Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-09-21
THE SCHEME FRUSTRATED.
Arrest Of AccOmpIices at San
dusky.
Late Mexican News
FROM SANDUSKY.
Especial to the Cleveland Iesder.I

SANDUsKY, Sept. 90
A deep-laid and carefully-planned rebel
conspiracy, which had no less an object
than the capture of the United States
steamer Michigan, the liberation of the
secesh prisoners on Johnson's Island, and
the serious damage if not entire destruc-
ton of our lake commerce, eliminated
yesterday evening owing to the fortunate
discovery of the plot and the arrest of the
leading conspirators in this city last night.
1t was almost entirely frustrated, and
the only damage done is the capture and
partial destruction Of two small steamers,
the PHO Parsons and the Island Queen.
The following is an outline of the facts !:
The steamer Philo Parsons, side-wheel
steamer, running between Sandusky and
Detroit, commanded by Captain Atwood,
left Detroit yesterday morning at halfsfter
eight, with about forty passengers. She
took on four passengers at Sandwich,
three miles below, and about twenty at
Maiden, twenty miles down the river, both
on the Canada side. The only baggage
they had was an old trunk, bound with
cords. On reaching North Bass Is
land, where Captain Atwood resides,
he went ashore, leaving Ashley, the
clerk in command, and the boat continued
on her way.
About six O'Clock, as soon as the boat
left Kelleys Island, on her way to San
dusky, the clerk was seized BY four men,
who drew revolvers on him.
The trunk which they had brought on
with them turned out to be filed with navy
revolyors and hatehets. When it was
opened come thirty-6ve men armed them
selves therefrom.
Each man hsYing two reyolvers, the
party were headed by an intelligent En-
glishman, apparently well acquainted with
nautical matters. They then took
possession of the boat, threatening
death to all who resisted. The boat was
then headed down the Lake until 10 miles
beyond Sandusky, then turned and run
past Kelleys Island to Middle Bass
While lying at Middle Bass Island, the
steamer Island Queen, Captain Orr, a
small side wheel steamer, usually running
between Sandusky and the Islands,
but now bound to Toledo with number
of passengers, including thirty or forty
returning 100 day men, came along side
about O'clock. She was instantly seized
and as there was for a moment some show
of resistance made, some shots were fred,
and the engineer of the Island Queen
was wounded in the cheek
The passengers Of both boats, together
with the Clerk, Ashley, were then put
ashore, the soldiers being pat on parole not
to take up arms against the Southern Con
federacy until exchanged. t..r-4-.r
A portion of the baggage was also sent
ashore. No private property was takeni but
the books, papers, and money of both
boats were seized. The boats were ther
started out into the lake rorthward, the
Parsons towing the Queen, which wa
empty. The crews of both boats were re
tained On the Parsons. The Queen wal
scuttled, hole was knocked in her bottom
and she was sent adrift Of Point au Pelle
and shestruck reef about miles from
land, where she lies in several feet o
water. Parties who visited her to-day
say that she can be recovered without Sc
riouS damage.