The morning call., 1895-02-26
DARING ESCAPE OF w. FEATHER.
STONE FROM THE HAWAIIAN
ISLANDS.
THREE BAD DAYS IN A BOAT.
How A PRISON FRIEND PUT THE
HELM HARD Down AT THE
RIGHT TINE.


The story of Featherstone's escape is an
interesting one. He was arrested and sem
fenced to seven years in prison some six
months ago for attempting to kill his wife
| with a butcher knife. He remained there
some four months, when it occurred to him
that with the lack oil vigilance on the part
of the authorities it would be an easy thing
to escape and get to America. In order to
effect his escape he found it would be
necessary to get in the chain gang and
thus be detailed to work on the highways.
This opportunity came at last through
Featherstone showing a docile disposition
and a gentle spirit on all occasions.
One morning while the overseer's back
was turned he slipped away with his ball
and chain in his arms and got into the
brush. 1t was in broad daylight, and he
proceeded cautiously down to the seashore
at the mouth of creek, where he found a
small fat-bottom skiff about eight feet
long. 1t contained two small oars and was
used for crossing the narrow stream in
which it fioated. This skiff he took pos
session of and Immediately crossed the
reef and pulled to sea, without even wait
ing for nightfall. The danger of such
daring proceeding can only be understood
by those familiar with tie treachery of the
reef and the risk attendant in crossing it,
even in boat better and stronger than the
one he occupied.
When lis French leave was discovered
great cry was raised by the officials in
charge of the prison, and reward of 800
was offered by Marshal Hitchcock for his
apprehension. The vicinity of Honolulu
was secured by searching parties, and ad-
ditional vigilance was kept at the wharf on
all outgoing boats. Finally the search was
~ xryac III
had fled into the interior and was probably
wandering around without his bearings
Meanwhile Featherstone was at sea in
his frail craft manfully pulling over the
reef and anxiously watching for passing
ship flying some foreign flag. The day and
the night of three days passed over him,
and, as he was without food or water. with
hot tropical sun beating down on his
head, it began to tell upon his vitality, and
the pangs of hunger added to his misery.
His sufferings were accentuated by the
green hills behind him, the hills where he
dared not seek shelter.
On the third day the bark Ceylon. Cap
tain Calhoun of San Francisco, stood out
to sea making northing to pass through
the Kauai passage. She was about ten
miles off shore and under full sail when
Featherstone was sighted directly in the
vessels track and evidently attempting to
intercept her. The vessel was on the wind
at the time, and Captain Calhoun gave
orders to the man at the wheel to huff in
tending to pass ahead of Featherstone be-
lieving him to be the escaped convict and
not caring to pick him up and return.
The man at the wheel proved to be the
friend in need that Featherstone was seek
ing, having just served a term in prison
himself, and occupied Featherstone's cell
as mate. His name was Antoine CLOVIS.
and after his release he was ordered to
1paUp the islands al al Oh,
of confidence operating would be preferred
against him. He shipped as a sailor be-
fore the mast and strangely enough came
upon Featherstone on the high seas seek
ing the same freedom he was himself en-
joying.
given by the captain, Clogs, knowing the
purpose of the captain, put the helm hard
down, bringing the vessel up all standing
and checking her way for the time being,
Calhoun cursed and let go the spanker
sheet, the watch on deck at the same time
hauling the head sheets to windward and
boxing the foreyards around 1t was too
late. In the brief interval between the
helm going down and the ship resuming
her course Featherstone had pulled along
side and with his remaining strength
grasped the main chain plates and swung
himself on board.
who the - are your" bawled the cap
tain in a fury.
tFeatherstone, the convict answered
the famished, burned detected refu
gee, land | am hungry as -" There
was pleading look in the mans eyes, and
he struggled to say something more, but
was unable.
81 cannot take you on board. You are a
criminal, and l will be prosecuted on nv
return to Honolulu for assisting you out of
the country"
Captain" responded the starved man,
with CLEAN of hope in his bloodshot
eyes, you picked me up on the high seas
and therefore am out of the jurisdiction
OF the Hawaiian Government. For Gods
sake, take me away with you"
he captain was man enough to admire
the bravery OF the escape, and, realizing
that the fellow was logical in the matter of
hlgh-sea etiquette, replied: 81 like sand,
my man, and, by Jove, I'll give you pas
sage to Seattle" Featherstone was entered
on the articles of the vessel as seaman,
being shipped at sea- and was discharged
before the United States Shipping Com
missioner in Seattle. At that port he was
presented with purse by the sailors who
made the trip with him, and with the
money thus secured he came to San Fran
cisco.
Here he was destined to meet with adj
versltles and backsets and also several
people who knew him and of his record in
liz lOot WndJ llJIlc money he
had managed to secure from his friends
and has spent the last month wandering
around the water front, waiting to be
joined by his wife, who, it seems, had for
given him for the assault with the butcher
knife. With her assistance he hoped to
replenish his depleted purse, but the hun
CRY, ragged man who can always be seen
when the Honolulu steamers come into
port seems to be waiting in vain, as she
has not yet arrived.
Almost any time requisition papers are
expected to arrive and he will then be
held for extradition by the Federal au-
thorities.
point of law will be involved in the
case OF Featherstone, as the extradition
treaty does not provide for escaped pris-
oners, and should the Hawaiian Govern
ment succeed in getting him back to the
islands it is question what he will be
tried for, having already been tried for the
crime of attempted murder. This latter
crime is extraditable, while escaping from
the penalty is not.
Featherstone is without means and is
In no condition financially to secure legal
service. All he has to hope for is that the
Government will not grant the extradition
request OF the Government III Hawaii.
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