A SUCCESSFUL HUNT.

49

trip, and was then in Havana. Aware that no extradition treaty existed between the United States and Spanish governments, whereby a fugitive from justice could be demanded of the Cuban authorities, the officer here desisted from further pursuit, notifying the department by mail of the continued existence and present refuge of the escaped robber.

Other matters arose to engross the attention of the special agent, and though anxious to resume the trail, he waited sev

eral months before finding a suitable opportunity. In February, 1852, while engaged in the investigation of certain cases in the vicinity of Charleston, S. C., he improved an interval of comparative leisure to make a trip to Havana on the steamer Isabel, which then plied regularly between the two ports. On landing, the detective adopted a disguise, and made the rounds of the city in search of the exile. The hunt was thorough, and was rewarded with success. Hinton had be

come the proprietor of a tobacco store, and employed a number of hands in the manufacture of cigars. Satisfied that his disguise would prevent recognition, the officer did not hesitate to enter the establishment and engage the owner in conversation, making inquiries in regard to certain brands of cigars, and intimating a desire to purchase quite a large quantity before the sailing of the Isabel for the States, provided prices

customer."

could be made satisfactory. The dealer having no suspicion whatever of the identity of the proposed customer, entered into the negotiation without the slightest constraint.

The last twelve months had made noticeable changes in the appearance of the fugitive. During the period his hair had turned gray, and the lustre had faded from his eyes. The figure, then erect, had become stooping, and the step, then firm and resolute, had given place to a timorous, temporizing

FEARFUL OF COMPLICATIONS.

51

shuffle. It was like the change produced by a sudden stroke of paralysis at a time of high health. Yet it was evident that "the turbulent waters of the angry Mississippi" had never rolled over the dead body of the robber. The threat of suicide was, doubtless, intended as a blind; and a clumsy one it proved, revealing to the detective the very purpose it was designed to cover.

Having matured a plan, the officer called upon Mr. Campbell, United States consul at Havana, to consult in reference to the possibility or expediency of securing the person of the criminal. That gentleman promptly took the ground that, as no extradition treaty existed between the American and Spanish governments, Hinton could not be compelled to return, and that any attempt to accomplish this object by force or artifice would result in disagreeable complications between the two powers, and hence could not for a moment be countenanced. In case such a plan was seriously entertained in any quarter, it would become his duty, as the representative of the United States, to interpose actively for the protection of the fugitive.

With the facilities at his command, the special agent could easily have decoyed Hinton on board the steamer, and taken him home a prisoner, but acting on the advice of the consul, and also on his own better judgment, he determined to abandon the enterprise, and accordingly returned to Charleston.

On the return voyage, the officer arranged with the purser of the Isabel to visit Hinton's establishment every trip, and to notify him at once of any changes or other unusual move

ments.

Not many months later a formidable insurrection broke out in Cuba, attended with a feeling of general disquiet and uncertainty. Rumors were rife that the island was about to be ceded to the United States. During the excitement, Hinton sold out his interests, and left for parts unknown. The facts were promptly reported to Mr. Shallcross by the purser of the Isabel. For a time nothing whatever was heard of the fugitive, but the detective kept the matter in mind, and as a

reward for his perseverance succeeded in locating him on the Columbia River, in Oregon, where he was engaged in keeping a hotel and running a ferry.

This information was communicated through the post-office department to the United States district attorney, at Columbus, Ohio. Measures were promptly taken to effect the capture of Hinton, the necessary papers, at the earnest solicitation of the bondsmen, who were anxious, if possible, to recover the ten thousand dollars lost through his treachery, being placed in the hands of one Mills, who was specially deputized to make the arrest. The selection proved exceedingly unfortunate. Armed with authority to execute an important trust, for which his indiscretion and lack of judgment totally unfitted him, the deputy started for the Pacific slope, with loud boasts that he would soon return with Hinton a prisoner. So pervasive and full was the determination, that it bubbled over on all occasions, Mills losing no opportunity to tell who he was and to explain the object of his mission. As might have been foreseen, the news of his approach preceded him; and on arriving at the Columbia River, he found that the hotel and ferry had passed into the hands of another owner, and that the late pro- . prietor had vanished as suddenly as he came.

Forewarned of the approaching danger, Hinton hastily disposed of his property in Oregon, and fled to the Sandwich Islands. At that time there was no extradition treaty between the American and Hawaiian governments, so that the exile seemed to be safe from further pursuit. Soon after, however, Mr. Squires, our consul at Honolulu, attempted to open negotiations for the annexation of the Sandwich Islands to the United States. The project so alarmed Hinton that he lost no time in sailing for Australia, where definite trace of him was soon lost.

He is believed to have led an obscure and wretched life, dreading to meet men, if not dreaded by them. A few years later, death terminated the earthly miseries of the exile, and his remains were borne to the grave by strangers.

The Lonely Ride.

N exceedingly small percentage of the men, commissioned from time to

time as special agents of the post-office department, grow into efficient and valuable officers. To all positions controlled more or less by political influences many unfit applicants gain admission by virtue of strong connections and stronger importunities. Where the duties are simple and run in the beaten ruts of routine, they may accomplish the prescribed term of service without proving noticeable failures. Others, more able and earnest, furnish the power to drive the machinery,

while they attend with passable intelligence to the minor details.

But the work of a special agent is peculiar and difficult, comparatively few possessing the qualities which enable them