Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-19
HE HAS A RECORD.
Moissant a Man Among Men In Gen.
trail American Republic.

New York, Aug. 1S.-In Nicaragua
and the various other republics of Cen
| trail America where many Americans of
| adventurous spirits have staked their
lives and reputation on their quickness
with a gun, John B. Moissant bears a
| reputation which is nothing short Of
| legedermaine. Stories were told here
| today by former residents of Central
America.
No nero of romance ever had so many
extraordinary exploits attributed to
| him and the tales of Moissant's daring
form the exclusive topic where wars,
revolutions or filibustering expeditions
are discussed.
At the time when Moissant was So
journing in Honduras, it was told here
by a Nicaraguan, tramp steamer
loaded with a cargo valued at some
thing 100000 was cast ashore during a
violent storm and abandoned. That
night in the teeth of the gale, Moissant
made his way alone to the steamer in
small dugout and took possession of the
vessel. In the morning the storm abat-
ed 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. They
were matted by shot from Moissants
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 sal
wage and had threatened to blow the
head off the first man who tried to
come aboard. f-,
There was 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 a hole
through the sombrero of the native COM
mandante. The expedition to recapturs
the stranded steamer returned to shore
for reinforcements 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 consul. who found
him dashed to the topmost rigging of the
steamer. which emerged only few feet
above the water.
Previous to this exploit Moissant APP
peared in the news columns as handling
rapidfire gun for the Nicaraguans In
an attack on Salvador during one of the
recent outbreaks there.
The Moissant brothers, George. Alfred
and John. and two sisters for many years
had interests valued at several hundred
thousand dollars In Salvador. In 1907
George and Alfred Moissant were arrest
ed and imprisoned on charges Of aiding
and abetting the revolutionists of that
republic. and with having secreted the
revolutionary general. Escalon. The
third brother, John, was actively impli-
Gated in the movement against President
Figneroa. When the revolutionists were
repulsed by government troops at AGA
putla. John Moissant fed to Nicaragua.
His brothers later were released, but
their property was attached by the gov
eminent as a bond to prevent their es-
cape from the country.
Two years later John Moissant headed
a large filibustering expedition against
Salvador from Nicaragua. but It was
nipped in the bud by the prompt action
of Commander William s. Benson. u .
NJ, commanding the cruiser Albany. VINO
threatened to sink the vessel in wnicn
the filibnsterers proposed to land On
Salvadorean territory.