Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-05-15
from the MeGlegor Times Extra, May 4th.
IISgIss1PPI Pirates CAUGHT.
5000 Worth Of Property Recovered,

rripity for the last few months. We
now have the qualification of announcing
The discovery of some Of the robbers, and
the rescue of large stock Of merchandise
bsIonging to the neighborhood. AS 1T
j. our design to publish in our regular is
us full history of the developments
which the past week has exposed, we for
hear minute detail of matters as they
new present themselves. There may be
cause for change of opinion in relation to
certain parties-hence the general absence
IF names in this article.
The rendezvous of the robbers of the
] Timer Mississippi, has been for year
ps.t the old ferry buildings on the west
] sJe of the river from the Prairie du Chion
upper ferry. At that place, goods have
been stored from points as high up as La
! Crosse, and if the statements Of the prison
ers can be relied On, there have been fit
4 ted out at that place more than one expe-
4 dtion to the lower river.
Itseem8 a carpenter named Ralph CHS
last name we have not learned) has beer
IN the employ of the robbers for several
] months, building boats, DC, preparatory
to voyage below. One day last week, a
quarrel ensued between Ralph and some
If The party, which resulted in Ralph's
exposure of the villains. Ralph came
dawn to McGregor and gave such infor-
nation in relation to their practices and
plans as led to M immediate Organization
for their detection.
On Friday morning last, Constables Kee
and Brown, McGregor, and several Of our
most active citizens, left this place for the
island known as Big Island, opposite the
mouth of Sni Magili Greek, about five
miIrs below this, aud nearly opposite Wy
aIusing. The river at present is very higI
and scarcely any portion Of the island is
out Of water, and hence, the skiffs Of tht
adventures had access to almost all por
tons of the suspected territory. After u
thorough reconnoitre the boat containing
Kee, Ralph, and our fellow citizen, San
ford L. Peck, Esq, discovered tent, or
camp on the island, in which were found
G. Schiyill, an English butcher Of SicGre-
gor, rnau partly blind, named Howell,
8nl boy years old, whose name we
have not learned. These we're cap ured,
end from them it WAS ascertained that u
man calling himself Dr.. Bell Ga veterinary
surgeon, late partner TO JOS. Bayess, Of
this vicinity was in command Of boat
moored in some of the sloughs OF the Is
land, and that said boat was loaded with
Stolen goods to the amount Of several hun
bred dollars. On TIE next morning, Kee,
Peck and the boy, proceeded to look up
tbs boat, ana having discovered il, came
up within close distance before any signs
ptlifs were exhibited on bard. The bark
Inc Of Il dog on the pirate vessel aroused
Its Captain, aud he sprang out on the bow
il bis shirt-seeiug the boy it is supposed
he took the party for triens, and remark
ed that bis wife WAS not up" requested
thom to hold on. At this mouent, the
skif being near to the bandit, IAee wa,
leaning forward to make prisoner Of hin
when Bells countenance assumed de-
inoAiac appearance, he sprang iuto TIE
boat, Presented revolver at the door o
ii, and screamed TO the party, God damn
your souls, I'll GLOW you to hell" Will
on; farther invitation, Mr.. Peck, who WA
in the line of danger, fred his revolver, a
he sup. osed fatally fell back wound
ed, and in a few seconds a pistol shot pass
ed through the side Of the chest on which
Bell had fallen. Believing that Bell wa
seriously wounded, and having heard TIA
his wife was practiced gunner, the as
sailing party deemed it most prudent t,
return TO McGregor for force sufficient t.
secure the boat, and bring it into port
Brown and Woodcock, IN the meantim,
had separated from them the night before
and had gone to Clayton City.
Immediately on the arrival of Kee ant
Peck with their prisoners, the report o
the success got wind and the town wa
soon at boiling heat. Capt. Nelson, o
the Alex. Mctregor, was prevailed on L
run his boat down to The battle ground
and aboat so persons, comprising many o
our best citizens, armed with such weapons
as could be conveniently obtained, enlisted
for the war. The Alex. McGregor tool
the passengers down to the vicinity of tn,
boat, but during the passage three suspi
cious looking customers were arrested Oh
board, and the McGregor carried them tt
Prairie du Chen, where it was learned 1
heavy robbery of jewelry had been com
mitted the night before.
The adventures found the boat OF
which Bell was shot, but the bird ha'
flown. Mrs Bell and her young child re
manned on board. A Guard was detailed
and upon further examination, two NOR
boats loaded with plumber were found far
tber down the river the first boat wa
fastened to the steamer Pembinaw, Of ST
Louis, and brought 10 our wharf the sam
evening. The other pirate crafts wer
towed to Clayton City by Capts De Ha
ven and Goodrich, of the junction Ferr,
Line, and remained there, in charge Of a
jolly set of McGregorites as ever cuptur
ed prize. On Sunday, the Alex. al
Gregor, with two or three hundred citizen
on board, left her wharf, and proceeds
to CLAYTON City, to bring up the plundei