Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-22
4 pIrlfuL s1oaY.
Conrad Nelson Accuses skipper and salIes d
Brutality Bsaiiao HIN.

Gloucester, Mass. March 21.-It ia very
rarely that tales, az brutality are re-
corded as occurring IN the Gloucester
stories of inhumanity to crews which
have disgraced the merchant marine
have happily found ne place In. the fish
good Fellowship has always character.
lied the men that man the Gloucester
craft. But now there comes a tale which
il not controversial blots this previous
The schooner Priscilla. Capt. John
Marks. arrived from a trip to Georges
Saturday bringing one Of the crew OF
now engaged in fishing on the banks.
The name of the man, or rather boy. Tor
son. He was put aboard the Priscilla
Story, for transportation to Gloucester.
with the information that he was suffer-
ing from a fever. His face and head at
the time were badly yra battered, which led
something more than fever was the mat
ter with the young man. yet they asked
no questions, but as requested landed
He was interviewed. Saturday evening.
at his boarding house on Main street,
kept by Edward o. Erickson. Nelson
has been in this a; country only eight
to Gloucester. to Erickson's, who was
born In the same town. The latter, who
speaks but little English. todd his story
On March I. Nelson said w, While on the
banks. a question arose about using old
and new bait. The men were hand-l line
cod fishing, a branch of the fisheries
vidual catch for his share OF the voyage.
Therefore fresh .ait is more desirable
than old bait. Nelson alleges that a big
p1r,tu S, Ordered MN to use the 90
of the new. and this led to quarrel.
1t was continued In the forecastle
where. he states, the Portuguese got him
Nelson says he struck back. when the
skipper Martin Christianson, a Norwe-
gfan. grasped and held him while the
Portuguese belabored him until he was
So severe was the beating. Nelson al
leges, that he became sick and feverish
and had to take to his bunk. During this
come down to his berth and swear at and
abuse him and order him to come on
deck. but he was not struck during this
period. He says the skipper gave him
while in his berth. One of the crew. he
further states. threatened to get square
with the skipper and the Portuguese for
beating him. This. according to Nelson.
happened nearly two weeks ago.
Although a fortnight has elapsed since
the row, Nelson's eyes are vet discolored.
gashes and wounds are thickly sprinkled
One side of his face is swollen almost
double. the ears being several times their
normal size. There is no question but
what he received a terrible punishment.
and he says 1t was all about the head.
He sits with his head between his hands.
apparently uninterested In anything
vacantly about. When he answers
a question it is in feeble and low tone.
Mr.. Erickson the boarding master. says
there is no doubt that he has been driven
out of his head. Usually he is bright and
good natured about the house Erickson
says that. Notwithstanding Nelson's short
time in fishing here. he is an expert at
the business. Il high-liner. Erickson says
that on a previous trip with Christianson
the skipper BACKED Nelson's eyes. and
when Erickson demanded an explanation
said that II was inflicted be-
cause Nelson went asleep on his watch.
Notwithstanding this. Christianson beg
ged that Nelson ship again with him. The
impression one would gain is that Nelson
is an inoffensive person.
There can be no question that the boy
received brutal beating aboard Chris
vessel. the story. which may
result in permanently affecting him men,
tally. Mr.. Erickson Is very Indignant.
though undecided as to what action he
will take. but thinks he will have the
captain and the Portuguese arrested on
their arrival in port.