The Savannah morning news., 1904-04-07
GUILT OF OLSEN
WAS MADE CLEAR
SENTENCE WAS RESERVED
By JUDGE SPEER IN FIRST
"SHANGHAIING" CASE.

Graphic Accounts of Voyage to
Bristol Told by the witnesses.
Claimed That They Were Cruelty
Treated and Severely Whipped.
Made to Perform UnaccustOmed
Tasks, They said-Found Few of
Their own Color in Bristol.
Ragged and Dirty, Their Aspect
Frightened People.
In the United States court yester-
day Harry Olsen was found guilty of
"shanghaiing" Nose Smallwood, a ne
gro. United States Attorneys Leaken
and Alderman represented the govern
ment, and Col. Robert L. Colding look
ed after the interests of Olsen.
The government made out its case
with comparatively little difficulty. all
of the witnesses called testifying to
the fact that Smallwood had been
taken aboard the vessel against his
will. Though Olsen denied this charge,
the evidence against him, in the minds
of the jury, was sufficient to justify
verdict of guilty. Judge Speer re-
served sentence until this morning.
The government alleged that Small
wood was one of eight negroes whom
Olsen had induced to go aboard a
vessel and had then retained him there
against his will. The man was ship
ped to Bristol, England, and because
of his lack of seamanship was subject
ed, it was alleged, to severe punish
-.
were physically impossible to a "land
lubber."
The story of the "shanghaiing was
graphically told by the witnesses, and
the stories of the treatment they re-
ceived at sea were WILDLY brought
out.
Whipped Aboard Ship.
Against their will, they testified, Oh
sen had held them aboard the vessel
and not until they were out at sea did
they know to what port they were go
ing. Having never had any experience
as seamen they could not perform
tasks which the ordinary sailor re-
garded almost as play. For this they
were severely whipped, they related.
Time after time they were ordered up
the masts, and though unaccustomed to
the work,and practically unable to per-
form the tasks the officers of the YES
sci punished them, according to the
evidence. The treatment was con-
tinued until the negroes were landed
at Bristol, and released from the ship.
When they reached Bristol, they said
they were ragged, and dirty, and all
spirit had been taken from them by
the whippings to which they had been
subjected. In the English seaport they
found bnt few of their own color and,
friendless and homeless, they could do
little for themselves.
People Were Frightened.
Their condition was so frightful, they
alleged, that the people turned from
them in fright and it was i'm possible
to secure any work. No way of re-
turning to this country could be found
until the authorities took the matter
in hand.
Through Senator Bard, who inter-
ested himself in their behalf they were
transported to their own country
again. The attention of the War De-
partment was called to the cases by
the Senator, and through that chan
mel their return was effected. The sto-
ries of all the witnesses agreed in all
the material points.
A receipts for $3.50, the amount Oh
sen is alleged to have been given for
the negroes, was introduced in evil
dence.
Olsen, in his own behalf, denied
the charges that he had put the ne
groes aboard ship without their con-
sent. He testified that they had been
perfectly willing to go with the ship
to Bristol, and that no means that
were illegitimate were used by him.
Besides securing them the work
Olsen stated he had bought clothing
for them and aided them materially
III other ways.
These statements were denied by
the negroes. Once Judge Speer had
occasion to remind the witnesses that
they were under oath and If they fail
ed to tell the truth they would be
punished for perjury.
The Smallwood case was the first
Of the Shanghai" cases to be tried
and the sentence of the court will be
awaited with interest. The conviction
will probably have the effect of break
inc nm tha nractice at this mort.