The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-12
A VIRGINIA TRAGEDY.
Mutinous Negro Waterman Throws a
Captain Overheard and Then browns
Himself In Albemarle Sound.
PORTSMOUTH, April II, 1871,

IORISAOCTH, April IL 1874
On Thursday night the freight barge Neuse
loaded with fish and shingles, under the command
OF Captain David Crocker. and belonging 10 the
Pioneer transportation Company, OF this city, left
Edenton, N. Co. for Norfolk, in TOW OF the steam
tug Ludlow hawser Of about seventy yards con-
Meeting the two vessels. The night was dark and
very rough and the progress across the Albsmare
Sound was slow and difficult. Previous to sailing
Captain Crocker had had some difficulty with one
OF his negro hands, named Andrew Wn,tehurst,
and the negro az once began 20 nurse such
o dreadful animosity towards the Captain that he
went to Mrs. Croker, VINO sailed with her husband
and was on deck at the time. while the Captain
was below and. accosting her angrily. remarked -
MADAME, your husband showed his fist under
my nose.n
Mrs. Croker replied, "wen, Andrew. YOU
shouldn't u m,nd him. aou know how high tenn.
to entreat hun to cherish no Ill feeling In the
matter.
the negro was not disposed to a reconciliation,
however, and he ended the conversation with the
sullen threat "Well, never mind, what's between
us Will be made all right IN day or two"
MUTINY.
During the first watch Whtchurst was called
upon by Captain Croker to take his place at the
watch came round he also refused to obey the
Captain and go to the wheel. AT the third watch,
which was between three and fur O'CLOCK, he
Obeyed the Captain and took mis- station steering
the barge. The wind was blowing q gale at the
time, and portion OF the deck load or the barge
was swept overheard. CAPTAIN CrocKer could not
sleep, and merely reclined In his berth. Perceiv-
ing that the barge steered badly he went on deck
to see what was the matter.
THROWS THE CAPTAIN OVERHEARD.
Shortly afterwards Mrs. Crocker heard her hus-
band at words with Whitehurst and heard his
voice singing out very loud several times, as she
Thought, to those on board the tug Ludlow A
short time after this, while Mrs. CrocKer was lis
tenIng and patiently waiting the return OF her
husband, she heard Whitehurst tell one OF the
negro crew, who came aft, that the Captain had
lust iallen overheard. she Immediately new up
the cabin ladder aud on deck and charged White
hurst with having thrown Captain Croker over
board. Whitehurst stoutly denied having CON-
mtted the murder, and insisted that the Captain
fell overheard. Mrs. CrOcker became very
violently affected and alarmed and screamed Tor
help TO the people on the tug, but the winds
were roaring to such an extent that her
cries could not be heard the length OF the barge.
Frightened al the probability OF personal violence
from Wmtehurst she appealed to the negro stand
ing near for protection. He promptly pledged her
that she should receive his protecton. she con-
tinued to charge Wbitehurst with numbering her
husband, and he would as persistently deny the
accusation.
THE MURDERER BROWNS HIMSELF.
Suddenly Whitenurst let 60 the Wheel and,
going forward, stripped on his Cat, and was seen
by al the hands on deck TO Srddenly plunge over.
board into the seeming waters OF Abemarle
SQvRq. Eemorse had evidently overcome the
numerous negro, and he sought In the grave OF O
suicide 70 wipe out the misery that overwhelmed
The whole transaction happexed iust on the
month OF perquimon's River, Shere the sound Is
eight or nine mules wides