Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-19
SAW THE DEED.
Seaman Brown Says He Saw
Bran Kill Capt. Nash.
Was at Wheel and Could See Through
Window Of Chart Room.
Bram's Counsel Springs Sensation by Promis.
ing to Prove Brown a Perjurer.

| i'oStoiI, Dec. IN.-thafleS Brown, or
Juiius Leopold Wcsterberg, formerly
seaman on board the barkentine Her
| neft ruler. was on the stand, today
IN the Hram trial. He said Mate Bran
had once told him when he walked on
| she AT mouse to go over the port side
| III future as the captain slept on the
| stafDoafd side. Witness never went
there thereafter. Brown told of con-
| Versation he heard between Bran and
Second Mate Bamberg. in which Bran
| sad: want you to do what l tell
] you; ! don't intend for you TO run me-,
| The second mate answered back: Il
| don't want you to run me, either"
This was couple of days before the
murders. On the night of the murder
| witness saw Bran with the second
| mate shortly after midnight Bran
had passed UP and down the deck and
subsequently was out of sight for a
| long period of time Earlyxfn the morn
| ing, Brown heard some noise, and look
ing through the window saw mans
body on the floor OF the captains
| room. Cot was tipped over Witness
also saw Mate Bran in the room and
saw him lift an axe the blow going in
the direction of the captains head.
Witness was greatly frightened and
nearly numb. He watched the COM
panion way and heard scream from
Mrs. Nash
Soon afterward he saw Bran on
deck he having gone aft on the mort
side. He passed between witness and
pinnacle and witness watched him
closely for he feared Bran would kill
him He saw Bran look through the
window of the chart ROOM The vessel
was moving eight miles an hour She
was inclined to come to the wind. and
the witness had to keep helm moving
all the time. There was a rome to
make the wheel fast when the vessel
was brought about. Never saw the
rope used when she was sailing with
iaif WIND. 1t was a cloudy, dark
night. When Bran came upon the
deck witness smelled liquor on him.
he walked from one side of the YES
sci 10 the other. Witness was relieved
py FRANK, to whom he gave the course
ne was steering and reported to Bran.
witness then went to forecaStle head
ana remained about five minutes with
the men on the lookout He then
went down and put on heavier cloth
ing.
AT o'clock he relieved the lookout.
He saw Bran and Monks aft talking.
witness was called by Spencer. the
steward, and asked what time he last
saw the second mate, and the reply
was II O'Clock. The steward ordered
MN 10 call all the crew and they We're
toid that three people We're killed in
the cabin. Heard Bran crying and
saying. Il am Free Mason, and
nave an old mother" Monks told him
not TO cry.
Witness went to the second mates
room room ana saw him dead. then went to
Mrs. Nash's room and saw her deaf
BODY then went to the captains room
u ,, saw him lying the floor dead.
W -, lihs e WIS accompanied by the steward
.nl tour OF his shipmates Bran and
Monks We're ON the after deck They
SaIe orders TO bring the bodies on deck
me. - hoa, was prepared to receive them
canvas and ordered him to dress the
boat. ''
Witness described the scene M com,
length. While Monks. Bran ana Snenl
cer We're together one of them said: II
lthnk " happened in this way: the sec
o s,iu mate intended to 80 in and insult
Mrs. Nash. The captain came out of th,.
room ana killed his wife, and then he IN
tended to Kill the second mate hui Tho
NV, ".lhs Z stronger man than Captain
NASH, ne overpowered him and killed
nun. Aiter mat the second mate struck
ninseii with the axe and then walked
'ioi 'H' htth ana put the axe where IL
was found. and then went to his bed ami
ad down and died" Witness could not
ell VINO said this. because he did NOT nav
much attention as he knew how II han
'cned. Witness then described what DC
'urred after that. saying that Rran,
isked him If he had the heart to move
ne bodies and the reply was: II must
nave the heart to do it" The boat was
itunched and taken in tow.
Witness cOrroborated the testimonv az
Monks as to the statement of Bram "a
;ardlnE the nearest port and the course
nat was taken. He also explained ahom1
ne blood on his overalls and the thrnv~
ng OF them overheard. The blood ca,,
rom the bodies he had handled and tns..
disposal OF the overalls was in the pres
nee of the crew. =
Witness was put in irons on Thursf,av
morning, the 18th of July, at about r
clock. He was asleep and the first Nc
new was that the steward Spencer v,...
ursing, swearing and saying: .Yo,, havo
,iiled the captain and stolen his re-.
Oliver. Witness said that the first .i,v
re was IN irons he was tied to the mas
nd Bram said to him: You thought vn,.
you'd be smart and put me In for II h,'t
am TOO clever for you'' After wifp.s.
al been confined below Bran said. 81
m AFRAID that man will kill himself ~,
cailng MS brains out
witness said he never released his hoh.
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