The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-22
THE ERIE BASIN TRAGEDY.
TABB0TT, sHIpMATE or THE MAN WHO
sLEW BERNARD FERRON.
Their Meeting In Raymond Street Jaii-The
story OF the Murder Told Auain-The Pris-
oner wrights Behavior amer the Killing.

Their Meeting In Raymond Street JntI-The
story OF the Murder Told Aaain-The Pris-
eper w-ivhrs Behavior amer the Killing
The schooner Mary b. Harris, on which
Bernard Ferron. the old river Spectator. was
murdered by John NJ Wright. on March 16. in
the Erie basin. arrived ut this port Monday
night Yesterday Ernest Talbot. who ut first
was suspected Of completely in the murder and
was aftorward exculpatcd By Wright in his con-
fession. was taken into custody under the war
rant granted after the discovery Of the body. for
the arrest of both. Talbot had intended to
Quit the vessel at Indian River. Me- but on
learning that he was wanted rs witness he
determined to come to New York. The Cap
tain. william D. Crowley. went ashore with
Talbot and wns profuse in his praises Of his
integrity. Neither Of them knew Of the tragedy
with which their vessel was connected until the
consignee in Windsor. Nova Scotia. gave them
a newspaper containing brief report Of the
murder and OF Wright's arrest. 1t was not
until Capt Crowley got more papers. and OBJ
tanned description OF the old iron that was
found tied to the body. that he was able to be-
lievc that there was no mistake about the muir
dor having been committed in his vessel. Capt.
Crowley added that he was convinced from the
start that Talbot was innocent. and he was
surprised TO think that Wright had made such
rapid progress in crime to murder a man
for his money. although he had had trouble
with him because of his thefts.
Talbot told a straightforward story to the
Police Superintendent. convincing him. as well
Us other officials. that he was wholly ignorant
which II was committed. Wright had told the
truth. rs far rs Talbot knew, except in saving
that il was / O'Clock when he returned from
New York to the boat II was nearly two hours
later.
Ernest Tabhott is 81 years Of age. and WIS
1.,e md ta..lf in fl.s On TOY Ifthp
Wright. The sun has deeply dyed his features.
To n reporter Tor THE Sun he said: 80 first
Scotia. The Captain and | both thought that
there must be- some mistake about the vessel.
but on looking around we missed the canvas
bag and the old ship iron, Just as It was de;
scrioed, | have seen the iron that was found
tied tied to the old 6oa tina body, and ! reeognze
then in the, Erie basin, at hall past ! a'cocE.
at the foot Of one OF tho streets leoding to the
basin. returned at about 8 o'clock in the
Een Away AND dasd 1 to % ssd SsSe
after me. He was on board the Walter
tbs ou Harris wh Saa cas ehG ashore cq }sS
got the yawl back to the vessel after left it and
that he rowed back in the yaw There was
nothing about the vessel To- show that murder
scraping the cabin floor once. but can't tell
whether II was before or after that day. Tho
cHoln moor was not wei, ana tnere were no
blood marks on 1t or on the deck. Wright was
good sort OF fellow. | never knew that he
was uunrrelsome. He seemed as cool as ever
when / went on board that day. and | never
noticed anything afterward. except that he was
noisy in his sleep, He paid Capt. Crowley s25
Tor some coffee and mes which he had stolen.
and al the time he showed a big roll OF money,
which knew he did not get honestly. but 1
though Il all came from the stun he had sold"
Have you seen Wrght's parents since he
was arrested for the murdcr?'
Yes, We put into Indian River on Sunday
before last and saw them. Jordan ). Wright.
thinks his son did i in self-defence. The fam
lily are all so poor that none Of them can come
here TO see about the case. They hope that the
boy will hot be hanged. never saw Bernard
The police arranged meeting in the jail be-
tween Talbot and John VI. Wright. and De-
tective Looney WAS detailed TO act rs a spy while
they were together apparently unobscrved.
his old shipmate, but soon began TO talk about
the murder. and related ~ he has repeatedly
done. the same account OF the killing already
published from his lips in THE SUN. He did
not vary essentially from the story he first told
Wright said that he had made mistake in the
depth OF the water where he threw the body
overheard, and he thought that II never would
come to the surface again. He added that he
scraped the cabin floor 10 get rid OF the blood
stains. He warned Talbot against using a bar
rel between decks for drinking water. because
run down into il. Talbot wished Wright well
put of the trouble. and took leave OF him. Tab
bott was taken before Justice Terry on Il charge
OF murder, his name being included in The war
sistant District Attorney Weinberg said that he
was convinced OF Tabbous innocence and
would not offer any evidence 10 support the
warrant. Talbot was then held In $500 bonds
Oyer and Terminer. Mr.. John II. Lewis Of 20
Third place became his surety