The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-07
THE nARD LOT or wILLIaM ross.
His shipmates say that the Cruelty Of Captain
and Mates Caused his Death.


A case Of alleged cruel and inhuman treat
mont nj sen, resulting in the death Of william
Voss one OF tho crew Of the American brigan-
tInc Alcira. was before United States Commits
soncr Osborn yesterday. Tho complaint was
mndo 10y William Walker. steward. and Carl
sthar ordinary seaman of the Alcra. who
aver that the death Of William voss war caused
hy the treatment he received ut the hands Of
James Lindsey. Captain; Herman Price. first
mate. md Cnrkson Deano second mate.
knrl Kosibar was tho only witness examined.
lie testified that on tho 9th OF February last.
when the vessel was about four days out from
the port Of Now York. it was the watch below
for himself and Noss. Tho mate Prco came
and ordered witness to turn to- Noss was some
little distance of. washing his hands and wit
ness said that 1t was Noss's business to turn to
~ much n his The mato looked at Voss aud
said. IAN rights I'll 90 and make him work"
Tho mate then went to Voss and told him to 20
TO work. Noss looked up; tho mato spoke in n
surly tone. and voss said that he would 20 to
work, but the mate Mood not talk tina, way to n
man. A quarrel cnsucd the mnte struck Voss,
the blow WIS returned and other blows followed
between them The Captain came up and
took Noss away. some distance forward.
Witness saw the Captain and mate striking
Noss who tried 10 escape by getting into the
forccastle lfc was covered with blood: the re
WIS blood all around and the vessel looked like
a butcher shop. The Captain held voss, who
was falling back on the rail. AZ Noss tried to
get away. the Captain pulled him out again and
said. Como out and settle 1t right here now
The Captain had him by the throat, and said TO
him That's the Kind Of man y9u are. to come
on board 10 make disturbance. but you found
the wrong man in me. At that time Noss'S eyes
were rolling. and he was almost choking. He
to come aboard Ia mako disturbance"
Tho Captain says, "Oh. / saw you strik-
INK the mate" Then tho Captain let
go. aud the maic took hold and hauled him
out md kicked him. He could not Offer any
nll over his face his neck WIS bloody, and he
had hurt hi- hand he could not fight any moro.
Thon th" Captain told Price to get the irons
tan asSed Him II Ire Would turn turn TO- -" Nosss
answered that be couldn't turn TO It was impos-
sihlr, because he was tired out and sick, Then
the Captain put him out ON the poop. and he Pat
down There. lie WAS covered with blood; his
eyes were swollen the weather was very eold
9nd person sitting still would ireez' Noss
had no cap on. only ono shirt and no cont.
Witness saw the second mates hands covered
with blood from striking Noss wont below AZ
6 O'Clock when he camc back from supper Noss
was standing up. md big. thick drops OF blood
were running down his head. The Captain said
e. HIM, DO YOU want any supper T. Nuss said
NJ; can't eat any. don't feel like eat-
ing The Captain said. d" you want to
your surpor" Noss seid he could not, and
tn" Captain ordered the steward 10 bring
MN ~ IiN Nl MNlfI anu u LlsfAl
Noss asked the Captain II he could not 20 be-
low, as ne was cold and freezing. Tho Captain
san Il ne would pot tprnt3 hccould not have
mate STRUCK him first and had got To- pay for il I:
that he had done nothing wron. To the mate,
The Captain said; Oh. YOU are one 81 that kind
81 men. are you Going 10 sea Tor that kind of
a way of making money You Will pay for
that before you get home.' AT " O'Clock the
next day Noss had not changed his condition.
lie wac all -weiled VI and bloody. From til
Oclp'k he was lying down on the deck.
At : o'clock tho following day ~ witness wns
going on deck. Noss went To- the forrcnstle with
out the irons On. and turned into his bunk. He
said he felt bad. The next day he was shaly
aud had fever. The next day he was too weak
To- work al the wheel. He was shaking all over
when Price sent him out 10 secure tho
flying Iib. He had TO quit work. and
fell down the forecastle steps. He did not get
out Of his bunk after that.
The Commissioner held the Captain and
mates in $1,000 bail.
The Captain and mates say that the man was
insuhordinnte. and that his death. so long aiter
the occurrence. must be- attributed to disease.