The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-21
Captain Curran Stabbed to
Death by a Sailor.
Made a Furious Attack on the
Latter With an Iron Bar.
The Dead Man and His Slayer Were
Residents of Providence.

The body OF Captain Patrick Curran Of
the fishing schc oner Maud Gertrude. who
was stabbed TO death at New Bedford,
Mass, Saturday afternoon by Joseph
Mullen, n sailor, was brought TO this city
last night and placed in charge OF an un
dertaker. The remains will be taken TO
the late home Of the deceased, 80 Crary
street, today.
Curran quarrelled with two of his
sailors Saturday afternoon at New Bedford
because they had decided to ship on
another schooner. md there was bloody
light on Central wharf. The cook of the
Maud Gertrude was the first TO notify
Captain Curran of his intention to ship
on the fishing schooner Lady Of the Lake.
HE had no sooner given his notice than
Captain Curran assaulted him fiercely and
he barely escaped with his life.
Shortly after Mullen told the captain
that he was going on the Lady of the
Lake. Curran made savage attack on
Mullen, who drew his jackknife and
stabbed the captain who had attempted TO
XII him with a heavy iron bar. The
jackknife penetrated Curran's body three
times once in the leg, once in the side,
and once In the back. The latter stab
was fatal as the blade penetrated the lung
and Curran died from this wound at the
hospital a sort time after 10 was inflicted.
Mullen and Guerreo were arrested by
the New Bedford police and they are now
held for trial. Curran felt this city about
three weeks ago for fishing trip in Buzz
yards bay. The cargo was discharged at
New Bedford and the vessel was being
prepared for another trip. The desertion
of the two men angered the captain be-
yond control and he. paid the penalty with
sis life.
Capt Curran was peculiar character
yn al
Providence was better known. He was a
tough customer when drinking. and it Is
the record of the 5th police precinct that
he was never taken into custody by less
than four or i've policemen. He WAS be-
fore the courts on several occasions for
smal offenses, usually for being drunk.
Once he was charged with larceny OF a
large ancnor, but 10 was shown that he
came by 1t honestly. The authorities
found Curran very useful when they
wanted bodies searched for in the river.
Curran was very successful in dragging
for bodies Of persons drowned. He was
also invariably on hand TO aid the police
In getting them from the water when
they were found floating on the tide.
All his life he had lived along the bay
as a fisherman and stevedore, an1 he had
a record of life saving second to none
here In the past three years he had res.
cued five persons who were in danger of
drowning, and at great risk 20 his own
life.
Mullen, the accused sailor Is also we'll
known in South Providence, and partcu-
larly about Hill's wharf, where the Maud
Gertrude WAS usually docked. He had the
reputation of being fighter when drunk,
but peaceable enough when sober.
Mullen was arraigned I'm the Third Dis
trict Court today at New Bedford on the
charge of manslaughter, in having caused
the death Of Capt. Curran. Thomas 4.
Desmond appeared for the defense and
Mullen entered plea or not guilty and
a continuance till Saturday, June Goth,
was ordered. Mullen was ordered to
recognize in 5000 and was committed to
jail. The knife with which the deed was
committed was "a large one and was COW
cred with blood. 1t was found in Null
lens pocket after his arrest.