The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-27

seems strange that any one should put
faith in such sea yarn, but ex-Superior
Judge Daingerfield Of this city drew up
the papers Of incorporation for the com.
pany and took shares in 1t, as did Donzel
Storey, a prominent lawyer. The captain
was an artist in keeping up the illusion
OF his tale.
When the Herman lay at anchor in San
Francisco Bay, just before her departure,
no one was permitted to 60. on board, and
the great secrecy observed In regard to
her destination led to rumors that she
lulu. Some Of the subscribers were taken
aboard at night by Capt Brown and there
was shown to them a small smelling plant
which was to be used to melt down the silver
and gold plate and the old Spanish coins,
in order that the Peruvian Government
could make no claim on them; There
also was shown to them launch which
was to be taken for landing on the island,
In case the weather was stormy. Those
who saw the smelling plant beheld in fancy
come from t. They. returned, eager to
invest more money in the enterprise.
Finally the schooner sailed. on July 20.
with some technical port regulations, and
the vessel was held up until two Of the party
returned here and raised enough money
to free her. On the voyage to Samoa
Capt. Brown developed a very quarrels ONE
disposition and had fights with the crew.
complained to the United States Consul,
but the leaders Of the expedition, Sutton
and Luce, managed TO free the vessel and
the party sailed for Sydney.
Brown declared II would be dangerous
to attempt to land on the treasure island
so late In the season and that the only way
to do was to winter at Sydney. Hoffman
opi Storov hora ham dia o1lGfnd and
turned to San Francisco. At Sydney the
captain broke loose and had royal time.
But perhaps the story is best told in G.. w.
utton's words. He said:
sWe found at Sydney that Brown was
buying liquor and champagne by the, case
most OF the time. He even tried to sell
the schooner and desert us. So we ap-
, pealed to the American Consul, who made
me captain. I appointed Brown super
cargo and all went we'll until after we sailed
from Sydney. Brown then began to have
! fighting spells, during which he beat the
crew and threatened to kill US.
AT the Palmotu group we made formal
demand on Brown to pilot US to the treas
ure island, but he laughed at us and said
the island was only joke. Then he fell
i'll and didn't recover until we reached
Paputi.
There we made last attempt to induce
Brown to carry out his agreement He
swore he would take us to the island II
| charge Of the schooner was given him, and
il DR.. Luce were not taken on board. We
concluded that II was useless to deal with
! him further, az Luce was the organizer OF
| the expedition and had always been fair to
Brown, but insisted at the Paumotus that
Brown was deceiving us because he fatty
refused to indicate the location Of the
island.
$50 we sold the schooner and returned
home. We all believe Brown Ia fakir
and that he deliberately msled us, think
ing he could sell the schooner and give
us the slip; but we propose to prosecute him
not only for this swinde, but for his brutality
! to the Japanese steward and to two members
| OF the crew whom we brought back with US. '
When the steamer Maripoea. on which
tho Disguised treasure seekers returned,
came into the harbor, Luce and Sultan in
duced the captain to lock up old Brown
in order that he might be turned over to the
Federal authorities. But they found Uncle
Sam needed more than their sworn COM
plant. 50 they were obliged to give the
ancient mariner his freedom.
They had him arrested under civil process;
later, and yesterday they had him turned
over to the United States officials and held
for trial.
Brown complains that he has been badly
treated and threatens suits against the
steamship company for locking him up
He declares that Luce ana sutton broke
their agreement at Sydney when they had
him deposed as master, and that their action
freed him from carrying out his share OF
the compact When pressed for his real
reason in refusing to sail for the treasure
island when he was at the Paumotus, he
said that the spirits of the dead pirates
warned him that the time was not pro-
pitious for exhuming the treasure. He
told this remarkable tale with grave face
| and evidently expected that it would be
accepted.
Capt. Brown declares that he retired
from the sea a few years ago and was
living In peace in Rhode Island when he
had chance to visit San Francisco. Here
he told his story of buried treasure to a
chance acquaintance at his hotel. who
proved to be DR.. Luce, and from this the
expedition started.
The trial in court promises to be inter.
esting, as it will reveal a more remarkahle
voyage than Stevenson described in -The
Wreckers."