The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-29
SCUTTLING A BOAT.
Captain and Seaman of the
Mary Parker on Trial
DETECTIVE M.csRrHy.s PLAN.
Bags Aad Hsay Charge the Ins ursnee
Agent with Intimidsting Them
Late . False Confessfon.

conspiracy to fraud the Fireman's Fund
Insurance Company. of San Francisco. by
scuttling theIschooner Mary Parker. land
the defense brought out sensational
counter charges of conspiracy against
Thomas Mccarthy. the detective Of the
Pacific Insurance Union, who obtained
the confessions of Bangs and Heay on
which the Indictment Is based The case
viii be continued nj $50 this morning and
VIII probably be given 10 the jury today.
After the opening speech for the prose-
cution By United States District Attorney
Brinker, W. II. Whittlesey. agent of the
Neah bay Indians, testified as to the lease
OF the Mary Parker to Bangs and that.
when he called Bangs attention 70 the
risk OF the Indians being unable 20 re-
cover the insurance on account of sus-
picfons Of barratry, Bangs agreed 10 see
that they lost nothing and built them
boat for 1000 which was worth s.. 600.
Capt. +. ]. Burns testified a. TO the
~. 500 insurance on the vessel In favor of
Bangs and J. J. Knot, and the s, 600 on
the cargo in favor Of Albert Irving. Bangs
making the application personally He
also told Of Bangs story that the vessel
was sunk by striking a log of Race rocks.
III. ). Carver. of Port Angeles. related
how Bangs aud Heay bought large seal
Ing boat and an auger from him on Christ
mas. 1893, and left in his charge a box of
guns and two valises to be shipped TO Sc
attic in Heay's name.
Capt. w. J. Bryant, United States in
spector Of hulIs, related the history of the
investigation as to the wreck, learning
from all the four members of the crew that
10 was due to the vessel striking log in
the Straits Then he told how he had con-
eealed himself behind the bureau in
room at the Northern hotel AZ the instiga-
ton of Mccarthy while Bangs and Heav
talked about the wreck. Bangs told Hsay
10 be careful what he said, as Mccarthy
was shrewd fellow. Heay asked Bangs
whether there was any possibility of raising
the wreck and Bangs said there was not.
Then Mccarthy came In, Bryant stepped
forth. much TO the surprise of the two
mariners. who made a confession. Fred
l.. Presbrey testified that as 3 notary he
took the dispositions, which were read.
Thomas Mccarthy. the detective, told
his story. He was sent here as detective
of the underwriters TO investigate the
case. He arrived here on January or 7.
and during the next few days had several
conversations with Bangs about the value
of the cargo, which was worth about 81, 700,
and the loss was reduced by the sale of
some goods to 81. 800 or 81. 400. Bangs and
Heay together reiterated the story about
log causing the wreck. His suspicious
were aroused by the sh ipment OF the guns
and yalises, and in his next conversation
with Heay, in the absence of Bangs, he
got an intimation of the real cause of the
wreck. Next day he expressed to Bangs
desire TO get full statement as to the
cause of the wreck aid the value of
the goods. and offered to get
stenographer,to take it lie talked about
raising the vessel If il cost twice rs
much as she was worth. He met them
again at II 30 and had Bryant concealed
behind the bureau. He said to them: "I
have talked with you five or six times and
your statements as 10 the vessel being
sunk by striking a log when going only
two or three knots an hour seem improba-
bic, and am going to raise her," Then,
by previous arrangement, knock came
at the door and he went out, remaining
away five or six minutes. By arrange
ment. If anything was said in his absence
Bryant was to cough, and, this signal
being given on his return. he pulled the
hureau aside and Bryant stepped out.
Then the two men made the confessions.
and the policies we're afterwards surren-
dered and cancelled.
In eross-examining Mccarthy for the
defense. 8. III. Piles showed the line of de-
Tense he would follow by asking him If he
had not held out inducements to the de-
PENDANTS to make a false confession for
the purpose of helping him to get share
of the insurance and also of helping his
reputation with the insurance companies,
promising immunity from punishment
aud half the money he should get, with
$500 additional to Heay IL he should get
Bangs into the scheme. A running fire of
questions as to these alleged transactions
was met with denials Mccarthy was
asked whether he had not introduced
Heay to an alleged ship owner from San
Francisco, friend of his, named Camp
bell, who wanted two such men as Bangs
and Heay TO take charge of his schooners
in the Alaska trade. assuring Hesy that
he would get these positions for himself
and Bangs safe away from the trouble
arising from the confession. Mccarthy
denied the existence of Campbell and this
whole story.
The government then rested, and the
defendants attorneys moved for per-
emptory instructions 90 the jury to find
for the defendants on the grounds that,
even taking the confessions and all the
other evidences Of the government as true.
Heay's action in the matter OF the alleged
scuttiiag was simply in obedience TO the
orders of his captain: that he had no
knowledge Of the insurance. and therefore
could not have been party to tie alleged
conspiracy; therefore the prosecution had
wholly failed 10 establish the conspiracy.
The motion vas denied, and the case for
the defense was stated by Mr.. Piles.
The transaction in regard to the guns
was explained on the ground that ID was
impossible 10 take them into Alaskan
waters without a permit from the govern
ment, and Bangs could not call at Gus
tom house for IL without greatly prolong-
ing hts voyage. lie expected TO prove
that the vessel was sunk by collision with
q large log or tree. which was forced under
her hoS BY a strong head tide. The de-
PENDANTS would not attempt TO deny hay-
ing made the confessions, but were in
duced 10 make them, knowing them TO be
false, for the purpose Of aiding Mccarthy
10 get 50 per cent. OF the insurance money
and on his promise to divide with them
and secure them immunity from the con-
sequences To impress them be in
sroduced his alleged friend from
San Francisco. who would give
them employment in Alaska He also
held over shei. heads the threat that. with
MS immense influence With the officers OF
the Law, he could rroeure periured test
meny 80 prove that they scattlsd the shGp
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