Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-05-23
Murder Will Out.


The mystery surrounding the murder of
Captain Nelson and his colored mate, on
board the sloop Fanny Southland, in Macho-
doc creek on the 4th instant, has been clear
ed up by the confession of Frank Burkman,
alias Frank Burke, aged about % years,
who was yesterday arrested in Baltimore on
charge of petit larceny, but who says the
deed was committed in selfdefence. He is
now held to await the action of the Virginia
authorities.
Captain Edward Nelson, of the sloop Fam
ny Southland, was dredging oysters in Ma
chodoc creek, and had made arrangements
to sail on the morning of the 9Th. The crew
of the sloop consisted Of the captain and two
men, one colored and the other a German,
Frank Burkman. Some time during the
mortally wounded the colored man. After
committing the deed, the murderer put on
the captains clothes and robbed the boat,
taking with him, it was said, nearly thou
sand dollars. He left the boat with sail set.
floating i'll the river, and rowed ashore in a
small boat. He took passage on the steam
er Arrowsmith at Matthias Point, bound for
Washington. The murderer however, did
not go as far rs Washington, but left the
steamer before that point was reached, and
made his way to Baltimore.
The priSOnerState that he was provoked to
commit the murders by the cruel conduct
OF the captain and mate He says that OIL
the morning OF the 4th inst. he OVERSIGHT
himselfand was awakened by the mate who,
with the captain cursed him for not having
their breakfast prepared. After the meal
had been furnished they continued to abuse
him, and finally both of them kicked him.
During the day he was several times abused
by them. About 5 o'clock at night he
went with the mate on deck to prepare for
sailing. Here he was again kicked by the
colored man. He warned the mate that he
would fix him, and refused to do any further
work on deck, claiming that he had to 20 to
prepare the coffee for supper. The captain
during this time was in his berth asleep.
Burklnan went down in the cabin and took
the captains revolver from beneath his pill
low and fired at the mate, who was sitting
on the locker. The report awakened the
captain, who immediately comprehended
the situation and reached for his gun, which
was suspended above his head. Before he
had chance to grasp it however, Burknan
shot him through the head and then went on
deck. He said he heard the captain NUT
ter some words, to which he paid no atten-
ton. The mate did not speak at all, but
rolled on the deck, kicking for considera-
BILE length OF time before he died. Burkman
says he remained on the vessel until early
next morning when he took the small boat,
rowed ashore, and took passage on the
steamer Arrowsmith.
On ADril 8 Rurkmop who u-oc op,pln,,o3
at Swindel Bros glass works, was sent to
the firms office to obtain the money, eighty
four dollars and fifty cents, to pay the en-
ployes their wages. He received the amount
but instead of going back to the works, left
the city with companion and went to Gin
cinnati. After spending the money he re-
turned to Baltimore and shipped on one Of
the bay craft, but afterwards left that YES
sci and shipped as cook on the Fanny South
ard. When Burkman left the sloop he took
passage Oh the steamer Arrowsmith for
Washington, telling the clerk his name was
Frank Burke
He Was arrested on the street Sunday
night and taken to the southern police sta
ton, where, when questioned he confessed
the crime and told where he had sold the
pistol which was recovered and identified
The mother of the young man had gone to
the station previous to the confession, and,
being unaware that her son was connected
with the murder, had offered to make good
the money stolen from Swindell Bros on con-
dition that the case should be dropped and her
son committed to the House of Refuge until
he was of age. Had it not been for the sus-
picions of a policeman this would have been
done and the other crimes probably never
discovered, as there was no positive evidence
against him.