Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-09-28


seeing so many foreign gentlemen, with
moustaches, he imbibed the idea of culti-
vating some of that species of herbage
idea of travelling Not being disposed
to voyage as private gentleman, he en-
gagged the frigate Columbus. seventy
four, Commodore Biddle. to take him 10
the East Indies. he promisingin return for
the courtesy of the Naval Department in
placing the ship at his disposal. to see that
the yicIuals of the Commodore were well
cooked and in state for easy digestion.
Unluckily, however, a great many little
nick nacks of the officers would fasten 70
his palm. in spite of all he could do. and
Commodore Biddle, fearing he might lose
his valuabla services. kept him in irons
for nine months out of the three years
voyage. After visiting many ports in
Europe, in other ships, he set himself up
for Spanish gentleman. reduced by un-
forseen misfortunes to labor for a living.
and opened restaurant. Then he mar
ried pretty Indo-Spanish girl of Pana-
mama, called Nina Altamaria. His res
taurant thrived-he put money in his
purse-and finally leased larger house,
which he christened the ''New York Ho-
tel"
But William took to gambling. and
gambling led to stealing. and stealing led
10 mur- we don't know what. But
one day he and the betrothed of his wife's
sister went out cunning, and he came
home without his companion. He re-
ported that young Gonzales accidentally
shot himself. 1t so happened, however,
that the wound was in such a position
that the coroner's jury could not 6e indu-
ced to believe the hole was madeiby Con
zales' own carelessness, and Hance was
thrown into prison and accused of muir
der. Here he laid for some time, al
most everybody being satisfied that foul
play had taken place on the cunning ex-
cursion, but no proof could be adduced
at that time, and Hance. it appears, was
afraid that some might be scared up, so
one night he poisoned two of the guards
of the Panama prison, one of whom, if
not both died. He was found guilty of
the offence and sent TO the silver mines of
Carthagena for ten years. Previously,
however, no offered to accuse some of the
most respectable gentlemen in Panama OF
numbering the guard, but his offer was
declined. He escaped from prison TO a
ship in the harbor, and went to San Fran
cisco. twas in the time of the Vigi-
lance Committee, and many members of
that Committee having had the pleasure
of being robbed by him at his United
States Hotel, shipped him back to Pana-
ma, and placed him in the hands of the
authorities.
Personally, we can with pleasure testi-
fy as to ''his character and responsibility,
"having boarded at his hotel" In 1850,
we, in company with Col. Fremont, Sena-
tor Gwin, DR.. Bowie aud others, accepted
of his hospitality. Landing at midnight
from the steamer, and feeling particular
ly tired and sleepy, we prevailed upon
Col. Hance to act as candlestick and guide
for us to sleeping dormitory. He was
particularly attentive, took our trowsers,
folded them up. and placed them under
our pillows to raise its altitude, mixed us
an iced sherbert, and talked us to sleep
He even went so far as to relieve us Of
our purse, in which there WAS a dollars
worth of dimes, and seventy-three dollars
in gold. Having asserted in conversa-
ton with our friends, the day before, that
a man must be drunk to suffer his pock-
ct to be picked, and not caring to back
down from the position, aud of course
not having been drunk, we said nothi lg
about the theft--but in the course OF
the next day. we saw the Colonel
have curious piece of gold in his
hand. which we knew was in our pocket
the night before. Our brother, who was
with us, will also testify as to Mr.. Hance' s
"respectability." He placed some begs
of gold dust into Mr.. Hance's safe for Sc
curity. and Mr.. H.. either secured a por-
ton of 1t, or else the exceeding dry at
mosphere of the safe must have lighiened
lt-for each bag, on coming out, weighed
some four ounces less than when it went
into the safe. There are many travellers
who have suffered in this house TO the ex-
text of several thousand dollars each; and
we believe that these misfortunes finally
induced Mr.. Hance to run mules" be-
tween Panama and Cruces. Trunk-steal-
ing about that time came into vogue.
Travellers can believe Hance's story If
they choose. but if ever he should get
loose and get up anotherShotel on the line
OF California travel, if they stop with
him they will wish they had believed
ours.
How Hanee got out of the silver mines
Int the State prison. we cannot conceive,
unless the oyerseers, knowing his enter.
prising character. was afraid he would
steal the whole mine.
In conclusion. we would recommend
President Pierce to dispatch the figate
Columbus forthwith to Carthagena 10 re-
lease him. He ought no, 20 be snuffed
out, Ike greasy talIow candle, in such a
hea museum as the Carthageua Jail. He
ought to be where his talents can ex-
Pand. The Post complains that thieves