The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-05-24
A STATE OF SIEGE AT CEDAR KEYS.
United States Blue Jackets Get a
g-a Taste Of Active Service.
smyth and the McLane VIII Remain
to Keep order.
CottreIi's Influence still Felt and the
Citizens Apprehensive.

WASHINGTON, May 23.-The Secretary of
the Treasury has received telegram from
Collector Pinkerton at Cedar Keys, Fla, say
ing that the town is still controlled by Cot
trell's influence and the situation is critical.
There will be no safety for United States
officials there until he is arrested, especial
ly if the revenue cutter McLane should leave
there. Orders were issued from the
Treasury Department today for the McLane
to remain at Cedar Keys until considered by
officials there that her services were no
longer required.
CEDAR KEYS, Fla, May 2S.-Colector
Pinkerton telegraphed to the Treasury De-
partment today that the condition Of affairs
at Cedar Keys was never so critical as at
present. There are even fears of a general
uprising of the people against the enforce
ment OF United States laws. Inc McLane
has been compelled to remain at her anchor
age, and the force of seafnen under Lieut..
Garden ordered up the Suwanee river has
been recalled.
Capt. Smyth of the McLane sent full re-
port to Secretary WindhOm today Of the
state of affairs. 1t is understood that Capt.
Smyth says that not only has the press not
exaggerated the condition OF things, but it
has not told half the crimes and enormitieS
committed under the Cottrell reign. Capt.
Smyth is said to have recommended the ap-
pOintment of commission of inquiry. This
report will reach Washington on Sunday.
The state authorities continue passive and
decline to interfere. Nearly every man in
Cedar Keys is under arms, and the COM
mander of the McLane is not empowered to
disarm them. Collector Pinkerton declared
accorded him on the departure Of the revenue
asea@dfr wead be ne oompelled aaa az to MS resign 'sff
they valued their own lives. The United
States officials at the Custom House believe
that the friends of Cottrell are making every
effort to secure a guarantee that will enabl Q
the fugitive to give bail. Should C0ttrell ap-
pear in Cedar Keys on bail, no one doubts
that he would at once resume control, serve
notice on all possible witnesses against him
to clear out and continue his reign OF ter
ror.
1t is difficult to explain to the outside
world the state of affairs in Cedar Keys. 1t
is on a par with the condition of things
brought about by the Hatfield Mccoy feuds
in Kentucky. Hardly store in town but
bears the marks of CottrelPs bullets fired at
some inoffensive negro or stranger.
Mr.. Schlemmer, proprietor OF the Schlem-
mer House, declared today that had not Cot
trell been hunted out of town he[ Mr.. Schlem-
merl should have closed out his business and
left the place. His action would have been
followed by all the better citizens. Great
numbers of people are preparing to leave
Cedar Keys. Yesterday Gibson & Son, mer-
chants, began breaking up preparing to leave.
They propose to go to Tampa.
Tonight several Newspaper reporters took
refuge ON the McLane. They had received
hints that attempts might be made on their
lives. 1t is understood that Captain Smyth
will call for reinforcements should he be re-
quired to remain here longer. The McLane
has so few men that the sending away of
good sized detachment leaves hardly enough
to defend the ship in the event of an attack.
Tonight meeting of the Town Council
has been called by Acting Mayor Flneayson.
1t is learned that James Cottrell will appear
and inform the members that William Cot
trell will not return to Cedar Keys This is
looked upon as a mere bluff by some people.
The telegraph facilities at Cedar Keys are
not good But one operator, A. M. Rattle,
6dT3 Up hlfvln GIvh ttuer"cl eir.hStill 1nyr,y+
ceived from Cottrell. Mrs. Rattle pluckily
keeps her husband company during his long
hours of work. Rathe is bearing up, bravely
under the strain. Last night he broke down
three operators in Jacksonville who were re-
ceiving for him.