Morris, a trader, was discovered by colonial authorities with approximately 200 gallons
of illegal alcohol hidden in a secret cellar in his house in
Kitimat. The hidden stash of alcohol was said to have belonged to a man named
Barrowitz, the Master of the schooner
Langley, the ship which brought Morris to
Kitimat.
Commander Pike of the HMS
Devastation discovered the hidden store when he ordered the house to be searched by
Singleton and
Daw, who found the entrance to the cellar by pulling back planking on the wall of one
side of the kitchen.