Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-25
PLAN TO RESCUE DREYFUs.
Rich Hebrews Were TO kidnap him
from Devils Island.
philadelphia Times.


Anent the celebrated Dreyfus case,
which has thrown into such a ferment
Of excitement the people Of two CONT
nents. Philadelphia might boast OF
sensation in connection herewith prODd-
bly, more startling than all the terrible
things that have been written ABOUT the
Devils Island prisoner
VINO would have believed that in the
staid old Quaker City a plot was con
cocted which. for originality and daring
has scarcely had a peer; plot involving
no less than the stealing Of the imprlson-
ed French captain from Devils Island
i'm the dead OF night and spiriting him
away 10 some place known only TO the
constructors: or. if necessary, 10 dare all
oppositiOn and remove him by force OF
arms.
That IS what John Miller, of Baltimore,
Md identified with marine engine de-
signing for a quarter Of a century ana
who was prominently connected with
Freyer's chemical vessel, the steamer
Cassard. positively declares.
Nr. Miller visited Philadelphia recently.
He had business on that occasion win
the Cramps. and the latter was no less
than consultation regarding the posi-
bility OF rebuilding the Howard Cassard
and fitting her with new and improved
machinery. This unique vessel, after the
failure of the Arrow Steamship Company,
was towed from Baltimore 10 AleNahuild'
Va. ana sold at public auction Tor Sz'J'o.
Sh. cost to build over S5VgV, ana ruined
several prominent businessmen Oh BATH
more Now she is nothing but a mass
Of rusty iron.
The Cramps discouraged the project Oh
rebuilding the freakish craft, ana aIleI
mill q
Mr. Miller returned to the Monumental
CIV. Through story printed exclusively
I'm the Times at that time the various
marine papers were informed that the
Howard Cassard was 10 have d trlal
against time and again 10 attempt TO rev
alutionize navigation. This was the rea-
sonable assumption at that time, but now
Mr.. Miller tells a strange ana dlHeFeHI
story.
He was seen at Green's Hotel yesterday
t,, - ronorter of the Times. When press
ed as TO what was 10 come OF the revival
of the Arrow steamship Company pro-
Jet, he replied:
81 was not here in the interest OF the
Arrow Company. They are well ria OF
the Howard Cassard. l was simply COM
nissioned to get the most adVantaseous
nffer for the rebuilding of the machinery
a. ~.
IN be turned over to certain parties In
MARYLAND. I can tell you something about
their scheme, too, which, although IL
seems pretty wild, l fully believe myself
The Howard Cassard was 10 rescue Cap
tain Dreyfds. You know this peculiar
craft is fast. Even with her original
and defective machinery she developed
,peed of thirty-five miles an hour Sne
Is 22l feet long, only sixteen feet vide al
ne widest part, and has huh whose
peculiar construction makes her unde.
structible and unsuitable.
Il don't know great deal ABOUT the
scheme. | do know, however, that wealthy
Jews in Philadelphia, Baltimore ana
New York were impressed with the man
ner in which IL was presented ana quite
an amount Of money was promised to get
the Cassard in shape.
THAT vessel was an ideal one for the
purpose. She could have cleared from
port as though on a pleasure cruise. BY
slow stages she could have reached the
proximity OF Devils Island. Then, as
FAR as my own opinion goes, / can see
nothing which would have prevented the
kidnapping OF the prisoner. Once ABOARD
the odd craft, his safety was assured as
far as human agency could make II. Inc
Howard Cassard. with the present lines
of her hull unaltered and an ordinary |
trlple-expansion engine substituted for |
the clumsy Coriss gear would be light |
ming unclaimed. at speed Of nifty miles
an hour she would have borne him TO |
safety and he could have laughed WITH |
impunity at all attempts at pursuit.
The most remarkable feature in eonnec- |
tion with Mr.. Milers story is the sincere |
manner in which he relates 1t. 1t Is |
evident that all the qualifications OF the |
daring plan had been most carefully con-
sidered But, as he said yesterday, IN |
concluding his story. lit is all Off now"
AS II was not practicable TO rebuild the |
strange craft. the bottom fell out OF the |
scheme. Had the rust not done its work |
SO well the world ere now would doubt |
less have experienced great sensation.