The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-20
THE sMUGGLERs OF sEMIAHMoo.
Immense Traffic in Opium. Liquor and
Cinnamon by Land and Sea.

BLAINE, Dec. 14-[Special. They used to say
the average Semiahmoo sheep would sheer
200 pounds of wool year. They said that with
a smile, however, as it was stated in the same
connection that farmer with five sheep would
send 1000 pounds OF wool to market. OF course
he might nave bought his neighbours wool and
for the time being become wool merchant, but
the narrator. with wise look in his eye, would
state as part of his story, that strengthening
az Semiahmoo seemed to occur four or five times
year, as the farmer would thus frequently
bring to market his clip.
Some of those packages of wool weighed very
heavy for their size and il was whispered that
their principal heft lay IN the center, which was
surrounded simply by halo of wool, which lat
ter article did not represent the true contents,
the sleep-producing gum of the Orient.
A secret trail is said to have existed, crossing
the boundary line mile or two east of here in
the forest and taking course southerly and
westerly until ii reached the bank of Dakota
creek, which it crossed, and came out to the
water front at point between Dakota and Cali
lorna creeks. over this trail q certain be-
whlskered individual is said to have been seen
at early morning carrying on his shoulder q
gunuy sack containing something which he in
variably carried from north to south.
There used to be a regular system of flash
lights and signal fires from Semiahmoo spit to
Quomais point. on the British side. and Point
Roberts, for what specific purpose I can
not tell, but within the past four
years l have sat in my window about
midnight on a still summer night when sud
denly on Semiahmoo spit sudden blaze like q
hunters campfire would burst up and in a mo-
ment or two, after shedding its glare across the
placid surface of the bay, it would disappear
almost as though doused in a tub of water This
might occur but once. or il might be that the
blaze would burst forth two or three or four
times, each time at stated interval from the
previous one. soon after the last dis appearaace
ii my eyes went that way, would witness n
strange coincidence in the apparent bursting
forth of a similar flame at Quomais point,
three miles away. across the BAY This also
would disappear, and If, rs did few times
remained in position al hour, l would almost
l. ariabiy hear the steady dip, dip of oars APP
preaching the spit from the northern side OF the
bay. As to what they came for thus privately
one has 10 draw his conclusions
Point Roberts Is twelve miles away and is
said to have been the paradise OF smugg!ers in
days gone by. / have also seen those signals
thrown across the intervening space though
the procedure afterwards would probably be
somewhat different, and one could imagine that
the next morning, or poss!b,y immediately. the
'coast clear having been ignaled over. sloop
would put out from TIE point and take its
course southwark across the gulf TO that scarce
~ less favored resort OF the fraternity. the
Archipelago de Haro.
Again, ii s:ariles one on one OF these still
dreamiul occasions 10 hear coming from the
spit three sharp reports OF a revolver or rifle in
quick >uccession. to be lol.Owe1 almost like an
echo by similar reports on the north
side OF the bay, which would also
soon De fo!Lowed by the boat part OF
the programme. Lanterns were sometimes
used, ami frequently q person standing where
The town Of Blaine now IS Nigh: hare imagined
that rail- way had sud denly been located on the
spit sad that the brakenel were signaling each
other or the conductor, but for tse lack OF
whistle or bell. for the lanterns would 90 I'D
and down or sway back aud forth in VERY an.
tomato manner, only u be answered in a mo-
nlent by similar ligntiu the shade Of the forest
az the mouth of Campbell river or along North
oiutf toward QuoTaais po!at.
AL these signalings were said 70 have been
connected with the smuggling business, either
OF opium from Canada 10 the states or OF tobacco
and cigars TO our British friends.
so much for the signal station, which was
kept up pretty faithfully until the customs
authorities about three yesTs ago located q per-
naaen: officer here 70 watch such things. Then
they ceased. and men commenced 10 devise
other schemes 10 defraud the revenue denart-
ulen1 OF the duties on opium.
QuorGais point IS about three miles directly
northwest from Blaine. and IS now covered yrfth
a thick growth OF deciduoGs trees. but had fer
merry heavy forest OF ir and cedar The walk
iac s.ong the beach az this point IS very good.
and here has been the shipping pointfo rnanv
s cargo Of dope and ma2y a company OF
Celestlals
one day about three years ago when I had
nothing else 10 engage ny attention, sat in nv
room II Blaine. looking out across tba waters
towards the mysterious shores OF Vancouver
island, thirty miles away, when suddenly there
came across my line OF vision what apnea-ei
= oe a very swift slcop with dark g-av sail
which very much reseGbied TIE water. in fact,
Ter some time. though very keen-eyet. was IN
aals - make out whether Il was sallDoag or a
Attie steamer Il came 50 swiftly, bat after some
moments close inspection ! va. aa.e 10 MAKE
out that Il was sloop. though i seemed to ne
TIC swlftest had ever seen. ~ lrst Thought
sae was coming into the ha-bo. a. Blaine, bat