Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-05-14


AND WENT AWAY.
York. I tell you this SO you will
know the truth. / am going to give
myself up to the authorities"
Before Chalmers could say word.
Capt. Waters opened the door and
went away.
1t was as Capt. Waters said. Hes
tor was in a hospital. A bullet had
plowed its way along the left side
of his head. barely missing the tenn
pie. The skull was slightly frac-
tured. and there had been hem
orrhage from the brain. When CON
scous, the patient was wildly de-
lirious. Chalmers left instructions
that everything should be done for
his comfort. The hospital physicians
gave little hope. Chalmers secured
the best medical talent in New Or
leans and wired the facts TO a famous
New York specialist. He then re-
Joined his companions at the hotel.
The afternoon papers contained ac-
counts of the tragedy, and related
the story of the surrender of Capt.
Waters. Before leaving for New
York. a conference was held in Sid
ney IIammond's room. 1t was the
consensus of opinion that Capt. Wa
tiers had acted in good faith, and
that he was not deserving of pun
ishment. Sidney agreed to obtain
bail for him. and for the other officers
of the shark" On Monday bail
was fixed at $4,000 for Capt. Waters.
and at $1,000 each for the arrested
officers. MIR. Hammond furnished
the necessary securities and was ac
copied as bondsman. For time Capt.
Waters refused to accept bail. He
preferred TO stand punishment. Sid
ney argued with him for a long
time. He explained that il might be
months before a trial would be held.
Capt. Waters finally consented to &C
cept bail. He went to hotel near
the Jail and reported regularly three
times a day at police headquarters.
No argument could convince him that
this was not the right thing to do.
The Homecoming of the marooned
nullionaircs was an event never to
bo forgotten by those who partici-
at New Orleans. A special train from
New York, containing hundreds of
relatives and friends dashed into
the Crescent city early the following
morning. Those who have followed
the events portrayed in these pages
can imagine the JOY of the greeting
between the lost ones and those they
4 H.,
hotel, and would not be satisfied un-
til the principals appeared on the
the balcony. The mayor made a
speech and introduced each man in
turn. Sidney Hammond received an
ovation as he stepped forward; one
sleeve of his coat hung vacant at
his side. Nor was the greeting to
Bernard Seymour less cordial. There
were repeated calls for Miss Car
modv, and when that young lady
appeared on the arm OF her father,
the demonstration reached its eli
max.
In remote part of the city. white
robcd nurses lowered over man
whose staring eyes showed no CLEAN
of sanity His head was in bandages
and he muttered incohercnt phrases
as he tossed in fever of dcliriun.
Among those who greeted the re-
turned castaways at New Orleans
was Robert Van Horne editor of
the Record, who arrived in New York
in time to take the special train
south. Mr.. Van Horne did not re-
%.
throng. lie brought with him three
Of the most famous specialists In
the country, and soon stood at the
bedside of Walter F.. Hcstor. Mr.
Van Horne alone knew the recent
history of the man who now lowered
between life and death. He gave the
physicians the essential facts in the
case.
A year or more before Hestor had
been injured in China. While con
Quoting an expedition into the int.
rior of that country his party had
been ambuscaded, and in the melee
which followed Hestor was knocked
senseless by u blow on the forehead
delivered with great force by some
Tartars were driven off The i'm
mediate effects of the blow were
slight, but several months later Hes
tor had severe attack of acute
traumatic meningitis, from which he
apparently fully recovered after a
long illness. Later he complained to
Mr.. Van Horne that his head troubled
; him. He explained some strange
symptoms and was much worried
Acting on Mr.. Van Horne's advice
Hestor consulted "A specialist in brair
,, diseases. He was informed that il
all probability clot Of blood from ;
ruptured blood vessel had formed ano
was pressing against the brain tissue
: Hestor agreed to submit to an oper
alton, but postponed it and went OF
another cruise. He suffered no fur
ther attack, and the incident wa.
forgotten by Mr.. Van Horne. 1t wal
wildly recalled when Chalmers wirea
his suspicious.
An examina ton at the hospital dis
| closed thp fact that the Seymour bul