davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1904-10-02

much profit accruing from the success
ful fights.
A PriyaJeer fitted out under the au-
thOrity OF d sheriff or other proper Of
hcial was allowed 10 take the boats Of
the dreCEers and either hold them fer
ransom or sell them at auction. The
money secured In this way was dlstrib-
uted among the prize crews. il was an
attractive manner OF making a Iiveli-
hood that appealed 10 many young men
who courted danger for itself
or course IL was necessary TO keep
wen within the law and in view oS the
fact tHaJ the laws OF the State govern
ms the oyster industry were constantly
changed or amended. the members VI
the pTiFateer crews We're kept busy ia
the attempt 20 have their rights and
privileges wei in mind The dredgers
used 20 say Of the legitimate oystermen
that they hshed for oysters i'm the
mornings ana studied law i'm the after
moons and evenings
Might Superior to Right.
1t would happen occasionally. of
course. that the independent expeditions
would exceed their rights. But that did
not always help the cause OF the uuIaw-
ful dredging boats. Their guilt had been
who established it were not properly
authorized 10 do so would not clear
them. Therefore they would not raise
the question very often. but would ef-
feet "a hurried compromise and charge
the money paid out to proht and loss.
On one occasion nine dredgers were
captured by an Annapolis privateer. The
authority upon which they ntted ont
their expedition was based upon a dele
CATION OF posse summ0uius power by q
justice OF the peace who did not possess
IT, This important point was overlook
ed, but the boats We're. nevertheless.
captured and brought into port.
The sheriff Of the county heard of il
ana was exceedingly Wrathg. He strobe
down 10 the wharf and made "a sueecIs
20 the dredgers, ia which he clearly set
forth that their capture was Illegal ana
their boats being held without authority
OF law. The captain of the priyateer
listened to the address aud then sIfuned
up 20 the state house ANA Instituted Il-
quiries. He discovered that the state
menJ Of the sheriff was quite correct.
The Washington times., 1904-10-02
Many Fine Vessels Com
prise Fishery Force
of the State.
Its Commanders Men
Who Have Won Dis
tinctiOnfor Courage.
THOUGH there are severe

THOUGH there are several
n States in the Union that employ
L \ one or more vessels to enforce
the laws Of the Commonwealth pertain
ing 20 maritime affairs, and notwith-
standing the fact that the indcpeud INT
State OF Texas once possessed a naval
fighting force for use in time of war,
there is at present no rival Of the oyster
navy OF the State OF Maryland I'm the
line OF lighting during recent years, and
its number of boats with theis compile
neut OF men.
The oyster navy OF Maryland. officially
known as the State fishery force. which
was created for the purpose Of euforc-
ing the oyster law and 10 police the wa
tiers OF the State where oysters are
caught, is thlrty-seveu years old. It
was organized after the Constitution OF
1867 had been adopted in consequence OF
the alarming increase OF violations OF
the State laws governing the taking OF
oysters and wholesale piracy upon the
rich oyster beds by dredging boats from
baltimore, Philadelphia and other cities.
Building Of the Navy.
From a modest commencement. fl has
AADHetA hL4LaA AAtAAE N4aHar 4e laD inner sex
of swift sailing sl0ops and steam pro-
PEELED cruisers iu the employ OF State
government and armed for police duty.
There are two modern boats OF the cut
ter type built exclusively Tor speed and
armed with Drigg-Chr0deT breech load
ing cannon, that patrol the deep waters
OF Chesapeake Bay. Eleven sIoops. ca
pabIe OF great speed for sailing craft
guard the smaller bays and lnlets and
keep constant watch on the riCh natural
oyster beds az the numerous inlets.
During the season eight more boats
are hired for special duty in the waters
where the dredging is carried on m0st
extensively. IL IS their particular duty
20 enforce the Gull law governing the
size OF oysters taken, and preventing
night fishing when the inspectors and
measurers are on duty.
These tweuty-oue boats employ more
than $50 men. and cover an enormous
territory. All OF the boats are armed
with cannon and Winchester rifles and
the usual amount OF small arms The
command Of the navy is vested iu q
commander-in-chlef 8hO IS az present
Capt. Thomas ID. O.. Howard. with head,
quarters al Annapolis.
The officers Of the navy wear a reeu-
latioE uniform. and are governed bog
rules quite as strict as those OF thr
United States navy. The national dag
IS carried on an the boats, and. iu adj
dition. they float the flag of the State
The Washington times., 1904-10-02

Their authority is Wen defined, but gives
the commander entire discretion iu
times of emergency. He has the right
70 sink any boat that fails 20 comply
with his orders. and TO kill such men
manning them who resist this authority.
May Demand License.
II is also the duty OF the navy 10 col
lect the tax levied upon the oyster fish
ers. and see that none but licensed boats
are working on the beds. Every dredEsr
or tong fisher is given a piece Of white
canvas on which are sewed In large
black letters the number corresponding
TO that of his license. If any boat fails
20 display this uumber the police boats
are authorized 10 board her and call
for the license. in all cases the Of
hcers Of the navy have absolute author
ity over all classes Of oyster fishing
boats. and make such requirements Of
them as may be deemed advisable.
The State OF Virginia maintains a
smaller oyster navy, that shares with
the Maryland force the duty Of pa
trolling the common waters OF the P0.
tomac River The interstate oyster reg
uIations allow the Maryland boats 20
chase a vi0iator of the laws into Vir-
ginia waters ana vice versa. At the
same time a Maryland boat cannot
arrest d dredger for working iu Vfr-
ginia waters which are understood 10
be the waters between the headlauds
OF the Virginia shore Of either the Po-
tomac River or Chesapeake Bay. The
same rule applies to boats OF the Vir-
glnia navy regarding Maryland waters.
Community of Interests.
II a Maryland boat captures an UNI
licensed dredger or other vioIat0r of the
oyster laws. and the captive declares
himself 20 be a resident OF Virginia 81
becomes the duty of the officer ia com
rand 70 take his prisoner 10 the nearest
Virginia magistrate for trial II his
prisoner Is q self-decIared resident of the
state Of Maryland be must be taken
20 the nearest Maryland magistrate.
even though the ofeuse Dee committed
iu Virginia waters. II the prisoner ry-
fuses 90 declare which State he Is o resi-
dent OF. the officer can at his discretion
take him 20 the nearest magistrate ia
either State.
The first boat built FOR the Maryland
oyster navy was the old steamer Leila
She was acquired In 1867 and provec
rather poor pauoIleT. The noise OF
her putting could be heard for miles on
quiet nights, and such "a thing as sur
Irising a dredger at work was quite ont
Of the question when she was in pur-
suit
Expedients Of Dredgers.
The oyster men could distinguish her
al a great distance and held her in
very little respect. Their plan of pro-
Cedure when the Leila was approaching
was 10 sink their boats by pulling tho
plug ont Of the bottom and hide In the
EeIFhb0Ting woods until she had taken
her departure. The suukeu boats would
then be raised and the merry work con
r.nuedl with many jest at the poor
old Leila. Some OF the more daring
dredgers would defy the Government
boat and sail before her into shadows
where she could not follow. Her single
cannon was completely out o. date. and
occasl0ued no fear 20 the pirates.
The second steamer secured was the
The Washington times., 1904-10-02

wen take these two --- down
the bay and fix their business"
YeWel was distinctly a man OF &C
ton. He found himself IN a decidedly
dangerous situation, and the slightest
Indication OF weakness on his part would
have sealed his fate. There were twelve
men tn the crew Of the dredgcr. besides
the captain. They all wore reyOIyers
and carried five loaded Winchester rifles
on the boat. He therefore decided to
take swift action. Swinging his rife 70
his shoulder with a sudden jerk. he took
a careful aim at the captain and said:
IF you attempt 10 take me down the
bay I'll let daylight through you.
don't want TO hurt any Of your crew.
but unless you make them sail 10 Thorn
as Point. you are a dead man"
The captain issued the necessary or
ders, al the same time declaring that
he had only been joking about going
down the bay. He then went be-
low and unloaded the rifles and
gave up his revolver. which ex-
ample was followed by all the crew
After that the two captOrs were invited
below 70 supper, and the most friendly
relations were established.
Could Fight Better Than Sail.
Some OF the privateersmen were better
fighters than sailors. On one occasion
an expedition went cut from Annapolis
with twenty-four men on board. A
northwest gale came down on the boat
quite suddenly, and almost knocked her
on her beams end The wind was blow
ing dead to Ieeward. and the little craft
tore through the water with double
reefed mainsails and bonneted lib. S.
AuChaeTs River was made under great
difficulties. and one-haIf the crew sent
ashore. too sick 10 hold their heads up.
The next day was Sunday and the
Disguised members OF the crew who had
been obliged 10 90 ashore. took passage
on a steamer and returned 20 Annapolis.
The rem ainder waited one day and then
started to work their way back. short
handed as they were. Half way home
two dredgers were sighted at work and
when hailed hurriedly set sail and made
run for the Eastern Shore. The Grip
pied sloop gave chase, all thought OF
getting hCme being abandoned for the
time being.
The fugiuves doubled about in the
darkness and finally. believing that the
sherins party had been distanced,
dropped anchor. They had hardly done
so, before the oyster men were upon
them. One crew escaped, but the other
was captured and impressed into service
Tor Sdllins the slOOp ana AeF Two cap
lures back TO Annapolis II is hardly
necessary to add that the members OF
the expedition who became III did not
share in the profits OF the roundup
Price Set on Heads.
The most pernlciousIy active priva-
GERS from the dredgers' point Of view.
were singled out as especial objects Of
hatred A price was set upon their
heads. and II was dangerous for them 70
appear in any lonely spot without ade-
quate protection.
Capt. W. II. Burtis. one OF the Oldest
inhabitants Of Annapolis, who has con-
Quoted an establishment where boats
may be hired since the days Of the civil
war. enjoyed the distinction of being
the most cordially member Of the
old volunteers. On one occasion he
made a tri2 to Baltimore, where he met
The Washington times., 1904-10-02

and that the dredgers were, or should
be- at liberty
DTedger Preferred to Pay.
When he returned the sheriff had Just
concluded his address and was advising
the dredgers 10 take their departure.
which he swOre should be a peaceful
one. The captain of the independent ex-
petition said nothing, bur looked exceed
inly wise. Finally one of the dredgers
took him aside and quietly offered two
hundred and nifty dollars ransom for his
boat. 1t was case OF mind over mat
ter and the dredgers preferred such q
termination to the difficulty The mat
ter was settled on a strictly cash basis
and the profits divided. After that the
sheriff was interviewed whenever the
Oystermeu undertook to capture the
dredgers.
IT must not be supposed that rhe
uredgcTs always gave in peacefully and
gracefully. on the contrary they put
up, ia nine cases out of ten. very fierce
resistance. On dark nights when sur
prised by the posse, they would rush be-
low for their rifles ana q hot battle
WOuld be precipiJated. The flash OF the
Winchesters that heraIded the discovery
OF the attacking parties would continue
4
peTIlous matter TO ascend some OF the
narrow inlets and rivers where poaching
was at its worst
George W. EeweI who was member
OF the relief expedition commanded by
Admiral W. S. Schley that went TO the
Arctic regions in search OF Gen. A. w.
Greely's party. was one OF the most
enthusiastic volunteers on the sheriff s
posses. NeWel, it viii be remembered,
was the man who fcInd Greedy buried
in the snow and brought him back 90
life He also discovered the records Of
the Inflated expedition for the discovery
Of the North Pole. which had been LOST
by the crew of the stranded boat
Pirates Captured Guards
ON one of the expeditions against the
dredgers YeweI and one other man were
placed on board d captured boat 10
guard the crew until the return of the
tug. carrying the posse, from Thomas
point. where it had gone i'm search Of
more dredEeTS. The captain of the
aItlgaE remained passive until The tug
had disappeared around the point. Then,
commanding his men 90 get up sail, De
added.
The Washington times., 1904-10-02

Governor Hamilton. bought from the
Heresh0n Company. She was originally
designed for "a steam yacht and was
capable of plenty of speed. Moreover
her weight was very little, which en-
abled her 20 slip up on the dredgers IN
shallow water. Her accommodations
were so small that with the Increase in
[ size OF the navy IL was found necessary
TO sell her
The first EIOops purchased by the State
for the use of the navy were the Nanny
MerrymaH and the Eliza Hayward The
I latter boat was named after the wife OF
/ DR.. r. II. Hayward. who was a land
/ commissioner OF the State OF Maryland
and a member OF the board Of public
works. She was rebuilt three years
I ago. using the old frame. and is now
/ one OF the most efficient Of the sailing
/ vessels. The Folly and the F'rolic were
soon after added 10 the navy
In 1884 two new steamers were built
| the Governor Thomas, named in honor
/ of Gov Philip Frank Thomas, and the
/ Governor McEaue, In honor OF Gov.
Robert n MCLaue. Both boats have
done splendid service. and both have
been recently rebuilt; the Thomas last
summer and the MCIane in the past
I few months. Since the addition of the
steamers. there have been quite d num-
/ Der of sloOps ana buckeyes built special
| ly for the navy.
Ex-Confederates in Command.
Among the first commanders there
] were two graduates of the United States
Naval Academy who went South to
night fer the COufederacy. The first
/ Of these was Capt. Hunter David
I son. who did valuable work during the
civil war and was for some time en-
gagged In the manufacture OF tOrpedoes
I on the James River for the use of the
/ Southern navy.
The other commander was Capt.
James J. Waddeu. who went South
shortly after graduating from the Acad-
envy and was appointed to the command
/ of the Confederate cruiser Shenandoah
( Ii viii be recalled that Waddeu kept UP
: o. fight six months after the surrender
( of Lee. He directed his attention 70 the
/ destruction of whalers In Behrlng Strait
and created havoc In the fisheries Of
! the Federal Government and was the
I last 10 openly defy and night the forces
[ OF the Union.
In the old days before the creation OF
/ the oyster navy, and, in fact. for some
time after IL was organized. oyster pi-
raCy hourished I'm the Maryland waters
The bi"alyes OF Chesape axe Bay and its
/ tributaries had come to be recognized
as the finest tn the country, and the sale
I for them was ready and profitable. The
regular oyster men VINO paid for licenses
90 follow the business had to compete
with the free lauces among the beds,
and moreover, they found that the men
who dredged against the laws Of the
State were rapidly depicting the natural
supply.
The Washington times., 1904-10-02
Origin Of the PHvateers.

To meet the situation the sherifs Of
the counties were authorized 70 summon
q posse comitatus and go out against the
poacheTs. using force If necessary to
bring them 20 Justice IL was always an
easy matter 20 secure volunteers for tho
expeditions. fer besides the thrilling eIe-
ment of danger that appealed TO the
reckless young Marylanders, there was
The Washington times., 1904-10-02
Scale of Wages in the Oyster Navy.

a year for he o he nav
$8333 month the of the
$500 the first officer OF the flagship.
of the
a an
a
pilots the
$500 commander OF
of
S35 month during the
$50 the closed
Of the
$40 a
$50 month for for the second guard
$50 month eli
The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-07-16

FHtCCH LAY ' iGhSNSs
Coach Excursion Tickets 10 st
Louis Worlds Fair will be on sale
Tuesdays and Thursdays until June
Both. inclusive. from certain points.
Warsaw Ind. season tickets. from
May 18Th. to September Goth. 1904.
inclusive.
Warsaw, Ind. fifteen day excursion
tickets, May 18th, to September SOth,
1894, inclusive.
For fun information and particu
lars as TO rates. tickets. limits, call on
Agents big Four Route" or address
the undersigned.
WARREN J. LYNCH.
General Pass. & Ticket Agt., Cincin-
natl. Ohio.
J. NJ. STONE, ELMER BMITH
T.P.A. Ticket Agent
Cairo. Illinois
The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-07-16

CLONES or real sailor, and nave no
andsman's toggery on this ship"
Dickory boweuhe could not speak
land went below, When next he APP
peared on deck he wore ex-Capt
Bonnets uniform and the tall plumed
hat
1t is for Rates sweet sake" he said
to himself as he mounted the compan-
ionway ''for her sake Id wear any
thing. I'd do anything. if only | may
see her again"
When the new first lieutenant
showed himself upon the quarterback
there was a general howl from the
crew and peal after peal of derisive
laughter rent the air
Then Blackboard stepped quietly for
ward and ordered eight of the jeerers
to be strung up and logged.
Il would like you all to remember"
said the master pirate, that when
appoint an officer on this ship there
is to be no sneering at him nor any
want Of respect, and 1t strikes me that
| shall nos have to say anything more
on the subject--to this precious crew,
at any rate"
The next day lively times began on
board the two rich prizes which the
pirate Blackboard had lately taken
There had been scarcely more hard
work and excitement, cursing and
swearing when the rich freight had
been taken from the merchantmen
which had originally carried it. Poor
Bonnet's pen worked nard at lists and
calculations, for Blackboard was a
practical man, and not disposed TO
loose and liberal dealings with either
his men or the tradefolk ashore.
(To be Continued Monday.)
The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-07-16

youngster. 1t is poor way of help.
lng your friends nv quitting the weld
and leaving them in the lurch'
Al this moment Blackboard re-
turned. and when be saw Bittern he
AIRED at him: out Of that, you sea,
cat ana II / see YOU again speaking
to my lieutenant. I'll slash your ears
for you. Ia the next boat which
leaves this ship | shall send you to
one of the others: will have no
sneaking schemer on board the Re
vsnge. Get ye for'ad. get ye forad.
or shall help ye with my cutlassi"
And the man who had safely
brought two good ships, richly laden.
into the harbor Of Belize. and who had
gwen Blackboard the information
which made him understand the CHAR
acter of Capt. Bonnet and how easy
It would be TO take possession OF his
person and his vessels, and who had
done everything in his power to en-.
able the black-hesrted pirate 10 50
cure to himself Bonnet's property and
crews, and who had only asked in re-
turn an actual command where be-
fore he had commanded in fact. though
not in name, fed away from the false
confederate to whom he had just given
wealth and increased prestige.
And so you are To be my first leu
tenant" said Blackboard. his face re-
laxilg. 4 am glad Of that There
vss nothing needed on this ship bur
4 decent man. I have pus one on my
Did vessel. and If there we're another
10 De found in the Gulf OF Honduras
ia clap him On that goodly bark
NOx. sir. down 70 your berth and don
your naval fneTy You're always TO
wear it. you're not fit 70 wear the
The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-07-16

Bonnet and lien Greenway. .ney
are my friends said Dickory. "and
have none hero, ana have brought
a message to Capt. Bonnet from his
daughter, and 1t Is urgently necessary
that | return with one from him to
her. must instantly endeayor to
find ship which is bound for ia
maica and sail upon her. have
nothing to do with this ship. having
come en- board of her simply to carry
my message. and It behooyes me that
return quickly to those who sent
me, else Injury may come Of it,"
II like your speech. my boy, ! like
your speech!" cried Blackboard, and
he roared out big laugh. Urgently
necessary you must do this, you
must do that. 1t is so long since
have heard such words that they como
to me like wine from a cool vault.
At this Dickory flushed hot, but he
shut his mouth.
You are a brave fellow" cried
Blackboard, "and above the common.
you are above the common. There Is
that In your eye that could never be
seen in the eye OF sugar planter.
You will make good pirate"
"Plrate' cried Dickory, losing all
sense of prudence. Il would sooner
be a wild beast In the forest than to
be piratel"
Blackboard laughed loudly. "A
good fellow, brave fellow!" he cried
No man who has not the soul of a
pirate within him could stand on his
legs and speak those words to me.
Sail to Jamaica to carry messages to
girls? Never You shall stay with
me, you shall be pirate. You shall
be the. head of all the pirates when
give up the business and take to
sugar planting. Ila ha! When |
take to sugar planting and merrily
make my own goou RUM"
Dicl1ory was dismayed But, Capt.
Blackboard he said. With more def
erence than before, Il cannot"
Cannot" shouted the pirate. you
lie, you can. Say not cannot to me;
you can do anything | tell you, and
do it you shall. And now | am going
to put you in your place, and see that
you hold 1t and fiji it, An if you
please me not. you carry no more mes
sages in this world nor receive them
Charter, now make you the first
officer CT the Revenge under ME. You
cannot be mate because you know
nothing Of sailing ship, and besides
no mate nor any quartermaster Is
worthy to array himself as | shall ar.
ray you. | make you first lieutenant,
and you shall wear the uniform and
the cooked hat which Sir Nightcap
hath no further use for"
With that he went forward to speak
to some of the men, leaving Dickory |
speechless. with the express
sion OF an Infatuated idiot. Black |
Paul stepped up to him.
''How now, youngster," said the ex.
first officer, Ell? II |
you look sharp you may find yourself |
IN fine feather"
NO will not" answered Dickory. |
81 will have nothing to do with this !
black pirate; | will not serve under |
rim. | will not take charge of any. |
thing for him. am ashamed to talk |
with him, to be on the same ship with |
him. | serve good people, the best
aud roblest in the world. and | will /
not enter any service under him"
Hold we, hold YET" said Black Paul,
you will not serve the good people
you speak of by going overheard with
/ bullet in your head; think of that,
The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-07-16
MOBILE & OHIOBULLETIN

Louisiana Purchose exposition, 81.
Louis, Mo. Sixty day limit sold daily
at rate OF $3.50. Season limit tickets
sold daily at rate OF S7.45.
Annual meeting of grand lodge Be-
nevolent Order of Elks. Cincinnati,
o., July 1923. 1904. For the above
occasion round trip tickets will be
sold to Cincinnati at ratio OF $1025.
Dates Of sale July 10th and 17th, lin
tied to return July 25th; except an
extension until August 25th may be
obtained by depositing tickets and
paying 50 cents.
The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-07-16

New Fast Train 70 ST.
Louis, inaugurated
June 5. Leaves Cairo
1910 p. M, daily.
Dining cars serve all
meals, a la carte. Train
is wide vestibuled and
consists of handsome
day coaches, drawing
room and library-obser-
walton sleeping cars.
Write OF call on any
NJ. & o. r. r. agent
for all information.