Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-05-11
From the North Iowa Times Extra.
Mississippi Pirates Caught-$5, 900
Worth Of Property Recovered.

In our last issue we gave brief ac-
count of system of Theiving that SEEM
ed to have been successfully carried out
in this vicinity for the last few months
| We now have the qualification of a nnoun-
| cling the discovery of some of the robbers
and the rescue Of a large amount Of Mer-
chandlze belonging TO the Eeighborhood.
/ As Il Is our desIgn 10 publish III our reg
ular issue (Which will be delayed to OBJ
tain the facts which may be elected Oh an
invesugation) full history of the devel-
opments which the past week has exposed,
we forbear minute detail of matters as
they now present themselves. There
may be cause for change of opinion in re-
lalion TO certain parlies-hence the gen
eral absence of names In this article.
The Rendezvous of the Robbers Of the
Upper Mississippi, has been for year
past, the Old Ferry Building on the west
side of the River from the Prairie du
Chen Upper Ferry. AT that place Goods
have been stored from points as high up
as La Crosse, and if the statements of
prisoners can be relied on, there have
been fitted out at that place more expedi-
lions than one TO the lower river.
1t seems carpenter named RALpu
/ Chs last name we have not learned) has
been IN the employ of the Robbers for
several months, .n!ding boa,s, &C., Sc,
preparatory TO a voyage down below. -
One day last week a quarrel ensued be-
tween RALPH and some of the party,
which resulted in Ralph's exposure Of the
Williams. Ralph came down TO McGregor
and gave such information in relation TO
their practice and plans as led TO an i'm
mediate organization for their detection.
On FRIDAY morning last Constables
kEE and BRowN of McGregor and sew
eral of our most active citizens, LETT this
place for the Island known as BIG Island
opposite the mouth Of Sni Magill Creek.
about five miles below this, and nearly
opposite Wyalusing. The river at pres
ent is very high and scarcely any portion
of the Island is out Of the water, and
hence the skItis of the adventurers had
access 10 almost all portions of the suspect
ed territory. After thorough reconno-
tire, the boat containing KEE, Ralph, and
our fellow citizen SANDFoRD L. PECK,
Esq, discovered tent or camp on the Is
land IN which were found Gro SEVILLE
an English butcher of McGregor, a man
partly blind, named Howell, and a bow
8 years old, whose name we have not
learned. These were captured and from
them II was asCertaIned that man call
ing himself Dr.. BELL Ga veterinary sur
geon, late partner 10 Joseph Bayless of
this vicinity) was in command of a boat
moored IN some of the sIoughs of the Is
land, and that said boat was loaded with
stolen Goods TO the amount of several
hundred dollars On the next morning
kEE, PECK and the boy proceeded 10 look
up the boat and having discovered il, came
up within close distance before any signs
of life were exhibited on boarI The
barking of a dog on the pirale vessel
reused the Captain and he sprang out on
the bow IN his shrt-seeing the boy it is
supposed he took the party for friends
and remarked that his ''wife was notup''
requesting them 10 ''hold on AT this
moment the skif being near TO the ban
DIT, kEE was leaning forward to make a
prisoner Of HIM when BELLS countenance
assumed demon like appearance, he
sprang into the boat, presented a revolver
al the door Of 1t and screamed to the par
ty God damn your souls I'll blow vou to
hell Without farther invitation Mr..
Peck who was in the line of danger fired
fell back wounded, aud In a few seconds
pistol shot passed through the side of
the boat from the chest on which Bell had
fallen. Believing that Bell was serious
~ wounded, and having heard that his
wife was practiced gunner, the assall-
ing party deemed 1t most prudent to re-
/ turn 10 McGregor for force sufficient TO
! secure the boat and bring it into port
! BRowN and WooDCocK in The mean time
had separated from them the night before
and had gone to Clayton City.
Immediately on The arrival of Kee and
( Peck with their prisoners, the report of
/ the success got wind and the town was
soon at boiling heat. Capt. Nelson of the
\ Alex McGregor was prevailed on to run
his boat down 10 the battle ground, and
about 80 persons comprising many of our
best citizens, armed with such weapors
I as could be conveniently obtained, enlisted
for the war. The Alex McGrecor took
! The passengers down to the vicinity of The
/ Loaf hut during the passage three suspI-
clous looking customers were arrested on
board and the IcGreCor carried them 10
/ Pralr.e du Chen, where it was learned
! that heayey robbery OF Jewelry had
/ been committed the night before
! The adventures found the boat on
which Bell was shot, but the bird had
flown. Mrs. Bell and her young child re-
NAMED on board. A guard was detailed
and upon further exploration two more
boats loaded with plunder were found far
/ Iher down the Riyer-the first boat was
fastened 10 the steamer Pembii4aw Of ST.
Louis, and broughtio our wharf the same
I
towed to Clayton City by Capts DeHaven
and Goodrich of the Junction Ferry Line,
and remained there in charge of as Jolly
a set of IcGregorite. as ever captured a
prize. On Sunday the Alex. McGregor
with TWO or three hundred citizens 90
board left her wharf and proceeded to