacob Lawson residing at No. West War
tire murder and there ne
ran with all his might and main. He summoned
lawson rom MS bed and IN husky whispered
me have some clothes to change these, which are
bloody, razor to shave and some water" The
Lawson. He washed the evidence OF his guilt
the life-blood OF young Neilson-from on his hands
red goatee which he wore on his lower
lip G the q Toen ns Donrawsa
with darker forebodinqs Of the threatening gal
His great OBJECT was to get across the East River.
Once over that stream, the journey 'across tho
l sSme time to come az ali EVENTS Ms
shipped on board packet ship which was to have
sailed for Liverpool, England. to-day. He avoided
add hurried along In the shadow OF the houses
toward the Hamilton avenue ferry, hoping the
boat might be in, that there would be no delay.
ON THE TRAIL.
In the meantime the neighbors had become fully
10 tine ac tnss 9ss
sion OF the murderer. Of1cer Cunningham, who
was on the beat in the vicinity, was apprised OF
Third d precinct. Word was sent to the Busies
SUI eet station, a description OF Swanson was OBJ
bright look out for the fellow. Patrolman walker
saw man moving rapidly along Sackett street tow
ards the water about one o'Gock and ne followed
the ferry house, told him that man had just
ard had gone round to the Atlantic dock. the
place indicated Is very dark and gloomy, but
sonal bravery, hesitated not moment but strobe
rapidly after his prey. The man was found and
collared The officer told him OF the nature OF the
crime with which he was charged, and ne trem-
blingly asserted that there must be some mistake,
as ne was not the man. Bringing him around to
moment in doubt as to whether he was
justified in holding the prisoner, whose appear
so be-
Boyle they started OF towards the station house,
and, while on their way there, met one Of the
the prisoner is Peter swanson" ON reaching the
station house he changed his tune, denial OF iden-
tity being useless longer, and said that what he
had done was in seli-deence as Nelson struck
him first. In proof OF his assertion he pointed to
the bruises anu scratches which were conspicuous
on his face. He was handcufYed and locked up for
the night.
Onicers were then sent by Captain Ferry to
search the premises of the Petersons and Lawson.
The Peterson brothers, Mrs. George Peterson,
Jacob Lawson and wife were arrested ana locked
up as witnesses. guard was placed over the
dead body Of Nelson, and The Coroner was notineds
lending tardy response, as usual to the sum-
mons. At the house OF the Lawsons was found the
bOod-staned clothes OF the prisoner, the towel on
| which he wiped his hands, the red goatee and the
bloody kniie. This deoden Is black handled
! weapon, having blade six inches long anu aooue
one inch and half In width. 1t Is, In fact sucn al
| Is commonly used among sailors. -
Jacob Lawson tells the following story - waa
| standing at my door, when . man N MS shirt
| sleeves came running to me. He SAID, Let me go
up, countryman, to your house, saw That he
| was Swede, and said, CountrJman, what Is the
matterr let me up he replied, and said, Vel,
! .Sow tell me what is the mstter.' oh, don't lose
| any time,' he said. They are after me- He then
went to the looking glass and cut on his whskers.
| said AGAIN. sWhat Is the matter p and he said.