The morning call., 1894-05-03
Contractor Won Schmidt
Was Obeyed.
HIS BIG, BIG WINCHESTER.
Why the Tug Reliance Did Not
Proceed Up Creek.
The Contractors Pipe Line Was in
the Way and lie Defended 1t
With His Rifle.

violently and loaded his Winchester rifle.
He smelt war and meant 10 be prepared
for II. He selected 46-caliber cartridges
and looked sharp to their pruning for he
did not propose to take any chances with
the Spreckels brothers or any of their
agents.
Contractor Won Schmidt is the gentle
man who has the contract from the
Government to transfer certain mud
banks'in the Oakland estuary from one
side of the creek to the other. In the
execution of the several duties imposed
by this contract Mr.. Won Schmidt feels
certain that be is backed by the consti-
tuition Of the United States and the Su-
Dreme Court of the country.
For this reason did said Won Schmidt
believe himself to be justly entitled TO
hold Captain John Selovich of the tug
Reliance and tie good ship Rafael in a
state of siege for one hour and ten minutes
on the morning of the day before yester-
dav.
Mr.. Won Schmidt did not persuade Cap
| ia in Seovich TO remain passive during the
space of time mentioned by those gentle
| means usually employed by mediator,
but he covered the amiable captain with a
Winchester rifle, the muZZle OF which the
latter now AYERS looked TO him as large as
the object-glass END OF the Lick telescope
when it peeps through the dome of the
observatory.
Yesterday afternoon the Spreckelses and
Captain Selovich held consultation to
decide whether Contractor Schmidt should
be arrested for threatening to take a hu-
man life.
The Reliance hooked on to the ship Ra-
fael at about 9 o'clock Tuesday morning
at Misson-street wharf and started with
her in tow for Oakland Creek.
When a point in the estuary opposite
the California Boat Clubs boathouse was
reached Captain Selovich noticed that the
cOntract-dredger hydraulic dredge-pipe
| was stretched across the channel in such
| manner that navigation was obStruc ted
| thereby.
The Reliance whistled half q dozen
times. so that the dredger-hands might be
! warned OF her approach, but no one moved
The pipe. She whstled again and came up
alongside the dredger.
"Uncouple the pipe and let US through"
shouted Selovich from the pilot-house.
| No answer.
IF you don't let us through we'll go
ashore on the mud" repeated the cap
/ tain.
Still no answer.
If you don't uncoup!e the pipe may
| run it down" articula,ed the iugboat man.
| getting desperate as the tide commenced
| TO swing the Rafael.
A moment of painful silence followed
| Then Contractor voh schmidt appeared.
His coming was first made known by the
| appearance of Winchester's muzzle,
which did not look so big to Selovch IN
til he discovered there was man at the
| stock end of the gun
Won Schmidt pointed the rife at the
| captains head and said unfalteringly: 'If
you move that tug an inch I'll blow the
top OF your head off. Remember" con-
tinued he. Il am the law. This is my
property tbatyou are threatening. l an
Won Schmidt; yes, / am that self-same
gentleman. Beware"
Then Mr.. Won Schmidt paused for few
moments to catch his breath. fondling ten
derby all the while the gun trigger. He
patted himself upon the breast and de-
clared that be would not let The Reliance
go by, nor would he permit her TO leave
The ship Rafael in the meantime was
swinging out with the tide and was get
ting into bad position.
All that was necessary for the contrac-
tor 10 do was 10 uBcouple one of the sec
tionS of the hydraulic pipe and let the Re-
lance pass on. He positively refused TO
do this. but instead paced up and down
! the decks of the dredger, covering Seloyich
with his rife and assuring him that move
on his part meant instant death.
The captain of the Rafael, the ships
officers aud Custom-house official were
witnesses tn the controversy and condemn
Won Schmidt's actions severely.
After holding the tug and ship for one
hour and ten minutes the contractor gave
orders for the pipeline to be disconnected
Il will let you pass through now" he
said to Selovich. Hurry up"
The Reliance passed on up the creek.
and while she did so Won Schmidt stood IN
the dredger with the rifle at his shoulder
and covered the tugs pilot-house.
The affair created great deal of excite
ment among the tugboat men, and it was
thought that the Spreckelses, through Selo.
vich, would have Won Schmidt arrested.
No arrests occurred. and it is therefore be-
lieved that the contractor explained the
case.