The morning call., 1894-03-09
ALL FOR REVENGE.
Deering, the Smuggler,
Tells His Story.
But Little in Smuggling Human
Beings, but a Fortune in
Contraband Opium.

The trial of William Olsen. the owner of
the steam schooner Louis Olsen, on the
charge of smuggling into this country
from Victoria thirty-five Chinese and an
unknown quantity of opium, was con-
cluded yesterday. and to-day Judge
Morrow will charge the jury and then will
come the verdict which will settle. for the
time being at least, not only the question
of Mr.. Olsen's guilt, but will have great
bearing upon the final decision In the case
o. the confiscation of his vessel.
Mr.. Olsen has never denied that his
schooner was engaged in October and No
vember. 1892. in smuggling Chinese and
opium from British Columbia TO this port,
but his defense has been that be knew
nothing about il. having chartered the ship
to William Stewart and F. C.. Deering. her
captain on the voyage, for fishing purposes.
10 prove this Captain Deering. who has
served all but fourteen days of his SEN
tenee for bis part in the venture, was
brought from the Alameda County Jail,
where be has been Imprisoned for the
past year, and put on the stand. He
testified. as THE CALL said yesterday be
would, that Olsen. the owner of the ship.
knew nothing about the smuggling, and
that be and Stewart were alone TO blame.
After he left the stand Deering WAS seen
and talked about his troubles. 1T was
my first venture in trying TO land Chinese"
be said, Though have long been in the
opium-smuggling business. l would have
got through this all right but for two
tbngs-one my folly in writing what |
was doing to my wife and the other the
fact that my father-in-law, John II.
hobart, hates me and wanted revenge.
Well, he has got It, but when | get out and
get. around again-well just give me ten
minutes alone with him, that's all. He
laughs best who laughs last.
Stewart brought me the Chinese to an
out or the way point on the sound. and the
opium with them. We got S12O each for
the thirty five Cinnamon if we landed them
safe in San Francisco. The opium was
our own. | used to be mate on the
Haytian Republic when she was doing all
of her big smuggling. and know all about
1t. The trip was made in safety, and we
got everything ashore. l sent letter to
my wife by the go-between at Monterey,
who took the Chinese to San Francisco
from the vessel. One day my father-in-
law, who hates me, called on his daughter.
my wife, and discovered my letter. lie
got possession OF it and hurried off to Col
lector Phelps. We were going north for
another load of Chinese and opium when
we were OveThauled and all hands arrested.
The trials followed, and Hobart succeeded
in cOnvicting me. He was the man, by
the way, who gave all the news about the
Portland ring. He and Captain Ross of
the Haytian Republic were great friends,
and Ross foolisbly told Hobart our bust
ness. Why, | can prove that Hobart
hasn't done lick of work for ten years,
but has lived on just such work as this.
1--WE wouldn't have made anything out
of the Chinese smuggling even il we had
not been caught. The men cost us about
$50 each to get them here and then out of
the $1,000 left we had to pay go-betweens
and dizzy up with the crew until there was
no money left in it for anybody. I've been
punished and Pm through with the whole
business so / can afford 10 talk. Olsen
had nothing to do with it. Stewart and
were running the whole scheme. Stewart
got out all right and I've had rest for a
year and when l get out am going to
stick 10 straight business. There is big
money in smuggling opium but none in
landing Chinese"
behring's hate of Herbart may yet fur
nish tragedy, as he swears ne will get
even with the man who betrayed him.