The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-01-23
Mississippi Steamboat Court.

the Mississippi, writes back to his paper
from one of his late letters the following
report of trial on the steamboat, which
had been several days aground on sand bar.
He had lust returned from a bear hunt on the
Arkansas bank.
We returned to the steamboat, on entering
Thich, we were greeted with the sound Of
many voices i'll loud laughter.
Called forward by the crier in a loud
voice we found trial on the capstan about
to be heard, and soon saw the noted lectur-
or Prof Ward, before spoken Of, led i'll as a
criminal to answer grave charges preferred
against him, to wit: for that whereas
the said Professor while the boat was
aground and all the men thereon, passengers
rs well as deck hands, laboring zealously, ),
and perSeveringly to remove the same, then
upon the forecastIe deck and among the men
working at the capstan refused to lend a
hand, or in any way assist in the work then
being done by others, although often request
cI So to do, but with book in hand walked
off, thereby showing his contempt for the
orders of the captain and mate, and his
preference for Fower's Phrenology, over the
10 shirk work in time Of dire necessity
The Professor looked grave and demure when
the indictment was read, and then still fur
thcf evinced his stubbornness by refusing to
plead 10 the indictmcnt-a Mr. Ferral step
ped forward and volunteered to speak i'll his
defence. Witnesses were called and exam
innd counsel heard, and thereupon after a
foil hearing of the cause, the court having
come to an opinion on the Professors case,
proceeded to pass sentence upon him in.
words following to wit.
Professor Ward, stand up. (the Prof re-
flsing to rise was supported by the sheriff.
and his deputy and answer whether you
hive any thing TO say why the court should
not pass sentence upon yon.
The Professor proceeded to speak of his
being from the State OF Massachusetts, ii.
public lecturer travelling for the purpose Of,
diffuSing q knowledge of his fovorite sci
ences he had travelled through many States.
and many thousands of miles by public con-
vevances; always paid his own expenses -
Paid full fare 10 Vicksburg and was not
Il going to work like deck-hand or half
priced individual. he was gentleman never
had worked and never would he knew his
rights and would attend to his own bust
ness in his own way, and they had better
let him alone.
The Professor having concluded, the SEN
tcnce was then pronounced.
PROFESSOR WARD.--The court havingI
heard all the evidence adduced III this case,
and having listened patiently to the argu-
ment Of your counsel and to your own re-
marks, must now make known their judg~
nent. With deep regret they have been
compelled TO sit in this case; when crimi-
nal of your great standing (six feet two
and your responsibility (taking your own
representations and wisdom (in your own
conceit) is brought before them to be tried
for an offence of so heinous nature
Piracy upon the high seas" is crime alb
horred by God and man. From treason
heresy and schism, "good Lord deliver ul has
been the prayer of the church for ages, and
yet we in this our day and generation are
compelled to witness the departure from
the line upon line, and precept upon
precept' of the Pilgrim Fathers who she'd
their blood in copious gushing floods on
Plymouths sacred rock by degenerate son
of Massachusetts. With pious horror we
have heard recounted the acts of your DISC
bedience, and to clap the climax Of your in
defnable infamy we have heard from your
own lips declarations sufficient to damn ten