The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-01-27
A STARTLING STORY
with Probably Less Traih Than Poetry
IN HIS COmpoAIlIOn-A Plan TO Steal u

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Government. IL .g lE.f.
ST. LOUIS, January 26.-Ths details Of {
filibustering scheme have been made pub
lic here to-day, it is believed, for the frs
time. During the early part Of 1876 Q gi
gantic flibustering scheme was concocted
Among those piyy to it were men Of
more or less prominencein various parts oi
the country, not excluding St. Louis, The
plan aimed at was nothing less than over
turning the existing government Of Ecua.
dor, and the exemplifcAtion Of the prin-
dple that to the yiCtors belongs the spoilB,
Ecuador was at that time in q state OF dis.
quietude, Certain adventurous citizens OF
this country had investigated the condi.
ton Of things, and claimed that few
bold leaders could develop the revolution.
ary spirit among the natives, overturn the
administration and, what was more, come
into control Of some $40, 100000 OF ell.
yer, the revenue for the year at
that time In the treasury at the capi.
tai, A gathering OF those who were In
terested In the revolution was held
at the Eutaw House, in Baltimore,
early In 1875. One Of the ruling spirits ol
the assemblage was Major William NJ, LIE.
land, who had been Grant'a quartermas.
ter atthe battle OF Pittsburg Landing. Msj.
Leland was intimate and closely assoCi-
atea with the Winans family, and was
understood to have the influence and back.
ing Of that family in what he was under.
taking. Emissaries were sent down into
Ecuador to represent that they had come
In aaemi.ofiCial CharaCterirom the United
States, and that this country desired to
see the people put in possession OF the
form Of government enjoyed here's The
agltators were told 10 prepare the natives
for q definite date OF uprising, July "a,
1875, and TO pledge them that q United
States force would land on their shores that
day 10 aid them In their fight for liberty.
Ecuador was ripe for the scheme, and the
pioneers succeeded In enrolling fifteen
thousand natives, sworn to participate in
the outbreak. Meantime tho men at the
head Of the conspiracy in this country
proceeded with their part OF the scheme.
A force Of 1900 men were enrolled, and
three well.armed vessels were got in
readiness, They lay In the harbor,
with clearance papers 10 convey coal
TO San Francisco, In reality to take on
board the little army bound for Ecuador
when the proper hour should arrive.
The leaders were not OF the quality who
burn the bridges behind them. As the
time for embarkation drew near they felt
more and more seriously the propriety OF
providing o means OF escape In the event
Of defeat. The most feasible plan was the
appointment oi minister resident In
Ecuador, who would be In sympathy with
the Government TO the extent OF interpoa.
ing between the tilibusters and the latter,
II worst came TO worst. After good deal
OF discussion, Robert L. Lindsay, q lawyer
OF st. Louis, was selected as qualified for
the position. His fitness for the place
was endorsed by Thomas Ewing, William
Mckee, Thomas O. Fletcher, W. A, Pile,
United States Marshal NewComb, ex.Gov.
ernor McOlurg, Clinton B. Fisk, Judge o.
D. Drake, =. 0. Stanard, and many others
who had no knowledge Of what was going
on with reference to an expedition. The
appointment seemed secure, when Henry
T. Blow put In his determined opposi.
ton. Mr.. Blow had been q South Ameri-
can minister, and he was then one OF the
Commissioners Of the District OF Colum.
bia. He had great influence at the White
House, and brought all OF 1t To bear on
Grant To prevent Col. Lindsay's appoint.
ment. He had gained information Of the
intended revolution, and Of the fact that
the tilibusters wanted Lindsay. The time
came and passed for the departure OF the
expedition, and Lindsay was still pri.
vate citizen. The leaders still had hopes
OF carrying out their project; but the 2lth
OF July came, and the revolution they had
domented could not be checked. The ma.
tives revoted without the anticipated help
from the Uhited States. They killed Nor.
sles, and upset his government, establish.
ing on the wreck o republic which still
exists. Col. Lindsay Is Of the opinion that
the prosperity and Republican principles
Ecuador Is blessed with to-day, Is due to
the impetus impaired TO the feeling OF
discomfort among the downtrodden ma.
tives by the agitators sent there TO further
the expedition.