Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1834-07-26
From the Illinois Patriot, June 2S.
OUTR

One of the most shameful transactions
recently took place at Evansville, Indiana,
that we ever heard of The steamboat
Planter, Captain Gurthie, on her way from
Louisville to st. Louis, stopped at Evans
vile. la. on Saturday LAST, ist inst Short
iy after making the boat fast to the bank, a
warrant was issued against the captain of
the Planter, on the charge Of counterfeit
ing. Capt. Gurthie stated to the officer
that there must be some mistake II being
the first time he was ever at that place. and
he refused to accompany the officer. IN
short time a large band of outlaws-fcr we
can call them nothing else-came down,
armed with rifles, pistols, &c. bringing
with them large cannon. The mob com
menced firing stones at the boat, threatning
to destroy il, and in the most vociferous man.
ner, demanded the body ofthe captain. b.
this time. the magistrate Of the place had
arrived after considerable effort he OBJ
tanned hearing, and III the presence ofthe
whole multitude, declaring that Capt. c.
was not the person described in the war.
rant, but that it was Capt. Young, who had
formerly commanded the Planter. This
intelligence, instead of satisfying the mob.
seemed only TO infuriate them the more !;
they seemed to thirst for blood, and nothing
else, apparently would satisfy them. They
declared that they would rake the ladies'
cabin, and placed their cannon in a posi-
ton TO effect this object. The cannon was
filed nearly to the muzzle, with stones.--
There were about 60 passengers ON board
Our fellow citizen ID. B. Aytes and his lady
from whom we have obtained this ac-
count-were among the number Mrs. A.
had been sick for some days and lay in a
berth next the shore. She was removed
to the other side ofthe boat Capt. G.. bad
no weapon on board except a small pistol -
with this he appeared on deck and request
led those on shore to let go the fassenIngs,
but no one complied with his request. All
this while the men and boys on shore were
firing stones into the boat, cndangering the
lives of the passengers and crew.
The Captain was obliged to cut away one
rope. and let 60 another, in order to let the
boat swing clear. She was now hanging by
one rope At this time they began on
shore to make their attack IN earnist After
elevating the cannon to suit their purposes,
the match was applied, and although there
was much fright and confusion, no damage
was done except to the boat. The cannon
was again fred, and the slugs and balls from
the rifles began TO whiz around those upon
deck. TIE Captain seemed to be the only
target at which they aimed, with their mus
kerry. By this time the boat had dragged
away the last stake to which she was fasien-
ed, and thus got clear from these blood
hounds The escape Of the Captain APP
pears almost miraculous Standing in the
midst OF continual shower of balls s. stones
he received bu. one gun shot wound, and
that merely grazed his shoulder. Upwards
Of forty balls and siugs were found in the
wood work, near where the Captain stood
Much credit is awarded to Capt. G. for his
determined bravery during the wllole trans
action. He returned then fire upon those
who were pointing their nl,es at him, but
So.