The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-09
CONFISCATED ELEPHANTS.
Cause Of Discussion Between This
Country and Siam
An American Missionary Who Acquired
Property and Got Into Trouble
with the Sfamese Royal
Family.

laQQ, VINO went 10 Eldm some years dSt
as a medical missionary, had some rc'
markable experiences in the LAND OF
the white elephant" He raised ele-
plants for 4 living. That was one OF
his investments in the Orient, and out
of it grows a claim his widow has fol
$4,000 against the Siamese govern
ment. Dr. Cheeks drove of elephants
lad become the source of a great dea
Of diplomatic correspondence between
Siam and the United States. Interna
tional difficulty, that is still in process
of settlement, arose over the 176 ele
plants.
The story of DR.. Cheeks adventures
in the east reads like a romance. He
went to Siam missionary of the Chris
tan religion. His knowledge OF medi
cine stood him in good stead. He liz
gratiated himself into the hearts o:
the princes of the land as well as The
lowly natives. who saw in his remark
able cures of disease unfathomable mys
terry. DIR. Check was an American. Ht
overlooked no opportunity to better hi,
condition. He gained valuable conces
sions from the Siamese government ano
established the business of logging teal
timber of Bangkok, the capital. The re.
turns were SO great that some of the
native princes in the interior cast long
ing eyes upon the profits the America
was turning.
One of them suggested a partner
ship. Dr.. Cheek was loath to accep
the proposition, but he decided that hii
own welfare demanded that he join
hands with the dusky prince. The doc.
tor had an agreement with his princely
partner as TO the distribution of TIE
labor. Cheek agreed to do the actual
work. He went 500 miles into the teak
timber district and hired many native
laborers. He likewise secured 176 ele
plants. The doctor had Indifferent sue.
cess one season. The river was low
and 10 logging could be done. Tho
prince became dissatisfied. He was an
peased, thought DIR. Cheek, the fol-
lowing year, when a double quantity OF
timber was floated into Bangkok.
Then the trouble commenced. The
government took a hand. The doctor's
partner and prince assigned his interest
in the firm to the royal family. The
ruling powers were becoming dissatis
fed with foreign interests and thei
extension in Siam. The excuse was
readily found for action. The failure tc
make shipment of timber one season
opened the way. The government!
IL.
plant, elephants and all.
This summary action ended the Cheek
logging business. The doctor returned
TO Bangkok. He made several inef,
fectual protests. Then he placed his
troubles before the United States min.
ter. He claimed the confscation had
deprived him of business of great value
and a prospect of making a cleanup OF
100000.
The long delay that ensued left DR.
Cheek with little hope. After much
diplomatic correspondence, he succeed,
ed in having some of the confscated
property returned to him. But claim
of $4,000 is still unadjusted, and il
went to his widow as her only legacy
from the doctor, who died at Bangkok
on July 4, 1895.
The claim has been approved by tie
United States government for the full
amount, and the United States minister
at Bangkok has been instructed to re,
quest its payment. Accumulated in,
terest brings it up to 100000.
Minister Barrett at Bangkok has mad,
every effort II. bring the matter to
focus. The Siamese government is said
to be DESTROYS of submitting it to aroi.
tration.
The will of DR.. Cheek has been fled
and probated in Alameda county. His
widow and two children now reside
in Oakland. They have local counsel,
who are pressing the payment of the
claim to their utmost.-San Francisco
Examiner.