The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-01-01
SMUGGLING THRoucn the MAILS


The Secretary of the Treasury has
written a letter to the Collector of Gus
toms at Bangor, Me-, in response to
communication from that officer stating
that, under cover of the recent postal
regulations, which allow packages not
exceeding four ounces in weight to be
carried in mails, valuable packages of
velvets. silks, gloves and similar articles
daily arrive in Bangor in the mails ss-sr2n
the Province of New Brunswick n
transttu to more interior points, and
which are conveyed on the Eastern &
North American Railway The Collec-
tor inquiries whether an officer of the
customs, when upon the cars carrying
mails, discovers in the mails or postal
cars packages which he has reason to
believe are being smuggled, is authorized
by any law to seize them. The Treasury
Department informs the Collector that
under no circumstances is an officer Of
the customs authorized to seize or detain
packages conveyed in mails or postal
cars under charge Of persons empowered
to carry mails or watch over such cars.
If, however, a customs officer discovers
packages which he has reason 70 believe
contain smuggled goods, and their des-
tination TO a particular pOstofiice in the
United States be known, 1t is his duty TO
notify the master of such postofflee and
request the retention of the packages
until they can be opened in the presence
Of the person to whom addressed and IN
the presence of a customs officer, IN
order that the Government duties may
be paid, or, If there be crime, forfeiture
enforced. There has also been cores
pondence between the Secretary Of the
Treasury and the Postmaster General on
the subject, in which Secretary Bristow
invites such suggestions for remedying
the evil complained Of as he may con-
slider most suitable for the purpose.
NOVEL ExPKDKST OF BRsTEGED MRH.
"A private letter from an officer at Fort
Sill, Indian Territory, gives the follow
ing account of an ingenious expedient
adopted to aid some soldiers in strait
ssCorporal John Smith, of the Fortieth
Infantry, with four men, was employed
on some detail some Twenty-Five mifes
from this post. While thus engaged he
was surprised by a body Of some hundred
or more mounted Indians, he THINKS eth
hiOhdo VI OOALoA1CnC1, AEDL4 lAllo ~
ervation. As their purpose yves unmis-
takably hostile, he and his men lost no
time in taking 70 the only available shell
ter, an old buffalo wallow, where, In g
very uncomfortable, constrained posi-
ton, they managed to protect their
bodies and keep their enemies at a dis
tanee for the day and night. The next
morning, however, their sufferin9s for
want of food became serious, and some
thing had to be doPe Corporal Smith
was equal to the occasion taking piece
of bis own white shirt, the only substi-
tute for paper 70 be had, he wrote a note
describing their situation, secured it with
care to the neck Of a small, shaggy mon.
grel dog, which had followed them from
the fort; then battering up a canteen. he
fastened it to the animals tail and lei
him go. The dog, to quote the Corpo.
rails Own expression, just bumped him
self The Indians, taking it to be mers
act Of bravado. / presume, made no at,
tempt to stop him, and within two hour.
from the time he started, the dog reach
ed the post. Sueeor was immediately
sent, and the brave corporal and his com
rades brought In, the Indians making of
at the first sight Of the rescue party. Al
the distance of several miles.