The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-17
DEEPEST DIVER IN JAIL.
Sad Ending OF Once Great Mans
Glorious Career.

UfOTtOus (ttIStTs
Capt John +. Ryan, the deepest diver
and the greatest liar in the world, now
occupies a dungeon cell in San Francisco.
having fallen from his former greatness
TO be accused of burglary by Miss Marie
GARNER, a dreS SNEAKER. whose affections
he had vainly sought 10 win, and her sis
ter Resale. The story Of his downfall -
thus told by the Chronicle:
About two months ago they went 20
the theater, and the seat next to that oc-
cupied by Marie was in possession OF
Capt. Ryan, diver and deteosive. Ryan
who bears but little evidence of his 20
years Of struggle and strife with water
and rogues, was charmed with the per-
torrance. and so expressed himself 20
Marie They became chatty. and al the
conclusion OF the performance Capt.
Ryan asked permission TO see the sisters
to their home. He was pleasant and
fatheriy IN is way, and his offer "a es-
corf was accepted. He parted with them
In front OF their home. but not before OBJ
tanning psrInG ssion TO call upon them
some evening and tell about his expert
ences as both diver and detective
in due time he called and was highly
entertaining. He added 10 the zest OF
his stories by protestations OF love for
Marie He was single and wealthy. In
fact he had just purchased vessel Tor
ST.0oo He was a little hard pressed Tor
money Just then, and a loan or 500
from Marie would be acceptable. Marie
did not look fayorably upon either his
suit or his negotiations for a loan When
next he visited the house he produced q
check for 81 80. purporting TO be signed
by Goodali. Perkins 81 Co., and borrowed
a few dollars His next call melted him
s., his statement that he had si2ooo in
the Hibernia bank being considered
proof OF his financial standing. When
he left II was noticed that the key Of the
front door had disappeared from table.
but the captain was not suspected or
being In any way accountable Tor It's
loss few weeks later the sisters re
turned home and found Capt Ryan In
their apartments. trunk han oeeh
broken open and slo stolen
'~rhe presence OF Captain Ryan was
surprise, bat he explained that he was
just passing. and. seeing two women go
ON. and leave the front door open. he
dropped IN to rsoonnoiter, that heing In
his line as a detective. He was then ana
there accused OF stealing the money, but
emphatically denied his guilt. He was al
lowed 10 20. promising that II would be
a work OF pleasure for him 10 md the
two women, who had evidently eeen the
hurglars A few days later he sent let
Ger announcing that he had seen the
same two women leaving house al 21'5
Turk street. and he was on their tran
no such number on Turk street The SIS
ters then reported the matter at police
haatouartars and detectives Anthony and
Handley were detailed to find Ryan. Act
ing under their instructions. 'eeoy let
ter was sent him by Marie, addressed TO
the general postoffce. In IL MISS Marie
wrote that che had since learned that the
money had been stolen by Chinese and
begged his forgiveness for having ae-
cursed him Of the theft. lie was Invited
10 call at the house last night. and when
he called Detectives Anthony and Hand
lev were there 20 receive him"
RYAN has variously represented him
self as a diver and secret service agent.
hut chiefly gained distinction BY his IN
exhausttble ioouactsy about the great
fests OF Ryan. When he frst arrived IN
Seattle several years ago. he lost no time
about making his greatness known. he
made attempts TO raise several vessels
hy diving. but as his record was strewn
with failures. ana he was remarkable
,or his chronic inehriety as much as for
his restless Jaw he soon got into bad ooor
With the ship captains one 90 his I'M
successful feats was the raising OF the
cutter Arthur. and another that or the
tug Mystic. Tie tried 20 become Nato
politlcsan, bat the politicians would nave
mona q, him. As diversion from his
other rernlcIous smuseneats re used 10
make nfs a burden TO his Wife.
Finally he withdrew his shiny ri
onuntenauce from Seattle after announc-
ing ,nat ne was going 20 Japan 20 raise
A sunken treasure ship. He reappeared
ard said TIE Jauarsse govsrunsat wou.d
nos allow hin 20 dive FOR the ship. He
to,A this story as though NJ actually
expe,,ea people 70 believe y. Then he
has move family dusrrels, and agsia ots-
annearea. This time he went 10 san
Francisco. and after brief interval OF
Victorious Siler e proclaimed that ne 0aa
sivea 70 the wreck % the ship Brother
y,nafnan. which went down many years
40 On Crescent city bar with nearly
e. s.a fssD az treasure. He claimed 70 have
,onrs the wreck half buried In sand at
a ssn,h OF 80 feet. conteuptucus 81 the
sefe3ttrc fact that she pressure Of TIE
r-s,er a. such a depth would make feliy
~ a man IN arraor. AS evidences CT MS
seer he produced a wooden bucket some
,,ss-sS o. blue cloth ara -ef'os OF the
,,-~seE Rut TIE wicked people or san
r,,sn,ss,o would rot believe him. and -
,,es,-ss his stories with loud gGGaw-
Ysa tried 10 get some or hfs stories
,,-snta.s IN the san Francisco Fspers, but
.sa cresI reporters would not believe
80, ard he has had - rely On me vel
developed muscles 81 his JAs 10 save tAem