New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-24
FIFTY-THREE DAYS IN A BOX.
HORRIBLE TREATMENT OF A SHIPS MATE.
CAPTAIN sLocUM, OF THE NORTHERN LIGHT, AR
prsrrn ON A AnGE OLE CRUELTY.

CAPTAIN sLocUM, OF THE NORTHERN LIGHT; AR
RESTED on A CHARGE OF CRUELTY.
Henry Arthur Slater mate of the American ship
Northern Light, was lodged in the Ludlow Street
Jail on Thursday night on a charge OF assault on
his superior officer, Captain Joshua, Slocum The
log of the schooner showed succession OF entries OF
quarrels between the captain and the crew. and AS
sistant District-Attorney Foster was inclined to
believe that there might be cause OF complaint
against the captain Captain slceum, who has
TSns and mailed Ep' up whan aa Deputy Marshal
Bible went to serve the warrant Tor fhe mae eco an
the hold Of the vessel. He had only one scanty
garment and was scarcely able to stand upright.
Clothing was obtained and placed upon him and he
assisted to the deck of the schooner. There he
tainted, but afterward recovered and was carried
to the jail, two men supporting him. After his ar
rival at the Jail he put to bed and soon became
deiriOus. DR.. OBrien was summoned. The pa
tient afterward recovered consciousness, but was
so weak that lie could scarcely move; Slater was
seen at the Jail yesterday morning by TRIBUNE
reporter. He was thin and pale, although he said
that he had formerly weighed 1872 pounds and had
taken prizes in contests of strength in South Africa
He assisted so that he could sit up and cup Of
water was put to his lips. He then with difficulty
p pear intelligent t. D'' 'N'''i''''
al heard" he said, ." at Port Elizabeth, South
Africa where | was a few months ago, that the
Northern Light wanted second mate: so l Of
fered myself, and was accepted. L did not hear
till afterward that the captain did not like my APP
pearance and threatened to fix me when we got
outside. One day, in the latter part Of September,
| happened to DO standing near the captain, and
was giving orders TO some of the men about mat
ter that belonged to my part of the management Of
the vessel, when the captain spoke to me. did
not hear him at first but when he spoke again l
turned toward him. He struck me blow with
some heavy instrument that nearly put out one OF
my eyes, and bruised the side OF my face so that
On the same day he gave orders that | should
no more be allowed TO enter the officers
cabin and told me TO take my things forward into
the forecastle with the seamen. told him that
shipped as officer but Obeyed him. One day
| was sick aud did not come on deck promptly. He
sent for me and threatened to put me in irons; l
ran away, and he fired three shots at me. he then
sent the mate and Others with cutasses TO put me
in irons. They put double irons on me and put me
in the hold, but managed to escape one night. A
few days afteTward again pat IN irons and then
was placed in box which the carpenter had made.
IL was about four feet wide, four feet high and five
feet long. / could not stand up or lie down, but
| had TO remain In cramped position: The captain
| fed me one biscuit and a mouthful OF water each
! day for q week. Then he gave me two biscuits a
| day. After had been seventeen days In the place
| | became unconscious, and remained so for the
most part for five days. l remained cooped up for
| ffty-three days, only going on deck twice. was
| IN irons all tho time. There was only small
breathing place in the box. Ny food was passed
in through hole in the box. Twas sick tor the
| greater part of the time"
| found him suffering from disease OF the bowels
| and also from weakness. he could not be taken
before Commissioner Shields. Isaac Angel, MS
| counsel, had complaint made to Mr.. Shields, and
| n warrant was issued for the arrest of Captain
Slocum. He was allowed TO go until this morning,
| when he will be required to give bail.
| Captain SlOoum complains that Slater did not
fulfil his duties acceptably, and that he was quar-
! relsOme. lie admits that he kept Slater In c0ntne-
ment for fifty three days. He charges that when
the mate was first put in irons he escaped and tired
| TO shoot the first mate and boatswan lie c0nsld,
| cred Slater a dangerous man. lie was convinced
that his captive could not be really i'll, because he
| showed such strength in breaking out of conine-
| ment The captain says that his wife and children
were greatly alarmed by the noises made by slater
| in trying 10 obtain release.