The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-01-02
4 hope you speak only for yourself

''1es, sir"
'sOh, hol An inducement was offer
ed. | hope the jury will take note OF
that. Now, my man, who offered ii
to your
Opposing COUNSEL object"
Objection overruled.
w no offered you the inducement?
Captain Baxter"
''Oh, indeed. Isn't Captain Baxter
drowned?"
mo, sir"
Sensation in court.
Nv here is he now?"
AT the bottom of the lake"
Il thought you said he was not
drowned"
''He was killed.
What iaducement was offered you ?
An OATH"
II do not understand you"
Il owore an oath to Capt. Baxter
that If there was suit l would come
here and tell the truth about what I
was asked"
Indeed, And this oath [ suppose,
was duly administered during the
storm?'
Yes, sir"
"Where?"
in tAe cabin"
"Why were not both you and the
captain attending to the navigation
of the vessel?"
Because the vessel was beyond
help at that time"
Had she gone down2"
mo. sir, but she was on her bea"
ends practically. The man at
wheel had been disabled and t. Il
tain sprang into his place. Tb /xt
moment aud before the capt /was
prepared for it, a big waves s * the
rudder and the Captain was furg
against the corner of the cabin. The
vessel came round and the next wave
toreoff the matches and partly filled her
with water She heeled over SO that
we knew at once in ST i sea we
could do nothing with her."
''Was the captain killed outri rig@t p
No, he staggered or fell down0< e
companionway into the cabin sIa
called for me and -"
Stop moment, you are goins too
fast, Don't volunteer information
until you are asked for it."
His Honor Mr.. Bounce, [ would
suggest that you let the man tell his
story of the wreck and that you ques
tion him afterwards. l confess |
would like to hear his own story of
this tragedy. Now, Mr. Swanson. tell
in your own way what h7ppened."
"Well. sir, the plain called for
me and he said: Swanson, Im killed
and the boat is lost was going to
speak but he wouldn't let me. Listen
to me. Swanson he said. What day
is this?' Thursday / said. Yes,
but what day of the month? +"
"sI don't know / said. There's a
calendar in on the wall he said, look
at Thursday and find the date hurry,
for Gods sake-the boat is sinkingw
/ had hard work finding the date, for
the cabin was partly full of water and
the lamp burning dim, and everything
was sideways on account of her being
heeled over, but [ got it and saw it
was the Both. Now you remember
that cried the captain, and remem
Der my family, See if there is a book
on that shelf [ looked but there
wasn't. There must be- said the cap
tain, look ag2in' Then I saw book
floating in the water Is that it? |
said Yes said the captain, that is
my wife's. Bible, bless her. Now, ia
cob Swanson, you are the best man
on this boat-the best sailor [ ever
had-put that book to your lips and
swear that wind Or wave will not keep
You from seeing that my wife and
babies have taeir rights. Swear it be
fore God, Jacob Swanson, and [
swore and am here"
What did you do then?"
Il went to help the captain out-he
had fallen on his face across the
table, bnt when | turned him over he
was dead. Then we got into the boat
and"
How many of you?"
-Four. One was disabled and he
died before we got far Then the boat
upset when we got among the break
ers and the other two were drowned.
| chung to the bottom of the boat and
kept re peati ing my oath"
Mr.. Bounce-''Now, my man. what
has kept you concealed all this time2
Why have we never heard of you un
til nUW2"
Il had no money, sir. [ got here as
quick as could"
But you seem to have told no one
of the wreck?'
No. SIR
why was that?'
''No one questioned me-"
THAT is rather thin story. Do
you know any one here?'
No, sir. | know the man who ship
pc me. His name was Brownson."
His Honor-"Is there such a mali
in the city?'
Plaintiffs counsel-"He is in the
court room. yonr Honor He was
agent for Capt Baxter"
1T might be we'll to call him.
Stop a moment. Do you recog-
nize Mr. Brownson here!"
ItS- SII- ueIe ut
In the examination of Mr.. Brown
son it was shown that he remembered
hiring Swanson.
Now, Mr. Brownson. you ship a
good many men IN a season?"
Yes"
Then how is it that you remember
this particular one?''
Nv ell he is not the sort Of man that
one is likely to forget Besides, ]
thought he asked too much money,
and we had talk about that; but he
seemed a good man and l engaged
him"
The jury found a verdict for the
plaintiff without leaving their seats.
The body of Jacob Swanson was
found on the sands near where the
boat had come ashore en- the the day
that; at;th5gerdict was.rendered. =
II ha1 nvri 1.S,flx- If,z,,, tlo