The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-31
CAPTAIN swAGARs NERVE.
The Story of His Experience with "A Boat
Load of Panic-Stricl<en Passengers.
Louisville Commercial

Inc story OF his Experience with Boat
Load of Panic-stricI<en Passengers.
louisville Commercial
An incident, illustrating the character of
the late Captain Joseph Swagar is related by
Mrs. Tabitha P. Cunningham, a venerable
lady over seventy years of age. In 1886,
when Captain Swagar was commanding the
steamer Diana, Mrs. Cunningham, her hus-
band and little two-year-old daughter took
trip to New Orleans on the Captains boat
for their health. 1t was their inten-
ton to remain in the Crescent City
for quite while, and they engaged
suite of rooms with an old French
lady, who had several persons stopping at
her house. One of these boarders was
lady who, shortly after the arrival of the
Cunninghams was taken suddenly sick, and
her disease developed into a case OF small
pox. The patient was removed to the pest
house, and the bed upon which she had been
lying was placed in the yard to be fumigated.
Mrs. Cunningham looked out of a window
and was horror-stricken to see her little
daughter enjoying fire tumbling on the
infected bed.
Mrs Cunningham was almost scared to
death, and feeling sure that her little darling
would sooner or later be stricken with the
dread disease, informed her husband that
she was going to get back to Louisville as
soon possible. She inquired what boat
was going up the river, and was told that
Captain Swagars was the only boat running
at that tine. 1t appears that Mrs. Cunning
ham had formed rather a dislike for Captain
Swagar on the down trip, on account of his
too authoritative manner, as she supposed;
but there vas no other way for her to get
home, and she was compelled to take passage
on the Diana.
The boat was sixteen days reaching Louis
VILE She had an immense trip of passen-
gers both the cabin and deck being crowded
On the second day out the little girl was
taken sick, and Captain Swagar had two ply
sicians who were aboard the boat, to attend
her. Before long they announced that the
little sufferer had the most beautiful case
of smallpox they had ever SEEN An
effort was made to keep the matter
quiet, but it finally leaked out that there was
smallpox aboard the boat, and then such ex-
citement never was seen. The hundreds of
passengers rose up in a solid body and de-
manded of the captain that the Cunningham
family should be put ashore forthwith. They
clamored around him, wanting to know
whether or not he intended to comply with
their demands, and threatening what they
would do in case be refused. The passengers
had mutinied SO to speak, and had turned
into bowling mob.
The captain saw that some decisive action
was necessary, and drawing a revolver he
leaped upon a chair and pointed it straight
at the heads of the leaders of the mob:
"Silence!" he roared at the top of his
voice. II am commander of this boat, and
these people have paid me their passage to
Louisville, and intend to carry them there
unless the boat blows up or sinks If any of
you passengers desire to get off at the next
landing, you can do so, and l will refund
you your money. You now know what in
tend to do and the first man who opens his
mouth again I'll blow his brains out" The
determination depicted on the captains
countenance had its effect upon the mob and
it dispersed.
II could have worshiped that man for
ever after that" said Mrs. Cunningham, in
relating the story, for il was his brave con-
duct that saved my little girls life." When
carriage and had the family conveyed to
their home. Strange as it may appear not a
single one of the passengers took the disease
'hat the little girl had brought aboard the
boat.