Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-09-15
CHAPTER /.
- AMAZlNG AnDCCTION.


the general adoption 81 acr;al
navigation In the fourth decade Of the
twentieth century viii 10 doubt lie re
CarGcd by future historians as one ~
the greatest curiositics OF human an
mails. II has already been the subject
OF much lab0Vious research and OF
many learned disquisitions, while the
public has eagerly deyoured the lives
of dozen Of those astounding ma
rauderS Of the atmosphere, who de-
scended from the sky with the speed
aud ferocity Of famished eagles. Whole
towns were sometimes laid under con-
tribution. the terror inspired by drop
ping bombs banishing all thought OF
effective resistance.
OF all the desperate adventures OF
that period none was so fascinating In
personality or had the romantic charm
that characterized Captain Alfonso
Payton. 4 Spanish American, whose
real Christian name was probably that
which he gave. but who had dropped
tIc vi iiiS III was ''si'A
to he one of the oldest and proudest
In Spain dating back TO the days OF
the cor ,uista,lores. Payton's exploits
in his famous aero Chameleon com
mandcd Il great deal Of attention ut
times in the newspapers. but his story
has never been fully told, and the clos
ing details, the most amazing Of all,
were Withheld from public knowledge
for reasons which will be apparent In
what am about to relate.
Payton. or Captain Alfonso" as his
reckless crew always called him. was
one of the handsomest men that have
ever seen. He had Spaniards eyes
and complexion, with the stature and
vigor Of 4 modern American, while his
manners were those Of an ideal prince.
The charm Of his personality was felt
by everybody who came in contact
with him. He was exceedingly we'll
educated, especially in everything
which makes a man attractive to wo-
men, and if he had chosen to lead an
honest life he could unquestionably
have married almost any heiresS or
any beautiful girl that he might have
fancied, and he would have been an
ornament to society.
But he was born pirate. Brave
and fearless, he was absolutely reck.
less of the opinions of mankind, re.
joiced in his wickedness, sought only
the qualification of his whims and
pleasures, and yet he could commit an
outrage on the liberty and personal
rights Of others with such winning
gentleness, such delicate consideration
for their feelings. that often the sting
was not at the moment perceived
Payton's methods were peculiar. He
had chosen his line, and he stuck to II
until the end. He never attacked
treasure laden fiers. such as the early
transatlantic liners Of the Information
al Aero express, which constituted thu
favorite prey Of Morton, the Othel
great pirate Of the period, but he made
an exclusive speciality OF kidnapping
and almost invariably he kidnapped wO
men. whom he treated with the utmos
delicacy and consideration consisten
with sure capture and safe keeping
Thrre were in.:!i.' Instances familiar
20 newspaper readers OF his magic per
sunality so working upon his victims
that he won their respect and erel
friendship.
Nevertheless lie was without Inercy
~ lis cXactions. The Object OF all hi
- :u"tiJnS was ranc0il. No tears. N
r,.trraiirs. no consideration whatever
had :hr slightest effect upon him
!'-y or stay was his word.
The exploit which finally brouGh
p3ttoH'S career 10 an end was tn
most extraordinary and romantic II
I'LL the long list OF his adventures ant
one which would never have beeI
dreamed Of by Il man less recklessl.
daring At that time the most talke'
about. and the wealthiest OF New
York's billionaires was the late WI
liam Grayman. He had accumulate
stupendous fortune by means of
corner IN banks
was n young lieutenant in charG
Of a government aero engaged IN tn
revenue service. and the one thin
outside my regular occupation tina
especially interested me was the pros