Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-03-09
THx MsnrHA WAsu1Neros PRrsox

The MARTHA WAsHINeros Prison
ERs.-We copy the following cores
pondence from the Louisville Journal:
Steamer Belle Sheridan,
Near Paducah, Saturday Feb. Is.
GENTLEMEN:
While at Mount Vernon, The st. Lou
is packet Ben Franklin, from Louisville,
came alongside. Immediately we were
boarded by a number of her passengers.
The police had anticipated the arrival of
friends of the prisoners, and were pre-
pared, having securely handcufed them
all. Of the number who came on board,
however, only one was Of the charac-
ter suspected. His name, as learned,
was George Shurrager, of Cincinnati.
The scene of excitement which ensued
upon his coming into the cabin and with
oaths demanding the release of Kissane
and his confederates, cannot be describ-
ed. The passengers of this boat, who
to a man believe the guilt of the par
ties, not knowing who the disturber was,
and fearing lest those who accompanied
him were confederates, rallied around
the officers, determined to assist in de-
fence of law to the last extremity
Few, l venture to say, of all on board
ever witnessed scene of greater ex-
citement. As soon as Shurrager found
that his plans of exciting riot could
not succeed, and that all were opposed
to him, he ceased his violence and be-
gan now quietly to seek sympathy of
the passengers by asserting the illegali-
ty of their arrest. Every one, however,
was incensed at his conduct, and it was
with great difficulty that a number could
be restrained from throwing him over
board. Meanwhile the boat had got
under headway and proceeded several
miles, when, fearing lest he might par
take of the propensities of his friends
and set fire to the boat, the very peace
able method of getting rid of him by
addressing the note enclosed to Captain
Montgomery. As seen by the resolu-
tious adopted and enclosed, the demand
was complied with. He went back
again on board the Ben Franklin, and
we have since had an unbroken calm
Every one has resolved himself into
committee to see to the safe delivery of
the prisoners at Helena, and, if anoth-
er such attempt to excite a riot is made,
the instigators will, am afraid, meet
with summary violence.
Our boat moves on proudly. We
have no ladies on board, though if any
thing could compensate for such great
want, it would be the elegance, neat
ness, and excellence of everything
Our complement of passengers is how
ever, large, all gentlemen of intelligence
and good behavior.
l have already written more than in
tended, and fear that l have trespassed
upon your space and time.
Very truly yours, &C., S.
At meeting of the passengers, held
on board the steamer Belle Sheridan, on
Feb. 25, the following pream-
bic and resolutions were unanimously
adopted:
Whereas, quiet has been restored on
the boat, after an attempt to excite a
riot and rescue the Kissane prisoners,
now on their way to Arkansas in charge
of Marshall Bruen, of Ohio, under a re-
QUESTION from the Governor of Arkan-
sas, to stand their trial for the murder
of those who perished on the Martha
Washington; and, whereas, we deem
it appropriate to give expression to our
satisfaction at the manner in which such
an end has been attained; therefore,
ResolUed, That the thanks of the pas
sengers are due to Captain Montgome-
ry, and that we heartily commend him
for the promptness with which he Sc
conded the marshal in his efforts to
maintain the high authority under which
he is acting, and for his ready response
to our demand for the ejectment Of
George Shurrager.
Resoived, That the conduct of Mar
shall Bruen and aids deserve the high
est praise and receives our unanimous
Resolved, That these resolutions be
signed by the passengers, together with
the note to Capt. Montgomery, and for
warded for publication to Louisville,
New Orleans, and st. Louis.
Signed by ]. Stoddard johnson, of
Louisville; JEFF. Gilman, Somerset, KY;
DIR. VIM. Buckell, Yazoo City, Miss;
{. M. Paine, Louisville; j. Searies, Jr.,
Vicksburgh; D. NJ. Foster, Washing
on, Ark; J. ]. Burnett, New Orleans;
A. B. Bachley, Georgetown, KY; John
B. Parks, Louisville; s. S. Donovan,
New Orleans; L. G. Rountree, Hunts
lille, Texas; John Smith, Green co.,
Ky; F. H. Cossitt, Memphis; S. R. ,
smith, Texas; and others.
Copy.
To Capt E. T. Montgomery:
We, the undersigned, believing that
is the object of one George Shurra- !
er, who has recently come on board, to a
xcite a riot for The purpose of rescu- g
lg his friends, the Martha Washing I
IN conspirators, in charge of officer s
ruen, and believing that the presence o
the said Shurrager is dangerous to u
lie peace and safety of the boat, re- Il
uest and demand that he be put ashore s
(Signed by the passen- n