The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-13
Mississippa Pirates C~uxht-so.O,O Worth
Of Property Recovered.

In our last issue we gave brief account
of q system of thieving that seemed to have
been successfully carried out in this vicinity
for the last few months. We now have the
| qualification Of announcing the discovery Of
some Of the robbers and the rescue Of large
amount Of merchandise belonging to the
neighborhood. As it is our design to pub
Iish in our regular issue (which will be de-
layed to obtain the facts which may be
elected on an investigation full history of
the developments which the past week has
exposed, we fOrbear minute detail OF mat
tiers as they now present themselves. There
may be cause for change Of opinion in re.
lation TO certain parties-hence the general
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 re-
lied on, there have been fitted out OF that
place more expeditions than one TO the lower
river.
1t seems carpenter named Ralph This
ihSt uhIllt We nave uOt IcuiutuI HaS UGH III
the employ of the robbers for several months
building boats, &C., &c, preparatory to
voyage down below. One day last week
quarrel cnsued between Ralph and some of
the party, which resulted in Ralph's exposure
of the villains. Ralph came down to Nc
Gregor and gave such information in
relation TO their practice and plans as led to
on immediate organization for their detec-
ton, ~ ....-.... ,,..... .-.-... ,.,,-,
On Friday morning last Constables kee
and Brown Of Mciregor and several Of our
most active citizens, left this place for the
island known as Big Island, opposite the
mouth of Sni Magill Creek, about FIVE miles
below this, and nearly opposite to Wyalu-
sing. The river at present ID high and scarce
ly any part Of the Island is out of water, and
the skiffs of the adventures had access to
almost all portions Of the suspected terrific
ry. After thorough reconnotre, the boat
containing kes, Ralph and our fellow citizen
SANFORD l.. Peck, Esq, discovered a tent or
camp on the Island in which were found
Geo. Seville, an English butcher Of Nc
Gregor, man partly blind named Howell,
and boy years old, whose name we have
not learned. These were captured and from
them il was ascertained that man calling |
himself DIR. Bell, IA veterinary surgeon, late |
partner to Joseph Bayless of this vicinity |
was in command Of boat mooresi in some |
OF the soughs of the Island 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 pro-
ceeded to look up the boat and having dis |
covered it, came up 10 within close distance |
before any signs Of life were exhibited on
board. The barking Of dog on the pirate ,
vessel reused its Captain and he sprang out |
on the bow in his shirt-seeing the boy it is |
supposed he took the party for friends and |
remarked that his wife was not up" re- |
questing them to " hold on AT this mo- |
ment the skiif being near to the bandit, Kee
was leaning forward to make a prisoner Of
him when Bells countenance assumed de-
monac appearance, he sprang into the boat,
presented a revolver al the door of it, anil
screamed TO the party, God damn your
souls-l II blow you TO bell :" Without /,
further invitation, Mr.. Peck, who was in the /
line Of danger, fired his revolver, as he sup |,
posed, iatay--Bel fell back wounded, and
10 few seconds pistol shot passed through |
the side OF the boa. from the chest On which
Bell had fallen. Believing that Bell was
seriously wounded. and having heard that
his wife was practised gunner, the assailing
party deemed it most prudent to return TO
McGregor for force sufficient 10 secure the
boat and bring ii into port Brown and
Woodcock in the meantime had separated
from them the night before and had gone 10
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.
MeGregor was prevailed on to run his boat
down to the battle ground, and about 80
persons comprising many Of our best citizens,
armed with such weapons a. could BE- con.
veniently obtained. enlisted for the war. The
Alex McGregor took the passengers down
to the vicinity of the boat but during the
passage three suspicious looking customers
were arrested on board. and the MeGntgor
carried them to Prairie du Chen. where il
was learned that heavy robbery Of jewelry
had been committed the night before
The adventures found the boat on which
Bell was shot, but the bird hal flown Mrs
Bell and her young child remained on board
A guard was detailed and upon further ex-
poration two more boats loaded with PUN
der were found farther down the River-the
first boat was fastened to the steamer Penn
buaw Of st Louis, and brought To our warf
the same evening. The other pirate crafts
1 were toved to Clayton City By Capts. De
/ Haven and Goodrich Of the Junction Ferry
Line, and remained there in charge Of a.
/ Jolly McGregori,cs a. ever captured prize.
/ On sunday the Alex. McGregor with two
! or three hundred citizens on board left her
I wharf and proceeded 70 Clayton City to bring
up the plunder and the victorious baud who
bad il in charge. When near that pace the
: Fred Lorenz was met with the booty in
tow and such time 81 cheering and rejoie-
ing was never heard before on the MISS
sppi.