Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-23

AMUSES
VAL0N
Men Brave Fire Hose
and Fists to Reach
Catalina Harbor
J il Too Crowded With
"Trespassers''- ''-SuitS
Will Follow
Messre. Banning Invited Women Pas
sengers From Long Beach Armada
Ashore, but They Declined
Unl7ss Escorts Came, Too

In an attempt to establish an open
port in the Avalon harbor of Catalina
island, 125 determined passengers from
all parts of the country yesterday made
the trip OH the steamer San Diego
and after an almost desperate encoun-
ter on the water front, succeeded with
but few exceptions in breaking through
the guard of 100 officers, through the
mesh of six-foot barbed wire fence to
the county road just within the line OF
the Bannin property, and there dehed
the officers to put them off.
1t is probable that the case will now
be fought out not only in the superior
courts but in the United States courts,
as Capt. X. II. Hollar, owner of the San
Diego, with John H. Fagan. wealthy
politician and attorney of San Fran
cisco, forced an issue and dashed upon
the forbidden property and were ar
rested on a charge of trespass.
Two other officials of the boat made
the dash and suffered imprisonment,
but it was not for long, for men among
the passengers promptly hunted up
Justice Allen and demanded an imme-
diate hearing for the prisoners. But
Allen was not anxious to push prose-
cution, and he turned the prisoners
loose on their own recognizance.
Lessons of the Past
An attempt to land on the island
proved successful last Tuesday, when
Captain Hollar with about sixty pas
sengers entered the Avalon harbor and
sent his passengers ashore IN the small
boats.
They succeeded at that time in out
whiting the guards and reached the
city.
Yesterday, however, it was adver--
tised that Hollar would make second
trip, only the information was to the
effect that eight boats would try and
force a landing in the closed port.
Captain Banning sent back word that
he would charge $3.50 a head for every
passenger and that they could not land
under any other conditions
A mass meeting of the property own
ers of the island was held several
nights ago and they unanimously
agreed to keep the harbor closed.
With that statement to back HIM
Hancock Banning. who has control OF
the island, prepared to resist the in
Vaders. He put force of men to work
and a x-foot barbed wire fence was
stretched along the entire harbor front
The lower three feet of the fence was
made of mesh wire, while the barbs
were placed higher thus preventing
anyone from vaulting over
Yesterday morning when the feel
prepared t. start it was found that q
number of boat owners refused to al
low their boats to go with the fleet
The San Diego was finally crowded
the Mckinley, small boat, and the
Music. The San Diego and the McKin-
ley completed the trip, but the Music
rave out of gasoline and was compelled
to put back to shore.
There were many women in the crowc
and all expressed their determination
to land on the island.
Decide to Post Letters
Before the island was reached, how
ever, the passengers had formulated {
plan whereby each was to land with
letter or postal and demand as citizesT
of the United States the right to pos
their letters at the nearest United
States postoffice.
A number OF the men in the crow1
carried revolvers and these weapons
were all locked up before the boa
But a warm welcome was awaiting
the invaders.
AS tle san Diego entered the Avalol
harbor scores of small sailing vessels
rowboats and launches darted about
the occupants staring with wonder a
the nerve of the little vessel.
Hollar sent his ship straight to TIN
Banning wharf, where a small boa
had been tied alongside to prevent tn
San Diego from approaching too close
Play Water From Hose
AS the San Diego drew up at tn
wharf. there was an order given b.
Hancock Pannlng. who stood there. AM
number of men dashed to the fir
plugs and moment later the dockmel
had two heavy streams of water play
ing alongside the wharf and directe'
toward the San Diego.
Capt. Bell asked TO be allowed Z
land, and offered the regular wharf
age fee. His request was denied an
Mr.. Banning asked to see the owner o
the boat.
capt, II llar stepped out and the tw
saluted, and the wharfage was denied.
Slowly the boat backed out In tn
harbor. and the hundreds OF people o.
shore shouted and applauded.
Every man, woman and child on IN
island was on the water to watch tn
Continued on page two.