Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-09-28


off the boat at Middle Bass Island, whore
b e resides. .'...-'... .-......
u Shortly after leaving Kelley's Island,
between the Island and SAndusky. Was
standing in front or my Office, when four
of the party came up to me and drawing
rsvolvsrs, leyeled them and said, if l Of
fersd any resistance was a dead man, at
the same time the old black trunk few
open, and in less time than it takes to
write it, the whole gang of about IS were
] armed to the teeth with reVolvsrs, hatch
cts, &c. then told them that they sp-
psrently, had the strongest party and
gnessed / should have to surrender
They then stationed two men to watch
me, the remainder rushing into the cab
in threatening to shoot any one that
offered any resistance, there was a lar ge
number of ladies on board, who were very
much frightened. The boat was then
headed down the lake for about an hour
then turned round and ran to Middle
Bass Island. while lying there the steam
er Island Queen came along side, she
was instantly seized, quite q number of
shots were fred and a number were
struck with hatehets, but l think no one
was killed. The passengers OF both
boats were then put ashore, and portion
Of the baggage After taking what
money 1 had they requested me to go
sshore-they allowed me to take my pri-
vats property, but none of the books or
papers belonging to the boat. ..-,t
The boats were then started out in the
lake, the Parsons towing the Queen
short distance into the lake and then let
her 60 sdrift. From observations on
Kelley's Island this morning, the Queen
was supposed to be seen ashore on Mid
die Island. After putting off the passen-
gers at Middle Bass Island, the Phllo
Parsons headed for Sandusky, and was
gone about four hours. After while
she returned under full head of steam,
and after passing Middle Bass, headed
for Maiden, Canada, aud steered in that
direction as far as could be seen. The
crews of both boats were retained, and
made to do the bidding of the parties in
possession. The captain of the gang in
formed me that he would place myself
and the passengers where we could give
no information until morning, and be-
fore that time their work would be COM
pleted. He said it was their intention
to run to the mouth Of Sandusky Bay,
and if they received the proper signals, 1t
was their intention to run in, attack the
u. s. steamer Michigan. lying off john
sons Island, and then release their
friends imprisoned at that place,
STATEMENT OF CAPT. ORR, OF THE IsLA ND
QUEEN.
Captain Orr, commanding the Island
Queen, is a man who bears the very high
est reputation for yeracity, and whose
GOODNESS and exactitude is proyerbial.
About three o'clock Monday afternoon
the Island Queen left Sandusky for North
Bass and Toledo. On her way out she
stopped at Kelley's Island and took on
between thirty and forty, hundred days
men, going to Toledo to be mustered out,
and also some other passengers Cap
tain Orr noticed the Parsons steering
down the lake instead OF across it to-
wards Sandusky, and then saw her re
turning to Middle Bass Island, but did
not suspect any thing wrong. On leaving
Kelley's Island. Captain Orr ran to Mid
die Bass and hauled up alongside the
Parsons. putting out a gangway plank to
land freight. Suddenly there was com
motion on board the Parsons, and six
men, armed to the teeth. got on to the
Island Queen aft from the Parsons, and
about twenty forward, telling the cap
tain, crew and passengers that they were
prisoners. Some of the men resisted,
when they we're struck with hatchets
and threatened with revolvers. The fire.
man was cut on the head with hatchet,
and passenger named Lorenzo Miller.
of Put in Bay, was seriously injured
Several shots were fred, but none with
fatal effect. Captain Orr endeayored to
get hatchet TO cut the ropes from the
Parsons, but was stopped by two men,
who each presented a pistol to his head.
He then surrendered Some Of the. pi-
rates then went down to the engine
and called out the engineer. He did not
como at once, when they shouted to kill
the engineer. and pistol was fired at
him. The ball passed through his cheek
below the cheek bone, inhicting severe
wound. Most of the crew and passen-
gers of the Island Queen were then fore
ed down into her fire hold, Captain Orr
being among them. Soon afterwards he
was called up from below, and asked If
many strangers had come into Sandusky
that afternoon, and also whether there
was any excitement.
They then took Captain Orr into the
cabin, where the ladies were huddled to-
gether in fright, and told the ladies they
were permitted to go on shore on prom
ise not to inform any. one of the affair
within twenty four hours. The soldiers
were then called up and sworn not to
bear arms against the Confederacy until
legally exchanged The citizen passen-
gers were sworn not to divulge any of the
proceedings under twenty-fours hours
Soon after they were all put ashore on
Middle Bass Island, Captain Orr being
retained on board. r.
The two steamers were now lashed to-
gether, side by side, and got under way,
heading towards Sandusky. When 'e
tween four or five miles from the Islands,
between Kelley's Island and Putin Bay,
man who had been put into the hold,