Two Respected Sea Captains Caught Smuggling Cigars at Gray's Harbor
Capt. C. B. Hughes and Capt. John C. Reed were bound over for trial after unstamped Mexican cigars turned up in a Hoquiam drug store.
Aberdeen, May 22.—Special.—Last Friday morning Capt. C. B. Hughes, who has for several years past been master of the lumber schooner Pioneer, running between Gray's Harbor and other coast points as far south as Central America, was arrested at Hoquiam by Deputy United States Marshal C. S. Bridges, of Tacoma, charged with smuggling, and brought to this city for examination before the United States commissioner, pending which he was placed under bonds.
Capt. Hughes was arrested on complaint of Peter Autzen, deputy collector of this port, the offense charged being the bringing of contraband cigars in from Guatemala last January. Mr. Autzen discovered some unstamped Mexican cigars in the drug store of Harry Aubright at Hoquiam, and was informed by Mr. Aubright that he bought them from Capt. Hughes, and it was on this information that the latter gentleman was arrested.
Last evening United States District Attorney Brinker arrived here from Tacoma, and the examination of Capt. Hughes took place, resulting in his being bound over to appear in the United States court at Tacoma next July. Bonds were placed at $1,000 and promptly given.
This morning Capt. John C. Reed, of the tug Traveler, was also brought before the United States commissioner, charged with having in his possession and disposing of Mexican cigars which lacked the double stamp, and he also was bound over to the United States court in the sum of $1,000. Several witnesses in both cases were also compelled to give bonds for their appearance in the United States court.
Both these gentlemen under arrest are old-time masters on this coast, along the length of which they have many friends, who will learn with regret of the difficulty they find themselves in. Both have families on the Harbor, and are greatly esteemed here. It is not believed that a case can be made against them.
“Both have families on the Harbor, and are greatly esteemed here. It is not believed that a case can be made against them.”
Customs enforcement and contraband tobacco were big business on the Washington coast long before modern smuggling routes. Two respected sea captains caught with unstamped cigars show how porous the line between legitimate trade and illicit cargo could be. The case also reminds us that border and customs policing has always depended on local networks and local reputations.
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