The North-Carolinian., 1850-04-20
FAYETTEVILLE ~ Co., APRIL 90 1880
MUTINI AND MURDER.
Tn board a North Carolina Tpssei.
From the Elizabeth City ..Old North State

we are unOer the Palntul necessity OF
publishing to-day the facts in reference to
the Mut'ny, as related to US by Captain
Riggs. and which took place on board the
Esq, of this place, on the 9th of January
last, when one day out from Trinidad on
her passage to this port. The following
are the particulars as related by the Cap
tain and one of the crew.
The first day the J. B. Lindsay left
Trinidad, when in latitude l ! north, and
at about o'clock. p. M, pistol was fired
IN the forward part of the vessel, which
was the first intimation of a mutiny with
the exception of slig hit suspicion which
the Captain had entertained of tw" Of his
crew. Thomas Reed and r. Clemmons
while in st. Thomas. On hearing this
noise. the Captain went on deck and asked
the Mate what it meant. who replied that
he did not know. but would 90 and see.
Tie went forward and the captain thinks
demanded the pistols of Reed and Cien-
mons. who were, as it has since been prov
ell. the only two mutipeers on board.
They told the mate they would give the
weapons to him soon; and in a short time
he returned to the captain with two pis-
tolls. All seemed to be quiet till about
10 O'Clock at night. as near as the captain
eau recOllect, when he was awoke by Il
noise on deck and heard the mate calling
for mercy. He went on deck. and with a
pistol in each hand, proceeded to the mate
who was lying by the wheel in the last
agonies of death, and who made no reply
said ''good bye.'' The mutineers retreat
ed forward on the approach of the captain.
who then tried to set the mate into the
cabin; but they again approached him.
both being armed. The captain seeing
them coming. made an effort to jump into
the cabin. when Reed fired at him, the
ball striking him in the throat, cutting
away the flesh and part Of the windpipe,
SD that he breathed through the wound,
swallowing much blood. 1t was not dis
covered until now, when the cook under
took to load the two pistols taken from the
mut'neers by the mate, that both Of them
had the vent connecting with the barrel
bushed up with large needles broken off
even with the barrel, SO they could not be
fired. The captain having succeeded in
getting into the cabin, bound up his wound
so as to prevent its bleeding. At this time
one door Of the cabin was shut and the
half Of the other open. Soon Clemmons
came to the door and struck it three times
with an axe, and called for the cook to
come out and be murdered. No reply
was made. Capt. Riggs supposes this was
done to call him forth into some p"sition
SO as to give Reed an opportunity to shoot
him. The next the captain saw Of Reed
was on the left side of the House. Here
Reed presented his pistol to the captain.
and the captain at the same time presented
his. They both fired. Reed fired ia the
door at the captain, and the captain fired
out of the door at Reed. Reed fell on
deck. The captain said to the cook, who
was in the cabin. 81 have one of them
down. Not yet daring to go on deck.
not knowing how many had conspired
against him, but turning to Reed who lay
bleeding profusely, he said. you look
pretty you old pirate.' Reed tried to say
something in reply, but could not be un-
derstood. The captain loaded again, dur
ing which time Reed got up. From this
time the captain sat by the aft door of the
cabin till nearly morning, when he went
into the after cabin with the steward, Danl
Smith. They remained there till after
the light Of day, when they went into the
other cabin. During the whole time one
of the crew by the name of CostelIow, who
was faithful friend Of the captain, was
kept on deck under the power Of the mu-
tineers, and prevented from rendering any
assistance to the captain. During this
time passenger by the name OF Walker
had been killed on deck, at what exact
time the captain does not know. The Cap
tain and the cook were kept in the cabin
all day on Monday, during the most Of
which, CIemmons was walking upon the
top of the house, for the purpose. as the
captain supposes, of getting chance to
shoot him. About dark they were seen in
the hold coming aft, when the cook said to
the captain, - they are coming aft.'' He
fired at them and they retreated or deck.
1t was afterwards ascertained that they
were after the sail for the boat
At the same time that captain Riggs shot
Reed, Clemmons shot the mate who was
lavine at the wheel. and either at this |
time or at some time previous they stabbed |
the the mate as it was afterwards discov-
cred. Clemmons about this time being con
cealed from tn. sight Of the captain. asked |
him if he could have the boat-to which |
the captain replied no want to shoot |
another one Of you.
When they we're seen in the hold after |
sales for the boat it was a bout dark. |
During the night the captain sat by the
cabin door till towards morning. when the |
cook took his place. and the captain lean
ing against the side Of the cabin endeavor-
I'd to get little sleep, being much ex-
lausted, not having had anything to eat or
drink except some vinegar and molasses
Having passed the night as we'll as they