Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-06-15
Double Murder.

A terrible tragedy occurred near
Maysyille, KY, on Tuesday of last
week. The particulars of the affair
are clearly given in the following ex-
tract from an extra issued by one of
the Maysville offices:
"About two weeks ago, two col
ored men, who had been employed
on the steamer Kate Dickson, sued
her in the United States Court at
Louisville for$74, balance due them
for wages. A warrant was served by
United States Marshal Harrington on
the Captains son, whereupon the
Captain left Louisville, and was fol-
lowed to Cincinnati by Harrington.
At Cincinnati the parties sued out a
fresh warrant and tied the boat. The
latter claim was adjusted by the
Dickson, and the vouchers, bearing
the seal of Office, were shown to Cap
tain Harrington. AS Captain Har-
ringtOn was not the judge in this
case, he informed them that they did
not invalidate his warrant, and that
it would have to be adjusted in the
United States Court in Kentucky.
Capt. Taylor defied the Marshal's au-
thority, and on Monday night NOV
ed on up the river with his boat.
Captain Harrington having charter
ed the Champion No. 8, left, this
morning, and overlook the Dickson
at Ripley, Ohio, and again threaten
ed TO tie her up. At this juncture
Captain Taylor, who is an excitable
man, appeared upon the deck with
shotgun, and informed the captain
of the Champion, who was at the
wheel, endeavoring to run in ahead
of the Dickson, that he must pull out
or he would kill him; that he (Tay-
lori knew his rights, and would ex-
ercise them at the peril of his life.
The Champion then came on with
Harrington to Maysville, arriving
here shortly after dinner. Marshal
Harrington then swore out war
rant for the arrest of Captain Taylor,
selecting about thirty of our citi-
zens to assist him, planted cannon
Immediately behind the jackstaff of
his boat, and awaited the arrival of
the Dickson.
About 20 minutes past 5 the Dick
son hove in sight. By this time the
crowds hogan to accumulate on Front
street, especially at the foot of Mar
ket street, and curiosity was at a
height amounting almost to excite
ment. At quarter to 6, when the
Dickson was nearly opposite Fish
Gut the Champion with her load
passed out from our wharf. AS the
boat drew out, the crowd on
board the cruising steamer were
inclined TO be merry and happy,
which jovial mood they evinced by
oireeriHg,- waving of ,handKerchiers,
DC. But they had no foreboding of
the terrible and lamentable blood
shed that happened few minutes af-
terward. The Dickson, observing
the approach of the Champion, and
knowing her intent, Immediately
rounded in to the Ohio shore, and,
driving stake for the occasion, tied
to the bank before the Champion
could reach her.
"At the sight of the cannon and the
armed boat load, Captain Taylor be-
came crazed with excitement, and ap-
peared upon the deck with an ax,
threatening any man that would lay.
hands on his boat. He returned to
the cabin, and subsequently appeared
upon the deck with shotgun. Cap
tain Harrington then informed Cap
tain Taylor that he was the United
States Marshal, and wanted Captain
James Taylor and his boat. Captain
Taylor, finding his boat tied, imme-
diately fired, killing Harrington in
stantly. Taylor then walked around
to the front of his boat to his state
room, when four gun-shots from the
Maysville party were directed at
him, one Of which took effect in the
vicinity of his heart, and he expired
in less than three minutes. These
are few of the facts gathered from
hundred reports. 1t is evident that
great mismanagement and the want
of forethought is the cause of the ter
rible and bloody fray.
captain Harrington has been
United States Marshal since 1868,
and was an efficient officer, but was
inclined to be despotic and pitiless.
''Captain Taylor was in the fifty
seventh year of his age, was an old
river man, and the owner of the
Dickson. His home is McKeysport,
Pennsylvania.