The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-21
BONANZA JACKS WOE.
His Smuggling Steamer Seized
BY Canadian Authorities.
COOLIES AND OPIUM THE CARGO.
Police Blunder in the Westminste:
Murder Case-Electrician Barry,
1t Dayton, Dead.

VICTORIA, Oct o0-TSpecial. THE Van
couver steamer Iona is in peck of trouble,
the full extent of which cannot be ascer-
tanned till further advices are received from
Ottawa. She is commanded and owned
in part by John Morris, otherwise known
as Bonanza Jack" and has not for some
time past been above suspicion. SO when
last week she came here and the skipper
explained that she had been chartered to
J take a party of prospectors to the west
coast and then around the island, the
customs people said nothing, but kept
their eyes wide open. After provisioning,
the steamer cleared in the usual manner,
and during Thursday steamed away.
Before leaving the harbor, however, she
received as passengers fifty-eight China
men, and as cargo two packages of
opium. One of the officers. of the
city police witnessed the embarkation,
but kept his own counsel, for it
wasno affair of his. The provincial police
also were fully informed of the Iona's
operations, and Collector Milne was not
bind to what was going on. They would
doubtless have had something to say to
Capt. Morris on his return had not that re-
turn been fastened in an unexpected
manner.
When OFF Carmanah the steamer lost
one propeller, and finding it impossible to
proceed or telegraph for assistance, landed
her pig-tailed passengers and returned to
port for repairs. Here q surprise awaited
them from quarter in which it was least
expected. J. A. Thompson, inspec-
tor of steamers, had quietly in
formed himself of the Iona's movement
and resolved to make her the subject of
test proceedings. His action was based
on the section Of the marine law which
forbids the carrying of passengers by ves-
sells not regularly licensed for such service,
and on the day following the tomas de-
parture he forwarded statement of her
case to the minister of marine. When the
steamer re-entered the harbor in distress
Wednesday telegram was sent after the
cAreport, reaching Hon. Charles Upper in
advance of the mailed documents. These
will probably be in Ottawa tomorrow,
when definite instructions may be looked
! for. In the meantime Thompson holds
the steamer. in accordance with the APP
pended telegram, which he received this
morning:
OTTAWA, Oct CO.. A. Thompson, Steamboat
Inspector, Victoria: I order. pursuant to the
statute in that behalf, that the steamer Iona
email not De USED OF run TIL fuftnef orders
Notify the officers and the collector OF customs
accordingly. CHARLES II. UPPER
In the meantime the unfortunate China
men are in camp in the neighborhood of
Sooke and suffering for want of food.
Thompson was informed today that unless
help was sent them they would starve, and
the provincial police have also been APP
pealed to to assist them. Capt. Gauden, resi-
dent agent Of marine. says he has had no
definite information in regard to the Celes-
tials. Had he such, even though they are
not British subjects, he would send the
Quadra to the rescue. Something in this
direction will be done tomorrow.
The Iona is a twin-screw craft, roomy
/. and fast. In appearance she is similar to
half dozen of the cannery and harbor
fleet. Her destination was some point on
the California coast, and 500 each was the
fare collected. The prevalent opinion Is
that the steamer will be contiscated, as .
second charge hangs over her of having
made false declaration in clearing.