The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-11-24
Porto Rican Who Tried to
Stab Poatswain Charlie
Johnson Must Answer for
His Crime.
NEARING IN THE CASE TODAY
COMMISSIONER LINsLEY ROWE
TAKES TESTIMONY AND Es-
TABDIsHEs ANINTENT ToKILL
HISTORY OF THE FIGHT
DURING A HURRICANE.


against Emilio Huelpe, the Porto Rican,
who attempted to stab Boatswain Chas.
johnson, a Swede, Of the brigantine
Mamie Swan during storm off Cape
Hattaras on November II last. took
place before United States Commissioner
Linsley Rowe this morning. Huelpe was
held for the United States Grand Jury,
which meets on January 16 next
The story originally appeared to the
effect that the fight between the two
men occurred during fierce hurricane,
while the men were ree6ng sails aloft,
and that the fight could only be witness
ed by the officers and crew of the ship
on deck below during incessant flashes
of lightning.
fact that the fight took place on the
quarter deck aft That Huehpe intend
ed to kill the botaswain was plainly APP
parent. The fight took place during a
raging storm. But for the fact that
Boatswain johnson had on a thick pea
jacket, over several other articles of
clothing, the sheath-knife used by the
Porto Eican would have penetrated the
Swede's heart. Even at that the blade
penetrated Johnson's s body in front Of the
heart at least an inch. The testimony of
First Mate Tretup was to the effect that
the Porto Rican after making a leap at
the boatswain and plunging the knife
into his body chased him "around the
house"-the main cabin covering-with
the evident intention of numbering him.
Captain Hollis ]. Higgins. who lives in
South street, New York, who was pre-
pairing to go on deck after having ate
breakfast, heard the commotion and has
tening above saw the desperate chase.
HIT commanded Huelpe to stop and the
young Porto Rican Immediately gave up
the chase and handed the sheath knife
to First Mate Trelop. The stabbed boat
swain demanded that Huelpe be put in
irons, but the Captain, who was short
handed. and who knew the ssboyy-as he
calls him. put him under oath and allow
ed him to work during the remainder of
the trip to New oYrk. Two of the ships
able seamen were '.laid up" and johnson
was incapacitated for several days.
Tie hearing showed that at the time
the fight occurred the brigantine, which
plies betweea Porto Rico and the Florida
coast, was on the edge of the Gulf
Stream, about TO miles of Cape Hat
teras, on tho North Carolina coast and
on the High Seas.
The investigation was conducted by
District Attorney Vreeland. johnson,
the boatswain, who was stabbed, was
represented by Richard D. Currier, at
torney-at-law and proctor in admiralty,
No. % Whitehall street, New York.
Huelpe was employed to run the dom
key engine and also as a sailormanman.
1t developed that the two men had
quarrelaa about six o'clock in the MORN
ing while 1cefing the sails of the main
boom during the storm. Hueipe declares
johnson struck him with a piece Of rope,
and <1raf H.. q, l,, s,f.,,,,ly Il ~, A. fo M
and kicked him in the abdomen. The
boatswain declares that all that occurred
at that time was that In reefing he sail
he accidently struck Huelpe in the face
with the rope. The assault occurred two
hours dater. No sheath kHyes were al
lowed by the captain to be used by the
sailors unless the points were broken off.
The point of the knife used by Huelpe
had been sharpened, as well as both
sides, showing that the deed had been
premeditated, and the true aim of the
Porto Rican when he made the ldnge
and plunge shows that he intended to
XIII the Doatswain. The sailors on board
the Mamie Swan" except when they
have some actual work to perform re-
quiring the weapon, are not allowed to
carry sheath knife. But Huelpe knew
there was a knife in the drawer in the
engineers room, and It was this knife
he sharpened with the iatention Of kiil-
iag the Swedish boatswain.
Huelpe was taken back to jail By
Deputy Marshall John Mayhem until he
can secure bonds for his appearance be-
fore the United States Grand Jury. The
skip will not sail for monrh.
The 4 best that ;aoaeg can buy should he yonr
aim n choosing medicine, and this is Hood 5
aarEapAriiIl. It cures when prilefs fail.