Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1909-10-10
RETURNED THE PRIZE
A Trophy That Did Not Remain
 Long In Captivity.
THE MISSING COAT OF ARMS.
It Belonged to the American Consulate In Honolulu and Was Carried Off by Party of English MideIies--The Res ttution and Apology.

Party of English Middies--The Res
 titution and Apology.
 ''Spealing of old times on the coast" said dn Orcgonau. reminds ne of some of the sterling characters we had there. One was Governor Me Bride of Oregon. His first official uu- ties were at Honolulu, where he was United States minister. King Kane hamcha was the ruler at the time The minister was d heroic type of q man. the father of fourteen children, and number of his sons became dstin- guishcd men in various professions. He was Il true -tmeriean,- east in an ultra patriotic mold, and many stories are told among the oldtimcrs of his patriotism and bravery
 When Mcbride reached Honolulu he found there were no outward in sisnia designating the American con sulate or minister's office, so he had a large American coat of arms cut out of wood, eilded and decorated appro- priatcly, and this was hung over the office door chat all the world might see 1t. It was naturally conspicuous ob ject and ot much interest to the pub l lie.
 One day m English man-of-war came into port The sailors and mid 1 shipmen were given liberty. and as l often happens, some of them had hi larious times. Among the then mid | shipmen were Lord Gordon and Lord BercSfold. who. like all midShipmcn in from a long cruise. were out for jolly time. Walking down the street. they did not tail to notice that Yankee coat af arms. and as Bcresford WAS collecting brica-brac and curiositics it occurred to him and Gordon that this would be a fine addition to their col lection, trophy worth having. So they selected a time when the minis ter was away aud the office closed. presumably at night and took down tho coat of arms. hired native vehi- cle to carry it down to the dock and actually succeeded in getting it aboard without any of the ranking officers knowing anything ahou. it.
 "The ueXt morning when the minis ter came down to the office his assist ant said:
 'Mr Minister your birds taken flight
 What do you mean:' asked his exccllency.
 Your coat of arms is gone. re- piled the aid.
 "'Gone where? Flown off:'
 "'Not exactly said the other. Its just disappeared.
 The minister walked out into the street and looked up. The coat of arms which was five or six feet across. was noticea ble by it's absence. II had taken wings and flown away. Exactly what the minister said has Bet been chronicled.
 "lt so happened that Bcresford hat! given the carriage driver an extra fare for his trouble. Some one discovered this and quickly reported it to the min, istcr. who at once made demand upon the captain of the frigate for it's return. The captain. who was inno- cent denied that the thing was aboard
 
 to the captain. reitcratin@ his demand and demanding an apology for the in- suit
 The captain now began an investi- gation. and the culprits owned up and took the coat of arms on deck, when it was promptly sent ashore and re- turned to the office of the minister. Mcbride. who was there, refused to receive it.
 Tell the captain of your frgate that desire hat the men who took it down bring it back. place it where they found it and apologize.'
 Back to the ship went the men with the coat of arms and reported The captain ordered the young men to go ashore. take the coat of arms to the consulate. replace it as they found it and apologize to the minister.
 Tt was doubtless bitter pill. and the young midshipmen had to stand the badinage of their comrades. The two went ashore ready to comply, and took the coat of arms to the con- sulate. The American minister had not put himself cut to keep the mat ter quiet. and as fact the public was i well posted. and the consulate was surrounded by a crowd of Americans. 1 natives and others. all laughing at the 1 predicament of the young midship- men.
 ''I'he minister had strong sense of humor and determined to get an there was in it. He preserved his dignity as best he could as he received the young Aen and listened to their apologies The midshipmen then took the coat of l arms from the hack and amid the cheers of the crowd climped to the front of the building and placed it in position. then hurried down. followed by laughter and cheers. ."-C. F. Holder in New York Evening Post.