On the Trail of Pirates, 1858

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_pirate

Burlington Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Sat. morning, 8 May 1858. From the North Iowa Times (McGregor), Extra, 4 May 1858 --- Mississippi Pirates Caught - $5,000 Worth Of Property Recovered - Application Of A Hemp Persuader In our last issue we gave a brief account of a system of thieving that seemed to have been successfully carried out in this vicinity for the last few months. We now have the gratification of announcing the discovery of some of the robbers and the rescue of a large amount of merchandize belonging to the neighborhood. As it is our design to publish in our regular issue, which will be delayed to obtain the facts which may be elicited on an investigation, a full history of the developments which the past [words missing], we forbear a minute detail of matters as they now present themselves. There may be cause for change of opinion in relation to certain parties - hence the general absence of names in this article. The rendezvous of the robbers of the Upper Mississippi has been for the past year the old ferry building on the west side of the river from the Prairie du Chien Upper Ferry. At that place goods have been stored from points as high up as La Crosse, and if the statements of prisoners can be relied on, there have been fitted out at that place more expeditions than one to the lower river. It seems a carpenter named Ralph (his last name we have not learned) has been in the employ of the robbers for several months, building boats, &c., &c., preparatory to a voyage down below. One day last week a quarrel ensued between Ralph and some of the party, which resulted in Ralph's exposure of the villains. Ralph came down to McGregor and gave such information in relation to their practice and plans as led to an immediate organization for their detection. On Friday morning last, Constables Kee and Brown, of McGregor, and several of our most active citizens, left this place for the island known as Big Island, opposite the mouth of Sni Magill Creek, about five miles below this, and nearly opposite Wyalusing. The river at present is very high, and scarcely any portion of the island is out of water, and hence the skiffs of the adventurers had access to almost all portions of the suspected territory. After a thorough reconnoiter, the boat containing Kee, Ralph, and our fellow citizen Sanford L. Peck, Esq., discovered a tent or camp on the island, in which were found Geo. Sciville [Scovill], an English butcher, of McGregor, a man partly blind, named Howell, and a boy 9 years old, whose name we have not learned. These were captured, and from them it was ascertained that a man calling himself Dr. Bell (a veterinary surgeon, late partner to Joseph Bayless of this vicinity), was in command of a boat moored in some of the sloughs of the island, and that said boat was loaded with stolen goods to the amount of several hundred dollars. On the next morning, Kee, Peck and the boy proceeded to look up the boat, and having discovered it, came to within close distance before any signs of life were exhibited on board. The barking of a dog on the pirate vessel roused its captain, and he sprang out on the bow in his shirt - seeing the boy, it is supposed he took the party for friends, and remarked that his "wife was not up," requesting them to "hold on." At this moment, the skiff being near to the bandit, Kee was leaning forward to make a prisoner of him, when Bell's countenance assumed a demoniac appearance, he sprang into the boat, presented a revolver at the door of it, and screamed to the party "God damn your souls, I'll blow you to hell." Without further invitation, Mr. Peck, who was in the line of danger, fired his revolver as he supposed fatally. Bell fell back wounded, and in a few seconds a pistol shot passed through the side of the boat from the chest on which Bell had fallen. Believing that Bell was seriously wounded, and having heard that his wife was a practical gunner, the assailing party deemed it most prudent to return to McGregor for a force sufficient to secure the boat and bring it into port. Brown and Woodcock in the meantime had separated from them the night before and had gone to Clayton City. Immediately on the arrival of Kee and Peck with their prisoners, the report of the success got wind and the town was soon at boiling heat. Capt. Nelson, of the Alex. McGregor, was prevailed on to run his boat down to the battle ground, and about fifty persons, comprising many of our best citizens, armed with such weapons as could be conveniently obtained, enlisted for the war. The Alex. McGregor took the passengers down to the vicinity of the boat, but during the passage three suspicious looking customers were arrested on board, and the McGregor carried them to Prairie du Chien, where it was learned that a heavy robbery of jewelry had been committed the night before. The adventurers found the boat on which Bell was shot, but the bird had flown. Mrs. Bell and her young child remained on board. A guard was detailed, and upon farther exploration two more boats loaded with plunder were found farther down the river - the first boat was fastened to the steamer Pembinaw, of St. Louis, and brought to our wharf the same evening. - The other pirate crafts were towed to Clayton City by Capts. Dellaven and Goodrich, of the Junction Ferry Line, and remained there in charge of as jolly a set of McGregorites as ever captured a prize. On Sunday the Alex. McGregor with two or three hundred citizens on board left her wharf and proceeded to Clayton City to bring up the plunder and the victorious band who had it in charge. When near that place the Fred. Lorenz was met with the booty in tow and such a time of cheering and rejoicing was never before heard on the Mississippi. By request, the Lorenz detached her pirate consort and the McGregor took the passengers on board and the freight in tow. Stopping at Wyalusing, we learned that the village physician had been called that morning to take a ball out of the head of a stranger who had stopped half a mile from there to get his breakfast. A committee of six was appointed to scour that section of country. The committee has since returned unsuccessful. The goods are placed in the hands of Deputy Sheriff Tuttle, and among them is every conceivable article of value that could tempt the cupidity of a thief. Whole stocks of dry goods, boots and shoes, books, drugs, clothing, household goods, liquors, groceries, provisions, stoves, grindstones, etc., etc., prove the industry of the robbers and the extent of the band. There is not less than $4,000 to $5,000 worth of property already secured, and the Vigilance Committee have dispatched men to other depots where it is expected plunder is stored. Many of the articles are identified. This robbery has been going on for nearly a year, and it is feared that many men heretofore regarded as honest will be found deeply implicated in this astounding villainy. Rumors of all sorts are afloat; the prisoners arrested are beginning to confess and expose their accomplices. Bell is evidently badly hurt. His end is not far distant. The officers are on the alert, and it is hoped that this is to result in breaking up one of the most formidable bands of robbers ever organized in the west. The name of John C. Bishop, the Osage Land Robber, is connected with this party, and it is believed by the prisoners that a boat containing $10,000 worth of goods from La Crosse and other towns, left the depot first spoken of on the 15th of last month for the benefit of said Bishop; said boat was seen near Muscatine two weeks ago bound for St. Louis. As Bell is doubtless in the neighborhood, we will say that he is a well-made man, about 35, weighs 168, sandy complexion, large red whiskers, and has a bullet mark from his forehead round to the butt of his left ear -; his mark is a very significant one just now. We have no time for farther comments, and it is probably not advisable to say more at present. Our regular issue will appear on Thursday or Friday, when we expect to be in possession of details that will be of great interest to the whole west. P.S. We learn that the Vigilance Committee at Prairie du Chien have already arrested 14, and that as the rope is applied to the necks of some as a persuader, they are telling all they know with great liberality. Let the good work go on.