Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-18
MONK rEsTIFiES.
CONTINUED from page H.


port the sailed, 700 miles.
An entry in the log of the vessel anu
la statement drawn up by the witness
at the request of Bran, reeitihs 'he
occurrence of the night, were read anu
admitted as testimony.
Brown was arrested by order OF
Bran, who then wanted the statement
destroyed saying: Now we nave sot
the murderer it is of no use. VIII
ness said, I'VE have not got the muir
derer, and it must not be torn up The
handles We're cut from all the tools 10
keep them from the men and the car
penters shop was nailed up. All slept
on the deck. Brown was kept IN
irons and tied to the mast.
An English steamer was sighted ard
witness wanted to hail her but Bran
objected. He asked why she should
be stopped and witness said to OBTAIN
navigator. Bran said he was good
enough navigator and those on board
would lose all the glory. Witness SAID
he did not want glory but to reach
land. The vessel was signalled. she
stopped, but proceeded on her way
without sending off a boat.
On the following Sunday noon Bran
was arrested by Spencer who came up
Behind him and threw his arms around
him. He asked: What is this for?"
and Spencer said: For killing the
captain Bran made no reply and he
was placed in irons. Witness then told
of the voyage to Halifax, the occur
Fences there and the arrival Of the
crew under arrest in Boston.
Mr., Cotter began his cross examina-
ton of Mr. Monks by asking the posi-
ton of the room Of the witness in rela-
ton to that of the rooms of Captain
Nash and wife. The witness said his
room was between theirs but whether
the connecting doors were locked he
could not say. Neither could he say
who cared for his room. The captain $
revolver was found under the mattress
in the room of the witness. Had never
seen il before. He had been advised
by counsel at Halifax. who accom-
panied him to Boston, and he had the
service of two lawyers here. 1t was not
ny his orders that the papers In the
hands of district attorney In which he
VAS interested had been denied the de
fierce. He prepared the statements
telling of the occurrences on board the
vessel at the request of Bran, and it
vas entirely his own composition and
was not dictated by anyone. Bran
thought the witness could write a bet
ter story than he could, and that Is
why he did It.
Witness said that in the signed
statement in which was said My
theory he did not mean that it was
his individual theory, but it was a
theory suggested to him. Where 1t
says, Il am a heavy sleeper" that.
Witness said, was his own. Other
similar statements written in the first
person, the witness admitted. We're his
own. and he finally admitted that the
theory that the crime was committed
by the second mate was also his.
When he entered the cabin Of Mrs
Nash. he did not see her body. but aid
see blood on the sheets. When witness
went on deck. he was looking for the
first mate. and found him pacing the
deck as it was his duty to do. He had
his revolver pointed toward Mate
Bran and was prepared to shoot him
when he mate threw the board at him.
Witness thought he did not see the re-
Volvcr, Witness corrected the state
ment that he made in the morning
that Bran did not go into Captain
Nash room after the murder. and
said that he did go there. Witness
asked FRAN to remain in his room
while he (witness) was dressing be-
cause he did not want To have him
wandering around. Had no suspicion
of him al the time, but thought it best
to be on guard.
Monks said he did not testify to tive
spots uf blood on BRAINS suspenders. anG
he ala not see the spots; said he never
had amy idea Of being connected with the
tragedy. He had taken small medicine
chest which contained ordinary medi-
zines. While in Cambridge he was at
tended by Or Monks. his uncle. and his
sickness was of the nature of throat
trouble Mir. Cottcr asked him II ne di'
2I n, a> st grI!1"'e discuss to whi lei,
book which Monks kept on the trip was
used for Il few questions.
Witness said neither Brown or Bran
made resistance when they were put il
irons, Said he did not remember that
Bran said he WIS innocent when nc
cuscd and was ironcd. He said there was
blood on the axe handle. so much 80 thai
il WIS only white where the fingers were
clasped around ii. He assented to throw
ing the axe overheard rs a precautioi
against the crew using ii against them
lit tuI mol near anyone besides BRAN
speak of throwing the bodies overheard
lie thought the most suspicious act OF
Brown was the changing of his cloth
ing: remembered his going to the rail at
least once. Said the only light in Tho
cabin was that hanging before the clock
He did not see any wounds on either the
captain or Mr.. Nash. because the light
WIS too dim. Did not remember of hear
ing Il sailor suggesting that the bodies
should he thrown overheard.
Mr.. Cotter asked the witness ii his the
DRY TIP to the time of the examination n
Halifax was that the second mate wa
committing rape on Mrs. Nash and Cap
tain Nash attacked the second mate Will
an axe. Mr.. Monks said he wrote it at
Bram $ suggestion, but it was not hs
theory at present.
AIR. Cotter handed Monks d statement
OF what transpired in his experience
after he left Boston. July >. until the
Herbert Fuller WAS tied up at Halifax
Mr.. Monks read this to the court. Th
was a sworn statement made before the
consul general of the United States mt
Halifax. Mr.. Cotter then questioned
Monks on the statement that he made ir
regard to the theory of the triple muir
der Monks said he and the steward eX
amined Brams trunk. principally to find
evidence against Bran, who WAS then IT,
irons. lie thought the ship was on its
original course when it was suggested tt
throw the bodies overheard.
Mr.. Hoar again examined Monks. He
said he saw clothes soaking in the com
mon wash tub: the contents included
house which he described as dripping or
1 h.. Il hnt