The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-22
A PIRATE OF THE PACIFIC.
BnrteIs PIUndered for Years-Is Now
in Prison in Mexico.

Bhrtels numbered for Nears-Is Now
in Prison in Mexico.
From the San Francisco Examiner.
The doors OF a Mexican prison have
just swung shut on as daring a pirate as
ever troubled the high seas. For year or
two those who go down to the sea In ships
will have one danger the less to guard
against. Then Oscar Bartels will be free
again to cheat and murder and steal and
terrorize the vice Pacific to his hearts
content
For years Bartels had carried on his
plundering with insolent boldness. His
craft was neither low nor rakish and car
ried no black flag to give his prey hon
orable warning. He wasted no time in
making his enemies walk the plank, but
flung them promptly overheard when he
was done with them. He would steal ves-
sells, crew and ALL If need be, and carry
them off under the very noses of the har-
Dor guns. lie was as bold and unscrupu-
lous as any freebooter that ever sailed the
Spanish main, and viii be again, when the
doors of the Mexican prison once more
swing back
Bartels nativity is uncertain. To some
he claimed TO be Of German descent, while
others who know him say he is a Nor
weglan by birth. He is now about 43
years of age. The first that is known
of him on this coast was in 1880 when he
made his appearance I'm San Diego, com
ing from nobody knows where He form
ed the acquaintance of Capt. William
Behn, an old sailor who was always
ready for any enterprise that promised
adventure and profit. The men became
fast friends and seized several vessels
together, but finally quarreled over the
proceeds and Bartel was arrested. lie
secured his release on writ of habeas
corpus. Several times after he was ar
rested for poaching, and was finally i'm
prisoned in Mexico shortly after for near
ly a year, when he succeeded In briblng
some of the guards. and made his escape.
The most intrepid act of this fin de
steele pirate was his stealing of the
schooner star of Freedom from this harbor
early in February. 1894, for which crime he
IS now lauguishing in Jail at La Paz Mex
leo. 1t was the first time he had ventured
TO show himself a. San Francisco since
his flight IN 1893 and the incidental disap-
pearance OF the Periwinkle. But as that
offenae could not be definitely fastened up
on him he felt comparatively safe.
capt Charles Johnson at that time own
ed the trim little schooner Star of Freedom
a stauch craft and fast sailcr with lines
almost as symmetrical as those of yacht
Capt johnson was away from home at the
time, and tho schooner was tied up IN oak
land creek. with a Waterman on board to
protect her from the dcnredatious OF
thieves Bartols immedia ely began to
make inquiries about a vessel. and in some
manner learned of the star of Freedom
lie took a trip over 10 Oakland. engaged a
small boat. ana in a short time was along
side the vessel Tie was eurapturtd. and
piled the Waterman with questions con-
corning her and her owner II was unfor-
unate that Capt Johnson was away. for
he was anxious to start on trading voy-
age and the Star OF Freedom was Just the
vessel he wanted.
The Waterman mentioned that perhaps
his qucsuoner might be able 20 make some
arrangements with Mrs. johnson. who had
charge OF her husbands business Affairs
during his absence.
The suggestion was an excellent one.
and Bartcls soon hunted up the lady. lie
drew % picture OF the snug little sum ne
had saved from his expeditions. aud the
fortune that awaited the entCrprising skip
per who would take the proper cargo TO
tempt The natives OF the South Sea Islands
There was no vesse. lu the hurbor 20 we'll.
adapted 90 his purpose as the Star 81
Freedom. and N Mrs. Johnson would seq
% price on the vessel. he had no doubt they
could soon nHfrn upon terms.
Mrs johnson said she would consider
tho natter and then BnrtclR asked fnr
o. letter to tht Waterman lustructinr him
20 allow tht intending purchaser 90 ~
enc.t tHu VtaaolH Interior Armed With
tfIs lati,r which Mff johnson unhesIiaf.
lufv gave hm. lnrnis visited tho Star
IF Freedom the following DAY closely in.
.ra.uHF her from stem to Stern haie,y
lHI aIpft ile VAS Careful Co cultivate
tlD rlHI W.l 0f the guardian 0f the utfle
rrIft aUl Hhrn nf Ore tho tWo mon wore
uH worry fltniIF terms
"A frW iHFH later uHrirIa sent aboard
fh. boomer aElln. Hnd f1.I tHo nHt.h.
man mai DEL hhd agreed upQn terms f1f