Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-08
WHEN PORT ANGELES WAS ON TAP.

the same
WHEN PORT ANGELES WAS ON TAP
Each session Of Congress brings to Washing
ton from every state in the Union many a per-
son who in reminiscent mood, can unfold
some happy story to be added to the national
collection; and In these imperium in imperio
days not few of the most interesting pilgrims
like Young Lochinvar come out of the west
but not every one can weave a tale with so
strong and true a warp and such happily
tinted wool as that given to a STAR reporter by
this page of the long time ago.
In the years before the war his father, Vic
tor Smith, a strong anti-slavery man. was the
editor OF the Cincinnati Commercial and gave
powerful support to Salmon z. Chase in sue
ccssful campaigns for the gOvernorship of that
state aud other high places. thus forming an
intimate friendship that endured through life
Soon after MIR. Lincoln assumed the presidency
and Mr.. Chase became Secretary of the Treas
ury Mr. smith was appointed collector of Gus
toms at Port Townsend on Puget sound. In
1862 Mr.. Smith came to Washington and re-
celyed instructions to remove the port of entry
to Port Angeles. about forty miles nearer the
ocean and opposite Victoria, Il. c.. but on his
return lieutenant in the revenue service. who
was lett IN charge, refused to give up the keys
there being contest as to which town should
be the front door of the continent Collector
Smith. uudisturbed by this action. trained the
guns OF the revenue cutter Shubrick on the GUS
minutes to get out Of town. The keys of COM
merce were yielded up and Port Angeles was
queen.
In 1864. through the influence of the sur
veyor general of the territory. DR.. Ancil q.
Henry. who had been the Presidents family
physician at Springfield, Mr.. Smith was re-
moved. and Secretary Chase going to the
President told him If he could get along with
out such men as Victor Smith he could get
along without Salmon =. Chase President
Lincoln no InA To vial 70 he
against Smith. but that he believed him to be
all right and asked the Secretary to give him
the first opening in his department He was
immediately made a special agent OF the Treas
ury and detailed to take large sums of money
around the confederacy to the Pacific coast.
POWERS As SPECIAL AaEN,..
AS special agent he was empowered to cause
the arrest of any suspicious characters and
when he took a dry goods box concealing a safe
that contained nearly S3,000.O00 in currency
from the New York subtreasury on q draw to
the good ship Golden Rule. that was to convey
hIm and mis- precious charge to the isthmus he
learned that Montgomery Gibbs. treasury
spy. was watching his movements and planning
TO take passage by the same boat. Saspecting
his evil designs Smith had him arrested and
held till the boat cleared. but Oh being re-
leased Gibbs secured a tug and running it into
the Golden Rules paddle wheel forced
her to return for repairs. When two or
three days out at sea, after clearing the
second time, Gibbs was found TO be
on board. He and the young captain
were in cahoots, and one day the cap
tain, without any other information than such
as Gibbs had given him. demanded that Smith
place his treasure with the purser and take a
receipt for 1t. Smith declined instructions and
to deceive his enemies. drew a revolver, de-
claring that any one entering his room Yo uid
pay for such deed in blood. To keep I'D the
deception he refused thereafter to leave his
room, though the box of currency was in an
other part OF the ship. His wife a daughter
OF Nathaniel P. Rogers of New Hampshire and
their son Norman, then young lad were with
him and witnesses to the thrilling events of the
voyage.
STRUCK on REEF.
Defeated in their scheme TO obtain the money
by craft and peaceful means they adopted
bolder and what proved more successful
method. At 3 I'm on May 80, 1866, the Golden
Rule struck Roncadore reef in the Caribbean
sea. 200 miles northeast Of Aspinwall and twen-
ty-five miles out of the vessels proper course
The key to the reef was three miles distant
and to this the 600 passengers were safely trans
ferred For eleven days this number of people
lived on nothing but raw bird eggs found on
the rocks while the captain of the vessel Gibbs
the treasury spy and traitor, and two actresses
lived in luxury in tent from provisions on the
ship. an armed crew protecting them and pre-
venting any one else going aboard the ship
until the seventh day, when they found their
baggage rifed and all valuables stolen
After eleven days of such existence
the United States gunboats Huntsville and
State OF Georgia picked up the passengers.
many OF whom were suffering with Panama
leVer, and took them to Aspiuwall, accom-
panied by Gibbs and the captain who kept one
OF his ships boats with the stolen treasure IN
DER canvas and close surveillance. Special
Agent Smith remained behind three weeks