Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-01-13
A Smart Captain Made a Fortune
by Two Successful
Attempts.
ow the Chief Inspector at Hon
olula aided i'll Getting
Ashore.
The Old Salt Makes Enough to
Retire From the
Sea.

LII one VI Tie DOWNTOWN hotels a half
dozen men were gathered one day last
week, says the San Francisco Chronicle.
Most OF them had at one time or an
other lived for longer or shorter time
u the Hawaiian kingdom. The con
versauon turned at last upon the re-
ported success Of the Halcyon, which
elusive schooner was rumored to have
landed a vast store Of opium on the
Marin shore, whence it could be easily
taken to San Francisco without fear
Of detection. This report brought to
the mind of the old HaWaiianS present
recolections of several of the schemes
which had been tried, generally sue
cessful, to get the prohibited drug into
the island kingdom, where it was often
worth almost its weight in gold.
The smartest trick, taking all things
into consideration, was that by which
former captain ON one Of the regular
liners between San Francisco and Homo
lulu landed opium enough in two trips
to be able to retire from active life,
sell out his interest in his vessel, and
enjoy the fruit of SmartneSS IN quiet
He had been running to Honolulu in
command Of the same vessel for num-
Der Of years, making regular trips,
carrying freight and also passengers.
For the comfort Of his passengers an
awning was stretched over the after
part Of the deck. This awning was
supported by slim wooden stanchions
In a heavy gale on one Of his trips
several of these supports were snapped
off short just above the deck. On ar
irving in San Francisco the broken
stanchions were replaced by iron ones.
After the next voyage all the renaia-
der Of the wooden stanchiCns were re-
moved and iron ones put in their
places.
The captain was an old and trusted
commander, and no one for a moment
dreamed that he could ever be guilty
of acting in defiance of the law against
smuggling, but the very trip after he
had his deck-stanchions changed, the
authorities at Honolulu were notified
from San Francisco that his vessel had
several thousand dollars worth Of the
forbidden drug on board.
In consequence of this warning the
Custom House officials were on the
Iui vive when the semaphores (for this
was before the days Of the Telephony,
signaled that the suspected ship was
outside. The bark was boarded, and,
to the great astonishment of her cap
tain, was thoroughly searched, but
nothing was found. Officers were plac-
ed on board with strict orders to in
spect every article taken ashore.
The captain was as anxious as any
one to have the contraband drug dis
covered and the law breaker punished.
All day, and every day until the whole
cargo was discharged, sharp eyes were
watching every movement Of every
man connected with the vessel in any
capacity, but all in vain. No opium
could be found and no suspicious move
had been made.
At last everything was discharged
and the vessel was being put in order
to take her return cargo of sugar. The
head inspector of customs, who was a
personal friend of the captain, WIS on
board the day before the bark was to
begin taking cargo. His daughters
were going to San Francisco on the
vessel. and he had come to see about
the accommodations and to make ar
engagements for their comfort ON the
voyage.
81 see you c-,vnfng DIES not hang
level" he said, casting his eye over the
deck to see any changes which had
been made since his last visit.
mo TIE stanchions are not right.
They were made in a hurry, and are
not all of the right length. I am go
ing to have them put in order in San
Francisco"
''Why not have it done here? Young
does good work, and, as the awning is
now, it gives you an awkward, one
sided look, looping down in that man
ner."
Didn't think Of it, but 1 suppose 7
might as well. Does look kind of lop
sided, that's a fact. Guess III see
Young in the morning and have the
work done before we sail, if he will do
it reasonably"
The collector was pleased that he
had been able to do his friend Young
good turn, and after a little more
conversation he left the vessel. One Of
his men was still kept on the watch,
however, though they had little hope
Of finding opium now.
The next day the captain went to the
foundry, saw Mr.. Young, and made
arrangements to have the desired
change made in the stanchions. They
were to be sent down that afternoon,
or early the next morning. Late in the
afternoon a drayman called for them,
but ne was so slow in his movements
that before he had them loaded upon
his wagon the o'clock whistle sound
ed. The custom house officer had lent
a hand to get them off in time, but
they were too late.
The captain was veXed at the delay,
but there was nothing to be done but
to wait till morning, as the foundry
would be closed before the dray could
get there. The drayman promised to
keep them on the vehicle, and to de-
liver them the first thing in, the morn
ing. and the captain told him to do So.
Early next morning he delivered his
load at the foundry, and the foreman
started a man to work at once, rs he
knew the captain was in hurry for
the stanchions. Before the men got
ing down to say that by a stupid mis-