The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-21
FEARS RIVER PIRATES.
Why n Marine Was Transferred to
the Local Navy Yard.

Patriotism led George W. Morgan,
Southern youth, barely twenty years of age,
to enlist IN the United States Marine Corps
fifteen months ago. He is yet in the serv-
ice private, stationed at the Marine Bar
racks, in Southeast Washington. One week
ago today Morgan was transferred to Wash
ington at his own request, owing to the
death at his hands of q river pirate in New
York Harbor. whose friends threatened
vengeance against the marine. lie came
from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He has
seen service in Manila; has circunnavigated
the globe. and is now seeking an honorable
discharge from the navy.
Fer more than year prior to his trans
fer here Morgan experienced the hard
ships Of the regular service. Born in New
Orleans, where he was reared amid COM
Portable surroundings, he came North
when the necessity for earnest work in
the Philippines became apparent. Prior
to his enlistment in the service, on Au-
gust IL, 1899, Morgan was successful
salesman for large New York silk house.
This work he relinquished. against the adj
vice of friends, to go to Manila. He en-
tered the Marine Corps at New York
City and was shortly assigned to the
cecond-class battleship New Orleans. The
ship was bound for Manila. The voyage
began September 1 last year. Several
weeks were occupied by the trip. At Ma
Mia, Morgan went ashore and went to
Cavite, where he remained on guard duty
about three weeks. With others, he was
then suddenly ordered to return to New
York and stationed at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard.
Upon returning to New York Morgan
took up routine duty at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard. He performed guard duty and dur
ing round met with the river pirate he
was compelled to kill. Morgan went on
| duty at o'clock on the night of the 18th
| inst. His post was a remote one from
the guardhouse and extended along the
edge CT the water at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard reservation. On previous occasion
Morgan had had trouble with rough river
| characters, and one had threatened his
life. As Morgan patrolled his post he
heard boat approaching the shore and
hailed ii. There was no response, but the
boat soon touched the landing and man
jumped out. He made for pile of lum-
Der near by placed conveniently for work
men who were building an addition to the
pier ct the yard, and began to load lumber
into his boat. Morgan followed and was
| attacked by the pirate, who used heavy
piece CT lumber as weapon. In the fight
Morgan was struck across the right arm
and compelled to drop his gun. He threw
his assailant off, however. AS the pirate
again attacked him Morgan seized his
gun By the butt and hit him over the head
Il crushing blow fracturing his skull The
man fell back into the water. where his
remains lay until recovered the following
morning by the civil authorities.
Immediately after the killing of the
pirate Morgan called for the officer of
the guard. and was relieved from duty
temporarily. His wounded arm was dress
ed at the navy yard hospital. The civil
authorities heard of the killing and took
steps for an investigation. The naval au-
| thorities, however, refused to surrender
Morgan. who was kept within the Gov
eminent reservation PENDING his transfer
here Alter the tragedy the guard at the
pier in the navy yard was doubled. it
being feared that friends of the dead
pirate might seek vengeance for the kill
ing. Morgan then applied for a transfer
to Washington, which was granted He is
highly connected throughout the South
When seen last night at the barracks he
declined to discuss the killing beyond
saying that he acted strictly in self-de-
fence. SO far as known the local authori-
ties have no request from the New York
police in the case