The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-19
The Three Friends
Brave Little Vessel Which
So Long Aided Cubans.

During Cuba's recent struggle for indie
pendence the steamer Three Friends was
widely known as flibuster, but the
correctness Of that term, as applied 10
the vessel, was questionable. Walker
was unquestionably q hliousrer, 50 was
Lopez. Both went from the United
States in command OF armed expeditions
to attack governments al peace with their
own people as well as with the United
States. Both went for the purpose Of
stirring up instruction The men who
went TO Cuba on the Three Friends went
to take part in a fight already in prog
ress. If Lafayette was flibuster, they
were. If they were. tbs Three Friends
was. The vessel was applied to uses
more like those OF the blockade runners
Of the Confederacy than Of the vessels
that carried Walker and Lopez TO the
countries they intended 70 attack.
The officers and crew Of the boat, as
well as its passengers, felt that, Il caught
the Spaniards would very quickly decide
that they had violated the law, and they
went with their minds made up not TO De
caught. They went prepared for running
Friends was not fastened by a chain
but by rope. and several anchors were
kept on board. This was done 70 expe-
dite flight, and on two occasions the ne
cassity for the precaution was proved.
The rope was cut and the anchor left at
the bottom. The vessel would have been
captured or sunk If time had been lost
hosting anchor. It was generally under
stood by men who went on these hlfbus-
tering trips that If escape should become
impossible they would die in the water.
There was no thought Of surrender and
military execution.
The federal authorities were yacillating
in their treatment Of the Three Friends.
Of course on her first trip she left port
without hindrance, for no one suspected
her mission. She left at night, but could
as well have left in the day. When news
was received that she had landed an ex-
petition near Cardenas, revenue cut
ter was sent TO Jacksonville TO prevent
her departure on another trip. ]. NJ.
Bars. attorney for the Three Friends and
one of her owners, publicly stated that
the vessel would load with arms and am
munition whenever her owners wished,
and would demand clearance-and get IL
The commander of the Boutwell, sat by
and saw the cargo loaded. and telegraph
ed to Washington what he had seen, Cap
tain Broward adding TO the telegram by
telling him Of dynamite and other things
that ne would put on the boat before
leaving. The reply came back from
washington TO let the vessel clear.
This was considered very great VIC
tory for the hibusters, but 1t proved TO
be Of no advantage. Before they were
out of the ST. Johns River the Spanish
authorities knew that they had started
and were prepared for them. The vessel
was chased two days before the expedition
was landed. After this she slipped out
of port as II she had no right TO 20. She
went openly one other time. and was again
chased two days.
After time, however. the officials
were ordered not 70 let the vessel leave.
The authorities at Washington either be-
came more certain Of their rights or more
determined TO stop flibustering. A reve-
nue. cutter was stationed at the mouth Of
the St Johns with orders not to let the
Three Friends pass. In one case the au-
thorities were made to believe that the
cargo and expedition had been shipped TO
the Dauntless at Brunswick, and the cut
Ter was ordered out Of the river 70 cap
ture that vessel The train that had been
seen going in the direction Of Brunswick
with the expedition and cargo turned back
a ter going ten miles and the ThreS
Friends escaped while the cutter was alb
sent
The Three Friends was captured once.
but after trial next day was released.
The custom officials Of Key West were IN
formed that the passenger steamer City
Of Richmond was to deliver an expedition
and a cargo to the Three Friends at In
dian Key. When the steamer reached
Miami she ives seized and a cargo Of arms
and ammunition found on board. as well
as a considerable number Of Cuban pas
senCers. The cargo was seized and the
officers Of the ship and the Cuban passen-
gers were arrested. a lieutenant ana
three marines from the revenue cutter
winona were put on board. and the boat
was ordered 10 Indian Key. the supposed
place Of appointment with the Three
Friends. L was supposed that Captain
Proward would suspect nothing when ne
saw the steamer aqproa ching, and thar
no Three Friends would wait for her.
She would have waited for Spanish
battle>hip. or a fiery dragon. OF the devil
himself. fer the -ple reason that her
boilers were being cleaned and her fires
vera down. She didn't have a pound of
steam and could not stir. The arrest
could have been made by deputy mar
shall in q row boat
Arrest was easy, but conviction-that
vas different The men found on the City
Of Richmond had paid their fare 20 NJ
ami. had a perfect right to 20 there and
were Re ieased. They had not got OF the
bat az Miami but they gave the good
reason for II that they we're arrested a.
soon a. the vessel reached the dock. A
large cargo q arms add ammunition vas
fouad On board the City Of Richmond. II
vas consigned 10 A ". Bars OF Jackson
vile. L was not unI0adej at Miami he
cause II was seized The commissioner
ordered the cargo s.ored in warehouse.
and took a day &c decide what 70 do with
X. He then ordered It turned over 10 IS
owner. who az once had * put on board
the Three Friends. The City Of Richmond
had righe 20 carry passengers and
freight She had gone out % Ter regular
-un 70 Indian KEY. but rot under com
naud q her captain. but under orders OF
a lieutenant OF the revenue cutter She
Mas released. as were her officers
The Three Friends was found at Indian /
KEY. VITA nothing OF board except coal F.
ana provisions No persons were Oh board .
.xcaot her regular officers and crew and
-wo guests q the captain she hal
; rockers license FOR The coast O. Fiozi1a,
~ RS king II Is goos a p.ace s9r