The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-08
PIRATE" PRISONERS
IN NEW YORK JAIL
Lieutenant Berry Says He
Can Explain Escape of
Francis G. Bailey.

NEW YORK. July S-After two
months OF adventures that might rival
those OF Captain Kidd. Albert w Bal
ley, Harry NJ Meyers, and Capt Al
fred Oxley, who, 1t Is charged, helped
Francis G.. Bailey 10 steal the steamer
GoldsbOro and a cargo OF merchandise
valued at $4,000 and sail with the boat
TO Honduras, were brought back TO the
city last evening by Lieut. Peter W.
Beery, Of the district attorneys stan
Berry arrived with his prisoners on
train from New Orleans and udmped
along with them just as proudly as II
his most coveted prisoner, Francis o.
Bailey, had not escaped when the four
prisoners were being brought FROM Lon
duras to New Orleans IN boat Beery
would not discuss the escape Of his
chief prisoner and said that when the
facts OF Bailey's escape were laid be-
fore his superlors there would be no
censure. Beery brought his captives TO
the Church street police station
Broker or Clerk.
In reply 10 questions as TO his occu-
patton, Bailey said he was a broker or
a clerk, he was not sure which. He
seemed more agitated by the heat OF
the cell In which he was placed than
by the serious charge on which he was
arrested. Meyers, who confessed 10
thirty-four years old, said he had no
home IN New York. He said ne former
" lived In Beaumont Tex. Meyers is
charged with conspiracy in attempting
10 defraud New York merchants or
merchandise, in that he posed as the
consignee of the goods placed N board
thu GOldsbOrO before II started on its
remarkable voyage.
Captain Oxley did not mind his arrest
at all and seemed willing 10 put up
with all the Inconvenience Of a hot
cell IL only his custodians would take
care not TO harm a ships chronOmeter
which he carried in a bag. He took IL
In his cell with him and laid It care
fully on his bunk. The police believe
that OXley can tell more about the
theft of the GOldsbOro and the eXpedi-
ton of the Bailcys than any one else
connected with the enterprise.
francis G. and Albert W. Bailey were
the principal officers of a concern called
the Export Shipping Company, OF II
broadway: For about eight years, II
appeared, the Export Shipping Company
old a legitimate business and its pro-
moters made money. The Baileys lived
in quiet luxury with a maiden sister in
Avenue II, Flatbush.
With New Concern.
Just before the bank panic Of last
fall Bailey appeared among New York
merchants as the purchasing agent of
a supposedly fictitious concern called
the General Supply Company Of Queens
land, Australia Bailey, It is alleged,
went about among the merchants of this
and other cities buying large cOnsign-
ments of merchandise for the new con-
pany. Bailey told the merchants with
whom he dealt that the General Supply
Com oany had deposited funds for pay
ment of the goods in London. Mer-
chants selling to this new customer
were instructed to send the drafts TO
the Export Shipping Company. 1t is
charged that Francis @. Bailey man
aged 20 have cashed In New York drafts
indcrsed by New York merchants
amounting TO about $50 900. Thus. II IS
charged, he not only got the merChan-
disc. but much money.
When all the merchandise. including
farming and mining implements. that
the promoters of the scheme dared 70
house was purchased. they bought the
GOldsborO from the Clyde line and
locked Il I'm South Brooklyn. where all
the goods were hurried aboard. Then
I'm the night tie two Baileys. Meyers.
and Captain Oxley- and crew sailed
for Honduras. That country Gid not
have extraditiOn treaties with this coun-
t-y. and the promoters Of the enterprise
hoped there 10 be free and live in
wealth.
Meanwhile n receiver for the Export
Shipping Company had been appointed
and he got in touch with the Merchants
Association to see what could be done
to capture the craft and those in charge
OF It. The aid Of the Federal authori-
ties was enlisted and the State Depart
ment at washington cabled to all Dorts
in Central and South America to have
the ship seized as soon as IT should
touch port. The GOldsbOro finally
was promptly detained. The Baileys.
Meyers and OXley were held until Lieu
tenant Berry went thither and took
the prisoners. When he was about to
start to New Orleans on board another
vessel. the Utstein. Francis G. Bailey
escaped in the night IN a small boat and
got away.