The Washington times., 1902-09-08
The Maid of Patuca Said
to Be on Filibuster-
ing Trip,
VOYAGE BRANDED PEACEFUL
Report, However, Declares That Her
Mission Is to Garry Aid to the CO.
lombian Insurgents--Old Engineer of
the Three Friends in Charge.

BALTIMORE. Nd, Sept. 7.-Witl
every member of her crew armed with
rifles and wearing belt loaded with
cartridges. the little steamer Maid oi
Patuca left Baltimore on her long voy-
age to South America.
The agents of the steamer in this city
have given out the announcement that
she is to be used in building a jetty at
the mouth of the River Patuca, in Hon
duras, but the general impression pre-
walls that the steamer is a genuine fill
busterer. and that she is carrying am
munition to the insurgents in Colon
bia.
From the cargo which she is carrying
south there is every reason TO believe
that this is her true errand. In her hold
are cases of dynamite and boxes OF rifles.
with large quantity of ammunition and
similar warlike stores that would be of
great value to the fighting insurgents.
Had her journey been merely a peace-
full voyage to Honduras to build a jetty,
1t is hardly likely that this warlike ma
terial would have been carried along.
An Armed Crew.
With their guns and cartridge belts.
the crew presented a most piratical ap-
pearance, and they seemed quite out of
place on the little steamer. The crew
numbers twelve, including the captain.
Practically in charge of the entire outfit
is a man who has had considerable ex-
perience in filibustering expeditions.
This is John Toole, of this city, who was
an engineer on the Three Friends when
she was engaged in running arms to the
fighting Cubans.
About two weeks ago an agent came
here and registered at the Carrollton
under the name of w. NJ. Dillhoefer.
Signs of activity at once became notice
able about the steamer and preparations
were begun for her. voyage. Several
days ago she took a trial trip down the
river and everything was found to be in
q satisfactory condition.
Since the trial trip several wagon
loads of boxes have been put ON board,
containing, it is supposed, ammunition
and dynamite for the Colombian insur-
gents. All were marked Maid of Pa
tuca, SINNERS Shipyard. e; Notify Mr..
Dillhoefer, at the Carrollton."
Nearly all the boxes were from out-of-
tVWu pldSCc, anu olC SuPpoSNu " ma NN
been bought at different places, in order
not to excite suspicion as to the real
destination and purpose of the steamer.
Every one on board scrupulously avoided
answering questions in regard to the
steamer and her destination.
The voyage to Colombia alone is a
most dangerous feat in the little vessel.
without adding the dangers that may be
encountered at the end of the trip. She
will go by inland waters to Beaufort,
n. c., where she will be compelled to
put to sea and skirt the coast all the
way down to Florida. All the crew were
shipped for Key West, but there is said
to be an understanding that each and
every one will be re-engaged there for
the Colombian trip.
The story originally given out " the
agents was that the company had been
organized to develop a tract of 10000
acres of land, which had bsen given 1t
by the Honduras government. A small
town was to be built. farms stafed off
and the Patuca was to be used in the
carrying trade along the river. The
government was also said TO have grant
ed the company a monopoly of the car
rying trade.