The Elbert County tribune., 1912-05-17


would have been sprung and a junta estab-
lished with which could work. found that
the revolt still Matching and that no New
York agent had been appointed, SO, for want
of something better to do. bought from Ben
1amin Wood. editor Of the New York News. the
old Franklin avenue distillery in Brooklyn.
This venture resulted in open and final
rupture with my family.
had been in the distilery business only a
few months during which time the property
had shown a large profit, when. while attend
ing performance at the old Grand Opera
House. / met Jim" Fisk, with whom I had
become acquainted in my boyhood days. when
he was running gaudy peddlers wagon out
of Boston.
Fisk asked what was doing that looked
so prosperous told him briefly and he said
he wanted to buy half interest in the distil-
lery and asked me to put a price on 1t. 1 told
him did not want partner He insisted
and said he had influence at Washington-
which he afterward proved-and that 1t would
be valuable to
I'VE will make good team" he said.
"Here."-and he scribbled OF check for
100000 and tossed 1t over to me-"now we
are partners"
mot much!" said, as tossed 1t back to
him. II am making too much money for you
to get in at that price. even II wanted you
as a partner"
"All right them" he replied as he wrote out
another check for $150.000. and handed It to
Before could enter another objection he
stalked out Of the room and let 1t go at that
for had scheme in mind and figured that
his influence. II 1t powerful as he
claimed. would be useful.
Then followed a year or more of prosperity,
favored with complications with the govern
ment. and we finally quit the business with
profit Of about $350000.
Fisk and continued In partnership and in
the summer OF 1866 bought the fast and
ufo .Nh -xn -Ix.~ -
been blockaderunner We bought a cargo
OF arms and ammunition and were Just put
ting It board when the first Cuban junta
came to New York and opened ofdces on New
street. They sent for me and wanted to buy
our cargo.
The spaniards were not SO watchfuI then
as later and the were delivered without
much trouble at Cape Maysi. at the extreme
eastern end of Cuba.
The Junta then engaged us to deliver several
cargoes of arms to the rebels. I was always
in command of these expeditions, with a sail
ing master in charge OF the ship while Fisk
stayed at home and attended to the Washing
ton end OF the business
Along about 1868, after It had run half its
length. the Ten Years War began to bog down.
There was nothing else doing in this part Of
the world. 80 decided to go to Europe. being
attracted by the prospect of war between
France and Germany.
During the Cuban flIbustering days 1 gained
more notorety than desired. and did not
wish to be known as trouble-maker on the
other side where the laws against the carry
ing Of contraband were being rigidly enforced
on account OF the recent Alabama AFFAIR lost
my Identity while crossing the Atlantic. When
reached London in the latter part of 1868
was George MacFarane. and in order that
might have address and ostensible occupa-
tion established the commercial house OF
George MacFarlane Co.. at 10 Corn Hill. My
partner. who really only a clerk was
young Englshman named Cunningham. for
whom had been able to do good turn while
living in Chicago. opened an account in the
London & Westminster bank with initial
deposit of close to f75.00o. which gave me
financial standing
Fate kind to me in throwing in my way
the little steamer Leckwith. which bought at
bargain.
Don Carlos. the Spanish Pretender. Just