The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-24
A Sailors Mutiny That Began
That Way
But Ended Quite Differently for
the Participants.
CAPTAIN OFTHEMARIA
Killed by the Mutineers in the
East Indies.
They Are Finally Taken Pris-
Oners by Savages.

SAN Francisco, Jan. PA trading
firm in this city has received advices
from the English consul on the Island of
Yap. one of the Pelew group in the
south seas regarding one of the most
atrocious sea tragedies that has been re-
ported for months. On November 10
the crew on the American trading yes
sci, Maria, mutinied, it is said, and mur-
dered Captain Brown, Mate HohImann
and passenger. The captains wife and
their son were nearly killed by
blows from ak. The tragedy
was reported from Singapore on Novem-
Der 20, but it was enormously stated that
the mutiny took place on the Spanish
ship Maria Secunda. The Maria is an
American ship flying Spanish ensign.
The mutiny occurred off the Andrew
islands. Captain Brown retired at 10
o'clock at night, leaving the boatsswain,
a man named Hover, on deck to stand
watch. Mate HohImann had already
turned in.
The boatswain stole quietly forward
and gave word to the crew that the time
had come to act He secured a sharp
hatchet from the cooks galley fuel box,
and stealing below to the shippers cabin
he struck at Captain Brown with the
weapon, nearly cutting the sleeping
mans head from his body. Brown turned
on his side and gave dying groan,which
awakened his WIFE Mrs. Brown
raised upon her elbow and
shrieked for help. Mate Hohlmann
heard her cries and sprang from his
berth to go to the rescue of the woman.
Hover had stationed a Pelew boy behind
the door to the mates cabin. The lad
was armed with an ak. and when Hohl-
mann made his appearance on his way
to the captains room, the boy dealt him
a, terrific blow on the head, killing him
instantly.
The passengeE-was Gagged below, but
all the firearms were removed from the
ca bin and he could not find anything
with which to defend himself The
mutineers were afraid to attack him in
the saloon, SO they called to him to come
on deck. saying that his life would be
spared. He came on deck as directed
and was struck at by one of the sailors.
He ran to the rail, bleeding from a cut
on his shoulder and jumped into the sea.
The mutineers then took the corpses
of Captain Brown and mate, made theR
fast to an anchor and pitched the weight
into the sea. The schooner was headed
for Andrew island and Mrs. Brown and
her boy were kept close prisoners, 1t be-
ing the intention of the mutineers to put
them ashore on an isolated coral reef near
Andrew.
Before the island was reached the
Chinese cooks, native sailors, aud the
boatswaln got to fighting among them
selves and knives were drawn. Two
half breeds were killed instantly, aud
another died of wounds received. All
the mutineers were more or less wounded.
Provisions gave out and when cruising
off Andrew island the schooner was
manned solely by the boatswain,
two Chinese and a half-breed.
The vessel was then steered
into port, and the king of the islands
Dava the mur0arars food euOuCh tn last
them several weeks Before the vessel
sailed again, however, the king became
suspicious boarded the craft, rescued
Mrs. Brown and her boy, the former
more dead than alive, and took the mE-
tineers prisoners.
The Spanish guuboat Valasco put in at
Andrew and took the N urderers to Ma
nilla for trial.
Mrs, Brown and the boy we're taken to
Yap by Okeefe's schooner. They are
aow at the millionaire traders station
awaiting news from the Valasco.