The Republican journal., 1899-11-23
Capt. EIbridge J. Robertson Drowned

DALEY of Vinalhaven reported to City Mar
shal VIM. 81. Sanborn that he expected
Capt. Elbridge j. Rolerson was drowned
Capt. Daley stated that between 70 and 1
o'clock Saturday night he was asleep in the
cuddy OF his fishing boat which was anchor
ed off the railroad wharf, when he was awak-
ened by some one shouting alongside. He
enquired who was there and received the
answer, None of your id business. l
want some liquor On being told that
there was no liquor on board the visitor
said "Then come up and drink with me-"
Daley refused, when the visitor with many
oaths, threatened to kill anybody aboard.
DALEY came up on deck, where he recogniz-
ed Rolerson and was met by severe blow
in the eye. The two men clinched ard in
the scuff1e fell overheard. They separated
as soon as they struck the water and DALEY
climbed into Rolerson's boat, which was
moored alongside his vessel. He then dis
covered that one finger of his right hand was
badly bitten and bleeding freely. Daley
says the last he saw of Rolerson he was
struggling in the water, evidently trying to
get off his rubber boots.
Rolerson's boat was found Sunday fore
noon on the shore south OF the Boston &
Bangor steam boat wharf, and the bloot. on
the gunwale caused suspicion that all was
not right. The blood without doubt came
from Dailey's injured hand when he climbed
into the boat.
Monday morning City Marshal Sanborn
engaged d crew of men with boats and travis
to drag for the body, and after half-hours IS
work G. w Coombs and Fred Packard
brought it to the surface. Coroner Chas. R
Coombs was called and decided to hold an
inquest. Sheriff Norton summoned the fol-
lowing jury: o. j. Dickey, clerk, NJ. G
Norton, w FL. Sanborn, n. W.. Delano, F.
A. Shaw, John S. Fernald. The evidence
showed the facts to be as stated above, and
the jury returned the following verdict:
The jury find that said Elbridge j. Roller
son came to his death by drowning at about
l o'clock on the morning of Sunday, Novem-
Der 10, 1899. That said drowning was caused
by said Rolerson falling into Belfast Bay
| from the sloop Bessie May, in a scuffie with
the captain of said sloop, Adelbert A. Daley
of Vinahaven, Maine. That said Rolerson
was on board said sloop for the purpose of
robbery quarreling and that said Daley
acted in selfdefence in said struggle.
Elbridge j. Rolerson was native of Bel
fast and has always made his home here. He
was son of Joseph and Nancy Robertson,
who live at "Rolerson's Crossing" on the
railroad below Citypoint. He followed the
sea, and has been captain of number of
coasting schoouers, including the Jonathan
Gone, Sea Bird and others. He was a smart
and capable captain, and but for his infrm-
ity, the love of strong drink, would have
ranked among the best. Naturally he was
accommodating, good natured and honorable
in all his dealings, but liquor entirely trans
formed him. making him vindictive and
quarrelsome. Though not on intimate terms
with Capt. Daley their relations had always
been pleasant as were his relations with
every one when he was himself, He leaves
wife, formerly Miss Emma Eldridge Of
Belfast, and four small children also his
aged parents, one brother Ross, who lives
with his parents, and three sisters, Ella
Seekins and Fannie Smart of Swanvllle and
Edith, who lives in Massachusetts.
Captain Daley is a highly respected resi-
dent of Vnalhaven, and is well known in
this city, where be often comes to sell fish,
He is d veteran Of the civil war, having en-
listed in the Belfast City Grays at the break
ing out of the Rebellion and served with
that company-Co, X. of the 18th Maine-four
years. He subsequently enlisted in Octo-
Der, 1864, in the 4th battery Of the 1st Maine
Mounted Artillery, and was mustered out IN
July, 1865 He is peaceable and indus
trlous man and has the respect and cont
dence of all who know him.