Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-08
THE ITATA'S ESCAPE.
Deputy Spaulding Dropped
at Ballast Point.
Queer Conduct ON the Part of
That Official.
He Tells a Blood -Curdling Story
About His Captivity.
The Cruiser Charleston Ordered in Pur-
suit OF the Pirate Craft-Inter-
esting Developme ents.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches.
SAN Diego, May THE .sudde de-
parture of the Chilean steamer Itata
last evening, and subsequent develop
ments, caused considerable excitement
in this city today. Deputy Marshal
Spencer, whose real name is Spaulding,
was put off at Ballast point, and re-
turned to the city last night, concealing
his identity until today. Il
DEPUTY sPAULDING's STORY.
Deputy Spaulding says the first in
timation he had of the vessels prepara-
tions to leave was hasty movements on
the part of the crew, and when the cap
tain invited HIM to his cabin from the
dining-room, he was surprised to find the
steamer under full headway. He then
made the following statement:
"Going into the captains cabin, was
joined by three of the passengers. They
exhibited revolvers and asked me if
was armed, Captain Manzeum acting as
spokesman. He then said: I have
contraband goods on board, and it is
life or death with me- He then, point
ing his fingers to his throat, said See,
this is what it MEANS
II was 80 dumbfounded that / could
not answer. He then called two of the
Chilean crew and they stood guard near
the door, each armed with revolvers and
a rifle. He then told me not to be
alarmed, but that if went out of the
cabin during his absence, he would not
be responsible for what would happen !;
telling me also that if l attempted to
give sign to jump overheard he would
not be responsible for the result.
CHANGED TO A MAN-oF-wAR.
"About this time noticed them lifting
out of the hold four small steel cannon,
which they Immediately thereafter
placed i'm position on the upper deck
three of them on the forward part of the
vessel and one after-all four of which
guns they loaded in my presence. The
captain then stated that he intended
putting me off at Ballast point. He
then led me out of the cabin, followed
by his companions, each taking their
revolvers. On reaching the bridge I
found on the deck below 100 Chileans,
all armed to the teeth, each having a
repeating rifle and a revolver, and
dressed in a uniform consisting of red
caps and Jackets. The captain laughed
and said; See, we have changed to a
man-of-war.'
sPAuLDING's PROTESTS UNHEEDED.
81 looked at the pilot and said: Are
you going to guide the ship?'
1.-THE captain spoke up and said: No.
exhibiting revolver, this is going to
guide it..
'By this time we were nearing the
entrance to the harbor, and the captain
gave orders to the crew to put over
ladder which he escorted me to, and
said: you must excuse me for putting
you to this annoyance, as am not in
command of this ship
"The Itata then passed out the bay,
heading north"
Mr.. Spaulding said he protested very
vigorously to being made aprisoner dur
ing the passage of the vessel out of the
harbor, and also to leaving the ship
while in possession of the United States
government, but they paid no atten-
tion to his protest, and kept him pris-
oner until they arrived at the spot
where they intended to put him off.
DESERTERS FROM THE ITATA.
Two deserters from the Chilean
steamer Itata were seen today and in an
interview stated that being tired of stay
ing aboard, they got away, intending to
try their luck on the North American
continent. They say positively that the
big warship Esmeralda accompanied the
Itata as far north as Cape st. Lucas, and
is now waiting the return of the latter
vessel between here and that point, in
order to get provisions and coal.
1t was learned further that Captain
Mauzeum is only employed to navigate
the ship, and that the real commander
is native Chilean, and it is he who
gives all orders.
oyERTAKEN BY STRANGER.
1t is claimed that when the Itata left
the harbor, and when about ten miles
out she was overtaken by another
steamer from Coronado islands, which
fred two guns and passed out of sight.
in company with the Itata. From what
was seen it does not look as if they were
friendly disposed
Another statement is made that a
corvette passed San Diego, going north
at O'Clock yesterday, flying the Chilean
flag.
A UNITED STATES MAN-0F-wAR.
The United States man-of-war Omaha
arrived in port at noon from Mazatlan.
Her arrival caused some excitement, as
it was supposed she had been ordered
here on account of the recent trouble
She will take coal and leave for the
north in few days.
THE CHARLESTON ORDERED IN PURSUIT.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 1.-THE Alta Cal
ifornia has positive information that the
United States steamship Charleston viii
sail for San Diego tomorrow, in pursui
of the Chilean ship Itata. Secretary
Tracy telegraphed special orders today
and the Charleston left Mare island to
day, and anchored off San Francisco
Instead of taking her usual anchorage
she went behind Goat island, out o
sight. Her ostensible purpose in comin'
down is to go outside to try her guns
The officers and men have been ordere'
to be on board at O'Clock tomorrow
morning.
THE DlPERIALE ON HAND.
Tho Ghronicla .ctataa that IL has in