The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1896-05-23
C0NFBCATED ELEPHANTS.
Qauae OF Discussion Between This
COUNTRY and Slam.


The late DR.. Marion A. Cheek, Of Oak
land, who went to Siam some years ago
q .. medical missionary, had some re-
markable experiences in the .'land Of
the white elephant" he raised ele-
plants Tor q living. That was one Of
his investments In the Orient, and out
Of it grows claim his widow has for
$4,000 against the Siamese govern
ment. DR.. Cheeks drove of elephants
had become the source Of great deal
cf diplomatic correspondence between
Siam and the United States. Interna-
tional difficulty, that d still in process
Of settlement, arose over the 176 ele-
plants.
The story Of DR.. Cheeks adventures
in the east reads like romance. He
went to Siam missionary Of the Chris
tian religion: His knowledge of medi
cine stood him-ip good stead. He III
gratiated hims4If into the hearts of
the prinees 81 TIE land a. well as the
lowly natives, who saw in his remark
able cures ofdisease unfath thomable mys-
terry. DIR. Check was an American. He
oveafooked no opportunity to better his
condition. He gained valuable eonces
sions from the Sia1Aese government and
established the business of logging teak
timber of Bangkok, the capital The re-
turns were 30 great that some of the
native princes in the interior cast long
ing eyes upon the profits the American
was turning.
One of them suggested q partner
ship. DR.. Cheek. was loath to accept
the proposition, but he decided that his
own welfare demanded that he joi,.
hands with the dusky prince. The doc
tor had an agreement with his princely
partner MS to the distribution of TIE
labor. Cheek agreed to do the actual
work. He went 50O-miles into the teak
timber district and hired many native
lahorers. He likewise secured 176 ele-
plants. The doctor had Indifferent sue
cess one season. The river was low
and no logging could be done. The
prince becnme dissatisfied. He was ap-
peased, thought DIR. Cheek, the fol-
lowing year. when double quantity OF
timber was floated into Bangkok.
Then the trouble commenced. The
government took hand. The doctors
partnSr and prince assigned his Interest
in the firm to the royal family. The
ruling powers were becoming dissatis
fed with foreign interests and their
extension in Siam. The excuse was
readily found for action. The failure to
make shipment of timber one season
opened the way. The government:
stepped in and confscated DR.. Cheeks
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 conf1scation had
deprived him Of business of great value.
and a prospect of making a cleanup of
$1OO, 900.
The long delay that ensued left DR..
Cheek with little hope. After much
correspondents, he succeed
ed in having some of the confiscatea
property returned to him. But claim
of $4,000 is still unadjusted, and it
went to his widow az her only legacy
from the doctor, who died at Bangkok
on July 4, 1895. sS
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 $100, 1000.
Minister Ba1l EFT at Bangkok has made
every effort t.. bring the matter to
focus. The Siamese government is said
to be desirous of submitting it to arbi-
tration.
The will OF DR.. Cheek has been filed
and .prohated in Alameda county. His
widow and two children now wsreside
in Oakland. They have local counsel,
who are pressing the paymentsof the
claim to their utmosts-San Francisco
Exlnninkr.