The San Francisco call., 1910-08-22
MANIAC RUNS
AMUCK IN
SHIP
Kills Captain E. B. Wood of the
Steamer Buckman and
Then Himself
SHOOTING FOLLOWED
BY LEAP OVERHEARD
Insane Passenger Identified as
Fred Thomas, but Little Is
Known of Him
SHOOTING FOLLOWED
BY LEAP OVERHEARD
OTHERS SCURRY FOR
SHELTER AFTER SHOT
THOMAS. an insane ;

tired THOMAS, an insane pas
senger who had run amuck on the
upper deck OF the steamer Buck
man, bound from this port for Seat
lie, shot and instantly killed Captain
Z. E. Wood, commander OF the vessel
early yesterday morning while the
boat was making its way southwark
just of the Oregon coast. Before he
could be overpowered he ran to the
rail and threw himself into the ocean,
q suicide.
The first information OF the double
tragedy was conveyed to this city in
telegram from II. F. Alexander at
Tacoma. president Of the Alaska-P Pa
oihc steamship company. owners Of
the Buokman The message was ad-
dressed to W d, Wells, general agent
OF the company here and ran as fol-
lows:
Wireless Flashes Tragedy
Received wireless from Buckman
advising Captain Wood was shot and
instantly killed this morning early by
insane passenger named Fred Thom-
as IT. mas afterwards irn1ped over
board sHave wired Mrs. Wood at
Portland suggesting that she take
Shasta limited tonight VIII wire YOU
again when [ hear from her. Notify
Woods brothers; also coroner, and
do everything necessary, Answer this
wire promptly H. F. Alexander"
While details of the dual tragedy
are lacking. the steamship officials
here presume that Captain Woods
met his death while esdeavoring to
pscify the demcnted man They be-
lieve that Thomas must have shown
some previous signs of insanity and
that when the captain was called in
10 take charge OF him, the latter drew
revolver and shot him.
What little news they have indicates
that the shooting of the captain Great
ed panic among the passengers and
sent them scurrying TO their cabins
for shelter the fear being that having
killed Captain Woods the maniac would
begin shooting iniiscriminately at any
and all who crossed his path The
panic was short lived The officers of
the boat had the situatio in hand in
moment and advanced toward Thom-
as The latter did not wait for them.
PIungeS Into Ocean
Casting his revolver from him into
the ocean he caught the top rail and
deliberately vaulted overheard He
sank imm ediately and was never seen
gain.
The Buckman, commanded now by
second Officer Brennan. who has been
aasting as first officer during this trip
tstheabsence Of First Officer Peterson.
VINO is on shore leave. is due in port
ct Il o'clock this morning with the
body Of Captain Wood aboard.
Captain Wood has been in the service
Of the Alaska Pacific company for five
years as commander of the Buckman.
and has always been considered one of
The most efficient officers in the employ
lie was IS years old and leaves wife
but no children. Mrs Wood was on
visit 10 Seattle. and when apprised Of
the death OF her husband left on the
shasta Limited last night.
Wife Survives Victim
The parents of Captain Wood are
dead but he leaves three brothers, a
sister and a half brother. The sister is
Mrs Arthur House of Mil Valley. The
brothers are Seabury NJ. Wood of 26I6
california street. who is employed by
tbe southern Pacific company as an
agent 10 meet incoming steamers:
charles \. Wood of e525 Raymond
street. Oakland. and W. H. Wood, agent
for the Chicago, Milwaukee and St
paul railroad at Sacramento. J. NJ. f..
Atkinson, an insurance broker of Sc
atfIe. is a half brother of the dead
captain.
Fred Thomas, the maniac, booked his
massage from Seattle. but the steam
ain officials have been unable to iden-
fiAv him. Captain Wood has been at
sea since he was IS years old, and COM
manded the steamship JEANNE prior to
s.kfnz the Buckman