The San Francisco call., 1904-02-15
HOODOO CLINCS
TO MACADAMS
Young Sailor Is Picked Up
Unconscious for a Second
Time in Twenty-FOur Hours
Oakland Office San Francisco Call.
Ills Broadway. Feb. Il.


Ills Broadway. Feb. IA.
Douglas MacAdams. the 1s-year-old
sailor. who tells a remarkable tale OF
adventure. in the Far East-of being
shipwrecl1ed and of being taken for a
Russian spy and all but shot in a Jap
anese prison. was picked up in an un-
conscious state for the second time in
twenty-fOur hours in Alameda this
morning. When he left the Receiving
Hospital in Oakland last night he said
that he was going in search of Captain
Richards, who commands a sailing yes
sci He evidently did not reach his des-
tinatiOn. but fell on the streets. He
was taken 10 the Alameda Sanitorium,
where he regained consciousness.
The reason assigned for his unusual
malady is that when he was taken for
q spy by the japanese he was stoned
and had the top Of his head virtually
caved in. A bungling operation left him
with two holes in his head. considerably
larger than hens eggs. A thin cover
ing Of scalp is all that protects his
brain from harm. When he lies down
his brain prOtrudes through these aper-
lures. Medical men believe that in
time the skull may grow together
again, as he is very young.
Young MacAdams. whose home is in
Ballard, Washington, has vouchers for
the story he tells in the way of pass
ports and credentials from the United
States authorities who assisted him to
return to America. This is the story
the young man told on recovering con-
sciousness in the sanitorium:
Two years ago shipped on the Nova Scotia
waters for a few months and finally drifted
near the coast OF Siberia. We were wrecked
board. except Mrs. Thomas. the captains
wife, sailor and myself. were drowned. From
Osohon worked my way to vladivostok.
From there ! went 20 japan and entered the
revenue service. had the rank OF a second
lieutenant and drew about $50 a month /
worked in the revenue service for seven
months. I then wanted 10 start for America
and ATTEMPTED TO walk overland thrDugh ia
pan. When ] arrived at Hakata, where fort
was IN the process Of erection. I was taken for
a Russian sDy. ! had the Russian passports
on me that had gotten at Nladivostok. There
was no one there who could talk English and
had TO depend on the small amount OF ia
panese that ! had picked up to defend myself
] attempted 70 communicate with the American
Consul al Kobe ana the American ambassador
at Toxic. They would not let me do either. 1
was sentenced to be shot. The Judge OF the
court-martial sat a stool like tailor when
he pronounced the sentence. He said that he
was rot going to take any chances of Russia
getting any information The day before I
America called TO see me explained 10 him
my troubles He got me in communication
Win fbpdHHdoor SlisroHl. VINO secured my
release and passage on the Logan for America,
which arrived yesterday.
when ] was arrested a spy the populace
stoned me. breaking my skull open Since
then have been subject to these epieptic at
tacks.
The youthful adventurer says he was
robbed Of $50 last night. He was then
on his way home TO his parents In
Washington. He went to see Captain
Richards. in Alameda. to get funds. In
quiries show that the captain is now at
sea.