The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-07-30
TERRIBLE MASSACRE
ON THE STEAMER
DUBUQUE.
AT THE HAMPTON
LEVEE.
FIVE OR SIX MEN MUIR
DERED.
THE BOAT In POS
SESSION OF THE
RIOTERS.
Rock Island Expedition
For the Capture.
An Exciting Pursuit.
THE CHASE CONTINUED TO
CLINTON.
STEAMBOAT W.. RAILROAD AND
TELEGRAPH,
TIE BOAT SEIZED.
Rock Island Expedition
For the Capture.
An Exciting Pursuit.
THE CHASE CONTINUED TO
CLINTON.
STEAMBOAT vs.. RAILROAD AND
TELEGRAPH,
TIE BOAT SEIZED.

TIE BOAT SEIZED.
CoNpxHTu SUCCESS.
The Mississippi River has been the scene
of many desperate tragedies and adventures,
but we doubt Il, this side Of st. Louis, there
ever occurred more sanguinary affair
than trauspred on the Steamer Dubuque on
Thursday the 18th. la its brutality and
high handed defiance Of law and order, it
more nearly respmbled some wild outbreak
| of mutineers on the ocean, where, begirt
with strange waters, and II thousand miles
beyond the reach Of justice, deeds at which
perpetrated with "A semblance Of escape from
retributi0n. In this case we can only trace
the origin Of these half dozen loathsome
butcheries to the degraded impulses, and
binding passions Of horde Of semibarb
rians, desperate enough for the commission
OF any crime, md ignorant enough TO be.
lieve that escape from their consequences
would be possible, when m enlightened
community is called upon to behold their
savage deeds, and furnish theatre for their
enactment. The raftsmen of the Mississip
pi river are undoubtedly the most lawless
men east Of tho frontiers Of civilization
They form class peculiarly distinct from
| those around them, aud while continually
passing through communities Of the most
advanced stages Of refinement, they We! re-
tain all the habits and characteristics oil
semrsavage state. Ignorant, degraded
and frequently Observation-Disclosures devoteec
Of every vice on the catalogue, hardy and
reckless, they are the terror of any section
| where the hand Of the law is not prompt 10
avenge every insult to It's requirements and
dignity. Always moving in large numbers,
they are positive nuisance to the steam
boat lines, and frequently Il source of fear
to quiet travellers.
THE MURDERS.
On Thursday morning, loaded with pas.
seugers and freight, and having nearly two
hundred raftsnen on board, the steamer
Dubuque left our wharf for St. Paul Her
officers are as follows: Captain, John b.
Rhoades Clerks, Daniel Y. pawley, and
Theodore Jones; Mate, James Sweet. The
crew WAS almost entirely composed Vi col
ored men. As soon as she had passed Mo.
| line, Clerk Jones prepared to look through
the dense crowd Of deck passengers for
tickets, and for that purpose stationed q col.
ored man named Moses Davis on the stairs
leading up to the cabin deck, with instruc.
tons to allow no one to pass up until all
had been examined. The raftsmeu were
principally on the lower deck. The guard
had been at his post but few minutes, be
fore raftsman who is described as large
poc.marked fellow, attempted to pass up
stars. He was of course resisted. A dis.
turhance arose between the two which end
ed in the negro knocking the raftsman
down, and giving him decidedly the worst
of the fight. Most of the rafsmen had
been drinking, and much excitement ensued
The mate, Mr.. Sweet, forseeng me.
lee, offered to put the negro on shore. This
proposition did not meet with any special
encouragement. Matters quoted down un
til the boat reached Hampton, ard had just
pushed out again, when q ring was formed
on the deck, and the two were called on by
the crowd to fight the matter out. The ne.
gro consented, but as soon as he stepped
down from the stairs his opponent drew q
knife, and made at him, \ terrible scene
followed. Knives and revolvers were drawn
by the rsfsmen, and an indiscriminate as.
saut commenced on oil the negroes on
board y large number of shots were fred,
but with what effect, is not now definitely
known, as even the negroes could no. tell
exactly how many lives were lost The IN.
fortunate guard, on seeing the danger that
beset him, turned to fee, but was closely
followed by the blood thirsty rufians. Heavy
pieces of coal were hurled at his head, until
he sprsng overheard, and chose watery
grave in preference to being butche,ed with
knives. His brother, who saw him spring
over, thinks his skull was fractured at the
time, as it bore that appearance, and is not
sure that he knew what he was doing when
he jumped over. As be sunk, the blood
rose to the surface, crimsoning the water.
conclusively showing that he had received
some severe wounds. He made no rroau or
struggle but sunk Immediately, aud was
seen no more. At this juncture the mate
narrowly escaped death, and was driven
above, while the utmost CONSERVATION pre-.
vailed among the passengers. The rats.
men rushed all over the boat, cruelty beat.
ius the negroes, who concealed ,Asns.lvss