The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-15
PETTIS, .BASSETT & CO..
BRUTALITY ON THE DOLPHIN.
Apothecary Lewis Tells Story Of Cruelty
by the officers of the Rejected Vessel.

Mr. Harry Lewis, who was apothecary on the
new naval vessel, the Dolphin. during its recent
cruises, is visiting his brother. Mr.. Frank Lewis,
in this city, having left the vessel at Norfolk on
last Friday In conversation with Journal re-
porter last night he stated that In several years
experience as apothecary, on different ships in
the United States naval service, he had never
witnessed such brutal treatment of men as the
Dolphin crew are subjected to by the officers in
command. ''Of the ninety-four men in the
crew." he said, 'the majority are Norwegians
and Swedes, who are accustomed to harsh treat
ment; bnt there are fourteen Americans among
the number, and the brutalities to which they
have been subjected, without any justification
whatever. are simply insufferabie. The
officers in command, Lieutenants ALI
with the crew than the most brutal Southern
slave master ever was. They never gave an
order to the men without using language not
only profane but SO outrageously insulting that
it would be resented with at least sound
thrashing if they should dare to use it
anywhere else besides on board the
ship under their command. Captain Mead.
while on board, paid no attention to the
command of the men, and when he left Allibone
vas the officer in charge, SO that there was re-
course. Ii there was any resentment of the out
ragaous treatment it was punished by confine-
ment in the brig" and the men were threatened
with punishment if they should ever dare TO
speak of the crueltes heaped on them in any
way that would be likely to reach Headquarters
Several instances OF the brutal impositions on
the men were mentioned by Mr.. Lewis. ''On
one occasion he said, zone of the men stated
that he intended to complain to superior officers
about the treatment he had received. The re-
mark was overheard by the junior lieutenant,
who warned him that he would make him suffer
for 1t, and forthwith reported the fellow,
and prevented his getting a hearing.
An article. which had evidently been
prepared for newspaper, giving statement of
some OF the abuses to which the crew were sub
{eeted. was found on deck one day by the junior
lieutenant He called oil the men up before him
and endeavored to learn By questioning them
who had written 1t. He even offered reward
for the name of the writer. If /
- wrote this I'll make it so warm
Tor him that he'll wish he never learned how
to put pen TO paper A newspaper reporter or
correspondent is not allowed anywhere near the
Dolphin, at Norfolk, and every precaution is
Saken against allowing any information regard
ing the condition of affairs reaching the public
was requested by the men to do what could
for them, when | left, as any attempt by
them to get the abuses Of the officers
before the attention of naval officials at Wash
sngton would be at the risk of making their
hardships more intolerable. Besides. it is we'll
recognized fact that the word of one officer
usually will be accepted as true over the sworn
statements OF thousand men. have no per-
e0nal grievances with the officers, as in my line
Of duty had no relations with them, but in the
interest Of humanity, / should like to see
heir conduct investigated. 1t lie wholly In dis
seRard OF the rules of the navy and the treat
ment of the crew is as much unlike the treat
nent accorded the men on other vessels as are
she relations between the employer and his en-
Dloye In the North, compared to the brutality of
the save-master TO the slave In the South before
Inc emancipation