New-York tribune., 1900-07-13
SOLDIER BEAT TEN AND ROBBED
ALLEGED ASSAILANTS RECRUITS WHO
WERE DESERVING WITH HIM
NEATLY CAPTURED BY POLICE-THE VIC
TIM SAYS HIS FELLOWS TRIED TO
KILL HIM IN A BOAT NEAR
FORT SLOCUM
FORT SLOCUM

Thomas Jackson and Charles Wood infantry
cruits from the United States garrison at Fort
Slocum David's Island, locked in the New
Rochelle City Prison charges of robbery ana
attempted murder Their alleged victim, Thomas
Smith, another member OF the infantry detach-
ment is confined to the hospital at the fort suffer
ing from serious injuries. He says that his com
rades planned only to rob him, but to take MS
life and hide their crime by weighing his body and
throwing it into Long Island Sound. These soldiers
were recruited in this city, and had been awaiting
transportation to the Philippine Islands.
Jackson and Wood became tired of military re-
strctions and decided to desert as soon after pay
day as possible. They induced Smith TO join them
by volunteering TO furnish the boat with which
they We're to escape from the island Late on
Wednesday night the recruits succeeded in running
the sentry lines and reaching the shore, where
small rowboat mored. Smith says that ne
learned afterward that his comrades had loaded
the boat with weapons and weights win Whlch 10
Kill him and sink his body in the Sound. He was
sitting in the bow they put out from the island
but they had not gone far when the man VINO was
rowing said: Smith you too heavy to sit in
the bow You had better take the oars and row.
Smith consented to this arrangement. he mao
taken only a few strokes he alleges, when the
man behind him hit him a stunning blow on the
head with a bag containing number of iron bolts
At the same time the in the bow struck him
in the face with big stone When the soldier re-
gained his senses he says that he was lying in the
bottom of the boat with the blood flowing from
the gashes in his head. His purse, containing $3S
and several English sovereigns, was gone, and ne
could hear his assailants talking about Welghtlns
his body and throwing him overheard
Il guess he's done for all right. one or the men
is alleged to have said, and that's the best way
to get rid of him
Smith moaned feebly. and then as he grew
stronger he pleaded with his comrades not TO drown
him They finally rowed him to DayenP0rt,s Neck Neck
and put him ashore in the woods. Then they
abandoned the boat and fed Smith dragged him,
woke up the inmates and had them dress his
wounds. He telephoned TO the New-Rocheile Ponce
Headquarters, and reported his experience TO
Sergeant Cody. Sergeant Cody. suspecting that the
soldiers had taken trolley to come TO this
city, telephoned the Mount Vernon police. Pa
trOman VoIlmer who duty at the trolley
station in Mount Vernon, was told to look out for
the fugitves. few minutes later two men wear
ing infantry uniforms stepped from NeW-Ro-
Chelle The policeman arrested them, and yes
terday they We're returned to ew-RocheIe. where
they had preliminary hearing before Judge John
A Van Zem.
The prisoners say that they intoxicated and
did not know what occurred They will probably
be held for the WestChester County Grand Jury,
and should it fail to indct them the military au-
thorities will punish them for deserton, which
years imprisonment and "bobtan'
from the Army
When Jackson and Wood were searched the Eng
lish soveregns found in their possession.
Smith has identified them those stolen from him.
The prisoners are natives of Fall River. Mass.