Los Angeles herald., 1892-12-15
He TELLS ABOUT THE MURDER,
Captain Smith Relates How He
Killed Young Neale.
The Life Career of the MurderOus
Skipper of the Lou,
he Is an Old Caltfornfan-His Account
of Losing a Man Overheard.
Jafler Russell Hears His
Complete story.

Complete story.
In addition to written confession by
Capt. Sam Smith of his murder OF the
boy George Neale, off the Coronado
islands few weeks ago, said to have
been made at San Diego, but which has
not been made public, HERALD report
er yesterday obtained authentic details
of a full story of his life and the murder
which he made last Sunday in the
county Jail to Jailer Henry Russell.
Since Captain Smith was brought up
from San Diego to the Los Angeles
county Jail several days ago, as a pre-
caution against a possible attempt to
lynch him, he has been quite comfort
able in his cell and has seemed to be
| quite resigned to his situation, although
he declined to talk to newspaper men.
He seemed soquiet, in fact, that Jailer
Russell became somewhat suspicious of
his prisoner and feared that he might
attempt suicide. Therefore, with com
meDdable prudence, he determined to
have talk with him last Sunday and
form his own judgment as to the neces-
sity OF extra precautions.
The old man was brought down to the
office and was engaged in conversation.
1t was not the purpose of Mr.. Russell TO
extract confession from him or to talk
with him about the crime with which
he is charged. but from a general talk
about his life, the conversation drifted
-, l., sa nl hot 4 -,
officer realized it he was listening to
circumstantial account of the dreadful
killing of the boy George Neale.
CAPTAIN SMITHS LIFE.
In response to questions by Mr.. Rus
sell, Captain Smith said that he was
born and raised near Pittsburg, Pa, in
the year 1928, where as boy he worked
in coal mines. His life there was not
especially eventful. When the news OF
the discovery OF gold in California
reached the state he became imbued
with the fever, and in 1850 crossed the
plains, being among the thropgs of ad-
venturous spirits who came out to the
Pacific coast in that year.
After he reached San Francisco he
went into the mines and worked along
for several years in the northern part OF
the state with varying success. He had
accumulated some money and remem
bered sweetheart whom he had left
back in his native state. Filled with
the idea OF sharing his fortune with her
he went back to his home and they
were married. Her maiden name was
Miss Lacy. After their marriage he
wished her to return to California with
him, but she refused to do SO. The re-
fusal caueed an estrangement and he
finally left her, returned to the coast
and has never seen or heard from his
wife from that day to the present time.
Upon his return to California Captain
Smith was again for time in the mines.
and also served one term as justice OF
the peace in one of the northern coun-
tiea.
Then he thought he saw more money
in seafaring life, and fitted out
schooner at San Francisco with which
he made voyage to South America on
whaling trip. He was gone about
year, and when he returned made vsri-
GUS other voyages along the coast and to
the Sandwich islands sometimes having
command of quite large vessels.
Finally, about twelve years ago, be
came down to San Pedro, and was there
for five or six years, running fishing
schooner, and also making trips for any
thing in which he saw anything to be
gained
He grew tired of San Pedro finally,
not having the best of luck there, and
drifted to San Diego, where he obtained
the schooner in which the murder was
committed, and for several years has
made trips up and down the coast for
all sorts of cargoes-guano, fish, and
anything that came handy.
THE ONLY MAN HE LOST.
1t is about his life during this period
that there has been 30 much question,
the assertion being freely made that
several men who went with him never
of others than George Nsale on his
suspicious about him with respect to
this and asked him what he had to say
about it.
II never lost but one man." said the
old fellow rubbing his hand over his
man named Benjamin Bosworth, and it
happened few years ago, don't re.
member just the year.
wss the only man / had on board. We
were going along with very fresh wind
and the boom struck him, knocking him
down to the deck. I was close by. The
schooner gave lurch and pitched him
over the side. As he was going made
grab, and caught him by the end of
one of his pantaloons' legs. He was
heavy man, and l could not pull
him out. The schooner was scuddipg
along and I tugged and tugged to get
his head above the water, but could
not. We were in that position for sev-
eral minutes, his head and shoulders
dragging along under the water. Finally
could hold on no longer and be slipped
down into the water. l never saw him
again."
rs that the only man that never
came back" asked the jailer.
"Yes, except the boy"
THE MURDER.
II murdered George Neale," said
Captain Smith.
Mr.. Russell was astonished at this
quiet remark, but by this time his pris-
oner had got started and kept right on
with the terrible story.
II took the boys with me on my last
trip down to the islands. They cut my
little boat adrift, and it enraged me SO
that decided to kill them. was going
to kill them BOTH took Ratchet and
went to George Neale's bunk and hit
him on tho fon of tho head with IT,