The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-29
THE MUTINY CASE.
The Examination Yesterday Be-
fore Commissioner Craig.

The case Of Thos. Cummings, second mate
of the ship Virginia, charged with melting
mutiny on the high SEAS came up before
United States Commissioner Craig. United
States District Attorney Beckwith and Hon.
E. John Ellis represented the prosecution, and
Charles Luzenberg Esq, the defense.
Louis Green testified in accordance with
the log book. Cummings, the second mate
wanted to hit me with capstain bar, where
upon 1 shot at him twice, one shot taking
effect in his side. Two days afterwards was
knocked down by the second mate and two
men.
By Mr.. Gutenberg reason you and
the captain made the charge against Cum
mings was in order to stop proceedings against
you and him, was 1t not! =.
Ayes, sir.
District Aaorney-Why did you not at
tempt or put the second mate in irons?
A.-Because / could not. The crew were on
his side and they would not help me, and II
and the captain would attempt 1t We
would receive the punishment ourselves.
Capt. Barker was next called and testified
as follows:
After reviewing the log book he swore to it
being true and also swore to his making all
entries in it.
The first 1 heard of the difficulty Cum
mings cursed Green and told him he would
murder him and then throw him overheard.
Cummings then got large size capstan bar
and was coming up to Green. When he got
within fifteen feet Of Green he (Green) pulled
out a pistol and fred at Cummings twice,
one of the balls taking effect in his SID.
By United States District Attorny-Cap-
irons
A.-Because l would have to shoot some
body OF get killed myself.
Odd any of the crew sail under your
com mand before?
A.-Never.
Odd you see the mates pistol after the
shooting?
A.-No, sir; I did not see the pistol, but it
was limited that the carpenter had it.
Q.-Who dressed Cummings wound?
A couple of men belonging to the crew
and myself.
O.-How was the ball extracted?
A.-One of the men cut 1t out with
razor.
Q-How long have you been a..ship master?
A.-Forty years.
Question by Mr.. Luzenberg-Who cut the
bali out of this man? (polnting to Cum
mings.)
Al do not know.
Odd not you and the first mate talk
about having Cummings arrested, in order
not to have legal proceedings taken against
YOU by him when he arrived in New Or
leans?
A.-Yes, sir; thought it was my duty.
Odd you not tell the first mate, Louis
Green, that the best thing for him to do
would be to have Tom Cummings arrested, so
as in order to keep you and him out OF trou-
BILE?
A-Yes, sir.
Q-When you first accosted the second
mate, did he not tell you to 60 away and
mind your business
A.-Yes, sir.
Did be or did he not shoot at him
twice?
A.-Well, yes.
Odd you order him to stop?
A.-Yes, sir. l told Mr. Green | wanted
no work like this on board my ship.
Odd you administer any punishment to
the first mate for shooting at the second mate
on board the shipl
A.-No, sir; because thought he was act
ing in defense of his life.
Q-How did this difficulty first commence
A.-On the night Of the goth OF August l
gave Cummings, who was on watch, an order.
lie told me he would not do it, and that he
was better seaman than l was. / told him
he was liar; he told me was d liar.
Q.-Do yon not know that the mate was
carrying pistol in his pocket as ne walked
the deck for three days?
A.-No, sir.
| Mrs. Barker sworn-We were out at sea
about three weeks, when l heard Cummings
| tell the first mate that he would throw him
overheard Cummings kept repeating tc
Louis Green that he intended to kill bim
The first mate, upon hearing this, armed him