The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-09-24
ADVENTURES OF A ROUsTABOUT.
lie IL shot and BeRten by the Mate
Captured and Tortured by Indians.

He is shot and Beaten by the Mate
Left on n sRnd-BRr near Fort Buford
Captured and Tortured by Indians.
From the 81. Louis Democrat, Sept. 9th.
A Frenchman named Frank Moonie went
before Justice Jesko on Saturday for the
purpose of suing the owners of q steam
boat for his wages. He made the following
statement, which appears TO be incredible,
M there is no man on the river who would
treat n fellow-being in such a cruel manner
We give the Frenchman's story for what IL
is worth, and with tho explanation that it
sounds like q fiction.
Moonie stated that on the 9TH of last
April he shipped as n deck hand or roust-
about on the steamer Flirt. bound for the
Rocky Mountains. About 80 miles below
Fort Buford the boat landed, and he was
sent ashore to make the line fast to q tree.
He did the work bunglingly, and the mate
flew into n passion, knocked him down,
kicked and beat him, and shot him In the
mouth, knocking ont three Of his teeth.
He was then put on shore on n sand bar,
without food, in n strange country, and
with a prospect of starvation staring him
in the face. He was suffering terribly from
his wounds, and never thought he would
live to reach a civilized country. He re-
manned on the sand bar twenty.eig hours,
when n log came drifting along, and he
seized IL and hoatod down the river fo1
several hours. As he was about reaching
dry land q party Of Indians came olong,
and, soizing the white man az their cap
tive, they took him several miles from the
river to their camp. There they stripped
him of ell his clothing, and with strips of
bark tied his hands together, and suspend
ed him, with his toes just touching the
800 w.sNka. . r. IL - - a.
Their intention was to roast him. During
the night, q half-breed squaw, taking pity
on him, cut his thongs, but no was unable
TO leave his csptors on account OF his
wounds. Tho squaw gave him n small
buckskin apron, which he put On and
calmly waited the pleasure Of tho savages.
The next morning the Indians drove him
from their camp, aud he dragged himself
along, and after a most painful walk reach
ed the Missouri River.
Here he sat down on the river bank, and
prayed for death TO relieve him of his sun.
erings. For two days he remained on the
river bank, and the steamer Tacony from
st. Louishoye in sight. He hailed her and
learned that Fort Bufort was ninety miles
above. He was left at this fort and fur.
nished with clothing by the officer in com.
mand. Ho remained in the hospital at the
fort seven days and was then put on the
steamer La Barge and sent to Sioux City.
Tho Mayor Of Sioux City furnished him
with clothing, and sent him to Omaha on
the steamer st, John, lie was sent from
Omaha to st. Louis, and arrived two OF
three days ago.
His objectin visiting Justice Jecko was to
sue the owners of tho Blirt Geo. j. and II.
X. Hazlett and +. W. Bednrd) for the
amount Of wages due him for the round
trip, amounting to Sl9G. If it shall appear
on the trial that his statement is true, the
officers of the boat will undoubtedly be
prosecuted before the United States Com.
missioner.