The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-05-04
THE BELLE OF ALTON.
Steamboat Arson Case I'm New Or
IoanR

From the New Orleans Commercial Bulle
tin, April q.
Between three and four o'clock or
the morning of March %, the well
known steamboat Belle Of Alton, then
lying at the head Of Washington street
Fourth district, was completely destroy
ed by fire. The vessel was latterly in
the Red River trade, but had been laid
up for sometime, for the want OF busi.
ness. She was insured for $50, 900, and
there were circumstances connected
with the affair which led the police to
investigate the subject, Detectives Har
ris and Smith were detailed to work up
the matter, and did it in a scientific and
successful manner. Mr.. Harris discov'
cred that, at the time of the fire, there
were only two men on the boat-Joseph
Nixon. the mate, and John Stanton, a
negro watchman. The detective also
discovered that the mate, who claimed
10 have been the first to have discover,
ed the fire, had stated that he had run
down stairs, and had found the watch
man asleep, and had to kick him three
or four times before he could get him
wide enough awake to escape. After
hearing this statement, the officer spent
some time in hunting up Nixon, whom
he finally came across in the neigh
borhood Of the Chattanooga Railroad
Depot. Although stranger, he picked
up the acquaintanceship, and congratu-
lated Nixon on his narrow escape.
Nixon replied that he had very mar
row one, but tina. did not stop him from
saving the negro watchman, who would
have been burned up but for him, as he
was asleep, After hearing this story
Nixon was temporarily left alone, and
John Stanton, the negro, was hunted
up. Officer Harris succeeded in getting
in conversation with him; he found
him very intelligent, and when he
chided him gently with neglecting his
trust and going asleep on watch, the
negro Indignantly denied having closed
an eye, and said he had attended to his
duty throughout the night, and was up
and about when the mate came running
down stairs. This story was evidently
true, and suspicion Immediately cen
tered on Nixon, who was Immediately
put under surveillance. Nixon was
known to have been without a dollar
the day before the burning Of the
steamer, and was seen spending money
freely on the day after the burning.
The detectives sent a messenger to
Captain Bruner, Of the Belle OF
Alton, requesting the address Of
Nixon, although they then had that
party under constant watch. The Cap
tain replied that Nixon had left for St.
Louis, and yet he,was seen in converse
ton with the mate a short time after,
and seen to hand the latter aroll Of bills.
1t now became necessary to act, and a
warrant was procured. and Nixon
found himself Unexpectedly in the firm
grip of Detective Smith, on the charge
of arson. After being locked up short
time, Nixon asked for an interview with
the Chief Of Police, saying that he
wished to make a voluntary confession.
The confession was in substance as fol-
lows: A day or 80 before the burning,
W. w. Marsh, the engineer, one Of she
part owners Of the boat. came down to
her and remarked to Nixon that he
wished the d. boat was burned, she
was eating herself up; he had his
money in her and didn't want to lose it;
the only way he could save himself was
by her burning He then then pro-
posed to Nixon to set her on
fire for $500. Nixon saws that he
clined to do it, and advised Marsh to
get somebody else. Marsh said no,
that he had known Nixon long time
and had confidence in him. In addi-
ton to that, the old man (the captain)
and the others (owners) all wanted it
done. Nixon finally consented to do
the act. Marsh came down again and
said let her 60 tonight, between 3 and 4
o'clock on the morning Of the 2Sth of
March. Nixon, in obedience to instruc-
tions, started the fire abaft of the ladies
cabin. He said he then ran to the
texas to get some clothes, and threw
water on the fire for minute or two to
lull suspicion. Marsh gave Nixon
800 and promised the other 5000 short
", but left for St. Louis almost imme-
diately.
Detective Smith procured the neces-
sary papers and started for St. Louis in
pursuit OF Marsh on the l4th OF this
month. When he arrived there he
found that Marsh had gone to Louis
Vile for a new boat. He succeeded in
getting his papers fixed at Jefferson,
and waited at St. Louis for Marsh's re-
turn. He met him as he landed, put
him on the cars and arrived with him