Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-10-29
CANADIAN PIRATES.
Eastport, Maine at the Mercy ofsueh Lawlsss
Characters.

Ldrtfoili mdiuc ~ TIC mercy VI ouCu LuWltsr
Characters
Along the entire line separating Maine
from New Brunswick, resides a class of
iawless characters, engaged for the most
part in shooting deer and other game on
Maine soil from points across the line.
From Houlton, at st. Croix, oppO tie
Lanceborough, around ST. Andrews bay,
across from Robinstown, at st. stephen,
opposite Calais, and more particularly
from the islands in PaSsamaqnoddy, they
have practiced poaching and smuggling
almost without hindrance from govern
ment officials.
When an unfortunate vessel from foreign
parts has had the misfortune 20 go ashore
near the line gangs OF wreckers would APP
pear like buzzards and vultures in the
deserts 20 steal ana rob. Skilled in the
management Of their fishing boats, crafty.
cunning and bold, they have pursued their
operations almost unchecked They cap
ped the climax last week when for two
days they sacked and pillaged the fire
stricken city of PASSPORT. until the loaded
guns of the United States revenue cutter
were turned on their vessel and they were
driven into the bay.
Campobello island is three miles across
the bay from Ea- tport and Is on the Eng
lsh side, the dividing line running down
the bay. between ~ aud the American side.
A little steamer runs across at intervals,
and II Is seen rs one approaches the land
ing that all the buildings near The water
display liquor signs. For years contra
band goods have been smuggled across 10
Eastport and Lubec 10y the lawles, people
OF the island.
When the heavens were bright with the
fierce fire in EastpOrt gangs of men from
all parts OF the PassamaQuoddv deserted
their regular business and set sail i'm their
boats for the doomed town. Anchoring of
the wharves, out of the reach OF the
flames, they took their dories and rowed
ashore, and began "A series of raj IS on the
stricken people that was n disgrace to
humanity Boldly they entered the town,
broke open the stores and storehOuses,
selecting the most valuable merchandise,
and after loading their small boats hastily
rowCd on over the choppy waters Of the
bay, only TO return as quickly as possible
TO renew their depTedations.
For some time the panic-strickeu people
did not observe what was going on. aud
several boats, favored 10y the high wind,
made the short passage to some Of the adj
jacent islands, unloaded and returned.
This continued throughout the second day
of the fire. The thieves, emboldened by
their success of the night before, became
more bold and disputed in many cases
with the owners Of the good, for their pos
e-sion. The police department and the
fire department were poWcrless, and at
last the citizens wrought 10 a high state
OF excitement 10y their losses and the fierce
struggle TO save their homes
and property from the flames.
turned on the invaders who were
pillaging their town and fought them
tercely, but the human tigers would not
be driven from their prey without strug-
gle and continued their nctarlous business
into the second day. Time and again were
goods brought out of houses aud deposited
in apparent safety, while the owners re
turned for another load. Watching these
chances, the pirates quickly gathered them
up and the nearly exhausted owner on re
turning would find no trace of them.
At last they undertook 70 break open
olacc filled with valuable goods and sue
ceeded. They were discovered and the
owner and his friends engaged them in Il
fierce and bloody fight gaining, at last
victory over them. At this time the cut
ter Levi Woodbury., a we'll armed vessel,
arrived and the captain understanding
the character OF the men from across the
line and observing the multitude OF boats,
quickly took in the situation Tn tho
twinkiing OF an eve be had his boat, out
and manned and shut of all communication
with the shore. and ordered all English
craft 10 leave the harbor.
While pirates fought the weary people of
Ea>tport they had wholesome respect
for the frowniug guns Of the Woodbury.,
and soon the bay was white with the sails
Of fishermen rs they sailed across the line.
They were ordered not 10 return except on
legitimate business. The department at
has been Informed OF the
situation and asked that orders he issued
ia station the Woodbury. there for time.