The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-11-26
S'nugglers
Battle With
L. S. Agents
Last 200 Cases of 40,2OO
Case Shipment Are Seized;
Schooner's Crew Carried
Big Sums of Money.
Two Shots Fired in Chase

New York. Nov. 25.-The British
auxiliary schooner Tomako. most ad-
venturous OF all the rum carving
craft on the Atlantic, fell into the
hands OF coast guard early today af-
ter sharp engagement six miles off
Seabright, y. j. In the hold was
found William "Rummy Bill" Mccoy,
characterized by the government
agents as the rum smuggler king"
The coast guard cutters Seneca and
Lexington. operating on information
furnished by treasury department
special agents that the Tomako was
off Seabrght. lying in close I odispose
Of 200 cases Of whisky, all that re-
mained Of 4o,200-case cargo shipped
recently in the BAHIA mas. proceeded to
Sandy Hook long before daybreak.
As dawn broke, the Lexington sight
ed the schooner, its two sticks stand
ing over the top OF an early morning
haze, and sent a radio message to the
Seneca TO proceed. When the cutters
were short distance away, a lookout
aboard the schooner announced their
approach. Immediately the little yes
ihary engine began throbbing and It
was scampering to sea.
Cutters Too Speedy.
But the speed of the little vessel.
which has taken part in many Of the
largest rum carrying expeditions from
the Bahamas, according TO govern
ment agents. could not match that OF
the cutters and in less than a quart
er of an hour they were close upon
its heels.
"Ahoy schoonre,' shouted the COM
mander OF the speedy Lexington.
"Heave TO there, you little devil or
therell be trouble"
"Heaye to yourself" came the ans
wering shout from the schooner's
stern. .whaddye think yer doin.
ehasin a British boat outside the
three-mile limit
Bring II around OF we'll blow veu
clean down to Nashau." the coast
guard warned.
Two Shots Fired.
No heed was paid TO this threat.
and a shot from the s-inch gun on
the Lexington whistled across the To-
mako's bow. Its only effect was to
increase the schooner's speed. Then
the Seneca sent another shot whizzing
by the main mast. The cutters were
almost uron her then. and the schoon-
er's captain brought her about.
A party OF five from the cutter was
dispatched in a small boat to board
ka S~hRnn.r A. III.
several members OF the crew attempt
ed to push them back and a lively
fist fight ensued. during which at
least three members Of the schooner's
crew got bloody noses and sore heads.
Rounded up. the crew OF eight. in
cluding the schooners master, George
Downey. were sent aboard the Lexings
ton. Downey declared he was not
liable TO seizure. as the 1:-mfle treaty
between Great Britain and the Unit
ed States involving rum carrying
boats had not become effective.
Garry Big Sums.
Meanwhile. the boarding party
searched the schooner and down in
the hold they found Mccoy, crouching
dihois the remaining -uu cases OF the
original +,9oo-case cargo. In his pock-
cts were found bank notes for $50.
600 and in the cabin safe were sso. 600
more. All this Mccoy said had been
received from the smugyier boats of
New Jersey that visited his ship on
Rum Row.
I'm within my rights outside the
three-mile limit and all the customs
agents and prohibition agents and re-
formers in the. United States can go
hang for I'll beat them" Mccoy is al
legged TO have said as he left the
schooner.
The Tomako was towed to the Bat
terry and her crew and Mccoy, who -
said TO be under federal Indictment for
violation of the prohibition laws. were
placed In Jail.
All members OF the Tomako's crew
had been given their share OF the
cargo's profits.
They are being held for examination
tomorrow