The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-08-10
MUTINY AND MURDER
On Hoard the ShiP Northern Lixht-Th
Nhte stabbed to Death, g.

Nhte stabbed to Death.
NEw. LONDON CoSS., August 0.-The
townspcople are greatly excited over the
murderors act OF one OF the mutinous
crew Of the ship Northern Light, Captain
slocum, from New York. The ship left
New York for Yokohama, Japan, last
Monday, with an assorted cargo OF kero:
sene oil, coal and merchandise. On Fri.
day morning, when of Montauk, it was
discovered that the rudder would not work,
and she was, therefore, taken in tow by the
New York tug, c. +. Raymond,
Captain lsanney and towed to this
port, where it was found that the
fourth or lower pintle Of the rudder
was broken and the upper pintle bent.
When the ship arrived here on Friday
afternoon the sails were furled and the
crew demanded 10 be put ashore, refusing
to do any more work. Up to this time the
crew, according to the captain, appeared
TO be satisfied, and the only suspicion he
had OF any trouble was from the action OF
one OF the sailors, named Francis Murrin,
who, when in the chains throwing the
lead, reported by the mark two or,hree
tathoms more water than there really was
in the hope oil getting the ship ashore.
MurrIn's reports not agreeing with the
chart one OF the mates took the lead and
did the soundings. .I.0Il,
When the crew refused to work on
Friday afternoon the captain came ashore
and requested detail OF two men to the
ship. US the crew had inu,inied. The
police force here numbering only six men
Two could not be spared. Twocitizens
were finally found, sworn in as special
constables, and accompanied him on
noard. The captain Immediately ordered
the crew TO the forecsstle, but they positive.
iy refused to go, claiming that tiev had
made port and their voyage was there.
fore at an end. He again ordered them 10
the iorecastie several times, and as they re.
fused the revenue cutter U. S. Grant, Cap.
tam A. a. Fersar, was signalled, and Il
squad Of men boarded the ship to restore
order. The crew were obliged 10 enter
the iorecastle and the doors were then
fastened on them, the special constables
acting as guard over them, assisted by
Deputy Sheriff llinckley. The revenue
men then leitthe ship, but told the CAPTAIN
II he desired assistance again TO sigma! a,
once.
The men were kept in the iorecastle un.
Il! this morning, about eight o'clock, when
they broke out. The mate was in charge
OF the deck at the time, the watchman and
captain being at brea aklas, in the cabin.
They hurried on deck when he gave the
alarm anu the men were Immediately or
dered back 10 the forecastle, but refused to
90.
The captain then called two OF the men
ait, one oi whom was Murrin, and ordered
the mate to pu; them in irons. The cap
tain, second mate and mate stood upon the
quarter deck and the men were ordered 10
come up.
The quarter deck, is reached by two lad
ders. The Captain stood hear one OF them
and the Second Mate near the other.
When the first man came upon the GUAR.
ter deck The Captain ordered him 10 yiye
up his sheath knife, which he did. Muir
r'n then c:,lne up, and when the Captain
asked him for bis knife he replied that he
did not have one. Some one said, ais in
his pocket, Captain" The Captain search.
ed Murrin's pocket, bit found no knife,
and passed him to the Firs. Mate, Marvel
w. Knowles.
Just at that moment the crew made n
rush Tor the quarterback, and the captain
and the second mate drew their reyolyers
and ordered the mutineers back al the
peril OF their lives. During this disturb.
ance Mate Knowles attempted TO put the
handouts upon Murrin, and while thus
engaged the latter plunged sheath knife,
which he had concealed on his person
into knowles abdomen four times. The
murderous act was done so quickly that
neither the captain. second mate, Depu,y
Sheriff Hiuckley nor watchman saw it. i.
is said that the only obtainable eve wit
ness OF the stabbin2 was Il boy who had
shipped az an ordinary seaman. lie will
be taken ashore 10 testify at the hearing,
which will be held tomorrow.
When the men retreated from the muz.
zlcs OF the revolvers the mate was found on
the deck with the blood flowing in streams
IRON three deep wounds in his stomach.
Aiurrin still had hold OF him, knife in hand.
Sheriff Hinckley and the ships carpente,
secured the murderer and the signal tor
and was sent TO the revenue cutter. Her
crew arrived with cutlasses, boarded the
ship, oyerpowed the mutinous crew and
placed them in irons. Deputy Sheriff
lfihckley took Murrin in charge and con-
veyed hin 10 the lookup. 4