Daily Republican., 1886-07-27
A MURDEROUs MANIAC.
The Steward of the Nellie Paine Tries to
XIII the Msster-The Captains Terri
bio Wounds.

The Steward of the Nellie Paine Tries Z
XIII the Msster-The Captains Terri
| ble Wounds.
DELAWARE BREAKwATER. Julv 26
l-Heavily ironed and guarded by a,
armed patrol, Frederick Sears. tn
maniac steward of the Boston schooner
Nellie @. Paine, who made such a des
perate effort to murder his captain, W
+. Nickersop. lies in o boat house ou
on Lewiston beach. At intervals b,
shrieks like wild be ast and tugs at hi
iron bands With madmsn's q fury, bu
he is safe from doing any more harm
with his murderous razor. For the Ara
time this evening the captains re
covery was considered possible. To
night he was Joined by his pretty youns
wife and his father in-law, who came
all the way from Brockton, Mass. ii,
may get well, but he will carry through
life four ghAstly scars and the recollec
ton of one Of the most tragic event,
that ever occurred on shipboard.
The schooner sailed on Monday. Or
Tuesday 1t WAS noticed that the Steward
was acting queerly. He is q tall, anqu
lar, Cape God Yankee of 80, with 4
sharp. thin face, and usually was full
OF humorous jokes. He was consta ntly
telling funny stories and singing comic
songs and never drank. The change In
the Stewards manner was noticeable
to all. He became moody and sinpu-
larly quiet, and had q wild look in his
eyes. Nothing was thought of this at
the time. The Steward went about his
duties rs usual and gave no trouble. On
Friday evening the schooner was of
Fenwick's g Island five miles from shore
The weather was hazy and there was a
good breeze. 1t was the Captains watch
from to IL. The Captain was called
shortly before 8. He had lust gotten
out of his bunk and had his trousers
partly on when the Steward rushed into
the state-room. His own quarters were
twelve feet away. His large eyes blazed
with the light of madness as he walked
quietly up to the Captain.
| Captain, 1 amt goin' to do anythins
to you," he stsmmered, "I amt goin
to do anything to you."
Captain Nickerson started back. ap6
the next instant q stalwart Cape Coo
arm encircled his body and he relt 8
sharp pain as razor cut deep through
the right side of his neck. A desperate
struggle ensued and the Captain called
for help as he felt another slash of the
keen blade.
The mate was at the wheel. He heard
the cry of "Mack, Mack, my God
Mackl" He rushed to one of the sid,
windows and saw the Captain STANDING
at the state room door, with the COOK
near him. Blood was pouring in greaI
streams from the shippers neck and
forehead, completely covering him.
The steward had a blood-stained
razor in his hand. He was still re-
peating: Captain, 1 ain't going tc
hurt you," and his face was working
convulsively. The mate got cspstan
bar and ran to the forward gangway
The steward by that time had moved
the gangway and the captain had sunl
helplessly through the hatch. Calling
the crew to his assistance, the mat,
rushed upon thu mad steward and
desperate struggle ensued. ST ain
~ ain'5 gc.ng to do nothing"
He was lashea tightly with line, tn
razor was taken from him and then at
tentlon was turned to the Captain
There were two deep gashes, one aboy'
the other, starting at the back OF tht
neck and running around To . poin
under the chin. Both had cut 10 tn
bone at the back, but by a miracle hsi
not .evered the jugulsr vein. There
were also two deep gashes in the fore
I head. One had penetrated to the skull
The vital necessity was to stop the flow
of blood. None of the crew had any
idea of surgery, but the Mate hit upon
a happy expedient. He swathed the
Captains neck in towel full of -four.
This was done again and again, anG
finally the bleeding was stopped. Cap
tain Eickerson was utterly helpless, ,anG
even when he recovered consciousness
the crew were afraid to move him. FL,
lay upon the deck until II O'Clock OF
Saturday.
Meantime the steward, strugglins
and raviug, had been put in irons. II,
was carried below, where guard wa
put over him. 1t was found almos
Impossible to work the schooner, as tn,
Captain had to be constantly looket
after and the maniac guarded. "Hat
An on shore storm come up" said tn,
mate tonight, 1--WE would have beer
lost"
On Saturday afternoon one of tn,
steamers of the Atlantic Wreckinl
Company passed near. The Mate raI
up the signal of distress and sent a mar
In boat with request for help. Aid
was sent and full sail was at once Sc,
for the Breakwater. On arriving here
the Captain was gotten ashore and car
ried to Levi Lynch's hotel and DR..
Hiram r. Burton was summoned,
After much trouble the wounds were
| dressed.
| The doctor found the mans head
almost severed from his body, and he
was too weak even TO speak. The ply
sician says he does not see how the
wounds failed to be fatal. This after
noon the cook was brought ashore by
Deputy Marshal Veasey. He was kept
in irons and at intervals was rational
He tells different stories. Once when
asked why he cut the Captain, he said
II got afraid" To The Press oorre
spondent he told rambling story
about the men talked of robbing him
As he talked his eyes rolled .wildly
He heard them, he says, declare they
would kill him and throw his body
overheard.
1.-THE Captain had his shot gun :,
shoot me, he said, so l got my razo
and ran IN to defend myself" Their,
was no gun aboard the schooner. To
night the prisoner is wilder than eve
and he has to be held down to keen hin
from beating his head against the wall
II A
Cutting Released.