Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-02
IS HERO AS A FILIBUsTER
Central America Knows Moissant,
Paris to London Aviator.


Paris to London Aviator.
In Nicaragua and the various other
republics of Central America, where
many Americans of adventurous spirit
have staked their lives and reputation
on their quickness with a gun, John
B. Moissant, the awaiting hero In the
recent Paris to London flight, bears q
reputation which is nothing short OF
legendary. Many stories of Moissani
are told by former residents of Central
America, where he went from Chicago
No hero of romance ever had SC
many extraordinary exploits attributed
to him, and the tales of Moissant's
daring form the exclusive topic where
wars, revolutions or flibustering ex-
petitions are discussed.
At the time when Moissant was So
Journing in Honduras, it is told by
a Ricarag guam, a tramp steamer loaded
with cargo valued at something like
100000 was cast ashore during a Fio-
lent storm and abandoned. That night
in the teeth of the gale M0issant made
his way alone to the steamer in q
small dugout and took possession of
the vessel.
In the morning the storm abated,
and the ships captain, accompanied
by members Of the crew and an agent
of the line, rowed out to the ship,
which had withstood the pounding OF
sea and wind, but which was held fast
on sunken reef in the outer harbor.
E.,r g. g1l..
SAINTS revolver.
There was some parleying, and the
ships skipper rowed back to shore to
inform the American consul and the
authorities that Moissant claimed the
ship and her cargo as salvage and had
threatened to ''blew the head of the
first man who tries to come aboard"
There was a second expedition to the
ship, this time with the American con-
sui and some native soldiery, but Mois-
SAINT refused to be impressed and, to
show his sincerity of purpose, shot
hole through the sembrero Of the ma
tive commandment.
The expedition TO recapture the
stranded steamer returned to shore for
re-enforcements Of artillery. But dur
ing the night another storm, more Sc
we're than the first, swept the harbor
and completed the wreck Of the tramp.
When daylight broke the vessel was
seen to have foundered. Moissant was
taken of later by the American con-
sui, who found him dashed to the top
most rigging OF the steamer, which
emerged only asfew- feet above the wa
ter.
Previous to this exploit Moissant ap-
peared in the news columns as han
ding a rapid fire gun for the Nicara-
guans in an attack on Salvador during
one Of the recent outbreaks there.
The Moissant brothers, George, Al
fred and John, and two sisters for
many years had interests valued at
several hundred thousands Of dollars
In Salvador. In 1907 George and Al
fred Moissant were arrested and i'm
prisoned on charges of aiding and abet-
ting the revolutionists Of that republic
and with having secreted the revolu-
tionary general, Escalon.
The third brother, John, was active
ly implicated in the movement against
President Figuerca. When the revo-
lutionists were repulsed by govern
ment troops at Acajutla John Moissant
fed to Nicaragua. His brothers later
were released, but their property was
attached by the government as q bond
to prevent their escape from the coun-
try.
Two years later John Moissant head
ed a large filibustering expedition
against Salvador from Nicaragua, but
it was nipped in the bud by the prompt
action of Commander William s. Ben
son, U. S. N, commanding the cruiser
Albany, who threatened to sink the
vessel in which the filibusters proposed
TO land on Salyadoran territory.