Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-24
BRAM'''s DEFENCE.
Accused Mate pE3he Herbert
Fuller on Ito Stand.
Makes Good impression and Appar-
emily Frankly Gives Testimony.
II He is '"noc:ns ihp fs'dsaee sssms II
Point y Brown.


Boston, Dec. 23.-In the trial, today,
of Mate Thomas W. Bran, charged with
the murder of Capt. Nash. Mrs. Nash
and the second mate of the barkentine
Herbert Fuller. the defence began their
side of the case. Mr.. French OF the
counsel for Bran, making the opening
argument.
Mr.. French said in part: Every
thing points to the conclusion that
these fiendish crimes were committed
by an insane man. Whoever that man
was, he has appeared before you in this
court, but he has appeared in a far
different guise than ne did when he
committed that crime.
IF you have formed any opinion as
| to this case. you are asked to suspend
judgement until you have seen on the
witness stand the defendant himself.
and heard him tell the story Of his in
nocence. The proposition which the
government is bound to prove beyond a
doubt, is not who killed Capt. Nash. but
did Thomas Bran kill him.
Brown is the governments principal
witness and he was branded by the dis
trict attorney as suspicious and under
a shadow Of guilt in his opening. He is
the only witness on whom the govern
ment relies for its positive proof of guilt
such testimony of a capital crime. All
the other testimony is purely circum-
stantial."
The first witness for the defence was
the defendant himself. who testified.
after being sworn. that his name is
| Thomas Mead Chandler Bran. 33 years
old. and was born in ST. Catherine, one
of the West India island. He gave his
testimony in firm low tone of voice,
with much dignity and intelligence
without the slightest suggestion OF
nervousness.
Continuing. he told Of his early career
| in New York, Boston and Cambridge,
Mass. Part of the time he was mana
ger Of a restaurant in Boston. New
York and Chicago for one Dennet. who
established restaurants in various
cities.
After telling his sea-faring life and
his shipping as mate OF the Herbert
Fuller, he related how he had had some
trouble with Brown, who grOwled when
witness showed him how he wanted the
deck scrubbed. In his story of the
tragedy, he said he was on deck from
II to 1 o'clock. when he went; below to
get sandwich and drink. He re-
turned Immediately. 49,
At o'clock witness heard a noise aft;
saw a man abreast of the mizzen rig
cling who proved to be Brown. Witness
returned from aft and called four bells
to Brown but received no answer. Soon
went aft again and saw Brown putting
on his slippers.
In the meantime Soliac had taken the
wheel. Witness went forward; when
he returned he met a man with re-
volver Monks coming up from the
cabin. Witness shielded himself with
a board Monks informed him that the
captain had been murdered. He then
went below with Monks.
The defendant took the stand. The
court ordered all, effects of Bran
brought into the court room. Bran
began, this afternoon by relating what
occurred after. the ship started for
Halifax. He said the sailors passed
Tuesday night sleeping on deck.
Monks, Spencer and he stayed together
that night. Next morning Purdock
told Bran to watch Brown because he
acted very suspicious during the whole
night. Lobac suggested that the for
ward hatch should be locked. for
Brown had told how easily. the ship
could he set on fire. That night the
men were searched and allowed tO|
keep only their sheath knives. The
steward said we ought to put Brown In
irons from what the sailors had told
him. Bran then read a statement he
wrote at that time in reference to
what occurred that day including
Browns actions.
Monks, Bran and Spencer were talk |
ing, Wednesday afternoon. when |
Brown Joined them. Brown stated |
that he had been followed by the sail
ors all night. Witness described what |
took place when they put Brown in
irons. Brown asked Bran II the pas
senger told him he saw him (BrOwn)
kill the people. He said Brown told
him he tore down the curtain In the
chart room. Witness related Browns
from one side to the other
of the ship and how guilty he APP
peared.
Bran said he commanded the ship
and his orders were obeyed. He said
everything was harmonious during
and Friday. Saturday 1t
became necessary to tow the boat con-
tanning the bodies because the OdOr
was offensive. Bran said he changed
his clothes on Saturday and it had
been a week since he had changed
them. He found his trunk broken open.
His change was new. He took O
bucket and some Gold Dust washing
powder, and took his soiled clothes
and washed them. He said there was
no blood on his clothes; he left these
clothes in soak all Saturday night. He
was awakened by the steward that
night to listen to some peculiar noises.
They saw land Sunday morning; Hal
flax was lis miles away. BY chart
he determined the course to Halifax
and started. Soon he discovered q
steamer. Spencer thought it foolish to
signal. but finally the signals were run
IN. The steamer did not pay any at
tention. Bran the1sesat on the Aft
house looking at the steamer with
glass. when Spencer and all hands
put him in irons. He was dashed to
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