The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-08
THE VALPARAISO MURDER.
Sailors Tell How Chilean Soldiers Shot
Mate Riggin I'm the Street.

vxrLrJo, Jan. THE official investiga-
tion into the assault on the Baltimore's
sailors in Valparaiso on October 16 last
was commenced this morning at the Mare
Island navy yard. Judge-Advocate GEN
erai Rcmy presided, assisted by United
States District Attorney Garter.
Others present were Lieutenant Nc
Crea, Of the Baltimore, who was
the officer admitted to attend the
examination of the sailors before Judge
Foster, at Valparaiso. and United States
Commissioner J. S. Mauley. One fact not.
generally known to the outside public, but
which was well known 10 the officers ut the
island, is that the shore party from
the Baltimore that was attacked
consisted entirely of what are called first
conduct men. They received many PRIV
iieges, of which they are deprived on the
least misbehavior. Before they went
ashore they were especially warned
that IL they got into any quarrels
no more sailors would be allowed their
liberty. They therefore were responsible
TO their comrades for their conduct, and
all the testimony seems TO show that they
remained entirely sober.
The first witness, c. W. Talbot, was
young, manipulating fellow, and told
straightforward story. The most inn
portant fact elected from him
was that the sailors were warned
& an hour before the assault that IL was be-
Ing planned. The second significant fact
IL that when arrested by the police they
considered IL necessary to disguise him 10
prevent his being recognized rs a Balti-
moro man ana murdered by the mob.
The second witness, J. NJ. Johnson,
erInorer OF the baltimore, witnessed the
staboins Of Riggin from the window OF a
hotel, aud ispositive that the police who
We're present made no attempt TO protect
him. lie tried to rescue Riggin. but q
squad OF soldiers came up and deliberately
shot ana killed Riggin while in Johnson's
arms the soldiers being not six feet away
j, ne statement made by Procuratcr Els
cal, OF Valparaiso, to the effect that all but
Two OF the sailors testified that the police
had done their duty. is denied vehemently
by the witnesses. They are unanimous il
che opposite opinion.
John w. Talbot, a seaman's appren;ic,
o. the seeond class on the Baltimore. va.
she tirst witness called. He was one o.
we sailors on liberty at Valparaiso on Oc
toner 10. TIE day OF the riot About sixt,
OF the crew went with him at / O'Clock
ioiao"ea W others two hours later. II,
noaesalhs Nate c. W. Riegin, who va
s..sa, iayssAs aud two Others, wsra torctbsr
We wen' into saloon in tie east,
pan oI Voc town, on the Plsza i,
Iosos' wnSfs We wero Joined by severs
ether sailors tie spothecsry. two r,aeht,,t.s
aud two hremen. After ABOUT an hopr ,l-S
81 US went Ia cab 10 the southern nat I
Gs tosa kieSin and l went into q sqIao,
csisea We shskesreasa The bartender ssii =
meant 90 close up, - mob Y,,snt =, So =. =.
lie oEassA as out We laughed al t.,, ,vs-r
'lnss. eSs lsit ihe place and went 70 the Tan
.se ss.eo' wnsse We found Anderson. " al ae,
About clock Rsgzin let. the saloon am
tesiowsa hl@ when reached the door -,
hlSgan ana chilean in 4 rnaR-of.var's nm,
form dsspssng IN thu middle OF tbs st-eT
rsn up asd asked what was the ,sstrs
hisgin sala TIC CbilsAn was trying
4 pick . SaSrei vita him. nash
sas mo ss1s A Chilean thea 50,