The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-01-10
DROPS BELOW FROM ClAUOlNt
Taikee OF Being a Detauiter From
San Francisco Was In Funds.
Named Burke.

N'dio VI hh's VIM Hdh bttu hlluhlut /
heavily, and perhaps for the time was
insane, sprang from the deck into the
ocean and was drawn beneath the
swiftly-going vessel.
Mr.. A. Richley, of 3Oi Beretania
street, a passenger by the S $. Claud- |
inc from Hilo, was by force of circum-
stances made more familiar with the
suicide than any other.
Mr.. Richley, who, with his compan-
ion, Mr.. Bell. occupied a stateroom next
TO the one used by the captain Of the
boat, was awakened from his sleep |
about i:i5 Friday morning by loud
voices Just outside his door. Without
dressing, Mr.. Richley went out on the
deck for the purpose OF asking the men
to move away. He found there the
mate of the ship, talking about money
matters with a young man, who was
outside the railing, and gripping a
rope to keep from falling into the wat
er below. Mr.. Richley recognized the
young man as one with whom he had
conversed through the evening and had
only parted from him at II o'clock. The
mans position, as he chung to the rope
and the expression OF his face, showed
despair and suicidal intent. This Mr.
Richley recognized at once, and deter
mined to aid the man. The mate
walked away. Mr.. Richley, left alone
with the man, began a conversation.
To the question II he was the Cap ain
OF the ship. Mr.. Richley, desiring 10
humor him, replied that he was. The
young man then evinced a desire to
talk with him, saying that it was the
captain of the ship with whom he
wished to speak, and no one else.
Little by little his story was told.
His name was Charles Burke. he said.
He had been in the employ of the Pa
cific Paving Company of San Fran
cisco where, after seven years OF SER
vice, he was accused of being default
er, of being short in his accounts
81, 900. This Burke denied. He claimed
that he had taken money, but that the
money was his by right, wages for the
long service.
With this money Burke embarked on
the ship Amy Turner, bound for Hilo,
which arrived at that port a few days
before the sailing of the Claudine for
Honolulu. He then asked Mr.. Richley
to take his money. an endorsed check
for 81 900 on Bishop L. Co, drawn by
l.. 7. Grant in favor OF X. r. Forrest;
SIS in gold and Sc in silver. He also
drew from his fingers and gave to Mr..
Richley some diamond rings OF value.
He then claimed that he had paid $1,000
to a Mr.. Mcdonald. but had not taken
receipt. Would Mr. Richley look
after the business for him and see that
the necessary papers were signed
Here, Mr.. Richley thought, was an
opportunity to save the mans life. He
argued that Burke should go into the
staterOom and sign statement regard
ing the payment. Once inside, Richley
intended to hold the man, by physical
force II necessary. To this Burke con-
scented on condition that he be given
a glass OF whiskey when inside. Climb
ing over the railing, Burke started TO-
ward the stateroom, when he saw the
mate OF the ship coming. He rushed
back again over the side OF the shin
and hung to life by the rope there The
mate, coming up, removed his coat and
started to draw out his watch. Then
Burke cried out. "Oh, you can't catch
me. The moment anyone starts toward
me shall let so of the rope and drop
into the water" And then he told
Richley that there were two men on
the ship trying to capture him and that
the mate was one of them. II Is prob
able that this imagining led to his de-
termination TO die
At this moment Burke noticed that
the ship was nearing Kawaihae, and
called to Richley: I'VE are entering
the harbor and | must go. Good bye.
Give the money to mother" Richley
sprung TO the railing in time to see
the man strike the water below, where
he was drawn beneath the vessel by
the strong suction current, and as the
ship passed over him the great pro-
pellor may have struck the death blow.
A boat was lowered. but, of course, the
body was not found
The money and rings were placed in
the hands OF Purser Geo. C. Beckley
for the Wilder S. S. Co., from whom