The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-20


l turned to many of the men who composed the
draft whose air was quiet and we'll behaved, and
told them ii there should be violence on board
the vessel hoped all the ell-disposed would
absent themselves from the immediate scene;
that none should be present unless they wished
to be participants. l asked that they would
communicate what had said to the other men,
as would regret very much If any OF them
should be killed by accident.
Afterwards l congratulated myself on this
forethought, as my advice was acted upon not
only by those who had no evil design, but also
by ten or fifteen of those who were willing to
abet the leaders as far as they could do so with
out encountering the perils inseparable from a
violent contempt of lawful authority.
Soon after, In conversation with Captain
Tinkepaugh. he informed me that the attitude
Of some of my men convinced him that he would
be obliged to shoot them to secure the safety of
his command and Of the passengers intrusted to
his care, and that he wished my presence when
it became necessary. l replied that if the
necessity arrived, l thought it belonged to me to
recognize the fact by giving the order to fire, to
which he assented with evident relief, but added
he hoped l would not defer it until the men
overpowered us and had actual possession of the
vessel / told him l would guard we'll that
point, and he appeared satisfied although deeply
concerned for the safety of his command.
1t is necessary to explain that the vessel was
a sidewheel steamer; just abaft the wheel
houses strong partition was built of open wood
on the starboard side was kept securely fast
ened, and strong door that could be locked was
used ON the port side, near which was the hatch
way to the cabin below. This gangway was then
the necessary point of attack unless it came from
over the hurricane deck with very imperfect
ladders to reach it from the open deck forward
of the men.
At p. NJ. dinner was served to the draft, and,
as previously instructed, Boatswan Bell called
the principal malcontents to look at and pro
nounce upon it. 1t consisted of very good fresh
beef, boiled potatoes. hard bread of excellent
quality, and tea or coffee as preferred. Kelly
and RUSSELL In answer to the boatswains in
quiry, said that the dinner was satisfactory and
added, doubtless with irony, perfectly so.
Their feigned dissatisfaction up to that
tim time bad, had been a.o but pretext for the
proceeded to carry into effect. The boatswain,
not accustomed to irony from sailors, was quite
deceived, and coming to me said there would be
no difficulty; that, Oh inspecting their dinner,
the men had expressed themselves perfectly
satisfied" This averment on his part did not
deceive me. The earnest manner and excited
expression of countenance of the persons
looked down upon from the hurricane deck,
whore was seated, were full of meaning.
was armed with a navy revolver, which, how
ever, was not visible.
Captain Tinklepaugh was in the port gang
way, and near at hand, all armed with large re-
volvers, were Chief Engineer Phelps DR.. Gibbs,
of the vessel. DR.. Woodward Ia passenger). and
MIR; Bell, the boatswain; also some others who
had been made aware of the intended attack
A messenger from Captain Tnklepaugh, who
knew where l had stationed myself, informed
me that the men had made an attack in the
port gangway. l hurriedly passed aft and de-
scending the ladder from the hurricane deck,
saw Kelly with his hands on Captain Tinke-
paugh thrustine him back violently, and Russell
engaged in like manner with the chief engineer.
third, who apparently first endeavored to pre-
vent an immediate attack, seeing it Intellectual,
joined ferocious!y in it, whilst dozen or more
men filled up the rather narrow gangway as far
as it was visible.
The moment saw the condition of affairs
gave tho command to fire, and Immediately
shot Kelly dead and snapped my pistol at the
third man, who ran as soon AS the shooting be-
gan, and was preceded by those forward of him
In the gangway Several other shots were fired
by the gentlemen referred to- one of whom
must have killed Bussell although the
testimony on my trial attributed it to
me. Both of these men were herculean in
build-kelly some inches over six feet
in height, aud Russell somewhat under six feet,
heavily built and muscular. The chief engineer,
who was endeavoring to prevent the advance Of
Russell, had his hand upon his breast with the
thumb and fore6nger widely separated. The ball
that killed Russell cut lightly part Of the flesh
between them. No other injury occurred to any
one.
Captain Tinklepaugh suggested at once that
we could now pursue and secure the other men;
but it seemed to me that some hours after would
be more opportune time passed almost i'm
mediately to the forward part of the hurricane
deck, and, as soon as gained the attention of
the men and there was silence said that vio-
lence on the part of some of them had been met
by force, and that two or three of their number
had been killed, which was. perhaps. more a
matter of regret to mo than to any one Of them.
/ had to thank all of them, except a
small number, for their excellent conduct
the more gratifying because it implied
that they felt they owed duty to their country
and their flag. Three loud and spon taneous
cheers greeted me- apparently from every man
in sight On a further attempt to cheer told
them by sign and word enough. and added: go
to your dinner and do not allow the occurrence
to disturb you in the least They did as they
were directed, without excitement confusion.
Captain Tinkiepaugh invited some of the draft
to come aft and assist in preparing the dead
men for burial; clergyman on board read the
SERVICE In the presence of the captain of the yes
sci, myself and some others, and they were
buried before the greater number of the passen-
gers became aware of the occurrence.
The men who abetted the attack, on seeing the
manner in which it was met, rushed forward
and below, in the belief that they would be pur-
sued Some of them were armed, as / after
ward learned through the steerage passengers,
and large number had knives. Had we fol
lowed them at the time some of us would doubt
when below, in the imperfect light in the steer
age, by those whose eyes were accustomed to the
light and found it sufficient for their purpose.
Very soon after the attack, and before the
burial of the men, went below to dinner, which
had been served some time before. My seat was
near that Of Justice Field, of the United States
Supreme Court. and his family. 1 was asked if
there had been disturbance, and replied there
had been one. which had been settled. About
the time we arose from the table gentleman, in
state Of great excitement. said he understood
several men had been shot on board of the YES
sci, and he demanded to know the facts in the
case.
Sworn statements were made before Justice
Field from such persons were best informed
in relation to the matter. The kind relations
that | have since borne to this distinguished
gentleman and his family. who were fully in
formed, would have tended to molify conscien-
tious scrupIes had they come to me in relation to
this affair.
Later in the day. when on the hurricane deck.
seeing half dozen or more of those who had
"A H. e r