The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-08-27
ACTS LIKE LUNATtC.
Mowers Bayard Brown Said to
BE Growing Insane.
Lives on His Yacht and Whips His
Crew Like Children.
His Cousin, William Bayard Cutting,
Doubts the Story.

Mr.. William Bayard Cutting read with
considerable interest a story published
this morning to the effect that his first
cousin, McEvers Bayard Brown, has
been disporting himself like a mailman
on board his yacht, the Valfreyia, at
anchor in the harbor of Brightlingsea,
a fishing village on the Essex coast Of
England, at the mouth of the River
Colne
For nearly five years Mr.. Brown has
lived on his yacht, never moving 1t from
its anchorage. He has always had 1t
manned by a large crew. including a
captain, two deck officers. three engi-
neers, a carpenter. four stewards, three
cooks and a doctor; all of which in
volved an expenditure of about one thou
sand dollars week.
According to the narrative which so
interested Mr.. William Bayard Cutting,
this force of employees has been con-
culiar methods of discipline resorted to
by Mr.. Brown.
1t is said that when a member Of the
crew had In any way given Mr.. Brown
offense, real or imaginary, he did not
proceed to summon the man to his
presume. I1c Wdllcu uHtll lue NlCtlIfl
was nicely in bed, and then suddenly
dashed upon him with stick, belabor-
ing him until weary Of the work, when
he would bolt out Of the cabin without
ing carelessly into the o'castle, he would
invite the men to have a glass of ale
with him and after he friendly glass
had passed round he would suddenly set
to work with his cudgel and lay about
him until they howled with fear and
pain. Second engineers were his special
victims, and many a time has Mr..
Brown enjoyed the sport OF arming him
the second round the vessel. The
wise men on the Vaifreyia locked and
barricaded themselves in their cabins.
William Bayard Cutting at his office, 81
Nassau street, this morning. He was
carefully reading the article In question
and in answer to the reporters ques-
tons. said:
You can understand how distasteful
1t is to discuss ones private affairs for
publication In a newspaper, but in this
instance, l suppose. l must accord you
an interview, however reluctantly. Mr.
Brown is my first cousin. Indeed, l may
say, we have been like brothers. know
that he has been living on his yacht a,
Brightlingsea for the past four or Ave
years, and the fact that not a wheel OF
the yacht has been turned during thai
time would cause people to regard hin
ne Is IOTty-tWO years OF age, OF
rather dark complexion. and although
not tall, is stoutly built. Upon the
death of his father. Mr.. Speers Brown
about eight years ago, he went to Eu,
which he made an extended cruise II
the far East. He subsequently pur.
chased the yacht called the Lady Tor.
frida. which he sold to a member OF
the royal family of Russia.
After that he returned to New York
but did not remain here long, return.
ing to England, where he purchased the
Valfreyia. and has remained on board
IT have frequently received letter,
from him. and in them his views are
stated clearly. and they demonstrate
that he has keen sense OF business
He is a man who never spends the in
come of his fortune. the greater par
of which was derived from the lat,
Robert Bayard. who was his as well a.
my grandfather;
to the locality of Brightlingsea. and hal
become greatly interested In the village
| where he bought several acres OF lane
saS To- se peop 'f He so
| literally towards the maintenance o
the church there. and in other ways hal
benefited the place. His desire for trave
has been probably caused by the fac
nearer relatives than cousins. He 4
not a college graduate and never studie'
law.
II never knew that he had any senti
ment but love for his native country
II he has been guilty Of the acts men
toned in newspapers, he certainly mus
be of unsound mind: but I have neve
had occasion to suspect him Of menta
| unsoundness.
HE is a member Of the Union Clut
the Riding Club. the Knickerbocker Gu
and the Southside Club. I regret yer
much that all his letters to me hav
contained references to business matter
which will prevent ne letting you hav
them for publication.
"He never had a picture of himself
taken that / know Of. Neither m
brother nor myself nor any other OF hi
relatives has ever taken any steI
looking towards Mr.. Browns incarcers
ton in an insane asylum. nor had "
any reason for attempting such
thing"