Year: 1874

CoLoRED SAILOR KILLS THE FIRST MATE OF THE


SCHOONER KATIE RANGER Al A SOUTHERN


PORT.


Terry j. Martin, first mate OF the schooner
Katie Ranger, killed by colored sailor named
Frank Myers on April Is last while the vessei was
being loaded with lumber at Cedar Keys Fla The Katie
Ranger arrived at this port Tuesday and the story OF
the murder has been gwen TO reporter o' THE IRiB
USE According 70 the statements OF the officers and
men the vessel Martin was q OF dssoue habits
and when drunk was very abusive, scattering epthets
and missiles with equal freedom On the voyage from
New-fork to Florida be quarreed with the captain and
second mate and beat several OF the crew IN brutal
manner His wife, who resides in this CITY, received
letter from him. dated at Cedar Keys In which he ac-
knowiedged having quarreled with the captain About
noon on the fatal day the mate went ashore, re-
marking that "he was gong ashore TO
get drunk, and that when he came back
he should raise a muse" Subsequent developments
seem TO justly the belief that he carried out MS lnten
TONS During the OF Martin, the captain went
ashore and had returned when the array when re-
suited so fatally took place At about o'clock p m
the mate returned TO the vessel in frenzed state OF
intoxicaon and apply opprobrious epIthets to
each man on the vessel. This being too common an
occurrence 10 create the desired effect he began throw
ing everything portable within his reach at the abused
sailors This conduct resulted In general row. IN
the course Of which clubs and marlin spikes were
freely used. During the ARRAY, Myers raised heavy
wooden club and dealt the nebriated man crushing
blow upon the head killing him instantly The men stood
sghast the murderous work Of their companion and
from every appears that they renamed IN
state OF semistupor until II p n, wnen me Town
officers appeared and arrested them On the following
morning the authorities released those under arrest
with the exception OF Myers who held as the muir
derer. On sunday morning the Mayor OF the town. wDo
also oficates as Coroner and Justice OF the Peace
called inquest which resulted IN the acqutta OF the
accused the ground of sefdefense Myers returned
to work the schooner and after his usual watch tnat
night retired to his bunk. In the morning the
second went into the forward part OF
the vessel TO call the 10 Dread
fast and discovered that Meyers mad fed. Where ne
went still greater mystery although the oincers oi
the schooner used every endeaVor 10 Hnu
him. As soon Meverss wife heard OF the
death OF her husband went 10 commissioner shelds
and stated her case casting suspicion on tue captain Ol
the schooner Her suspicious founded on the letter
from her husband in which ne mentions quarrel Win
the captain. she directed by Mr Shields 10 com'
missioner Duncan, whom she made similar state
As the Katie Ranger was a coastwlse vessel u
impossible for Mr.. Duncan 10 AID ner'
When the vessel came into port on Iuesday
mind OF any suspicious concerning himself Tne salary
due her deceased husband was PAID 10 her Dy capt.
Martin The watch and other personal property IN the
possession OF Martin the time OF his death were
seized by the Sheriff Cedar KEYS because the captain
refused TO pay fees than those allowed Dy law All
efforts 10 reclaim the trnkets unavalng ar no one
dared a warrant the Sheriff who has repu-
the vessel Messrs. Van Brunt Brother, say that II is
utterly absurd 10 suspect Capt Martin or any compcty
the crime. He has served them for many yearr ana
bears al unOlemlshed reputation.