The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-02
AROUND The WATER FRONT
The British Steamer PorI
Stevens to Load Wheat
for Liverpool.
A GASOLINE TANK ExPLoDEs.
William Henry Johnson, an Iowa
Defaulter, Returning Home
From Honolulu.

The Oceanic steamship Australia ar
rived yesterday morning from Sydney,
Auckland ana Honolulu with large cabin
| and steerage passenger lists. Among the
latter was William Henry johnson, ex-
Treasurer of Muscatine County, Iowa, who
returns home to answer to the charges of
forgery and ENLIGHTENMENT committed
while handling the public funds as an Off
cial. He was conveyed by Deputy Sheriff
Wyllie of Muscatine County.
About two years ago Johnson began
u sing the money intrusted to his care in
some private investments. The venture
failed and the enterprising official found
himself a de faulter by about $4,000. He
states that he used the money with the
consent of his bondsmen. Johnson left
the State, going first to Kansas, then to
San Franco SEQ. 1t is said he landed here
tat broke" and was only saved from des-
titution by his faithful wife, who realized
500 from the sale of some private prop
e rty, sending him $500.
With this money he slipped off to Homo
lulu and secured employment as collector
on newspaper. He was advanced to
bookkeeper, and while attending to this
duty he secured control of a stationery
and candy store. Mrs. johnson arrived in
Honolulu few months ago, and as John
son had conducted himself in an exem-
plary manner since coming to the islands,
both himself and wife were received in the
best social and religious circles in Homo
lulu. He was an active supporter of the
Provisional Government, also taking a
prominent part in the usual island re-
| ligious work. He dropped the William.
| from his name and was known as Henry
Johnson, but one day an acquaintance
recognized him and notified the Iowa Off
Gals of his whereabouts. They sent the
| Deputy Sheriff around with the necessary
papers for his arrest.
Passengers by the Australia state that
the Fourth of July will be celebrated in
Honolulu under the auspices Of the Ha-
waiian Government, and will conclude
with a parade of the military in the after,
noon and reception by President Dole.
The Americans in the islands favoring
annexation are rejoicing over a portion of
Mrs. Dole's add ress made recently upon
presenting an ensign to one of the military
companies. The words are as follows:
I take great pleasure in presenting to you
this flag in recognition of your valuable serv-
ices during the recent unpleasantness. / hope
that this regiment will carry it until replaced
by the stars and stripes.
Yesterday morning the tank of gaso-
line engine drilling holes in the rails of the
Southern Pacific Company's street lines at
Mission wharf exploded, setting fire to the
truck and wharf and, damaging the ma
chinery. Fortunately nobody was injured
and the fire was soon extinguished.
The British coal steamer Port Stevens,
which came in from Newcastle Sunday
evening, has been chartered by Men ear
and will load wheat for Liverpool at So
shiilings.
According to the statement of Lieu
tenant Drake, one of the Board of Inspec-
ton, now on the Olympic, that cruiser is
another splendid result of the Pacific Coast
ship-builders' skill.
1.-THE huge fighting machine" said he,
sis as easily handled as a Whitehall boat.
It is marvellous how easy those tons and
tons of metal can be moved. While going
ahead with sixty revolutions of the pro-
pellers she can be stopped and started
backward in ninety seconds. With the
helm hard over and one propeller backing
while the other is going ahead she will
almost turn as if on pivot, and would do
SO but for the fact that the propeller has
more power in its strokes going ahead than
in backing; consequently the vessel will
move a little under the influence of the
heading screw. In circling ahead, full
speed, with helm hard astarboard or port
she does not heel over TO any extent,
demonstrating her great stability and her
tendency to stand on even keel even with
her great engines dragging her over
Men are being enlisted on board the two
war vessels, and large number have pre-
sented themselves for three years cruise
in foreign waters.