Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-02
SMUGGLING CELESTIALS.
ANOTHER MODE OF GETTING THEM
IN FROM CANADA.
Brought to Light by tho Seizure Of a
Mans Team by Customs OHiccrs-A
Mr., Miles Conducted the Business
in tho Night.

Sherbrooke, Que, March 31.-An interest
ing case, growing out of the smuggling of
three Cinnamon over the American bor-
der, via this city, on December is last is
that of Thomas Peck, livery stable keeper
against Precourt e. Gauthier, proprietors
of the Montreal House here. This case
was commenced before Hon. Justice White
last Thursday, and will probably be
brought to close to-day.
Peck sues for $125, the amount he had
dsbursed in order to bid in his horses
which were seized and sold in Vermont by
the customs department; and also for an
additional amount, representing expenses
and the loss of profit incurred through be-
ing deprived of his horses during nearly n
month. Plaintiff claims that defendants
acting in collision with one Miles, alias
Miller, alias Dickson, Chinaman smuggler
and patent medicine man-telephoned for
the team and sent their hostler for it,
without telling plaintiff about the unlaw-
ful purpose for which they knew 1t was re-
quired; that defendants afterwards at va
rious times acknowledged their RESPONSE
bility for the team by their words and
acts. Miles, for whom the team was hired,
when he saw that the team did not turn
up and that ,the venture did not prosper
well, disappeared: and now Peck. through
his attorneys, Messrs Hurd and Fraser,
seeks reimbursement of Precourt & Gauth-
Ter The evidence that has been adduced
in the case is somewhat conflicting, but
tho facts connected with the smuggling
are of interest.
Miles had concealed three Cinnamon In
retired room of the Montreal House from
Sunday night, December Is, until the fol
lowing Monday night, when he obtained
the double team in question. through the
linstrumentalty 1t is claimed of Precourt
and Gauthier. The latter's hoster, Houle
was induced by Miles, and with the defend
ants consent, to drive tho three Chinamer
to Coaticook, where Miles told him mar
would be ready to receive them and drive
them across the border. But when Miles
got to Coaticook he told him that the mar
hadn't his team with him at Coaticook
and he would be Obliged to drive dowr
to where this party lived; that he miles
would have to go back to Montreal Houl,
shys he took the man along in the place
| of Miles and reluctantly went on to the
farmers residence, arriving at night hi:
instructions being to travel only during
| the night.
The farmer told him that his wife was
sick and that he would have to take thu
Celestials down to Lancaster; there III
would be met at the station by a man with
white handkerchief tied around hi.
neck. He proceeded to Lancaster, bu
did not meet the party he expected Then
being at loss what to do, he turned
back to Canada, receiving on his way
from the farmers upon whom he called
very spare hospitality for his fellow
travellers, who were not welcome any
where. Continuing to travel by nigh
only, he reached northumberland, n. II.
and put up at a small hotel to b.
taken care of during the day. His move
ments toward this place had, however
been traced by Deputy Collector of Gus
toms Fletcher of Canaan, and other of
fcers. Houle suspected their mission, ant
while they were upstairs talking to thu
Cinnamon, took his team and started TO
the line. When within short distance
of Canaan, which is near the line, he be
came convinced he could not get bacl
with his team. and believing the officer
were in pursuit. deserted his team betool
himself to the woods, and finally escaped
across the border and reached homo.
Fletcher arrested the Cinnamon n
Northumberland and followed the team
and seized it where it had been hitcher II
an old shed by Hohle He took the team
to Canaan and sold 1t on January II
when Mr.. Peck, who had been notified b!
Gov. Dale that was his only remedy
bid in his horses at 1925 and thus recover
ed possession of them The Chinamel
were sent up for trial before Commission
err Shurtleff, who released them upon thei
producing certificates that had been fur
nished to them. 1t appears, by Miles.
This transaction was only one of man,
of similar kind that Miles had success
fully managed previously. Witness Mari
ner related one instance where a week be
fore this occurrence OF the 18th of De
cember, he at the instance of Miles. rent
ed a team from Mr.. Peck, through the in
strumentality of LOOMS, ostensibly to g
to Stoke, near Sherbrooke, but really t
go to st. Johnsbury, where Mariner drov
the Cinnamon himself