The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-25
CARL BURK'S STORY SUSTAINED.
AUGUST "a, 1875.

AUGUST "a, 1910
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD
Carl Burks story about being robbed and throwa
overheard from tho steamer Continental. plying boz
tw.eI here and New Haven, may appear incredible,
and in TACT thoro is strong disposition to disbcl,cve
it, but for ono am not sceptical OF his statement and
am perfectly satisfied every word Of 1t ID true Eight
years ago l took the Northampton steamer at Peck
slip for Now Haven at just tho uncommony late
hour OF the night-cleven o'clock-as Carl Durk did.
1t warm weather, and, though had statoroom,
preferred taking scat on the upper forward deck
pass the best part OF the night Shortly after
started fellow OF ins.nuatng address drew his camp
stool close 10 mino ana before very long en-
gagged in rather familiar conversation AS said, the
weather warm, and when my sweet longuod aud
guiiecss looking neighbor passed his flask
the recommendation that 1t contained the finest
Old Cognac brandy, ana alter apparently taking swig
OF II himself Lad no hesitation III accepting ais hos
ptality. There were about Two score people deck
this time and the hour WAS past midnight. l took
more drink from ito strangers nasK and then |
remembered nothing ill about live O'clock III the
morning, whom awokc to IND myself lying tho
damp deck, my purse torn to pieces and lying around
and my gold watch and chain gone. | Saw no
aOout DuI coiorcd BOY who sweeping the deck ait
] called TO him and said, sam, whero Is my watch
ana chain - ,ra, Knows mum aoou. IT,. ne replied
exclaimed bitterly; and then the col0icd boy entered
into explanation. lie said that when was lying
stupeed the deck my ''triend" and u confedcraio
lifted me 10 sitling position, and while the rited
my pockets and The other addressed himself
ths rather difficult task OF pulling OIL he watch chain
winch pretty well fastened around my neck and
the Duttonloles OF my vest. IL seems held
cousy 10 the chain but tho accratiun my hands aud
neck received aroused me IRON the torpor was
ana impclcd me to cry out IL was then the attention
oil co.or0d boy who on watch became atractou
and a approached he heard OF two rui.aus
say ''Let throw hun overheard" The moment
they recognized the boy vi them slid away aud dis
appeared down stairs and tho othor, who remained,
represented tina; he was my friend and Was engaged
taking of my watch aud cham Tor saio keeping.
lis story was SO plausible that tho darky helped him
his work, and the watch and The chain finally
secured having had nil this by way of explanation
immediately jumped TO my cet, though feeling weak,
like half poisoned; got the captain out OF Ills bed,
had the thief iccntined In MS berth by tho
uarky, and, were now at New Haven, had
tho anchored the stream until The police
rNcd Every passenger on board was searched,
though IN vaiu but held on TO my "trend" had HIM
locked up ana with the co0rcd boy tor my ouly wit
ness succeeded In sending him to the State Peniton
tiary Connecticut Tor seven yearA In conclusion
wish TO say feel satisfied that neither my
that uf Carl Burk exceptional aud that Aeavon only
knows how many unfortunate passengers by these
midnight boais ~ New Haven have my seriously dis
Appeared Why should the hour Of departure be
O'Clock mighty IL this very alone hos
the danger. A who just gets board the
boat on a hot summers night at such
ecs reluctant to retire to his stacroom and goes
deck Tor the resn air. aud the chances he may
asleep stay there until he s alone and elt prey
TO the lurking thieves and culthroats who ply their
vocation Oh steamboats, ANOTHER VICTIM.