Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-15
CREW OF YANkToN
TELL STORY DOUBLE
DEALING AND PIRACY

New York, May 14-Victimized al
every point of the compass, as they
told it, a starved and robbed crew
drifthed with the tide into quarantine
today and after being taken ashore
to cat their first rquare M Il in a
week or so, told federal officials a
story that they regarded as the most
important information received since
il was decided to knock the pins FROM
under Rum Row.
The skipper told story of decep-
ton, thievery, smuggling, piracy
starvation and helplessnes5 that grew
to greater proportions with every bite
he took.
After he had dipped his digits into
finger bowl federal investigators
weer hunting for headquarters of a
gigantic bOotlegging syndicate he de-
scribed as being in New York. He
said it was the controlling factor in
Rum Row.
The full nature o. the confidence
was not revealed. but Assistant Uni
ted States Attorney Clark, who ques
toned Captain c. Bidlon and three
CT his crew said the vessel the Brit
is.h Yacht Yankton, would be Ii
billed under the merchantile laws and
sold. to pay the crew who have been
away from Havana, their Lone port
since early January.
Mr.. Clark <intimated that he would
seek A. L. Corns, listed on the Yank-
tons manifest as from 129 n. +. 18th
street, Miami. Fla, the supercargO
who left the ship n month ago with a
party of rum runners who carried
away $500 cases of grain alcohol
Corns told Captain Bidlon he was go.
ing ashore to get food and fuel and
arrange for payment of the crew
Whether Corns disappeared purpose.
~ or was spirited away Captain Bid.
Ion would like to know.
Captain Bidlon Of Nassau, B. l., re.
cruitcd his crew at Havana shortl!
after New Years for a quick trip t.
st. Pierre. Miquelon, with 5000 case:
of grain alcohol and a few bales Of
Cuban tobacco. The crew was in
formed. when the high seas wer,
reached. that they could not cores
pond with anyone ashore and coul(
not leave the vessel until anchor wa!
dl Oppcd in Havana again. That wa:
the first double cross" he charged.
About February 10 the YanktoI
<AiiiDitSc W litii a MAJ
de scribed as a representative of New
York bootlegging interests-whose en-
try into the yarn was left obscure-or
dered Captain Bidlon to proceed t.
Providence. i. I. That port WASH
touched. however. Captain Bidlon said
but in the vicinity of Block Island tive
motor launches appeared alongside ant
lightered away 1000 cases of alcoho
and 1000 pounds of tobacco.
For five weeks the Yankton remain
ed hove to. then went to Montaul
Point under instructions and unloadet
$500 cases of alcohol to the Cavalier.
British schooner. That was wher,
Corn disappeared and where the mex
double cross" was entered in the log
Still holding part of their origina
cargo. but shy of sea biscuit ant
steam coal. the crew broke up most o
the wooden furnishings of the ship ant
headed for Rum Row. Upon their ar
| rival, said the captain. two tugs cam
alongside and 40 armed men. swinging
guns. briskly boarded the Yankton ant
took the remainder of it's cargo. Cap
tain Bidlon said one of the boarding.
party made some unintellgible refer
ence to acting under orders of New
York bootlegging syndicate. He pu
down another double cross"
With the bunkers holding nothin,
but coal dust and the galley scraped o.
potato Feelings. the crew decided t.
call it day and helmed around TO
New York Bay. running up a yellow
flag when they reached quarantine. in
viting health and customs Officers
aboard. Guards were placed on th'
yacht and the crew taken to the Bat
terry for Chow"