The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1883-03-24
From the Cincinnati Jcurnal.l
CAPTURING A SMUGGLER,

CAPTURING A SMUGGLER,
In the tall of 1864, when the long civil
var was rapidly approaching It's termina-
ton, and the time was not far distant
when the country would emerge from the
many horrors attending that sangulnary
strife, reports concerning the operations
OF well organized band OF smugglers.
who were engaged IN conveying pro-
Visions and other supplies to the South.
found their way to the military and mu-
nlclpal authorities IL Baltimore.
This intelligence was accompanied by
minute description of the chief of this
smuggling fraternity, and also with the
assertion that he was a man of the bold
est and most desperate character no.
touous criminal who possessed all the
qualifications necessary to fit him to
occupy the position of commander in
chief Of band engaged In the nefarious
pursuit OF smuggling. The capture of
thls desperate, 1t was thought would
speedily dissolve the band, and termi-
nate their fraudulent practice.
Accordingly four of the bravest mem
bers of the city police were selected and
given orders direct from headquarters
to bring IN the man, dead or alive.
One Tine morning, with all the neces-
sarles IN the way OF defensive weapons.
these guardians of the municipality set
out to perform their difficult task. They
also returned -empty-handed. They
had neither dead smuggler nor liy-
ing one.
They, however, did not relinquish
their task with one attempt. Again and
again did they start out on their mis-
slon, but the smuggler, who had had a
lifelong experience in the way of crime,
easily and success sfully eluded them, and
they were finally compelled to abandon
the pursuit,
The military authorities were apprised
OF this failure on the part of the police
men, and they resolved to make the ar
rest at all hazards, and thus put an end
to the preparation of this fraud upon
the government.
AT this time Sergeant F., an intrepid
young officer, was stationed at the mill
tary headquarters at Baltimore CITY.
his superior officers, knowing of his
cool determination and bravery, as had
been displayed on numerous occasions.
quickly decided, in their consultation.
tnat he was the best one to whom they
could intrust the difficult mission.
They at once gave him orders to set out
immediately, accompanied by as many
men as he desired, and not to return
without the smuggIer chief, dead or
alive.
It was a bright fall morning when
Sergeant f. started out. He was alone.
for he had bravely resolved to accom-
plsh the dangerous task uuaided. The
sky was without a cloud, and the sun
sent out his clearest light, which glim-
mered and sparkled on the calm waters
OF Chesapeake Bay, brightly illumined
the wharves ard shipping, and shoue
with a Hood ct such brIllIance over the
C y, hat 1t seemed almost an iucou-
srury teat there could be anything Ia
Lhl~ bu5ht world SO dark and secret as
smuggling.
The wharf was the sergeant's objective
point. as he rightly surmIseu that there
he was more likely TO be successful in
his search. Arriving there, he saun-
tered along as if ne were a military off
Ger ont on d holiday, and had come 20
the wharyes for no other purpose than
20 find something which might probably
interest him and help TO pass the time
No one would have supposed from his
peace ful appearance, although a sabre
hung at his SIDE. chat III his pocket he
hal written orders to capture a uesper
ate smuggIer, aud with resJlute purpose
was there TO obey them. Notwiths tgud-
ing his apparent uhcoucern, he kept Il
sharp lookout for any one answering
the description when had been given OF
the desperate.
Passing leisurely along, he had almost
arrived at the conclusion that his search
would be unsuccessful that day, when,
on board a small vessel moored a short
distance irOm him, he saw large, mus
cular man, whose appearance at once
satisfied him that be was the one for
whom he was looking.
The sergeant slowly approached the
boat, looked at 1t casually as an oTdiua-
~ observer would, carelessly looked at
the man, and said cheerfully:
Good day, my friend"
Good day." gruffiy responded the
occupant of the boat.
Mighty tiue fall day this, said Ser,
geant f.
us ~ 10 ILidl, SdlIl Iut SuIRRlCI,
looking at the sergeant suspiciously
from under his dark eyebrows, for a
guilty persons distrustis easily aroused.
Pretty warm, too, isn't it?' said the
sergeant
The smuggler nodded assent.
The finest fall weather l think | ever
saw"
The smuggler eyed the sergeant more
closely, but made no response.
As the man did not seem disposed to
converse about the weather, the sergeant
said:
This is rather fine boat"
Yes, she is, replied the man, lacon-
ically.
During the conversation the sergeant
mlnutely examined the smuggler,
though not seeming to do so, in order
to satisfy himself that he was really the
right person. After he had scrutinized
HIM closely, and was perfectly convinced
that the man whom he was to arrest
was before him, he stepped aboard as
he wished simply TO examine the
boat. The smuggler made no effort to
RESTRAIN him, though he watched him
warily.
is sne a fast sallor?" asked the SER
geant, as he approached the man.
The smuggler nodded his head affirma-
lively.
AS tue smuggler had an immense ad- |
vantage IN physical strength, aud in
nand to-hand encounter would easily
pave gained the mastery, the sergeant