American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-05-03
19lDRDDS SCRAPS.
NATCHEz UNDER THE BILL.

Many tough stories ofthis notorious
place as it it existed in it's palmy days,
arc told by the river men. An old
stager narrated to us the following:
The town was a. the height of it's in
famous notoriety.- Almost it's only in
habitants were gamblers, cut-throats,
and prostitutes. 1t was hardly consid-
cred safe for stranger to 90 ashore,
unless armed to the teeth, accompani-
ed by "a squad Of darc-devils. Robbcr-
les and assassinations were of daily
almost hourly occurrence. Many of
of the river captains were in league
with the devils who ruled it, while 9TH
ers were held in tho most slavsh fear.
A different man however, was Capt.
l.. He feared neither man nor
devil. His boat was one of the larg-
est, and his crew the most hardy and
fearless on the Mississippi. Brave,
chivalrous, honorable, and generous to
q fault, he considered his boat castle
and all on board, as under his patron
age and protection. Was passenger
robbed!-he gave himself no rest until
the money was restored, or the thief
detected. Did blacklcg come aboard
he was put ashore the moment he G.
WINGED bad conduct. .. .
During the downward trip, the boat
of Capt. l. had occasion to touch
at Natchez under-the-hill to take in
some freight. One of the passengers
who lounged into one of the bells in the
immediate vicinity of the shore was
robbed of u large sum of money. The
moment he discovered his loss, he rush
ed to the captain and told his story
The latter apparently paid no atten-
ton but waited until the freight had
all been transferred He then walked
up coolly to tho door of the ''hcll' a.
foresaid, and demanded the delivery Of
the stolen money. Of course his de-
mand was disregarded, and himself
threatened with pistoling fhc didn t
60 about his business. Going on board
his boat, he ordered all hands to arm
themselves and come ashore. At the
same time, lie ordered an immense ca
bic chain used for anchoring and other
purposes, to be carried ashore and
eO0und 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 of the SHE'LL" and once more de-
manded the money, but was again de-
MED. He then'said he would give the
robbers five minutes to make up their
minds, and if, at that time the money
was not brought Oh board, he would
drag the house into the river, and take
it to New Orleans with him. Accom-.
panied by his men, he then went a,
board and ordered up steam. Still the
thieves did not appear, and as the
time was expiring, the engine was put
in motion---the cable made tight, and
the thieves tenement subjected to
q strain that made every stick Of tim
Der in it groan. Another moment, and
it would have been dragged hcadlong
into tho river, blacklogs and all, when
one of the fraternity rushed on board
with the money. The cable was un-
looscd; the captain wickodly touched
his hat in adieu to the discounted
thieves, and the noble steamer disap-
peared behind the jutting bluffs with a
triumphant snort. Capt. L. of
ten touched at Natchez-under-tho
hill'' but the blacklegs always gave him
q wide berth. - Utica Herald.