The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-09-24
ROMANCE OF
A PLANTER

In the Examiner of a recent date there
appears a long and rather well written
although slightly lurid, story of the re-
appearance of man whose name is CIV
en- as William ]. Baird, formerly of Shar-
on, Pennsylvania, who is said to have
been for some years resident of Ha-
wall, where he made large fortune.
According to the tale, Baird was eight
cen years ago a wealthy coal operator of
Pennsylvania. One day he went to the
bank where he had been doing business
and had large deposits and drew the sum
of $4,000. Putting this into a small
satchel, despite the warnings of the cash.
Ter, who feared to have him carry such a
large sum of money about with him, he
left the bank and the city. For eighteen
years he was never heard from.
When Baird's disappearance was at
first noticed foul play was suspected. He
had been seen to drive down the road
along a swiftly flowing stream and it was
thought that some robber had waylaid
him and done away with him. For a
long time close watch was kept of the
stream but in vain, for no sign of his
body was ever discovered. Baird had but
one relative, a sister, Mrs. Henry Ste
phens. She caused every effort to be
made to find him, but in vain, and at
length settlement was made of his af-
fairs and the estate, which was large
1t seems that Baird had been seized with
longing to travel, and. without notify
ing any one, he had simply started out
for the purpose of gratifying his desires.
With his $4,000 he was well provided with
funds and he went to New York and took
a steamer for Europe. He landed in Lon
den, travelled leisurely through the Con-
tiI4ent, visited Egypt and the Holy Land
ard India, going thence to Australia and
, To Japan. In Australia he spent some
time. and as he had capital and was
shrewd man. he made money as he trav
eied about.
Finally he landed In Honolulu, and. be-
inr pleased with the place. he located in
the Islands. bought a sugar plantation
ard settled down. AS usual, he made
money and he lived in the Islands for
years At length the desire for travel
again seized him and he went to San
Francisco, arriving there a few weeks
ago.
There he first learned of the fact that
he had been mourned as dead. He found
friends In the city that had known him in
the old days in Pennsylvania and they
told him Of what had been going on In
his one-time home. He was astounded
when he heard that he was supposed to
be dead and that his estate had been
through the Probate Court and his heirs
were enjoying the fruits of his early toll.
But he took the matter philosophicaliy
! and decided that he would not disturb the
heirs in the possession of his property.
81 have enough now and plenty, ne
} said land why should / try TO get back
what has been given to my relatives.
will go back and visit them and prove In
the flesh that I am still in the land of the
living
Baird is old and grey and wrinkled now
but he Is a strong and hearty man anc
soon he will be at home with the sister
: who for so many years has believed that
he was dead.
While Baird is not well known in tn;
Islands there are some who say they re
member him and will be interested 4
, read of his romantic story. His name Il
: mot in the directory.