The Portland daily press., 1896-12-24

The Accused ON the Stand Nearly All Day
Tells of His Early History and What
Happened on the Herbert Fuller
Court Adjourns While He is the
Stand.
Boston, Decem her 23.-In the trial TO-
day of Mate Thomas W. Bran, charged
with the murder of Captain Nash, Mrs.
Nash and the second mate of she barken-
tine Herbert Fuller. the defence began
their side of the case, Mr.. French, coun-
sol for Bran, making the opening argu-
ment.
Mr.. French said In part: Everything
points to the conclusion that these fendish
crimes were committed by an insane
man. Whoever that man was, he has ap-
peared before you in this court. but he
has appeared in far different guise than
when he committed that crime. If you
have formed any opinion as to this case
you are asked to suspend judgment until
you have seen on the witness stand the
defendant himself and heard him tell the
story of his in noeence.
The first witness for the defence was
the defendant himself, who testified that
his name is Thomas Mead Chandler
Bran. He was thirty years old. and was
born in ST. Catherine one Of the West
India islands. He gave his testimony in
firm tone of voice, with much dignity
and intelligence and without the slightest
suggestion of nervousness.
Bram's testimony tended to show that
Brown did the deed.
He gave his testimony in firm tone
of voice, with much dignity and intelli-
gence, and without the slightest sug-
gestion of nervousness. Continuing he
told of his early career in New York,
Boston and Cambridge, Mass. Part of
the time he was manager of restaurant
in Boston, New York and Chicago, for
one Dennet who established restaurants
in various cities. After telling of mis-
sea faring life and his shipping as mate
on the Herbert Fuller, be related how he
had had some trouble with Brown who
growled when the witness showed him
how he wanted the deck scrubbed.
In his story of the Tragedy he said he
was On deck from IL to O'Clock when
he went below to get sandwich and
drink. He returned Immediately. Juat
before O'Clock Snliao disappeared. At
Q o'clock the witness heard a noise aft.
He saw a man abreast of the mizzen rig
aiug who proved TO be Brown. Witness
returned from nft and called four bells
to Brown, but received no answer. Soon
he went aft and saw Brown putting on
his slippers. In the meantime S0liao
had taken the wheel. Witness went for
ward. When he returned he met man
with revolver (Monks) coming up from
the cabin. Witness shielded himself with
r. board. Monks informed him that the
captain had been murdered. He then
went below with Monks. The remainder
of the witnesses testimony to the recess
was substantially as the other regarding
the disposition Of the bodies, the steering
of the ship, etc.
The court ordered all the effects of
Bran brought into the court room.
Bran began this afternoon by relaEin 8
what occurred after the ship started for
Halifax. He said the sailors passed Tues
day night sleeping on the deck. Monks,
Spencer AMI he stayed together that
night. Next morning Purduck told
Bran to watch Brown because he acted
very suspioiously during the whole night.
Lo bac suggested that the forward hatch
should he locked, for Brown had told
how easily the ship could be set on fire.
That night the men were Searohed and
allowed to keep only their own sheath
knives. The steward said we ought to
nut Brown in irons from what the sail
ors had told him. Bran then read the
statement he wrote at that time in refer
epce to what occurred that day. includ-
ing Browns actions Monks, Bram and
Spencer were talking Wednesday after
noon when Brown joined them. Brown
stated that he had been followed by the
sailors all night. Witness described what
took place when thsy put Brown in
irons.
Brown asked Bran if the passengers
told him he saw him (Browu) kill the
| people. He saiu Brown told him that
| he tore down the curtain in the chart
room. Witness related Browns move
ship and how guilty. he appeared. Bran
said he commanded the ship and his
orders were obeyed. He said that every
! thing was harmonious during Thursday
and Friday. saturday it became nsces
sary to tow the boat containing the
| bodies because the iodor was offensive.
Bran said he changed his clothes ou
he had changed them. He found his
| trunk broken open and asked Spencer II
he had broken it open. lis change was
new. He took a bucket and some gold
dust washing powder and took his soiled
clothes and washed them.
| He said there was no blood on his
clothing. He left these clothes in soaF
all Saturday night. He was awakened
| by the steward that night to listen t.
some peculiar noises. They saw lant
Sunday morning. Halifax was It's miles
away. By a chart he determined thu
| course to Halifax and started. Soon hi
discovered a steamer. Spanoer thought
it foolish TO signal, but finally the sig
mails were run up. The steamer did no'
pay any attention. Bran then sat on tht
aft house looking at the steamer with I
glass when Spencer and all hands pu
him in irons. He was lashed to th.
mainmast Spencer told Bran he believes
| he did not do it, but he must know
about it. He described his treatment aftel
being put n irons. He was prevented
from changing his wet nlothina and wa
locked up in a cell at Halifax in thai
condition. Bran then related what was
said in regard to salvage. Spencer sait
we ought to get $4,000 each, but If you
| (Bram) had been taken in we would gel
nothing.
The captains folks ought to pay III
something for bringing the bodies irtt
port Bran said the crew said 1t woule
probably be a law case. He related hi
experience at Halifax. Mr.. Powers ant
| the ouief of police examined him In 6