Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-08-27
MuT,NY AT SEA.

MUTINY AT SEA.
Exciting scenes ON Board steamer-The
Prompt Action of the Captain in Shoot
ing the Leader OuelIs a Mutiny.
New YORK. Aug. 2a-The Netherland
line steamship OLDHAM, which reached
this port late yesterday, was the scene
of an attempt of mutiny on the last
trip to Europe and one of the ringlead-
ers paid the penalty of insubordina-
ton with his life.
According to the story of Capt
Baker, the outbreak was the result of
q plot to take possession of the ship.
The OLDHAM left this port July Is for
Rotterdam with upward of 800 cabin
running but twenty-four hours when
captain that there was evidence of dis
satisfaction among the freDen and
stolkers, all of whom were socialists
and had been ugly before
Capt Baker went to the furnace
rooms and his presence was the occa-
sion for a round of Kisses. He said
nothing, but going to his cabin sent for
Chief Engineer Bal, who told him that
the men were on the verge of mutiny
and that he had pleaded with them in
vain. II fear" he added, ''that the
men will draw the fires and leave Us in
nice mess"
you do your duty and let matters
shape themselves" said Capt Baker.
II have 800 passengers on this ship and
any man below who tries to run the
vessel will pay dearly for it. -
Evorvfhinn want xvol fhot rioht A
quiet search was made among the eff
fects of the stokers for rum, but very
little was found The craft was forty
eight hours out from port, Capt Baker
had about made up his mind that the
fears of his officers were groundless,
when the vessel began to slow down
and finally stopped altogether. He
went to the bridge and asked what was
the matter. The second officer on duty
told him that he had given the engine
room no signal to stop or even to slow
down.
just then the chief engineer rushed
to the bridge. ''Come below he shout
ed to the captain, s'the men have put
out the fires and threaten to take my
life if 1 insist on giving them orders.
They refuse to obey me in any way"
Capt Baker hurried below. He
found twenty of the firemen and coal
passers punched together beside the
furnaces. They had drawn the fires
and the vessel was simply holding her
head to the wind with the aid of a few
sails.
what is the matter with you fell
lows?' said the captain. A general
howl from the men was the answer.
"In tell you what is the matter"
said Peter Duzen, who appeared to be
the ringleader. 1--WE have grown tired
of this life and we intend to run things
to suit ourselves. That's what the
matter isl
us that the expression of yourself?"
inquired Capt. Baker. cor are you act
ing as spokesman for the others?'
II don't care what the other fellows
do" said Duzen, 'I am going to have a
good time or know why
Cali right" said the captain, you
can accomplish your purpose when you
do away with me-"
eff that is so I'll do it now" said Du-
zen and picking up huge iron pick he
sprang at the captain. The latter drew
back, pulled navy revolver from his
pocket, aimed it at Duzen and fred.
The man fell at the captains feet
with an oath. The ball had entered
his left breast and two hours later he
died.
The quickness and determination of
the captain filed the remainder of the
mutineers with alarm and they fed
in every direction about the furnace
room.
The fires were relighted and the YES
sci proceeded on her way, reaching Rot
terdam without further incident.
The body of Duzen was buried at
sea. Papers on his body showed that
he was rabid anarchist. with any
thing but good character. He was a
Polander and unmarried.
At Rotterda am Capt Baker had all
hands arrested.
The 800 passengers who were on
board the vessel were greatly excited,
as all expected that the mutineers
would get possession of the craft The
matter will be fully settled on the re-
turn of the craft to the other side.
Shipping men are confident Baker will
be honOrably acquitted.