Evening journal., 1890-04-12
CAPT. DICKINS0N'S ARREST
MARSHAL NEWLlN AND A POSSE or
DEPUTIES BOARD THE BIG VESSEL.

hammock and Five seamen Brought
Before Commissioner Smith and the
Charges of Brutality Investigated.
The big ship Rappahannock. which is
now anchored at Dan Bakers, near
Reedy Island, and Is reloading a part of
her cargo, which was lightered at Deep
Water Point on Tuesday. was the
scene of an exciting incident last seven-
ing. About 8 o'clock the tug
Taurus, having on board United
States Marshal Newlin and deputies.
William S. Hilles, Esq, and several re-
porters, left the wharf of the Pusey and
Jones Company aud proceeded down the
river to the side of the magnificent YES
sci, where it hauled up, shortly before
10 o'clock.
The first mate Of the vessel, who saw
the boat come up hailed it with "Who
are your The answer was Il am the
United States marshal of Delaware com
ing aboard the ship Rappahannock.
Marshal Newlin, followed by his deputies
and other members of the party,
started up the sde Of the
ship by means of the shroud stays,
and as the marshal's head appeared
above the gunwale OF the ship the mate
met him and ordered him to get down,
also declaring that he should not come
aboard the ship.
The. mate made a motion as IL he would
push the marshal overheard. but the lat
ter quickly drew his revolver and told the
mate to stand aside or he would shoot
Deputy Marshal Reardon then climbed
over the ships gunwales and Marshal
Newlin jumping to the deck. demanded to
see the captain.
At this point the pilot, named Ell
bridge, came on deck and at the request
OF Marshal Newlin went below and in
formed the captain that the United
States officer was on deck and wanted to
see him.
Captain Dickinson received the mar
shall in his cabin, and the writ for his
arrest and that of five of his crew was
read to him there.
The captain said that the action would
not only delay his ship, but that If he
left her the crew would resort to mutiny
and probably destroy the vessel and
cargo. which he said was valued at
$500, 600.
1t was finally agreed upon to allo him
to remain on the vessel until this morn
ing when he would appear before Com.
missioner s. R. Smith in the United
States Court. The five sailors were then
arrested, brought to this city, reaching
here at o'clock this morning, and con
fined in the Federal building, at the cor
ner of Sixth and King streets.
The case was heard before Commits
sioner Smith at 10 o'clock this afternoon.
William s. Hilles. Esq, appeared for the
Seamen's Protective Association and
Levi G. Bird, Esq, for Captain Diekin-
son.
George NJ. Griffin, sworn: Il am
seaman and shipped in Philadelphia on
the ship Rappahannock to go to Hugo
Japan and received $40 two weeks ago
Last Friday morning the ship was
aground in the river below here; kept
me on deck; dropped anchor when she
got in safe place and | went into the
foreeastle to get some coffee. The other
seamen and ! resolved that the vessel
was not properly manned, as we had tried
to get the foresail up to no avail We
thought If we could not get the
sail upon the harbor, it would
be useless 10 try to do so at sea
went out to see the captain and told him
that we wanted to see the United States
Marshall, which privileges he positively
refused us. With that we started to go
forward, but the captain caught hold of
the spokesman named James. / told him
that If he put any in irons he would have
TO put us all in irons, in a reply to a
threat that he had made to that effect.
he then desisted and went forward and
soon afterward went ashore in tug. /
was aroused from my bunk by another
seaman and saw towboat come up W ith
four policemen and crowd of boarding
masters and runners. All the crew but
two we're called aft, the captain pointed
out myself and James as the ringleaders
The policemen jumped on me and one hit
me on the head with. black jack, split
my lip and beat me terribly. The next
thing | knew they were putting me in
irons. The next thing can remember /
was under the poop and another man was
putting four stitches in my lip Theycame to
me, sponged off the clotted blood and put
me in my berth in handouts Several
days afterwRrd the captain came to me
and remarked that I had comfortable
place there. My head was so dizzy at
times that did not know where / was
| could eat nothing with my mouth for
four days. Sent for the second officer TO
come and take my handouts off long
enough for me to wash my bursting head
and take my boots of. He said he could
not get of one of the handcuffs
At my request, Robert Randall washed
my head and put vinegar on it to relieve
the pain. My head commenced to run
matter, and the mate and another man
came down and washed my head. He
told me to come the morning afterward
l went out on deck and he called me into
the companionway where he dressed my
wounds. | could not sleep for the pains
in my head.
1.-The officers would not pay any atten-
tion to me when | asked for aid. Was in
handouts fifteen days without having
them off for one moment. | believe
would have been killed if / had been out
to sea. Always tried to do my duty"
On cross-examination by Mr.. Bird he
said: Had been drinking for ten days.
Have been to sea in ship before, the
Three Brothers 1t had forty-five men
and a hoisting donkey It might not
have had as many steam conveniences,
but a sail cannot be unfurled by STERN.
Had never threatened any one aboard the
ship"
Robert Randall sworn: Il was born
in Nottingham. England, and have been
a seaman for fifteen years. The second
mate was threatening what he would do
when we got out to sea- The vessel was
not properly manned, and we were afraid
to ship, so we demanded to see the United
States Marshal. The second mate beat
me after the officers had gone, and