The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-25
AFTER A SMUGGLER.
Officers See a Suspicious Gunny
Bag Dropped.
FLIGHT UNDER THE WHARvES
How Opium Is Surmised to Be Brought
In From Victoria-The Suspicious
Looking Passenger.

when the steamer City of Kingston came into
port yesterday morning at $3.50 O'Clock two Gus
toms inspectors and two deputy United states
marshals had lively scrimmage with two
opium smugglers, but they did not succeed in
catching their men
lt has been surmised for some time that more
or less opium is being smuggled in by means of
the victoria passenger steamers, and each time
steamer from the Canadian side comes into port
one or more officers make ii point to be on
hand When the Kingston arrived at Yesler
wharf yesterday morning it happened that
Deputy aarshals West and Mudgett and In
spsctors spriggs and Creighton were there,
ready to board the steamer and examine the
baggage OF suspected passengers.
TO the experienced eye of Officer West there
was plainly something wrong with one Of the
passengers, who had gunny bag of something
that looked heavy enough to be opium, and
who seemed 10 be worried lest some
one he expected should not show up.
The suspicious passenger took his stand
IN the stern OF the steamer and
the officer watched him for a moment from
darke1ed corner OF the wharf. Almost inn
nedlstely goo5-sized rowboat with a single
occupant shot out from under the wharf and
came directly under the huge overhauging stern
OF the Kingston. In q moment the guany with
Its heavy ana mysterious burden wss let down
to the man below, VINO tossed il into The stern
self. stesdied the hoat aad began pulling for the
dock. Three strokes OF the osrs brought him
almost directly under where Deputy West stood
concealed. with his hand on the b1-t OF his six
shooter. Without hesitafIug the officer sprsng
10 the edge OF the wharf and shouted 20 the sus-
pected smuggler 20 halt The Elaa was startled.
bat did not heed the command II az instant
the ofhesr sent three bullets into the water on
either side Of the boat, not wishing to Kill him,
but the shooting oniy caused the man 10 pull az
the oars all the harder, and in minute lie was
lost 10 view under the wharf.
The report OF the shots created intense excite
inenf. and during the rush that followed the
mysterious passenger made his escape from the
steamer. The officers felt very much chagrined
at the manner in which they had been foilcd.
The sack appeared TO eontsin at least s. 900
worth OF contreband drug.
A few moments after the man disappeared
under the dock like wharf "a, Deputy West
and Inspector Sp-iggs hurried TO Budlongs
boathouse and hiring boat started out 20 eI-
p.ore the wharves. They skirteG the entire
front OF Yes.sr's wharf and started towards the
Bailey Gatzert's landing, but it was impossible
TO do anything on account OF the darkness. Just
as the officers drew near the West Seattle ferry
slip they noticed q boat with solitary oceu-
pant emerge from the black recesses of Yesler's
wharf, the man pulling for Bud
longs bOathouse The officers turned
their boat face about and proceeded to give
chase; but it was useless race. for the other
boat had the lead, and, reaching the boathouse
first its occupant sprang ashore and in
moment was lost 10 view in the darkness He
did not have anything with him and the boat
Budlongs, wss empty.
The officers believe that the gunny OF opium
is secreted under the wharf and they viii make
another search for il today.