The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-06-02

hau Sllall ACCOMMODATIONS or the metal.
He volunteered to attempt to buy
what he could from such people. He
was warned of the controversy over
the price and was told he must not
go above the figure then approved by
the War Industries Board.
In such circumstances he started
out from Vladivostok. The railroad
service had broken down and after
weeks of futile effort he was convinced
that his attempt was in vain. In des-
peration he went to Toxic and tried
to enlist the aid of some of his Japan
csc friends. That effort also was
doomed, and he went back to Vladi-
vostok. Then the American Red
Cross. doing work in Siberia, sought
his services. He jumped at the oppor-
tunity because be saw chance to
fulfill his original mission. The Red
Cross commissioned him Colonel and
placed him in charge Of a relief train.
To this day it is said, the Red Cross
does not officially know that he was
also working for the American Gov
eminent on a highly important mis-
sion.
Searches for Platinum.
The relief train was well run by all
accounts. AS a Red Cross Colonel.
Preston was success. Under dis
couraging conditions, he carried the
train forward deeper into the country.
And in each town he searched for
platinum. Usually he entered with
as much pomp and ceremony as
possible. His first procedure was to
visit the chief officials of the COM
munity A Red Cross Colonel was
a large and commanding person and
his native dignity was such that nearly
everywhere he was asked to review
the local troops. These troop re-
views soon became a useful part Of
his routine, for through them he first
became acquainted with the soldiers,
many Of whom had come from the
Ural Mountains. He had constantly
to bargain closely. Behind him was
the great need, and the precise In
struction not to 60 above a definite
figure. Limited in this way, necessary
AS the Limitation undoubtedly was
if national funds were not to be
wasted. he had to continue.
The people he dealt with as a Red
N oil fn
guess that he had other purposes.
In Ekaterinburg he fingered long.
The four cars of his train were put on
side track, and his real campaign
for platinum began. The Red Cross
Colonel used all the pomp and cir.
cumstance he could arrange. Music
and military reviews were blendet
with relief work. Preston established
intimate relations with the local all
thorities. A banker in Ekaterinburr
was the chief quarry. This man wa
the agent of number of men VIII
possessed large quantity of the dc !
sired metal.
Day by day the banker and the re
lief worker would bargain over tn
platinum. The Russian said he ha
10000 ounces. Preston, strictly Unite
as he was in the price he could offe'
was seriously handicapped. I
Learns Too Much.
Then a curious situation developed |
In order to do his work effectuall.
Preston had cultivated the local mil
tary authorities. Through the con
mandant in Ekaterinburg he wa
taken to the house where the GA
had been confined and wher,
the royal family had been murdered
One day, as mark Of friendship, tn
story. or a story. was told the Re,
Cross Colonel and he was take.
through the house, land the scene wa
re-enacted for him.
But condolences are sometimes dal .
yerous possessions, and soon, in \
subtle way, Preston began to get worr
hat if he expected to leave RusSi;
alive he must 60 out quickly. H !.
Allow lOO MuSA. CO uCSOIluLAOu wall
he banker was hurried, and finall!
10000 ounces of platinum were Oh
aimed from him. Then the hard way 4
tut of Siberia was traversed. Here
ind there the Red Cross Colonel was
to be road builder. He
stopped in various places to administer
'elief. All the while he continued to
,qy platinum. Finally, after about
TX months. he reached vladivostok
md delivered his accumulations of I
about $4,000 ounces to the Consul
General, who transferred it to the
Keeping of the Admiral Of the Ameri !,
AN feet.
Preston then took q boat to the
United States. He went direct to
Washington and made his report.
having completed his work, he went
o his home at Campello, Mass, to
'isit his wife and his little son.
Within three hours after he reached
ZONE he died, victim Of the strain
# his work. All of the energy he
lad-and he is said to have been a
powerful man-had been given to his
dventure.
Such Is the narrative Of Charles L. n
PRESTON as 1t reached his superiors at H
Some day In his own iii