Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
MURDER DONE
IN SHIP
At SEA
'MARY SANFORD" ARRIVES IN
PENSACOLA WITH THE MATE
IN IRONS AND THE CREW IN A
STATE OF MUTINY.

PENSACOLA. Fla, July S-The Ameri-
can schooner. Mary Sanford, which ar
rived Saturday afternoon had an eventful
voyage from Bluefelds. Nicaragua, to
Pensacola. during which time one man
killed another and the crew were almost
IN constant mutiny for the mans blood,
who murdered their shipmate. Captain
Mcdonald was glad TO reach here, and as
soon as possible had the murderer IN jan
The Mary Sanford left Bluefelds on
June "a, and when four days out In lati-
tude $40 and longitude S1-45. A @. Mich
olson, the first mate. killed Fred Reed.
West Indian seaman at 4 a. m.
Reed. Il was learned, had been ordered
70 some duty about the sails, but the par
tfcular lob was not done according, 20 the
liking OF Nicholson. who ordered Reed 70
do the work over. The latter did not rel
ish this and made insulting remarks 70
the mate, who without any handy or
words. whipped out a 44-calibre revolver
and filled the negro's body with four bull
lets. either one Of which would have
ur0ved fatal. The seaman died within %
seconds after being shot.
When Captain Mcdonald saw what had
happened, he ran and overpowered Mich
olson. took the pistol from him and threw
A overheard. The mate was then placed
IN irons and kept so confined, and under
strict guard until the vessel reached the
Pensacola quarantine station, when the
United States marshals office was told OF
the murder on the high seas and Nichol-
son brought here and locked up. he viii
be given a preliminary trial before L. s.
Commissioner Tunison tomorrow morning.
Since he has engaged legal advice he re-
fuses to talk and give his side Of the oc-
currence.
To The Journals representative one Of
TIE ships officers stated that immediate
IL after the killing four West Indian sea-
men, countrymen OF the dead man, openly
resented the murder OF Reed, and many
times did things looking as though the
murderer would swing from q yard arm.
The captain. two mates and steward were
the only white men on the vessel. and
the combined watchfulness Of this over
worked Quartette prevented marine ses-
sion OF Judge Lynch's court The West
Indians were said 20 have been a most
revengeful class and various cOnspiracies
were nIpped IN their incipiency by the
white crew, who CLEANED knowledge OF the
plots by the boasting OF the conspirators.
who on one occasion are said TO have
threatened 10 have the lives OF all the
ships officers when thsy were prevented
from laying hands on Nicholson.
Reeds body was wrapped in sails and
buried at sea a few miles from the lOca-
ton OF where the shooting occurred. He
had repeatedly made trouble for the ship
and Is spoken OF as having been a dan
Kerous man. Nicholson belongs TO q
prominent family at Halifax. Nova SEQ
tia, and has followed the sea for many
years.
The Mary Sanford. flying the American
nag, Is q frequent trader here. The muir
der viii necessarily have TO be heard IN
the United States court, which convenes
here next month And this Is the first
capital crime to be heard or docketed
In the federal court Of this district for
years.