The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-25
SEAMAN BROWNS CHARGES.
He Repeats His Accusations Against Mate
Bran.

Boston, March 24.-Mr. Cotter, counsel
for the defense, concluded his cross-ex-
animation of the passenger, Lester II.
Monks, in the Bran murder trial at 10
O'Clock this forenoon, without bringing
out any additional facts. Redirect ex-
and after witness had identified his
statement made at Halifax, District At
torney Jones offered it in evidence, but
Mr.. Cotter objected on the witness had
acknowledged that he did not believe
in the truth of the insert dated July Is
and which was made a part of the docu-
ment.
r. The magistrate before whom the paper
was drawn up will be summoned that
he may possibly clear up the matter.
At 10. As Mr. Monks left the stand and
Charles Brown, the seaman of the Her.
bert Fuller, who was at the wheel of the
vessel when the murders were commit
ted and who claims to have seen Bran
strike Capt Nash with an axe, was called.
Brown told his story substantially as
he did at the last trial. The model of
the Herbert Fuller was used in explain
ing some nautical terms not familiar to
the Jury. He said that on the night of
the murder the vessel was under full sail.
Mr., Monks stated that several of the sails
had been taken in. Brown was still on
the stand when the noon recess was
taken at O'Clock.
During the session Juror Oberh1ser
asked the court if he could take notes.
The court refused the request on the
ground that while taking notes on one
point of testimony other points might
be missed.
District Attorney Jones continued the
direct examination of the witness, Charles
Brown, when the court resumed after
the noon recess.
Witness said that after he ha6 been
placed in irons charged with the muir
ders and confined in the we'll formed
by the lumber around the base of the
mizzen mast, Bran came to him and
said:
s'You thought you would be smart,
and put the blame on me, but was too
cute for you.'
would be known when they got on shore
if nothing else happened, and Bran said:
"There is much to happen yet.
At $50 the direct examination closed
and cross examination by Mr.. CoJter
began. In reply to questions. Brown said
that the first time he told any one of hay
ing seen Bran kill Capt. Nash was after
the vessel had arrived in Halifax. At
the time he signed the statement writ
ten by the passenger Monks, he did not
believe it to be true, but did not dare to
accuse Bran of having committed the
murders for fear Bran would kill him.
He said that the reason he did not tell
the men in the forecastle when he went
forward after being relieved at the wheel,
that Bfam had murdered the captain was
because they were asleep. Brown said
that his counsel, Mr.. A lien. told him that
he might be taken before the, grand jury,
but that if he told the truth, he thought
no Indictment would be returned
against him. No one told him to swear
against Bran and he would be set free.
Neither Bran nor his counsel were pres
emit when he told his story before the
grand Jury and one hour after telling it
he was set free.
District Attorney Jones objected to
a question put by Mr.. Cotter as to whett-
er or not he ever told FRANK Oh Loheao 5hat
he once shot d. man in Holland and es-
capped punishment by playing insanity.
A lengthy discussion between Judge
Webb, District Attorney Jones and Mr.
Cotter. ensued, and ended by the court
allowing the witness to answer the ques-
tions. He replied that be had.
To a question by Mr.. Cotter witness
replied that he did toll Frank Loheac
two days before the murder that on
board was a barrel of oil and that 1t
would be an easy matter to set fire to
ana destroy the ship. He said ne re'ne1n-
bered being on the witness stand nearly
whole day during the previous trial
and at adjournment of court he was
taken TO the city prison and locked in
cell so he could not talk with other
witnesses. The next morning when he
resumed the stand he contradicted and
previous day. Between the adjourn
nent of court the night before and that
morning he had been to the office of the
District Attorney Hoar and acting by
his advice, had changed his testimony
FORTIFY NARRAGANsETT BAY.