PEEK AT THE PAST
Early Dope Smugglers buried $20,000 Load Near Redman
Port Hope, Nov. 21, 1890
by Leonard DeFrain

Years ago, a familiar name in Huron County took part in a giant opium smuggling deal which stirred the county from shore to shore.

When a rumrunner with a $1,000 load of goods is taken in custody by the law, it is an event of county interest today. In the summer of 1890, a load of dope, valued at $20,000 was smuggled into the county and a vain search made for the contraband by federal officers.

If the names of some of the smugglers were mentioned, they would be recognized by many residents of the county.

Martin Hicks of Bad Axe related the story of a large quantity of opium, which was smuggled by a Canadian dope ring to a group of men in Huron County. These men were to deliver it to agents in Midwest cities. The story is verified by residents of Port Hope.

The consignment was sent by the Canadian ring headed by Boss Harris to Sand Beach, but according to prearranged plans, did not reach the harbor. It was taken from the boat near Rock Falls and buried in the cemetery. Government agents, who had been tipped off to the shipment, searched the boat when it landed in Sand Beach. (now Harbor Beach). No opium was found.

During that night a wagonload headed north along the forest trail. Rumbling over the rough road, the wagon, guarded by a small group of determined men, crept toward Redman. Almost a ton of dope was buried in a woods near Redman. Vehicles of any description were not numerous in those days, so the officers were able to trace the illegal shipment.

In a pursuit, as hot as the roads would allow, the detectives bore down on the dope smugglers. The cans of opium were again dug up and again buried just in time for the gang to escape the law.

A large reward offered for the capture of the gang tempted a native, who despite the fact that the smugglers were well known, informed the officers where to find them. But the dope ring was not without friends and one of those, in the form of a tenderhearted woman, warned the dope dealers of the plot to trap them.

Hiding in the thick underbrush the smugglers ambushed the officers, killing one of them. The chief of the dope gang then drew the attention of the officers by running to a cabin. As the detectives closed in, he escaped by jumping backwards through a window.

While the officers were thus engaged in trying to capture the chief of the gang, the other members escaped with the dope, which eventually reached a city market.

The chief of the smugglers, with a big price upon his head, lived for days in a hollow log until one dark night his companions aided him across the international boundary to Canada. From there he went to Detroit and passed as a minister for a time. Later he became a game warden in Minnesota.

While game warden, the chief arrested some Indians for shooting wild game on private property. The Redman swore revenge. Not long after, the body of the warden was found literally cut into pieces in his shack. The bodies of several Indians were in the room indicating the terrible struggle preceding the death of the warden - minister - dope smuggler.