Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-01-17


The Monico was considered fast ves-
sci at that time. She generally took
just over seven days to do the passage,
and we were due in New York on the
Wednesday evening before Rupert's
execution.
Everything went well till the Monday
afternoon, when one of the steerage
passengers, a man of the name of
Charles Cappermole, fell down hatch
way, breaking his back and receiving
internal injuries, from which the doc
tor said he was bound to die within
four or five hours. 1t was very sad, of
course, but couldn't be helped, and
although anything of the sort puts a
gloom over the ship, was too much
engrossed in my own trouble to think
much of it. But just after one bell
(6:30 o'clocR) the captain came to me.
"Sparton," he said, you were telling
me about the trouble your sisters
fiance had got into. It's most ex-
traordinary thing, but this man, Cap.
permole, has been telling the doctor
tale about his having shot his fathers
landlord in Yorkshire, and that nc be-
lieves this accident is judgment on
him. l have seen him, and he says the
name of the man he murdered was
Rowling, which is the name you men
toned, think, and If you will come
with Inc to the hospital, where the poor
wretch is lying, you can hear his yarn
for yourself"
was thunder-struck. got the
third officer to take my place for short
time, and hurried OIL to the side of the
injured man.
His statement was somewhat ram
bling, but with the help of clergyman,
who was passenger, we reduced it to
writing in tangible shape, and 1t
was about something like this:
81, Charles Cappermole, lately resid-
ing at Martens Hole, near Doncaster,
Yorkshire, but now passenger on
board the steamship Monico Capt.
Marncr) in mid-Atlantic, having met
with an accident by falling down n
hatchway, and being, as | well know,
within short time of death, do make
this solemn statement and declare the
same to be true, so help me God.
81 am farm laborer, and until re-
Gently was living with my father and
mother Mt Martens Hole, where my
father rented small farm under Mr.
Jonathan Rowling. The same farm has
been in the possession of my father
all his life, and of his father before him
and it was our whole living.
Mr.. Jonathan Rowling had disagree.
ment with my father last year but one
just before Michaelmas, about some
hedges which he insisted my father
should renew, but which had always
been replanted before that time mt tn,
expense of the landlord. Ny father re-
fused to replant them at his own ex
pensc, and Mr.. Rowling gave HIN Notice
to quit, which expired at Mich&elma'
last, and he subsequently turned, my
parents and myself out of the farm
| in the middle of winter.
"My mother was in very feeble anf
delicate state of health, and the evic
ton caused her death, and my father
being broken-hearted and ruined, wa:
compelled to go into the workhouse
IL determined to emigrate to Amer
lea, and, with the assistance of a benev
olent society, obtained my passag,
money and outfit and enough cash i,
my pocket to prevent my being turned
back as paupcr on landing in tn,
United States. booked my passage OIL
the steamship Monico, but before start
ing on the voyage ! saw my father ir
the workhouse. His misfortunes ha,
so shattered him that he was dying
and, cNaspcrated and filed with indig
nation, | determined to be avenged OF
MIR. Rowling, who had been the caus,
OF my mothers and my fathers deaths
and my ruin and emigration.
81 had bought II revolver to take will
rue, and, tramping to Doncaster, lait
in wait for MIR. Rowling on the evening
of Thursday, the cath of May last.
knew that it was his habit to wall
through the plantation, which adjOin'
lane called Dank's lane, every nigh
between eight and nine o'clock--hi
purpose being to see If any rabbi
snares had been laid by poachers an,
| hid myself behind some bushes II
this plantation, close to the path
presently heard footsteps, and direct,
afterward | saw MIR. Rowling wall
along close beside where was hiding
AS soon as he got past me ] stood NJ
and, aiming the revolver at him, sho
him in the back. lie lifted up his ARM
and, with great cry, fell face forward
dead.
ut was nearly dark, and crept GU
OF the plantation into the lane withon
anyone seeing me. walked that nigh
TO Wakefield, along by-roads wei
known to me, and from thence, on fol
lowing days, to Huddersfeld, Ashton
Manchester, Newton and Liverpool
from which port was to take passing
to New York.
I'm Liverpool ! heard the murde
spoken of for the first time, and, to IN,
surprise, found that Mr.. Rupert Row
ling (Mr Rowling's nephew) wa
charged with it. never thought 70
Il moment that they could find hin
guilty of the murder he had not com
mitted, and took no steps to let tn
truth be known. When | afterwar'
learned that he was convicted of tn
murder and sentenced to death, knew
| ought to go back and own the deet
and save him, but | could not brinl
myself to do so, and went on boart
the Monico, well knowing was leay
ing behind me an innocent man to b
hanged for the murder | had commit
ted. The revolver with which | sho
| Mr. Roulipu 10 in NV hnx All rhicl