New-York tribune., 1901-12-04
BOX VOYAGER TO STAY.
BROKER LIKES BECK'S PLUCK AND
WILL GIVE BOND FOR HIM.

Johann Beck of Hamburg the starving stow
away. who came nailed up in box the
Hamburg American steamer Palata, has found
a champion in the person of Newton Bennng-
ton, broker. at No. - Broadway. Mr.. Ben
nington declared last night at his home al Ben
! sonhurst that any who showed much
pluck as to nail himself up in a box, and take
such perilous chances in order to reach this
country. deserved a helping hand.
This pucky German VIII not be deported if
I can help it," continued Mr. Bennington. 4
like his spunk l believe he has the stuff in
him that good American citizens are made of.
1 arranged to-day with the immigration authori-
ties file the necessary bonds holding myself
responsible that he does not become a public
charge I understand the bonds required
amount to but few hundred dollars. l am
willing to wager this sum upon the mans pick
ing UP and becoming worthy citizen.
Some of my friends the train this morning
argued that the man should be deported because
of his conduct. I took the opposite view. The
viii be brought before the special board of
inquiry Beck gets we'll"
WHO BECK is.
It became known yesterday that Johann Beck
twenty-five years old. a painter by trade
who because Of poverty. freighted himself
model" 10 this country in the hope OF finding
NbIh mere "A UNION Nuihiildi caro- Ioullu III
his pocket showed that he born in Ger
many and that he had been in the employ of q
house painter OF the name OF 4. r. Miizer. Of
Hamburg. 4 letter from Neumuer & Schaefer
proprietors of the Union Square Hotel. received
yesterday morning by Charles a. Donovan. Chief
of Police of Hoboken. cleared up the mystery
as to the motives OF the stowaway in boxing
himself up living freight. This letter was re-
ceived by Mr.. Schaefer about ten days ago It
read follows:
From J. Beck, Hamburg: Nov. Is.
In time with speed New-York
Sir Without work and without means l am at
the end of my resources and TO procure my boat
and at the same time TO come to the land Of my
hopes l an TO send myself and goods by the ship
b which i WI VII , - me e an
with you; am not afraid of any work and should
like work at the expenses.
leave Hamburg sunday. Nov. IL, in the hope
Of arriving 1 ad in N NewfoTk Nv a i'm in good health a
the trouble st as my bad English NY best thanks in
Il thought some lunatic had written me-" said
Mr.. Schaffer. and paid no attention to the
letter. The proha bly, picked up of
business cards at Hamburg and trusted to us to
give him work. The American Express Com
pany, shippers of the box, evidently suspected
something wrong. week ago they asked
me about the box of artists models that was
consigned to me-
When seen last evening at st. Marys Hospital
Hoboken, Beck disclosed his name and address,
and said that he had travelled under such origi-
nal circumstances because of his poverty.
DID IT ALL HIMSELF.
mo one knew of my act he said slowly, and
with great difficulty Il made the box and
ranged everything myself. 1 paid the freight of
30 marks at the freight office of the Hamburg
American Line, and left word express
10 call Nn
Langestrasse. Hamburg. Then 1 went home AMI
locked myself in the box by Il series of hooks
and eyes. l was conscious throughout the entire
trip, but lost my senses when we reached New
York. The rats gnaWed at the box and tried TO
get in. but did not. 1t very cold When /
started / had twelve of condensed milk
box Of prunes three dozen cakes of chocolate,
some bread. and a little whiskey.'
At this point of the Interview the physician in
terrupted the speaker and told him to go to
sleep.
1t is estimated that Beck paid from so to S15
for the box. provisions and freight charges. or
about one-haf of what he would have paid to
travel by steerage.
A iongshoreman who removed Beck's box
from the hold of the Palatia, said that it con-
tanned a mattress made of nghtshirt stuffed
with straw some underclothing, a suit of
collars, cuffs hat overcoat, some SILK
nightshirts, and some empty soda
water bottles.
A dlSpatcn received yesterday from IiahiD"is
reported that the stoWaway Is an AuStro-Ier-
man painter. known in Europe as box tray |
eIer.' According to the dispatch: Beck intend |
ed to travel to California and the Klondlke III |
the same manner. This report received no con-
firmation yesterday
At the hospital last night 1t was SAID that
Beck would probably recover. He is IN the GUS
tody of the Hamburg American Steamship Com
pany though the Hoboken police took an 1Ifnle-
diate part in the investiga ton AS soon as ms
condition permits he Will be taken TO Ellis lsl-
and and held as a stowaway. The stowaWay
fine is SO 1t is believed that through the pup,
licty given to his performance, the money VIII