Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-03-06
A ROBBERS MAGNANIMITY.

1t Is SAID the devil Is not as Dlack as ne
is painted, and the same might apply to
John A. Murrill, the great Western land
pirate. At the time he figured CON-
spicuously along the Ohio and Missis-
sippi rivers, steamboating was compare
lively In it's infancy, and SO sparsely was
the country settled that the red man still
retained his foothold, although his abso-
lutte sway was over. To the traveller
Murrin was terror, but to the squatters
for many miles around his cave he was
rather q friend than otherwise, for he
had never been known to harm any of
them, and he had often lent them his
aid in time of trouble. Especially had
he befriended them from outrages by
the sayages, and he was not slow to
ayenge any wrong inflicted upon them
by the red man. Murrin had been idle
for some time. It seemed as if he had
presentiment of evil hanging over him,
and he had grown Hstless, and even
melancholy. His men ventured to whis-
per among themselves that their captain
was becoming indolent, and some of
them declared that he had received q
vast quantity of gold which he had con-
cealed, and that at the first opportunity
he intended to ship to some distant
point, and leave them and his former
occupation forever.
All summer the captain had talked of
incursions, but they had been delayed
accomplished. The stock of provisions
had become so far exhausted that the
robbers were now compelled to subsist
principally on game. They became dis
contented and some of them openly
grumbled but single frown of the
chief was sufficient to impose silence.
ALI day the men had been lolling leis-
urely about, and as night came ON they
hggged the fire closely, and ever and
anon they cast anxious glances over the
river, as If expecting some important
event Even the captain appeared un-
easy, and he strode up and down, some
times pausing, and then continuing his
walk at q more rapid rate.
Suddenly man on horse appeared
in sight, and at the same time the shrin
blast of trumpet was heard. Instantly
the men were upon their feet, and when
the rider came up he was surrounded IN
an instant, and dozen questions pro
pounded IN the same breath. To one
and all he made the answer:
"The steamer will not come further
down than Louisville, but she is a rich
prize If we can only capture her. Hel
cargo is an assorted one, and it VIII moi
be removed until snow falls, so that il
can be taken across to Nashville In sleds,
unless a warm spell should come on
then she viii come down the river and
up the Cumberland.
There won't be any warm spell this
season." suggested one of the robbers
sc In q week the Ohio will be frozen uI
tighter than drum-head, and the Gum
berland is closed now. We must seizt
her where she lies.
"Aye, aye !" was the response from
fifty throats. Without needing these
words, Murrill asked
GLOW is the water on the falls al
Louisville ?"
"Hardly enough to get her over, but
there has been rain above-the river j;
rising and there will be plenty by tn,
time we get there"
"Are they on the lookout for me 2
asked Murrill.
eyes; and what is still worse, wa
recognized"
"The devil p
eyes, went on board the boat, an,
in looking around I saw a pair of shar]
eyes fixed upon me, and knew hal
seen that face before. / walked care
lessly out on the levee, when I hear,
this chap say that was one of Murrill'
men, and then the captain cautioned hir
to keep quiet until he could secure m
arrest. But In few moments after
was astride my nag, and then knew
was safe. But knew they were on til
lookout for you; for, before I was recoe
nized, I heard one of the boat hand
say that he hoped Murril would com
up, for he wanted the pleasure of hang
ing him."
A fierce frown passed over the face G
the chief, and turning sharply around b
exclaimed:
"Men, get ready to move, for we wi
be off in an hour. Well have that bos
or perish in the attempt to capture her.
4 wild cheer burst from the throats {
the robbers, and then they set abo,
making preparations for the adventure
and before midnight fifty armed an
resolute men were on their way towal
Louisville, bent upon plunder an
bloodshed.