Putnam patriot., 1913-10-10
SMUGGLERS CAUGHT
Howard $. Thompson Said to be Leader
Formerly of Putnam and a Native of
 Thompson

A Boston paper of Friday gives an account of the capture of a smuggling party at Portland, Me, that apparent ly involves Howard $. Thompson of Hyde Park, formerly of Putnam and native of Thompson. While in Put nam Thompson was bookkeeper for the hardware firm of Allen d5 Tatem, the firm that preceded Chandler & Morse in the same store they now oecu. gv. The story as published is in part as follows:
 A colossal liquor smuggling scheme, involving prominent Boston liquor firm, was revealed here today when search of big steel power boat, driven to port by heavy seas, resulted in the seizure of 756 gallons of liquor, the lar gest ever made in the state. Two of the five members of the unnamed crafts crew were arrested.
 Both claimed to be employed by Thompson & Go. of Boston, whose trade stamp was marked on all the liquor containers found on the boat.
 Howard S. Thompson of 9 Milton square, Hyde Park, is said to be the leader of the smuggling outfit. For him and the other two members of the crew search of the city is being made, but it is feared that the trio have es- capped to Boston.
 Flying signals of distress, the big power boat was first seen early this morning anchored just inside Portland Head. Fishermen reported her plight and the tug Wawenoc was sent out by the harbor police to assist the power boat. Fifteen foot seas were breaking over the boat as the tug reached it and it ,was with difficulty that the boat was lowed to the inner harbor.
 Reaching the smooth waters of the inner harbor, the tve members Of the crew went ashore. To their reseuers they told tale of an exhausted food supply and lack of gasoline. They said they were famished and announe- ed their intention to return later.
 Unsuspecting her contraband cargo the harbor police visited the power boat during the crews absence. Lift ing the canvas covering they were startled to find kegs, barrels, and eases of liquor stored on the forward deck.
 Every line of the big boat indicated that she had been built expressly for smuggling purposes. Long, low and l painted black, the boat was ineonspic- 1 uous to casual observers. Under deck 1 she had been planned for large car | rying capacity. Of light draft, the craft could easily enter any of the ] small inlets along the coast to dis charge her cargo and the engine boxed in to minimize the noise. A full set of | charts was found in the cabin.
 The value of the shipment at retail in Maine was placed at more than 5000 by Sheriff Scully. O. 0. Wells of Boston, was said by him to be the 1 owner of the boat.
 Only the desperate plight of the sup posed smugglers caused thelr capture So heavy was the sea their boat could make no headway. Gasolene ran low and their provisions became soaked with sea water. All but the alleged leader, Thompson, however, were un- willing to enter the harbor, but his fears for his own safety resulted in that move.
 At Howard $. Thompson's home it was said that the head of the firm of Thompson X Co. was not at home, and the time of his return was un- known. The family would not dis cuss the case. Thompson is well. known in Hyde Park, bears an excel. lent reputation and has served two terms as selectman before. the town $ annex ation to Boston.