New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-05-27
WHO rs "WATSON?u

| AS the case now stands, the chances are
greatly in favor of its being hoax.
When we see government detective
| officer making his most marvellous reports
to newspaper, while his superior officers
and the police courts are left in ignorance
Of what he is about, there is strong rea.
son to suspect humbug. In the case Of
Colonel Hunt and his researches into the
whisky business of New Orleans there is
undoubtedly great deal of romance.
The detective and the reporter have either
been deluded themselves, or they are
attempting to impose upon others.
As the story runs, Colonel Hunt started
for Mississippi soon after his appointment,
intending to go only as far as Jackson.
As there is no whisky made in Jackson, not
withstanding a large consumptive demand
for it, we are unable to understand why
Colonel Hunt should have thought it nee
essary to inspect that place at ALL While
oscillating between jackson and Holly
Springs in pursuit Of Mr.. Lott, collector
of internal revenue, Colonel Hunt met
with his first adventure. We will give
this incident as related by himself after
he returned to Louisville with the report
Of his Southern trip ready for the exclu-
sive use of the Commercial. The inn
keeper at Holly Springs came to tell him
"There is gentleman who has Just
reached here on the train who wishes to see
you before you start"
After dressing himself he went to the
Office and asked for the gentleman who de-
sired to see him. The hotel keeper replied:
"The gentleman has decided to see you
on the train"
While purchasing ticket at the depot
gentlemanly looking person approached
him and asked him if his name was Hunt.
He replied in the affirmative. The stranger
then said: "My name is Watson. from
Louisville; came all the way down here to
see you"
While on the train the pseudo Watson
said: II told you just now my name was
Watson, and that was from Louisville. l
didn't care to tell you who I was while
Others were standing around; but am a
dietiller from New Orleans, and came I'D
to see you, learning you we're here
Colonel Hunts curiosity was excited as
to how he got his information, and he asked
him how he knew, and he replied:
II telegraphed a friend in Washington
and he informed me-"
AS Colonel Hunt was off on a secret
mission without having taken anybody,
not even his wife, into his confidence, he
began to believe Watson a gypsy or witch,
but kept quiet and let him go on:
The distiller then commenced a converse
ton about the whisky business, saying there
was great deal OF money in it, and that
parties all over the country were making
money out of it. He spoke of some officials
who we're making fortunes. After finishing
breakfast at the station, where the train
approached him and they went together
into the smoking car and sat down 70 smoke
together, when he again began to talk
whisky. He began by say ing that he
wanted to tell Colonel Hunt frankly how
they did business there, and Hunts cue
was to get as much out of him as he could.
Among other things he said:
''My house paid your predecessor $1,000
month, and the other houses in New Orleans
paid in the same proportion, making his in
come from the Gistillers alone from ST., 900
to $l4 900 a month"; and we want to make
the same arrangement with you. We don't
ask you to do anything but simply to keep
out of the way, and to find business in some
other portion of your district. You will
never be known in the matter. as there is
no possible way tor it to leak out"
Here "Watson" disappears entirely
from the story, and Colonel Hunt again
comes to the front as the hero. He main
aims this position throughout. Our
curiosity to know who this Watson is,
md whether he really is a distiller or only
/ spy sent by the government to see if
Colonel Hunt would weaken under the
,ffer of bride remains unsatisfed. AL |
hough Hunt came to New Orleans, he !
appears to have found but one distillery
which required much supervision. He |
placed two men on watch, but nothing |
anne Of it, as the place closed for the sea-
on five days afterward.
There are only about three distilleries
n this city. But two of these could |
ford to pay $1,000 month to the super
isor if he "winked" himself blind about
heir product. The third is small but
afe concern, which is run by a man of
etter sense than to attempt to seduce
aithful Kentucky official. Unfortunately
Or the success of Colonel Hunts story.
e did not stick to Watson. He should
ave had him followed up, and Identified;
is distillery examined, and above all,
is 'schecking power should have been
,sted, or, at least, ascertained by COM
ION report. All the distillers in this
ty are well known. Any hackman or
abroad employe could have informed
olonel Hunt whether his Watson was
ne of them, Or a stranger to this peo-
Ie."
We hate to spoil a paying sensation,
i'd especially one which has been taken
p in sober earnest by local journal.
ut it strikes US that this S14, 900 Watson
Dry, contributed by Colonel Burgess
unit to the Louisville Commercials is a
IL, from first to last. Watson appears
be a tyro at negotiation. or a decoy
mt out by ga gentleman in Washing
H." Or, perhaps, he is only one OF
ose wayside wags who delight in run
ne rigs on green travellers.
DECORATION DAY.
rEN1ErEpv