St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-06-17
Bell, the River Pirate.

Capt. Bell, leader of the Mississippi
pirates, was captured a few days since
in the interior of Michigan, by S. w.
Carpenter, detective police of Du-
buque. He was taken to McGregor,
and after an examination was commit
ted to Clayton Go. Jail in Garnavlllo,
for safe keeping. Great credit is due
Mr.. Carpenter for his untiring perse-
verance in tracking Bell through va
rious States, and in different directions,
till he finally came up with him. The
McGregor Times says:
Bells appearance does not indicate
the hardened character he possesses,
and one unacquainted with him, would
suppose him to be quiet inoffensivc
citizen, but when necessary, he evinces
sullen, bulldog spirit, which at once
proves him capable of going to any OK
cess in crime, and to be man not to
be trined with. We cannot suppress
a feeling of regret, that such "a man,
young and with family, should for
felt the respect of his fellow men,
and bring disgrace upon all with
whom he is connected, but sympathy
for him should not have weight with
Judge or jury, and we hope that i'll his
case, no cause will be given for that
dissatisfaction among the people, that
was manifested at the result of the
trial of some of his accomplices. Pop.
ular opinion is strong against him,
and unless his innocence is clearly
proven, nothing but lengthy term in
the Penitentiary will satisfy the de-
mands of justice, or shield the prison.
err from violence at the hands Of those
whose rights he has trespassed upon,
and whose outraged feelings call aloud
for punishment due to his crimes.
Bell was found in vicinity infested
with a band of scoundrcls engaged in
counterfeiting and practicing other
kindred accomplishments, eight OF
whom have recently been arrested,
and arc now in custody, showing that
he was not slow to find men of his own
tastes, and among whom he could ex-
pcct sympathy. There has been so
much thieving around here Of late,
burglaries and horse stealing, that it
is no hard matter to believe that those
engaged in the business are all con-
nected, and their field Of operations
extends from St. Paul to the mouth
of the River, embracing the country
Oh each side for hundreds of miles. 1t
is said that the goods taken from the
pirates here few weeks since We're
destined for New Orleans, where they
were to be re-shipped, and carried to
Texas, there to be sold, as one of the
parties arrested has a brother now in
the business, running vessel in the
Gulf of Mexico, and depends upon the
River to furnish him with Cargoes.
If this is correct, the business is much
more extensive than was supposed,
and no doubt hundreds are engaged
in it. This speaks well for the
shrewdness Of the operators, and
shows the necessity of the utmost Wig
lance in prosecuting the work OF
breaking up this wholesale stealing
and bringing the offenders to justice
Our citizens have shown a determine
ton in the matter, which is worthy OF
imitation, and their conduct deserves
great credit, as no money has been
spared in prosecuting the search for
Bell, and now he is in the hands of the
officers, a just and impartial trial will
be given him.