Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1873 — Was Captain Hall Poisoned? [ARTICLE]

Was Captain Hall Poisoned?

I nan an interview with Morton, the Second Mate, who was Captain Hall's favorite attendant during his last sickness. The statements he made he bade me not disclose. They were, however, of so startling a nature that I felt it my duty to give them to-day to the Vice-Consul to aid him in the investigation he waspros■ecuting. I accordingly yesterday waited on the Vice-Consul and gave him my~ln-~ formation that he might get it officially from Morton. He at once told me he hail already had these statements from Morton. I further ascertained the testimony of certain others was corroborative so flit of Morton’s, and I am* satisfied that the Vice-Consul, who is a lawyer,- leans to a theory seriously implicating Dr. Bessel. Morton says Hail and Dr. Bessel were not on good terms. Hall returned from the journey which preceded his fatal illness in perfect health, and was only a short time in thecabin when, after taking some coffee, he became sick and vomited. He solemnly affirms that the Doctor told him on the second day after Captain Hall’s illness that it vould be fatal. Hall complained to Morton that “they were poisoning him.” Bessel gave Hall injections, ostensibly of quinine, but it is hinted that morphine was used. Morton apparently believes that Bessel killed Hall in order that he might rob him of the honor of discovering the North Pole. Bessel.believed that the expedition was sure to be successful. With regard to Buddington, Morton affirms that Buddington was sometimes loose in his haband gave offense to Hall, who on mere than one occasion showed his marked disapproval. He, however, .scouts the idea that Buddington killed Hall. A formal document now given up to the Consul, a holograph of Hull, and written a lew days before bis death, expressed perfect confidence in Buddington. The crew aver that the' sailing-master drank, but never was absolutely intoxicated. Morton charges Buddington with showing the white feather as to proceeding north through the ice. At consultations with Hall and his brother officers he called him a perfect coward, yet wiihall a man too timid to crush a mdsqfiito were it under his foot. The carpenter, Mr. Coffin, who made the bier for Hall, speaks or the facepf the corpseas having been the mosj natural of all the' many dead faceu he has seen It was perfectly calm, devoWoTcOfildrtians or expression of pain, and particularly fresh -in color. Postinortem rigidity alone bespoke the pres-' ence of death. Buddington and the Doctor are not

friendly. The former gives out that, he knows a deal which he would not.,say to any one save to the Consul or the United States authorities. The common seamen refuse to say anything, and generally plead ignorance of what was dope in the cabin. The only conclusion we can come to on the whole testimony is, that cither Morton speaks the truth or labors under an hallucination, which is shared in by the Captain, or that both of them have formed a damnable conspiracy against an innocent man. The Captain and Morton roomed together; the officers and crew were all rooming in one hotel, with the exception ot the Doctor, who roomed at the Royal Hotel, where he was a very great favorite with all the guests, and won golden opinions by his exceedingly frank, pleasant manner. His rciicence as to the details of the Captain’s illness was in consequence of a deliberate resolution, to which he- persistently and successfully adhered, despite all the endeavors of members of the press to secure information from him. Both Buddington and the Doctor are prepared for arrest immediately on their arrival at New York. All who have enjoyed Dr. Bessel’s acquaintance pray God that the dark accusations may prove utterly groundless. Dr. Bessel and the other officers and members of the crew cannot.be said to be very friendly. Buddington has been drinking slightly since his stay in Dundee. It is certain that he is in a state ot considerable trepidation and anxiety about something. Probably he anticipates a severe overhauling from the Navy Department. So far as the charge of poisoning, against Buddington, goes, it is negatived by Bessel, who aflirms stoutly that Hall died a natural death. His conduct on shipboard is vindicated by a formal paper left by Hall. With the crew, generally, Buddington is on capital terms. The most singular “feature of the whole matter is that Tyson’s party made a chargp of foul play, and that the same charge is reiterated by certain members of Buddington’s party, but against another individual. Hall, one may say, died with the word “Excelsior” on his lips. “Find the Pole; never mind me,” was his last utterance. — Dundee (Scotland} Cor. N. Y. Herald.