Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-07-26
LIFE IN THE WEST.

Expedition against Arkansas BdndiH,-Ine
Randolph, Tenn. Recorder of the 2lst ult' says
Our peaceful town presented last week more the
appearance of a war camp, than the ABODE OF
peace. An expedition, composed OF most OF
our chief citizens thrice armed their quarrei
being Just, set out from this place TO take or ex
terminate gang Of lawless freepooters lnlesl-
ing the Arkansas shore OF the MISSISSIPPI Ioi
some hundred miles, who have been Tor severai
wears past committing continual depredatlons
upon the lives and property of individuals upon
the river and this State, and becoming al iength
so bold as to require the measures adopteo ny
our citizens for the preservation OF thelr nVes
and property Their last depreciation, was incl,
Selling, some twelve of them, fiat boat owned
by Mr.. VIM. Mitchell, of Mays LICK, hentucky'
laden, with -four and whiskey, that had strand
ed on a sand bar, about twelve miles below this
town; one or two OF them standing over the
boatrnen with leveed rifles, while the rest pun,
dered the boat, and took off in other boats what
thew could not conveniently remove. horses,
negroes, cattle, and every species OF property
are their prey; and such is their aorotnesS anu
so impregnabe their marshy skuiKing piaCes'
as to make their detection almost Impossible,
burying themselves when pursued, in the most
impervious cane brakes. This last audaclous
wholesale robbery, aroused our citizens, many
OF whom have suffered from counterfeit money,
and property stolen, to march against them arm
ed with rifles.
The robbers had their head quarters about %
miles below this town, at place caiied the
Shawnee village; thither about thirty Of our
citizens went, fully anticipating a warm. recep-
ton, but returned without battle, after burning
two or three crazy cabins bringing with them
eight or ten prisoners. The next morning the
citizens of Covington, came in, to the number
OF forty or fifty, glorously armed, determined
to carry on searching operation among the
cane brakes Accordingly they boarded Hat,
we'll provided with blankets and provision for
Campaign, and fioated down the self same way
as when they went to fight Packenham. After
securing the country for day or two, they re-
turned with twelve or fifteen prisoners, some OF
whom were engaged in the robbery, some
known to be rogues Of deep dye, and others
refugees from justice.
Scouting parties were kept up for week, re-
turning daily with victorious trophies OF iresn
prisoners, or recovered property. Two or three
guns only were fired by the party at some OF
the robbers, as they were breaking for the cane
brakes One of the boatmen, that is supposed
to have stranded the boat. in order that it might
he Numbered, was found dead in the canes,
whittier he had fed the victim OF dishonesty,
hunger and mosquitoes. The prisoners were
brought before magistrates, who sent seven OF
them to Jail; some were discharged, and no
proof being found against four or hve OF the
most noted Williams among tHeui, liiey Weie We
nv politely escorted back to Arkansas, by She
riff Gaines, and some OF our citizens, and under
its shady banks, were so delighted at being the
happy recipients and hackers of Lynchs law,
as to pipe and dance most melodiously.
Indeed they "discoursed most eloquent mu-
Sic" which fell upon our own ear softened by a
voyage across the water Of upwards of mile.
After being amused awhile in this manner by
our Sheriff they departed on their way re]oic-
Ing with feelings not soon to be forgotten. One
villain named or pronounced Geno, after being
stripped for the dance, begged so pitifully, that
although his back bore striped evidence of hav-
ing before danced round the whipping post, he
was spared the lash, and taken back as he pro.
| missed to divulge secrets of Importance. But
finding he could be of little service in this capa-
city, he was suffered to return to Arkansas,
where his fellow robbers for his faithessness and
cowardce at Lynch's altar, stripped him, tied
him to tree, and gave him "smart sprinkle"
of the lash themselves. Since, this same Geno,
with companion, robbed a Tennessean about
30 miles from this place, of about 20 dolls and
tied him to tree and whipped him severely.
They have been pursued, but without success.