White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-06-04
Katchez Under the Eli.

Many tough stories of This notorious
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 height Of its infamous notori-
ETY.. Almost its only inhabitants were
gamblers, cut-throats and prostitutes. 1t
was hardly considered safe for a stranger
to 90 ashore uRless armed to the teeth and
accompanied by a squad of dare-devils.
Robberies and sssassinations were of dali
ly-almoss hourly occurrence. Many Of
the river captains were in league with the
devils who rnled it, while Others were
held in the most slavish fear.
A different man, however, was Capt.
L., he feared neither man nor devil.
His boat was one of the largest, and his
crew the most hardy and fearless on the
Mississippi; Brave, chivalrous, honor
able and generous to fault, he consider
ed his boat castle, and all on board, as
under his patronage and protection
Was passenger robbed; he gave him
self no rest until tie money was restored
or the thief detected. Did a blaekleg
come aboard he was put ashore the mo-
ment he evinced bad conduct.
During a 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 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 "hsll" aforesaid, and demanded the
delivery of the stolen money. OF course
his demand was disregarded and himself
threatened with pistoling if he didn't
go about his business. Going on board
his boat he ordered all hands to arm
themselves and como ashore. At the
same time he directed an immense cable
chain used for anchoring and other pur-
poses, to be carried ashore. and around
about the tenement in which the thieves
were, and secured of course, at both ends,
to the boat. This done, the captain arm
ed to the teeth and accompanied by the
crew, approached the door of the ''hell, "
and once more demanded the stolen
money but was again denied. He then
said he would give the robbers five min
utes to 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 appear; and as the
time was expiring, the engine was put in
motion-the cable made taut, and the
thieves tenement subjected to strain
that made every stick of timber in it
groan. Another moment, it would have
been dragged headlong into the river,
blacklegs and all, when one of the fra
ternity rushed on board the boat with the
money. The cable was unloosened, the
captain wickedly touched his hat in adieu
to the discounted thieves, and the noble
steamer disappeared behind the jutting
bluffs with triumphant snort.
Capt. l. often touched at Match
ez-under-the-hili" after that, but the
blacklegs always gave him wide birth.