The Elks Shanghaied One of Their Own to Port Townsend

Yesterday Ralph M. Schoenfeld was the victim of a joke by thirteen members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, who shanghaied him on board a steamer and carried him away to Port Townsend, where the party was to institute a lodge of the order. The story is thus told by one of the conspirators:

The Elks arranged for F. W. Parker and others to invite Schoenfeld to the boat. A telephone message was sent to Schoenfeld, requesting the unsuspecting brother to come down. Supposing he was simply to bid his colleagues bon voyage, he mounted his bicycle and made his way to the wharf. Once the conspirators had him safely aboard the boat, they invited him into a stateroom to have a parting salute. When inside the stateroom, the key was unceremoniously turned upon the victim and the ultimatum imparted to him. All his entreaties were of no avail, as he was appealing to those whose character was too well known when mercy to a brother is at stake. J. H. Corbett being present on the wharf, he was delegated to return the bicycle to Schoenfeld's place of business and tell the news of the abduction.

Abasement and consternation reigned in the bosom of the victim. The young member of the firm had been abducted in broad daylight, with no hope of his immediate return. The only hope shining on the horizon is the reception that awaits the brotherhood on their arrival at Port Townsend. At the eleventh hour, when the toast is drunk to all absent brothers and all the virtues are credited to each and every brother, while all his faults are effaced from memory, it is hoped that Brother Schoenfeld will be found joining hands in the grand circle and his voice be heard as loud as any of those singing 'Auld Lang Syne.'

The following are the names of those who participated in the abduction: Will H. Parry, H. F. Stewart, F. W. Parker, James Sheehan, W. H. Cowie, L. S. Abrahams, J. T. E. Seconnes, G. F. McConnell, Mr. Robinson, E. W. Clark, R. M. Boyd, Mr. Myers, J. W. Allen.