Messersmith, G.S.
Date
2011-06-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Relates story of Harold Foss, sea captain and adventurer, who hearing of large deposits of goat guana on a Venezuelan peninsula, determined to go there and investigate; peninsula inhabited only by hostile Indians and was considered off limits by white Venezuelans, but Foss secured cooperation of authorities, went there, made friends with the Indians and secured their permission to remove the guano; he went to New York, and interested large fertilizer companies in backing venture; he returned to Venezuela and soon had flourishing business, with large profits for his company, himself, the Venezuelan authorities, and the Indians; saw him often in Curaçao where he made frequent visits to purchase supplies and became good friends; when U.S. entered war, Foss got replacement to run business and spent war years piloting vessels through submarine zone; has not seen him since, but has always thought of him as a true adventurer, with his honesty, initiative, courage, generosity, and capacity for good fellowship.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.