George S. Banning

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Probable Brutal Murder - The Loss of the Schooner Sam Colt

City Intelligence.
PROBABLE BRUTAL MURDER
THE LOSS OF THE SCHOONER SAM COLT
Suspicious Circumstances as to the Death of the Captain and Mate.
We published several days ago a brief account furnished by telegraph, of the loss of the schooner Sam. Colt, Capt. Geo. Hilliard of Portland, while en route from New Jersey to New Bedford with a cargo of coal and spars. Further particulars have come to hand. The vessel was ashore on Nantucket Island, and some of the people of the island upon going to her, found only the crew - two deck hands and a colored cook - on board. These men stated that heavy storm was encountered and the vessel shoaled. A heavy sea was running at the time, and the schooner was tossed violently toward the beach, the waves washing over her, making it difficult for any to remain on board. The mate went up into the rigging, and while there a powerful wave washed him overboard. The captain went below for a moment, and on coming up started forward, but before he had gone far, was also washed from the deck, and no more was seen of him. This is the story told by the men, though they varied some in their statements. No one questioned the truth of what they said at this time, and they left Nantucket soon after, since which time, we understand, nothing has been heard from them. Who they were, or from what part of the country they came from, does not appear. A few day's subsequent to the finding of the vessel, the bodles of the captain and mate were found upon the beach at Nantucket, and marks of violence wore discovered. The bruises were of such a character that suspicions of foul play were at once excited, and since the arrival home of the remains, the friends of the deceased are very confident that the crew committed a double murder, and, to cover up their crime, ran the vessel ashore purposely and told the stories they did. The probability of this being true is strengthened by the fact that the vessel was over sixty miles off her course. Capt. Hilliard was an experienced navigator-had been over the route many times-and it could hardly be possible that the schooner should get so far away from the direct line. All the circumstances of the affair are so suspicious that efforts will undoubtedly be made to find the missing crew, and it is hoped the search may be successful. Cpt. Hilliard was a highly respected citizen of Portland, and the mate, George S. Banning, a young man twenty-eight years of age, resided in Haddam, whore he was much esteemed. The funerals of both were recently attended.
--Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, May 10, 1866 Page 2