The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-02-18


the loquacious Weaver to secure almost
unlimited capital.
-Four wealthy Englishmen were victim
lied and the money was placed in Weay-
er's hands. He was to proceed direct to
Apia> rand complete the payments on the
land and there await the ship which was
to bring him the machinery and store
supplies. Thus far all looked smooth TO
the men who put up the money. But
Weaver knew that he had yet to secure
the land, for his options had expired he
trusted to his good star, and thought
that il would be an easy matter for him
to purchase a few hundred acres of val
ueless land when he arrived at Apia- But
he reckoned without his host.
The German Governor had heard OF the
man and his propensities and was wait
ing for him. His fame had preceded him
and when he attempted to purchase the
much-wanted land he found that edict
had gone forth from governmental head
quarters that his money was not to be
received under heavy penalty by the ma
tives, and he was summary ordered to
leave the island. For once Weaver was
checkmated. His money had no purchas-
ing power and there was but one course
open to him. This he adopted, for he
yet had to keep up certain appearances
to his London friends in order to secure
pdAdUCc Oh inc EnSliSn 5OSerelBnS.
Weaver is now headed for the German
capital, where he viii sinterview the
German Emperor personally and the
odds are that unless the Emperor has
some kind friend to advise him, there will
be German money interested in the
scheme as well. He exhibited a draft
yesterday to the Advertiser on a New
York bank for 10000 pounds sterling.
10th to talk of his plans, Weaver stat
ed that he had experienced some difficult
ty in Apia with the German officials but
thought the matter would eventually be
Strengthened out to his liking.
Il am interested in the matter with
four of the richest men in London he
said, land there is no stock for sale, nor
will there be. Inside of five years We
will increase our capital severalfold
CWeaver failed to specify whether the
stock was assessable or not), and we will
have at least 200 acres under cultiva-
ton. When you consider that the largest
cacao plantation in the world comprises
only 300 acres, you will realize the magni-
tude of our enterprise.
when / purchased this land it was at
a time when the country was just about
to go under the German flag, and took
the precaution to have the papers au-
thorized by the American, English and
German Consuls. When I reached Apia
this time the German Governor fearing
that English enterprise and capital would
interfere seriously with German interests
already established, he tried to make me
all the trouble in his power and refused
TO sanction my occupation of the land
and declared the deeds Invalid
Notwithstanding this interference. 1
succeeded in landing considerable of our
stores and machinery and have now
nearly 600 acres of cacao land planted.
We have also large pineapple cannery
in operation, and when l return in about
two months we will begin shipping. /
was not ordered from the island, but
thought that by the expenditure Of few
dollars / could straighten matters out
quicker by going direct to Berlin
My sister is living in Apia and will.
remain there until / get back, though I
would have preferred to have her accom-
pany me. 1t is the newspapers that have
caused all of the trouble, for the German
Governor had read the lies published
concerning me, and expected TO see an es-
capped convict But / will fool them all
yet, and you will live to see Nicholas
Weaver at the top of the heap yet and
laughing even as 1 do now at the at
tempts made to ruin me-"
ANOTHER VERSION OF IT.
Bert Peterson of this City has had his
own experience with the willy Weaver
and an interesting one it was. Bert had
cruise to the Antipodes in the yacht
Norma in 1899 in company with Weaver
and the woman who was his companion
at that time. one Hattie B. Wallace. of
Oakland, California Bert proved to be
a good thing and when he finally
reached Honolulu, he had weaver in his
debt for several hundred dollars.
Il was with Weaver in December of
1899" said Peterson, when We landed at
Apia, and Weaver attempted to secure
possession of the land. He did succeed
in nj a nj oh
of valley land from the natives without
paying them any money, but these OPP
tons only ran for one year and expired
before Weaver attempted to do anything
with them. AT the time he organized his
London syndicate he did not own one
foot of land in or around Apia and the
options had long since expired.
In regard to the draft for 10000
pounds sterling which Weaver is exhibFt-
ing, i do not believe that it is worth the
paper ii Is written on, as 1 have known
Weaver to have drafts and checks in his
possession before that were absolutely
worthless but with which he made a good
front. He owes me considerable money
and 1 do not believe that 1 will ever be
able to get it,
A CHECKERED CAREER.
In 1887 Nicholas ]. Weaver, "Commo-
dore Weaver he styled himself, started
yacht Norma for a cruise around the
world. The cruise was planned upon now
lei lines. for the yacht was obtained
through the Manning Agency and a COM
pany was organized to send her around
the world. Out of the way and little known
places were to be visited and syndicate
letters were to be supplied to as many
Sunday newspapers as could be induced
to take them, and monthly magazine
| of travel. called the Norma Magazine -
was to be published.
Six months after the yacht left New
York City the company grew weary of
meeting Viewers drafts and disbanded
Weaver kept on his way and for three
years managed to keep not only himself
afioat, but also his yacht and a good
sized crew. He had nothing left to draw
on but his wits, but they proved ample
Poker and floating worthless drafts were
the methods employed by this adventur-
=, er to raise the necessary cash. He COM
Imenced his operations at Newport News
where local doctor was swrndIed out of
5000
Weaver then went to Bermuda. from
which place he soon returned with a
young lady whom he introduced as his
sister. The sister accompanied him on
his subsequent trips, while his wife re-
mained behind in New YORK, and finally
died in absolute want In room she had
taken on Thirty-fifth street At Punta
Del Gada, Weaver succeeded In getting