Evening journal., 1896-06-19
VIRGIN AS GRABBING WAR.
INVESTIGATION BY OFFICIALS IN
POcoMoKE SOUND.


They Are Taking Testimony In the Case.
Crabbers Fired Upon From Fishing
Force eVessels-D epositions OF Fishormoa
CRIsFIELD. Md, June 10 The Mary
land state steamer Governor Thomas
arrived In Citfald Wednesday night and
yesterday proceeded to Pocomoke sound
to investigate the capture OF Aaron Byrd,
William Moore and George Powell by the
Virginia state fishery force. Secretary of
State Dallam was expected to have been
present, but was obliged to leave the
steam Or In Baltimore on account of the
illness OF bis vile. A number Of the
officials of Somerset county were on
board-Fish Commissioner James
Tawes. Senator A. Lincoln Dryden.
Delegate Byrd. Sheriff Nelson, Commits
sioner Sterling and Justice Porter.
As soon as the Governor Thomas
arrived near ths place where the two
batteaux were seized the steamer was
surrounded by a fleet OF small boats,
whose owners came to make affidavit in
regard to the affair. The hrst TO give
his deposition WAS Captain Elijah ID
Sterling, who commanded a Maryland
police boat In Pocomoke sound last
Winter On taking charge Of his vessel
Captain Sterling proceeded to Green
Harbor bar and anchored. No sooner
had be cast anchor than Captain Thomas
of the Virginia state fishery force. IN the
bugeye Pocomoke. sent a cannon ball at
him Captain Thomas soon came along
side aud asked, DO you know where you
are lying and are you acquainted with
the liner
Captain Sterling replied: Il do not
think that many do know anything
about It. / INTENDED to lie here. Captain
Foster told our men last summer thai
they could work where am now lying
Captain Thomas replied: Tell YOU
your men not 90 work south Of wher
you are lying and We win have NJ
trouble Since then, Captain Sterling
says "he has shot at parties at less
one-half mile north Of where the Mary
land boSt WAS lying He has repeatedly
shot At boats going through Cedar
atraits and even shot at me, commando
In the Maryland State fishery force.
The deposilions were also taken OF
John b. Tnll, John A Sterling, ClRrenc
l. Thornton, Zacharias Sterling. Setl
Sterling, John Nelson. Thomas Mllbourns
Charles Byrd, Nicholas Sterling, jane
Coulbourn. John Tull. Job Moore. Jr
John CAttlin, Jr., William h. Nelso
and John A Davis
After the eepositions OF these wilnesse
Captain Turner. Senator Dryden and J. 4
Sterling proceeded IN a email boat to tn
scene OF the capture The boat sale
due north until the boundary line wa
struck, running due east from smith
Point 20 Watkins Point. By aid OF tn
compass It WAS found that the batteau
were captured very near the line.
AS the Governor Thomas Was rsturr
J ing to Crisheld she met the Chesapeake
) OF the Virginia state fishery force. cou
: manded BY Captain Hudgins Capital
Thomas was also on board. CAPITAL
Hudgins had just conveyed the commi
sion appointed to inquire into the sstai
Of William Elllnger TO the scene OF the
labOrs.
James Cullen who owned Il q battea
2 in which Aaron Byrd aud William MooI
= were captured. went to Drummondtow
: to look after his property He was tol
y that the prisoners would be released o
= the payment OF $3.50 Cullen told th
= authorities that he would be obliged
,, remain In jail
Il seems 60 be preferable 90 allow tb
prisoners to remsin In iall at the expen
Of Virginia rather than pay any mo
I. money Into the Virginia treasury. III
! families OF ths prisoners will be provide
for. IL Is stated that a party OF thlr
men started out Yesterday morning
retake the batteRux great many era
bers are under the Impression that vi
d ginls has no grabbing law The viol
r, tion Of the law is felony. aud Is pu
Is isbsble by fine, imprisonment and "a
+ feiture.