The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-11-06
Attempt 10 Rob "a Mississippi River
Steamer at Goodrich Landing.


From the New Orleans Herald. 3lst.
On Monday evening, October 9th
about dark, the steamer Frank Pargou,
was attacked at Goodrich's Landing by
between fifty and sixty colored men, who
but for the GOODNESS of Captain White
and his officers, would have taken pos
session Of the boat, as they had hereto
fore threatened to do by resolution,
adopted in public meetings The trouble
arises from the vexed question of Ito.
plan social equality, and is related "A.
follows:
The Pargoud was on her down trip to
New Orleans, and, rs usual, stopped at
| GoOdrlchs Landing-which is on the
/ Louisiana side of the river, about thirty
/ five miles above Nicksburg-for the pur-
! pose OF taking freight aboard and signing
bills Of lading. Suddenly, and without
! previous warning, the Pargoud was
boarded by fifty or sixty colored men,
led by Cain Sartain, member Of the
Kellogg House of Representatives, from
Carroll parish; David jackson, clerk OF
the court Of the parish; Budd Smith,
and other noted characters of the locality.
Entering the cabin in a boisterous man
( ner, they were aligned by their leader,
who demanded that they should be fur
nished with drinks. Captain White.
who was lying III IN Ills state room, came
down at this juncturc TO confront the
rioters, and met Cain Sartain, with
whom he had "A discussion. Cain assert
ed that he was a member Of the Legisla-
ture that made laws governing steam
boats, and claimed that he had a right to
drink on board the boat, on the grounds
Of social equality, besides making threats
against the Captain and his officers Tor
refusin to serve him at the bar. which,
but for the timely arrival Of Captain
White, would have been seized by the
rioters, they having in fact made a de-
monstaation to that effect.
Capt White stood his ground manful-
ly, and told Sartain that there was
higher authority which governed steam
boats than his Legislature, and finally
ordered them off the Pargoud. Sartain
needed the warning reluctantly, but re-
tired with his crowd, but to attack the
mate, Mr.. Cummings, and the crew of
the boat on the landing, where they
were attending to some freight Mr.
Cummings was several times surrounded
by the rioters, who vociferated anathe-
mas at his head and threatened his life
Fortunately, the crew Of the Pargoud,
which was large, resolved 10 stand by
their officers, and Mr. Cummings was
rescued from his perilous position. Mean
while, Cain Sartain had dispatched a
messenger on horseback with the order
to 60 to a neighboring plantation to sum
mon the colored men to the landing,
with instructions to bring their guns with
them, because they were TO have a fight
with the boat Before the messenger
could return, however, the Pargoud
backed from the landing, to the great
disappointment Of the rioters, who be-
gan promiscuous discharge Of revolvcrs,
firing about one hundred shots at the
boat, luckily, however, without injuring
anybody, the steamer being well supplied
with cotton bales, which afforded excel
lent shelter from the projectiles. To-day
Capt. White and Mr.. Cummings, bis
mate, intend to place the matter before
the United States Commissioner, charg-
ing Cain Sartain and the other lead
ers of the riot with assault upon
his steamer. From the officers Of
the Pargoud we learn that, should
this individual and his followers be
tolerated in the course they have for
a long time threatened to pursue and be
gan TO put into operation on Monday, it
will be impossible hereafter TO land at
Goodrich Landing.
They say further that there are a great
many good colored men in the neighbor
hood, with whom the boat traffics, who
felt indignant at the proceedings Of Sar
tain and his marauders, and condemn the
imfammatory meetings which have been
recently held at the landing. The blow
to commence is incalculable, and strikes
the colored people az severely as the
whites, and the sooner the authorities
shall interpose their power in the matter,
the better.