The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-11-04
A Sa,lor,s STORY.

A medium.si2ed Cornishmsn, about
SO years OF $50, who gave the name Of
Joseph y. Liddy, called upon Justice
Of the Pasce Burke yesterday and
asked for permission to auo out q COM
paint without costs against A. c. Otls,
master, and j, a. Brown, first mats, OF
American bark Solitaire, which arrived
here about three weeks ago from Car
did, Wal0s. the object Of tile complaint
being to recover $500 damages Tor per.
sGnal ipiurieS received at their hands
during The voyage. Whom asked for
the grounds OF hia complaint, Liddp
related tale Of inhumsn and brutal
treatment on tho high seas that
Is GENERALLY cOncsdod to be found
only In dino novel literature. Seven
months age, while in Cardiff, he
shipped rs 3 common sailor on the Sol.
ltGire, bound Tor San Francisco, at the
regulation wages ui SO month
Everything progressed smoothly uniil
they were about six days out, when
both the captain and first mate devel-
opad characteristics for brutality and
arrogance that foreboded living hell
for the crew bsf0re the voyage was
ended. Upon the slightest proVooStion
the men were knocked down with be-
laying pin or q ropes end, and then
kicked because they did not get up
quick enough. The majority Of the crew
were Scandinavians, and submitted to
this kind OF treatment without word Of
complaint, but Liddy was OF differ
ent nature and frequently committed
tho imprudence of resenling the blows
he received by threatening what he
would do when tho ship reached port.
This only made matters worse, and
Llddy soon became the special object
of attention at the hands OF the cruel
officers, who seemed bent on breaking
his spirit, even If they had to break
every bone in his body in the attempt.
On one occasion he was beaten and
kicked into astato of insensibility,and
was left lying upon the deck bleeding
and almost dying. One OF his teeth
had been knocked ont, his eyes
were blackoned and swollen, his ears
were torn and his body so bruised and
sore thst for many a long night after
no was unable to lie down and take his
proper and much needed rest. In ad-
dition TO this the crew were half
starved and compelled TO exist upon
short ratons of the poorest character.
Even the mild natures of tho SoRndi-
naviau sailors we're at last aroused, and
when the voyage was nearing its end
they promised Llddy their aid in the
prosecution OF Otis aud Brown, upon
the arrival Of the vessel ut San Fran
cleoo, 1! he would take upon himself
the responsibility OF bringing tho
matter to the attention of the courts.
This Llddy agreed 70 DO, but concluded
he would endeevor 20 recover some
damages before iustltuting legal
prosecution. After hearing this story,
judge Burke did not heeitaie IN max
ing an order IN have u
complaint issued without cost.
Just before leaving, L,ddy promised
that when tho case cgmo up for ttisl
tomorrow or Tuesday ho will mako
some revelations about she actions at
the captain and mate curing the vcy.
age that are only equalled by thouo OF
the officers Of the lannon's ship Gath
orer, who were tried In this city about
four years ago. The man related
his wrongs Ia straightforward and
apparently truthful manner; but sea-
iarlng men are so given 10 romanoing
that IL IL quito possible, IL not proba-
bic, that his story was considerably
exsggorated,--IAlts Californian.