The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-13
A SMALL MAN WITH BIG IDEAS.
He Frequents the hotels and Watches
the Dining Rooms.
From the Neto York Press.

He Frequents the hotels and Watches
the Dining Rooms.
From, the NetC York Press
Most people in this world fall into certain
we'll defined modes of living, more especi-
ally in the means employed in securing
livelihood. While there is a great variety
in the subdivisions of different classes of
occupations, yet the class of people who
pigeon hole and label humanity find after
they have boxed up" the great mass there
is but a comparatively small number that
require a compartment by themselves by
reason OF having no competition in their
particular line. People are met nearly
every day whose occupations seem odd when
compared with the humdrum classifcations
into which the masses are divided, but
usually they are found to form one of
class, with larger or smaller numbers as
the case may be. If one city cannot supply
their mates another city can; if one country
fails to produce them another country fills
up the class to a respectable number.
One man in a seaport town seemed to be
entirely alone in his method of procuring a
livelihood He discovered islands for liv-
ing. There have been explorers since the
days of Columbus to of these days Henry NJ.
Stanley, but this man was notan explorer;
ne ulu uOU HI Oub dll tADSulblOu VI lSdu 81
party for the enrichment of geographical
knowledge. Other men. being short of pro-
visions, sometimes 60 out to a stream and
cast in their lines to catch mess for sup
per or breakfast. This man, when short
of funds went out to sea and fished at an
island that he might live off, until he could
discover another When he was sail
ing the main it had to be very wary
and circumspect island that could elude his
search.
His name was Capt. James w. Jennett.
He was of French blood, but born in this
country; and at the time the writer met
him he claimed to have discovered ninety
nine islands, and as he claimed to have OBJ
tanned a patent for each island from the
United States government, he was the owner
of that number of islands, scattered around
the globe.
When he mentioned in casual way that
among his unconsidered trifies he had so
many islands, the writer expressed his as
constituent and said that the fondest desire
of his heart had always been to possess an
island.
"Well, I'll give you one, said the cap
tain. with all the free heartedness that char
acterizes a sailor. 81 have got more than |
WANT
''Your kindness almost overpowers me.
What must do to enter into possessionW
"All YOU have to do is to fit out a vessel
to occupy it and ship the guano on it, of
of each cargo. All my islands are guano
Islands. When l find another kind Of
island in my net | just let it go. | have too
many to be bothered with any that haven't
a fortune on the surface ready for ship
ment."
He then produced time worn patent,
issued Nov. 30, 1869, by Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State, which stated that the
gallant captain had discovered 1.-THE Island
of Roucador, on the Muskiteer bank, in the
Caribbean sea-" and was entitled to the
puano on it if he worked it. A list of arti-
cles necessary to the working of it was
next produced in which the exact number
OF picks, shovels, planks. nails, tents, wheel
barrows, provisions, and, indeed, every
thing required was set down in tabulated
form The first load of guano brought to
market, he declared would pay for all of
these articles, and leave a handsome profit
besides.
some OF the islands he discovered were in
tbe Pacific ocean, some lie near the banks
of Newfoundland, others-the greater por-
tion of the list-are in the Caribbean sea,
and some along the coast of Brazil.
They are not down on the charts, as the
captain cares more about keeping them for
his own profit than for occupation by the
public.
: Several expeditions have been fitted out
To search for the captains islands and
bring back some Of the guano. One went
out from Norfolk. which is center for the
manufacture Of fertilizers, in which large
quantities of guano are used. The expedi-
ton went out fully equipped, every item on
the list of implements and provisions being
provided. - a.
The captain was stationed at the bow to
look out for the island and after long
cruise in the Caribbean sea it was found.
The islaud was there, and also the guano.
But SO also was the British flag, and the
vessel was warned off and was not al
lowed to take a pound Of guano. The ex-
petition cost 81, 800, the captains share OF
which supported him very nicely until he
discovered another island and another Gus
toner. a..
A sharp eyed little man attracted the
writer's attention in a Chicago hotel by the
close watch he maintained at the dinner
table upon the jaws Of tho other guests.