Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-11
THE F1LIBUsTERs' RETURN.
Enthusiastic Young Men Who Went to
whip Honduras Glad to Get Home.


The Fran hOVered around the outskirts
OF New York harbOr few weeks ago, and
a day or two afterward disappeared, TO-
gether with a lot Of munitions of war,
which, under one name or another, 1t was
suspected had been struggled on board.
That it was not the most peaceful mer-
chandise in the world may be inferred
from the following invoice:
4Gatling guns.
cases tripods and feed cases.
riae cannon, with carriage, etc.
field piece, timber, etc.
cases wheels.
case time fuses, tools, eto
20 cases shells.
cases powder,
cases primers.
10 cases rifles and bayonets.
ceases relOadlng tools, molds, etc
cases magazine guns
case swords.
case buges.
cases machetes.
20 cases valises-contents unknown.
leases sau dies and brides.
SIG cases cartridges.
In the above list are included $40 Rem
ingtOns and magazine carOines, besides
clothing and supplies incident TO an &C
tive campaign. The remainder OF the
cargo consisted of coal, About the time
when the Fran slipped awa& in the dark
the steamship City of Mexico was like
wise missed. aud only recently has been
heard from as lying under the guns OF the
United States man-ol-war Galena down
in the Gull of Mexico, awaiting the action
of the United States gOveSn ment.
1t is well known now on Feb. the
steamship San Domingo sailed, carrying
as passengers tWenty-One enthusiastic
Young gentlemen, chiefly from the east
side Of the city, VINO were in search OF
fame and fortune, and were told they
could achieve both by mining and 1'pull-
ing rubber" Row they arrived at Turks
leland in the West Indies, where they ex-
pected to meet a steamer and be conveyed
to point nearer the coast of Honduras,
has already been told by SPECIAL cor
respondent.
Five of these adventurous young fell
lows, by the courtesy of the captain OF the
Fran, returned with him to this port.
They all look we'll, but they are thor
Oughly cured of any ambition to ''pull
rubber"
"When we arrived at Turks island, on
Feb. TO-" said one OF them, ''we were
good deal disappointed at the outlook. No
steamer to take us to our destination; not
enough funds in the crowd to set up
peanut stand; some of us hOmesck, and
all OF US in douOt-thats about the size
of the picture. We were a sorry lot. In
this dilemma through the efforts of the
British Commissioner, arrangements
the San Domingo Steamship Company to
provide for our wants while on the island.
Two days later, on Feb. u, the Fran
arrived, for the purpose, l suppose, OF
taking us on board, but il was the signal
for the breaking up of the party.
Thirteen refused to proceed, giving as
reason that they didn't believe the eXpe-
ditionwa what it pretended to be, and
they preferred 10 take the chances OF get
ting home before going any further. The
remainder, however, consisting OF the
saloon passengers, promptly went on
board the Fran, and that afternoon we
steamed away for Corn island, on the
Mosquito coast, where we expected to
meet The steamship City OF Mexico. We
arrived on Feb. II, but that vessel not be-
ing there. we steamed on to Blue Fields.
Finding the City of Mexico still missing,
our Captain now decided to return 10 the
Island OF st. Andrews, where be had in
cidentally learned by hailing the schooner
Transit, of New York, the steam
ship would certainly be found.
We reached st. Andrews on FEB.
IS. and the supercargO and a couple OF
the saloon passengers went ashore. 1t
was there learned that the City of Mexico
had been seized by the United States gun
boat GaleDa. Evidently our presence
created cOmmOtIOn, for the party were de-
tanned BY col0red magistrate represent
ing the United States of Colombia, who
closely crOss-questioned us with reference
to our purposes. A lot of blacks paraded,
and message subsequently came from
the Governor Of the island ordering us to
return to the Fran at once and leave the
place
81 want TO say right here that in my
Judgment the American Consul was in
strumental IN inducing these three men
TO go ashore, in the hope that he could de-
tain the vessel long enough for him to
send for an American man-Ol-war. Timely
warning was given the Captain, hOwey-
er, by a friendly white resident and we
quietly slipped away and proceeded to
Kingston, Jamaica, where we arrived on
Feb. p. Here considerable Difficult J was
experienced with tae customs in refer
ence TO our cargo. Tue ship was compelled
to discharge her ammunition at Fort
Augusta, and the arms were discharged
IN bond 10 SOutar 81 Co., mercantile firm,
and, ] believe, the agents of the ship.
Will aL Kingston guard OF marines one
night came aboard from the British gum
boat Urgent in order TO prevent the
steamer from leaving the port; but Capt.
Beruldsen firmly protested against this
outrage, declaring that ii was an insult
30 the Norwegian flag, as the ship had
been properly and legally entered. The
next day the guard was withdI avn.
''While in Kingston two of the party
Joined brigantine as sailors and Will
come home in that way, and q third re-
manned u return as passenger on sail
ing vessel. Thus our number was reduc-
ed to FIVE. We cleared for New York on
Feb. q and arrived this morning. the
Fran being consigned to Messrs. bunch,
Edye & Co.
@When left two OF the thirteen people
left on Turks Island had arranged to
work their passage TO New \ Ork, but the
others proposed To wait for a steamer 10
fetch them back. They are in good health
and well treated.
II have not seen any OF the leaders OF
the expedition since returned. Pm gO-
ing to Headquarters TO report now, aud
perhaps shall have something more to tell
at another time"
The log book or the Fran, which IL
written In Norwegian, tells strange
story. II appears from II that the vessel
was chartered by some unknown parties
through Lord & Austin, the we'll known
ship brokers Of this city. The charter
was what Is known in nautical language
as a government form charter" that is
10 say, ali the expenses Of the voyage,
save Tor the actual maintenance OF the
vessel, were TO be borne by the mysteri-
Gus individual VINO chartered the snip.
The charter was TO run tor 80 10 40 days.
at the option Of che Captain, who was to
receive $500 sterling for the use OF the