New-York tribune., 1899-06-15
SAID 1T WAS HIS SHIPMATE
A. SAILOR. IDENTIFIED THE DIsMEM-
BERED MAN.

MANY VISITORS TO THE BROOKLYN MoRGUE-
THE MAN DECLARED TO BE DEAD SEEN
on BOARD SHIP LAST NIGHT
John Hawor,h. sixty years old OF No n Jacob
St. Dexter Park. Liverpool samaker on the ship
Othello lying at Pier No. II. East River. visited
the Brooklyn Morgue last night and said ne
recognized the dsmembered man. who was
found floating last Saturday morning on the
Crescent Athletic Clubs house. at Bay Ridge.
Haworth says that the dead was hs
shpmate named Johnson; that he went by no
first name on the Othello that he had seen john
son about every day for the last nine months, ever
since Johnson Joined the Otheo at Newcastle.
New South Wales. and that he recognized the dead
man as Johnson last night the minute the Morgue
keeper lifted tho cloth from the upper part OF the
dead mans body and disclosed the lower part Of
the face
That's him-thats Johnson" said Haworth. II
could tell that anywhere. and I don't need to
look at the crucfx on the arm. although that
would mark him anywhere"
Haworth made the trip to the Morgue unaccom-
panied. and he told Police Captain Reynolds, Of
Brooklyn. last night that he wanted 10 avoid no.
toriety. He was taken by Detective Sergeant John
Brady to the Central Office where he inter-
rogated closely by Captain James Reynolds. The
latter Is not fully convinced that Haworth Is right
and will continue his Investigations. Haworth's
story s follows:
am salmaker on the Otheo, on which nave
been several years. know this dead man. He is
Johnson, Russian Finn. who shipped with
when We were lying at Newcastle. New South
Wales, about nine months ago. I cannot be mis-
taken about the man. Until four or five weeks ago
/ saw him every day, and I know his face and
form as we'll as do my own. Johnson deserted
from the st. Mirren. Glasgow ship. at Sydney.
and Joined us at Newcastle. a few miles distant.
We went from there with coal to Taltal. Chill and
from Chilian ports to New-York. We reached here
five weeks ago. and discharged our cargo In the
Erie Basin. That was the last / saw OF Johnson
until Wednesday OF last week. On that day he
came to the pier and spoke to the cook. who said
Here's Johnson" came up from below and
Johnson, and he waved his hat at me. ! noticed
that he had shaved off his mustache which he had
worn on the Othelo before coming to port That
was the last saw Of him ill tonight. when |
his dead body at the Morgue
TWO OTHER MEN RECOGNIZED HIM
Last night Jack wedde, ships apprentice
and the negro cook on the Othelo went 10 the
Morgue In Brooklyn and Identified the body as
Johnson to their own satisfaction. But one was a
boy and the other colored man. and | was not
satisfied with what they said. and I determined
TO investigate for myself. When Weddell and the
cook were talking with some reporters about the
dead man. and the likelihood that It was Johnson
l asked them II they remembered whether Johnson
had had his ears pierced. lie had come to the
one OF them had pierced ears. When got to think
Ing about Johnson. at first thought that IT was
he who had pierced ears. but soon as ! thought
II over I remembered II was Dutchy' and he has
gone back to England.
johnson was big fellow, broad chested and
with long arms and big hands. lie Of the
incest men ever sew. lie never quarrelsome,
did not drink 10 excess and did not gamble.
never heard OF his going with bad women.
never saw him angry but once. and that was at
Tata Chill. when he just through with load
ing coal. He was dirty and Jack, the boy. said:
johnson. you'd better wash that crucinx' referring
to the crucinx on Johnson's forearm Johnson did
not Ike the way that Jack had spoken about the
crucifx and showed good deal OF anger but he
soon got over II. used TO see the crucfx john
sons arm when II rained at We allowed
only n gallon Of water a day, and when n rains
We are always on the lookout TO catch rainwater.
Johnson was great for this. and when II rained ne
would roll up his sleeves and get all he could. At
such times his arms bare and then / often
saw the crucihx on his right forearm. never saw
but two like his. and the other was the breast
Of man. The crest over the cross is most un-
usual"