Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-03-19
NATCHRz UNDER THE HILL.

place as it existed in its palmy days. are
told by the river men. An old stager
narrated to US the following:
The town was at the highth of its in
famous noterily. Almost its only inhab-
itants were gamblers, cut throats, and
prostitutes. 1t was hardly considered
safe for stranger to go ashore unless
armed to the teeth and accompanied by
a squad of dare devils. Robberies and
assassinations were of daily almost
hourly occurrence. Many of the river
captains were in league with the devils
who ruled it, while others were held in
the most slavish fear.
A different man, however, was Capt.
l.. He feared neither man nor dew
il. His boat was one of the largest and
his crew the most hardy and fearless on
the. Mississippi. Brave, chivlrsous, hon
orable, and generous to fault. he con-
sidered his boat castle, and all on board
as under his patronage and protection.
Was passenger robbed, he gave him.
self no rest un'il the money was restored,
or the thief detected. Did blackleg
come aboard; he was put ashore the mo-
ment he evinced bad conduct.
During the downward trip the boat Of
Capt. had occasion to touch at
Natchez under-the-hill to take in some
freight. One of the passengers who
lounged into one Of the hells in the i'm
mediate vicinity of the shore, was robbed
OF large sum of money. The moment
he discovered his loss he rushed to the
captain and told his story. The latter
apparently paid no attention, but waited
until the freight had been all transferred
He then coolly walked up to the door Of
the .'hell' aforesaid, and demanded the
delivery of the stolen money. Of course
his demand was disregarded and him.
self threatened with a pistoling if he
didn't go about his business. Going
on board his boat he ordered all hands
to arm themselves and come ashore
At the same time he directed an i'm.
mense cable chain used for anchoring
and other purposes, TO be carrie ashore,
and tCound about the tenement in which
the thieves were, and secured of course
at both ends to the boat. This done,
the Captain, armed TO the teeth and ac-
cOmpanied by the crew. approached the
door cf the "hell" and once more de-
manded the stolen money; but was again
denied. He then said he would give the
robbers five minutes 10 make up their
mind, and if at that time the money was
not brought on board, he would drag the
house into the river and take it to New
Orleans with him. Accompanied by his
men, he then went aboard and ordered
up steam. Still the thieves did not ap.
pear, and as the time was just expiring.
the engine was put in mo;ion-the cable
made taut, and the thieves tenement
subjected to strain that made every
stick oftimber in it groan. Another mo.
ment, it would have been dragged head
long into the river, blacklegs and all,
when one of the fraternity rushed on
board the boat with the money. The
cable was unloosened, the captain wick
edly touched his hat in adieu to the dis
comited thieves, and the noble steamer
disappeared behind the jutting bluffs
with triumphant snort.
Capt. L-often touched at Match
es underline hill" after that, but the
blacklegs always gave him wide birth.
-Utica Herald.