The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-09
KILLED IN SHIPS MUTINY.
LEADER or BALKY FIREMEN
SHOT DEAD BY 4 MATE.
Troublesome voyage From Frisco Fol-
lowed by Outbreak on the Hawaiian
Liner Massachusetts, Police Gather
In Two Onlcers and Seven Men.

low ed by Outbreak on the Hawaiian
Liner Massachusetts-The Police Gather
In Two OnIcers and Seven Men.
In attempting TO defend himself and his
superior officer from the attacks of half a
dozen mutinous sailors Fourth Officer
Elmer Howard Kerwin Of the American
Hawaiian Line steamer Massachusetts early
yesterday morning shot and instantly killed
James Slocum, an Englishman, who had
been serving as a fireman on the ship. With
the revolver he stood off the rest OF the gang
until the reserves came from the Fourth
avenue station, Brooklyn, to take the
mutineers into custody.
The Massa chusetts arrived at the Bush
Docks in South Brooklyn about ten days
ago after a troublesome trip from San
Francisco. The firemen, under the in
fiuenoe of Bully jim Slocum, had become
very much disconnected with the rations
they were getting. This dissatisfaction
grew into discomfort with the ship. They
told Capt. Finley that the other sixty men
on the crew we're getting much better food
than they were and they wouldn't stand
for it.
Nothing serious happened until the ship
was about ready TO cav Brooklyn for her
next port. Then the iremen had it fixed
up to desert the ship and cave the officers
in the lurch when they started TO pull out
Of the harbor yesterday afternoon.
First Officer Albert j. Evans got onto the
scheme. reported it to the captain and
had the fremen's shore lea We curtailed.
Wednesday night, however, eight of the
fremen sneaked away and proceeded to
buy out all the ginmills in South BROOKLYN.
Two had found a negro in one Of the ga
and proceeded to do him out Of $3.50, all
the money he had. A policeman marched
the two offenders of to the Fourth avenue
station.
The fremen who remained took the negro
with them and locked him up in the ships
galley. His cries for help brought the first
officer. When vans tried to open the door,
the firemen fell on him with all the muscle
which their coal heaving had given them.
His cries brought Fourth OFFICER kerwin,
who had a gun.
Some one sneaked up behind Kerwin,
grabbed him about the neck and forced him
to the deck. He fired his revolver wildly
and the bullet struck Slocum just under
the nose. He died instantly. "
The men on top Of Kerwin got up and fed.
The others retreated into the fore peak
with Kerwin after them. His revolver
as quiet as lambs until the police reserves
arrived. Capt. Murphy, who came with
the reserves. put the five remaining firemen
under arrest. After hearing kerwin's story
and that of the first officer he said that he
would have to put Evans n Kerwin under
arrest also.
The six fremen and the first and fourth
officers we're arraigned in the Butler street
court in rhe afternoon before Magistrate
Tighe. Kerwin was held without bail
for examination to-day. Evans was de-
tanned as a witness and the fremen were
held on the charge OF assault.
The captain OF the Massachusetts hired
men to take the place of those who were
detained and the ship sailed away in the
afternoon.