The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-04-29
SUTTON IN DURANGO VILE
ALAMEDA'S PURSER ARRESTED
FOR SMUGGLING.
Neatly Captured by Detective Cordes
With Opium in His Possession-W.
G Irwin Refuses to Go Bail.

j. B. Sutton, purser of the steam
ship Alameda, is in durance wills lie
was arrested by Detective Gus Cordes
this morning at Hotel and Nuuanu
streets with seven 5-tael tins of opium
in his possession, and he will have 40
explain satisfactorily to the court how
he came by it, or leave his cosy state
room on the steamship for bunk in
the barracks on the reef, and his
natty uniform for striped suit of
prison clothing.
Sutton was fairly caught. For some
time past he has been under surveil-
lance whenever in port. Marshal
Brown received information several
weeks ago that Chinese firm on Nuu-
anu street was dealing in the stuff,
and that Sutton was their agent. As
soon as he came ashore this morning
Detective Cordes was close by to
watch him. Sutton made three trips
up town, visiting the Office and calling
on several friends. Cordes was close
on his trail every time, from the mo-
ment the purser left the Mail dock
until he again returned to the steam
ship.
The chase looked like long and
futile one, until Sutton started on his
fourth tour up town, about 10: 30
o'clock. Cordes noticed suspicious
bulging abou, the baggy portion of
the purser's trousers. Sutton led off
up town, going along Fort street to
Hotel, and up Hotel to Nuuanu. Paus-
ing on the corner, he glanced about
him in suspicious way, as if scenting
danger. Fearing that his game might
escape him Cordes stepped out of a
doorway, and, tapping Sutton on the
shoulder, told him he was wanted at
the Marshals Office.
Sutton clustered a bit at first, but
soon saw thai the game was up, and
quietly econ anied the detective to
| the police station. There he was
searched, and seven five-tael tins of
contraband opium taken from the
bcggy portion of his trousers. A
charge of importing opium was ent-
cred against him and he was taken
to the lookup.
While en- route to the station hohse,
Sutton tried in every possible way to
bribe Cordes, according to the detec
tive's story. 'He first offered me
money!" said Detective Cordes, But
| refused. He then promised me sew
eral hundred dollars if / would sim
ply let him slide off to the steamer
and say nothing about the affair, but
I still refused. Sutton then made "A
final plea, stat.ng that he would give
me anything that I might ask for. I
told him that I could not betray my
trust and he seemed very much de-
pressed"
William q. Irwin, the agent of the
Oceanic line, called later, and, after
learning the facts in the case, decided
that he did not care to go on Sutton's
bonds. 1t is understood that Sutton
will be dismissed from the employ of
the company, whether or not he is
convicted in court.
Marshal Brown stated at noon that
Sutton will be tried before the Police
Magistrate this afternoon, without de-
lay. The charge of having opium in
his possession could be made to stick
without doubt, but the Marshal says
that His evidence is so good that he
would rather take his chances on maxi
ing the more serious charge stick, in
order to make an example of Sutton.
The minimum punishment for the Of
fence is one month imprisonment at
hard labor on the reef and a fine of
$500.
pursers on the Pacific ocean. He, has
been with the Oceanic company for
years, and has always borne the best
of regulations. His arrest was a great
surprise.
Sutton was arraigned before Police
Judge De la Vergne at 2:30 o'clock
this afternoon. Through his attorney,
Paul Neumann, the defendant made it
known that he would plead guilty to
the charge of opium in possession.
The prosecution went on with the
trial of the case upon the charge of
importing opium. The steamer Ala
media will be held over to await the
result of the case.