The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-07-22
TRAGEDY ON THE OCEAN
Three People Murdered on an
American Barkentine.
THE VICTIMS BODIES AT HALIFAX.

Tho Pirst Mate Of the Vessel Charged
with the Terrible Crime by Member of
| the Crew-The Statement of Passenger
Gives Color to the Charge.
| HALIFAX, N. S., July 22-The American
| barkentine Herbert Fuller, which sailed
from Boston few days ago for Rosario
| arrived in Halifax harbor yesterday with
the bodies of three murdered people. The
balance of those who left Boston on the
vessel were Immediately arrested The
United States consul here has telegraphed
to Washington for instructions, pending
the receipt Of which no has enjoined all
connected with the affair to maintain the
strictest silence
The three dead persons, whose murder
Is evidently the result of bloody out
break on the part of some members of the
crew, are Captain Nash, his wife, and Sec
ond Mate Bramberg. The horrible triple
murder occurred on the night of the 18th
inst, and the affair SO far is wrapped in
complete mystery Notwithstanding that
there were seven other men on board at
the time 1t occurred, besides passenger
named +, II. Munchs whose story of what
he could learn after it was all over, is the
only narrative, reliable or unreliable as it
may be, that can be ascertained so far.
After the murders Munchs assumed
charge OF the vessel and ordered the bodies
OF the murdered people taken out of the
cabin and placed In boat and towed
astern, which was done The Herbert
Fuller was then headed for Halifax.
AS the bodies Of the victims were lifted
out OF the boat many Of those who were
present turned away, unable to stand the
sight. Decomposition was making rapid |
progress. The bodies, which had lain in
the boat for week, were wrapped in |
white shrouds, which were soaked in lime, |
salt water and blood. 1t took twenty
minutes to transfer them to the under
takers wagon, in which they were driven
to the morgue.
+. II, Munchs, the passenger on board
the Fuller, belongs in Boston. He is a
member OF Harvard's class of 81, and has
been suffering for some time from pulmo-
nary troubles He had been advised to
take sea voyage, and was going to South
America for recuperation.
In spite of the secrecy maintained II has
been ascertained that Mr. Munchs first be-
came aware of the horrible crime when
he went to the captains room to inquire
II the captain was i'll, Munchs having
been aroused from his sleep by grOan or
a scream. Failing to receive an answer,
he entered the room and found the cap
tain lying on the floor covered with blood.
He rushed on deck and confronted the
first mate, who was in charge with the
statement that the captain had been MUIR
dered. Thomas Brown, the mate, seemed
much agitated, and appeared not to know
what to do.
Munchs then rushed below and aroused
the crew. The men hurried to the cabin,
where the full extent of the crime was
soon made known. AS the bodies Law in
their respective rooms they presented O
horrible sight. Mrs Nashs skull had
been split almost in twain. The fingers
Of her right hand had been almost cut off,
while another blow of the az had cut off a
section Of the scalp with the hair attached.
Her husbands head was also split open.
while Bramburg had evidently been killed
with the poll Of the ak.
Brown at first denied all knowledge of
he MURDERS but later, from remarks let
all, and peculiar actions, suspicion pointed
owards him as the murderer and he was
,laced in irons. The man at the wheel
vas lahez. He was also suspected Of com.
'licity, and was ironed by the crew.
At the police station the first mate was
tripped and blood was found on his cloth
ng The passenger, Munchs, states that
he saw the first mate come from the cap
aims cabin after the murder. Seaman
Brown last evening made statement r
he effect that he saw the first mate kill
he captain. He heard noise in the cap s
aims cabin, and going thither saw the he
lrst mate murder the captain. There was /
10 mutiny. t
WASHINGTON, July 22-The state depart l.
nent, on receiving the telegramfrom Con- r
III Ingraham at Halifax announcing the e
rival at that port of the barkentne Her. y
ert Fuller and asking instructions as to g
he disposition Of the persons held under o
rrcst, referred the matter to the depart c
rent of justice II possible the suspected
riminals will be brought to the United q
tateS on the first vessel clearing for an u
merican port, perhaps the Fuller herself Z
eng utilized for this purpose if her own Y
RS will provide her with new officers and r
rev. The effort will be made in this man
or to save recourse to extraditon pro- :.
.edings, but If the Canadian government a;
lssts, of course the usual forms must be :.
,lloWed. =