The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-06-19
CONFISCATED ELEPHANTS.
Cause of Discussion Between This
Country and Siam
An American Missionary Who Acquired
Property and Got Into Trouble
with the siamese Royal
Family

The late DIR. Marion A. Cheek. of Oak
land, who went to Siam some years ago
as a. medical missionary, had some rc-
markable experiences in the land OF
the white elephant" He raised ele-
plants for living. That was one of
his investments in the Orient, and out
of it grows a claim his widow has for
$4,000 against the Siamese govern
Inent. DIR. Cheeks drove of elephants
had become the source of a great deai
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 DIR. Checks adventure
in the east reads like a romance. HI
went to Siam a missionary OF the Chris
tian religion. His knowledge of mel
cine stood him in good stead. He iI.-
gratiated himself into the hearts of
the princes OF the land as we'll as the
lowly natives, who saw in his remark
able cures of disease unfathomable mys-
terry. DIR. Check was an American. He
overlooked no opportunity to better his
condition. He gained valuable conces
sions from the Siamese government and
timber of Bangkok, the capital. The re
turns were 50 great that some of the
native princes in the interior east long
ing eyes upon the profits the American
was turning.
One of them suggested partner
ship. DIR. Cheek was loath to accept
the proposition, but he decided that his
own welfare demanded that he join
L. 81 &. H.. .l,,s-l 10 a
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 I76 ele-
plants. The doctor had indifferent sue
cess one season. The river was low
and no logging could be done. The
prince became dissatisfied. He was ap-
peased. thought DIR. Cheek, the fol-
lowing year, when a double quantity of
timber was fioated into Bangkok.
Then the trouble commenced. The
government took a hand. The doctors
partner and prince assigned his interest
in the firm to the royal family. The
ruling powers were becoming dissatis-
fed with foreign interests and their
readily found for action. The failure to
make a shipment of timber one season
opened the way. The government
stepped in and confiscated DIR. Cheek >
plant, elephants and all.
This summary action ended the Cheel;
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 confiscation 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 confiscatei
| property returned to him. But a claim
of $4,000 is still unadjusted, and it
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
4, 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 made
every effort to bring the matter to a
! focus. The Siamese government is said
to be desirous of submitting it to arbi-
tration.
The will of DIR. Cheek has been filed
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