The Hawaiian gazette., 1893-11-28
1T DIDN'T HAPPEN.
San Francisco People Thought
Wichmar Meant to Turn
Pirate.

flying about on the wafer Iront III
the past few days, which, if true
mean that there is a piratical Graf
sailing the waters of the Pacifi
ocean.
The vessel in question is non
other than the now famous zach
Tolna, in which Count Festetic
and his wife sailed away on voy
age to the isles of the Pacific.
No one believes that Count Fes
tetics would turn pirate, but Dam'
Rumor has it that there is a mar
on board the schooner who would
jump at the chance of becoming {
second Captain Kidd, and thai
man is ]. F. Wichman, the mate o.
the vessel.
It is stated that Wichman open
" boosted before the Tolna sailed
that he would have the vessel and
her cargo before she had been
many days at sea-"
Wichman's record shows him to
be man who would stop at moth
ing short of crawling into the muz-
zle of loaded cannon, and those
who know him best fear that he
may possibly put his threats into
execution.
Just how he secured the position
of mate on the Tolna is a mystery.
He himself stated that Captain
Turner, who built the Tolna, re-
commended him to the count, but
it now turns out that Captain Tur-
ner does not know him at all.
Wichman well knew that the
count and his wife would take con-
siderable money with them on the
trip, and that the cargo, while
small, would be a valuable one and
composed of such goods as could
be disposed of to the natives of the
South Sea islands very readily.
Besides this, the countess had
her jewelry and most of the costly
presents which she received when
she became Countess Festetics on
board the vessel with her. Taken
all through the Tolna was a prize
such as the most dashing pirate
might be proud to capture.
As is well known, Count Fes-
tetics, while a pretty good navi-
gator, was rather poor sailor. 1t
is thought that man like Wich-
man could very easily handle him.
Then again the second mate and
The three sailors were all chosen by
Wichman, and the general opinion
is that be selected men who would |
not be likely to offer any resistance
f Wichman should take command |
If the vessel.
The only persons among the
crew who might offer any resist
ance would be the cook and his
wife, Albert and Fanny Lord. Mrs.
Lord sailed as stewardess on the
Tolna, as the Countess objected to
,eing the only woman on board.
Wichman could easily have
arms enough for his pur-
,ose in his trunk, and, once master
f the situation, he could head for
my part of the world be pleased,
nd no one could stop him.
1t is rumored that the relatives
f the Countness are wrought up
yer the rumors which have reach
d them on the subject, and have
aused searching inquiries to be
made as to Wichman's character.
1t is rumored that the first ink
ing of the danger that threatened
be Tolna and her precious cargo
cached them from a servant girl
7hom Mrs. Haggin had discharged
day or two after the Tolna sailed
way.
Rumor has it that Wichman and
be girl were very intimate and
hat day or two before the vessel
eft Wichman, while talking to the
irl, boosted that "the Tolna and
Il in her would be his before many
avs"
The first port the Tolna was to
ouch at was at Honolulu, and if
verything went smoothly she
ught to be there now. 1t is
aid that letters were sent
own on the mail steamer
australia, which sailed last Satur-
ay, warning the countess and her
usband of the danger that threat
ned them. But if Wichman had
ny idea of Selling the Tolna he
-ould no doubt do so before Homo
llu was reached. He would then
hange the vessels course and not
ouch at the Hawaiian islands at
lis. F. Chronicle.