Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-11-12
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A Wilmington Negro Heaps frona
an Oystcr Psingy 90 a watcry

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A wilmington Negro Henps from
an Oystcr Pungy 90 a Watcry
Grave.
A colored man named William Thomp-
son was drowned at Baltimore on Monday
while attempting TO swim ashore from the
oyster pungy Effie X. Coulburn, lying in
the stream opposite Fell street. Ser
geant Roycroft boarded the Coulburn
Tuesday morning for the purpose Of as
certaining how Thompson came to his
death, and to make preparations to dredge
for the body. He found there w. i. Rob-
inson, colored man who declared that
he was held on the vessel against his will.
The sergeant had Robinson released and
+. w. Beatley, the captain, arrested ON a
charge of attempting to abduct Robinson.
Alexander Shaney, n shipping agent, was
arrested later for completely in the abdue-
ton.
AT the hearing in Captain Beatley's case
Tuesday afternoon, Robinson testified
that, on Monday morning, while he was
watching West Indin steamer discharg-
ing cargo Of fruit, he was approached
by eolored man, who asked him if he
thought he (the strangely could get work
on the steamer. Witness replied TINT he
thought not, as there seemed to BIO only
white men ON the vessel. The stranger,
who afterward gave his name as William
Thompson, then said that he was from
Wilmington, and that he had slept in
box-car and had had nothing to eat for
some time. Robinson gave him few
| pennies. Presently another colored man
came up and asked Thompson if he
wanted work. The latter replied in the
| affirmative. Both started to go toward
| East Baltimore, and Robinson was in
duced to accompany the two men, just to
act ms witness. The captains were
"skinned' so often, the newcomer ex-
planned, that they would not give an ad-
vance without having witness.
While going along East Lombard street
| Thompson agreed to pay his newly found
| friend $40 for getting him work and was
| to receive in return $3.50 shirt and
| some tobacco. He furthermore consented
to declare before the captain-whose
/ name was not mentioned, however that
\ he owed colored man No. 2 money for
board, if the captain was hard-healted
enough to refuse the advance-money.
/ The three men finally came to place
/ where there were two men behind the
desk and numbered colored men sitting
about, others shaking dice on the floor.
One of the men behind the desk, Alex
ander Shaney, asked the Wilmington
man to go with him TO his house to wait
| for the captain, and took him and
Robinson, who was only to be wit
ness, to house on Dallas street,
| where they waited for some time and
/ were then taken TO Justice Gortons Office,
on Bank street, to make the necessary
/ affidavit. There Robinson heard paper
read, but paid no attention to its con-
tents. Three names were called, but
Robinson's was not among then, and Rob
inson, by the advice of the colored man
who wanted to procure Thompson n job,
kissed the back of his hand instead of the
Bible, because sit was only form, and
he (Robinson) was merely to act as wit
ness" When some time after they ar
rived Mt wharf, they saw the Coulburn
laden with shells. The perambulating in
telligenee bureau jumped on board and
requested Robinson to follow him.
| "Come on; wait till the captain comes,
and then I'll get my money and go up
town with you" he said.
Still Robinson refused, but finally con-
scented to assist in putting lot of gro
| CeTleS Ou uGChs ~ bNB htNlIS WV bIhi'
the captain finally steamed alongside and
towed the Coulburn into the atream,
| where tue anchor was dropped. The pro.
curer of work stayed ashore. Robinson
| was again persuaded to remain ON board
and was afterward called into the cabin
where he was told to hold his hand across
that of Thompson, and the captain placed
into it q $1O-note, four silver dollars and
l l,aIf 1A1l Trty fD1U
reached over and grabbed the silver, ant
colored man the note. Robinson mad,
no objection, because he was no
shipping, but only witness. The cap
| tain and Shaney then jumped on thu
tug. Thompson got into the yawl, an(
was about to Chamber on board the tug als'
when the captain pushed him back int
! yawl. The tug then steamed away
Thompson declared he wasn't going tt
, stay on board, and moment after wa
, heard to exclaim "Good-bye, boys I'm
! going /" and jumped overheard. Whel
7 about SO feet away from the Coulburn b
, sank. Robinson asked to go ashore, blu
! the captain wanted him to pay OF first 81
and afterward $12.25. Witness had n
n money, but asked to be allowed to sem
9 for it.
Robinson was subjected to n sever
\ CROSS examination, but remained firm i
his story In answer to a question h
q said that he had been told the boat wa
: bound for Virginia.
J. Captain Beatley claimed that Robinso
Q shipped of his own free will, and Alexar
der Shaney and "Stocks" Higgins, co
2 ored, gave testimony corroborative of tn
. captains story. The shipping article
e were produced and shown to be signe
K by George Thomas, William Thompso
o and John johnson, the names being
e the same handwriting.
!, At the conclusion of the hearin
+ Captain Beatley was required togive 800
y bail for court, which was furnished b
a Peter Struyen.
IS The accused is from Northumberland
IS county, Virginia.