Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-30
LAKE 'PIRATE'STOPPED
REVENUE CUTTER CAPTURES
MARINER AFTER LONG CHASE.

CHICAGO. June 3O-An experience
which recalls the story Of piracy on the
high seas, a seven days chase in which
a revenue cutter was the pursuer. a dash
for the safety Of a foreign port, interrupt
ed almost as it was reached by shell
which came crashing across the bow of
his vessel-all these were parts of the
charge against a prisoner arraigned be-
fore United States Commissioner Foote
yesterday.
Dan Seavey, a weather-beaten mar
liner of the lakes and two sailors 1t Is
alleged. stole the schooner Nellie Johnson
at Montague, Mich, June II. The Nellie
johnson was loaded with a cargo of lum-
Der. The United States authorities were
notified and the revenue cutter Tusca-
rora, with United States Deputy Marshal
Currier on board started in pursuit. After
a chase up and down Lake Michigan.
Seavey abandoned the schooner at South
Haven and went on board his own yacht,
the Wanderer. in an endeavor to escape.
The revenue cutter thereupon went on the
trail of the Wanderer and finally came
up with it this morning.
"Wanderer ahoy!" beloved Capt. NC
COrmick of the Tuscarora through his
speaking trumpet. and followed the nail
by fierce command to stop.
Seavey only took another tack. Deputy
Currier gave the order and a shot from
the cutters forward gun went whizzing
over the water past Seavey and his craft.
That ended the chase.
Captains Story Of the Chase.
Capt. U. H. Ueberroth Of tho revenue
cutter Tuscarora, who captured John
Seavey, who is charged with having
seized the schooner Nellie Johnson, ar
rived in Milwaukee yesterday and told
= of hr1n
for Seavey.
several hours. during which the speed OF
the revenue cutter was so great that the
heat in the smOkestack burned of all the
paint and she is undergoing repairs in the
harbor at Milwaukee.
Seavey had been q member of the crew
of the Nellie johnson and is alleged to
have seized the vessel, together with two
companions, William LOCUST. wanted in
Chicago for alleged counterfeiting. and
Hugh Cotton. both of whom have disap-
peared and are being sought by the au-
thorities.
Seavey took the vessel out Of port after
being warned by Collector Phillips of the
port not to do SO. Capt. Ueberroth said
I'VE got word that the schooner was
moored in the river at Frankfort, Mich,
but that Seavey was about to set sail for
across the lake. We waited all night for
the schooner to appear. We saw no signs
of the vessel. however. and at daybreak
we went up beyond the bluff. where We
dropped anchor to telephone the captain
of the life saving crew and got him to
notify us when Seavey left.
I'VE had hardly done this when We
sighted the schooner under full sail with
d good. stiff breeze. sailing directly out
into the lake. 1t was an exciting trip.
He had a good start. but we fired up and
made fast time. with the result that in
an hour or two We caught up with the
schooner We hailed the man and or
dered him to heave to.
Il then sent an armed crew. with their
arms concealed. for lie was known to be
a desperate man. with instructions to
bring him aboard. This was done; and
when he reached our vessel the warrant
was read by Deputy United States Mar
shall Currier and Seavey was put under
arrest. The vessel was sent back and
moOred to a wharf at Frankfort, while
the owner, Capt. r. G. Mccormick. re-
moved his own schooner to his home"
The specific crime with which Seavey
will be charged however. is that Of run
ming away with a vessel upon which he
is seaman. which means that he may be
fined. If found guilty, not more than
10000. Or imprisoned at hard labor for
not more than ten years. or both. His
companions can be similarly dealt with.