The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-22
OPIUM SEIZURE.
A Trunk Full Seized at Chicago and One
Man Arrested-0ther Arrests Expected.
5 and Z w. Washington st.

CHICAGO. Aug 2L-A huge opiur-smuggling
conspiracy is being unravsled In Chicago. For
some time the custom-house officials have been
locking for quantity of smugsled opium which
it was thought arrived in this city from New
York. instead Of from the Pacific coast Watch
has been kept for q month. Special Agent
Crowley has been engaged in an active search
for the stuff. but it was not until about ten days
ago that clew was found which, when fol.
lowed up. resulted in the discovery and seizure,
at Fl Wayne, Ind, Of q small quantity Of the
drug. The capture in itself was important
one. but its results were of vastly greater conse-
quence. for the se;zurs revealed gang OF SNUG
glers who have bean engaged in the trade for
years and who have millions Of dollars invested
in it 1t was learned that the Fort Wayne capt
ure was only a small portion Of q large guam
tity, and that large portion was in the pos
session Of one Of the gang who was stop
ping At the Palmer House. Chicago. Papers
were sworn out before Commissioners Hoyue
and placed In the hands Of Deputy Marshal
Bsrchard for service. He, with Special Agent
Crowley, went to the Palmer House. where a
thorough Investigation was made, but the SNUG
gler was gone. He was traced to a house on Wa
bash avenue, from there to the West Side. and
tn ence TO q room on Harrison street, where. on
IT
ty- In his room was q small gray canvas-covered
trunk, and in this was about l25 pounds Of
opium. The prisoner was taken TO the marshal's
ofice, where he was locked in the cage Here
be was visited by Agens Crowley and Collector
Seeberger. but refused TO open his mouth. He
denied all connection with any gang of snug
glsrs. out would say nothing more. The follow
ing day he was taken to Jail, where he is now
confined. The news of the arrest created
quite q stir in the departments at
Washington, and for q time the wires
were kept busy with orders and instructions 70
The treasury agents here. Mr. Crowley was sent
out on one trail, while agents Whaen and
Cloonan went IN other directions in search of
more opium and other members OF the gang.
Agent Tichnor was sent from headquarters at
Washington to lake charge of the case, and all
parties were sworn to ths strietest secrecy.
There was not official the government
building to-day who would talk about the mat
ter. although Collector Seeberger aud others ad-
mitted the correctness Of the news given.
E. W. Brown, Of New York. That. at least. is
what he inscribed on the Palmer House register.
The hotel clerk was unable TO give an adequate
description of Brown. except that he was swell
looking"
From the special agent tonight it was ascer-
tanned that the prisoner is New Yorker, but
belongs IN San Francisco. He is one of the lead
ing spirits in the opium ring, and has been in
the nefarious business for years. Besides the
name or Brown, the fellow is variousiy
known as G II. Martin and @. II. Gardner. The
special agent intimated that . number of arrests
In different parts OF the country might taks
place tonight and the public startled at the ex-
tent tand strength OF the conspiracy