Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-09-11
CAPT. OCONN0R's SIDE.

The Master OF the Van SAINT Gives
Version OF the Recent Difficulsy ON
the boat.
Capt. John O'Connor. of the raft
steamer J. w. Van SAINT, on which boat
on her last trip up occurred row among
the crew in connection with which Capt.
OConnor's name has been connected in
an unfavorsble light, arrived in the city
this morning coming down from the head
OF the rapids in advance of his boat. He
at once called at the ARGUS Office to re-
late the facts in the unfortunate occur
renee on the steamer above alluded to,
and he says this version is the only cor
rect one.
1--WE had been laying at LeClaire all
day having some boiler repairs made. the
captain said, land it was evening when
we got away. The trouble happened be-
tween LeClaire and Princeton and this
was how it came about. There is an old
man employed on the boat called Dad.
He is a harmless, inoffensive old chap,
but this man Francis McMahon. seemed
to have grudge toward him. He
had been picking at the old fell
low for some time and was partic-
ularly abusive on the evening in
question. had been watching Mcmahon
and having determined that the matter
had gone for enough, went down to the
lower deck to take the old mans part.
had no idea of creating disturbance,
but rather to preserve order. McMshon
resented my interference and was so in
sulting that confess. l struck him. A
few blows were exchanged and having
made up my mind that l had settled the
thing. as Mcmahon said he had got
enough, l started up stairs again. AS l
turned my back. Mcmahon rushed upon
knocked me down. He was about TO
lump on me when the cook came to my
rescue. Mcmahon then rushed up through
the cabin and I put after him. In
going past my room l reached
in and got my revolver as Nc
Mahon had made threats, and l knew
that he was murderously inclined, and
there was no telling what he would do
if he got a drop on me or could make a
sneak and take me unswares. followed
him down to the blacksmith shop where
he came at me with an immense club.
| ordered him to drop it, but did not
point my revolver at him. 1t was self
cocker, though, and accidentally it went
off. the bullet striking the floor and in an
opposite direction from where he stood.
He then retreated. and again said he
would make no further trouble. But a
few minutes later l found him 9uarrelipg
with the pilot. Geo. Twombley. Iagsin
interfered as was my duty as master of
the boat, and succeeded in preserving
order, Mcmahon for the third time prom
isiDg that he would behave himself
There was no more heard of Mcmahon
until we reached Albany. where | was
told that he had left the boat ! turned
the light on the shore. and saw him run.
ning..up the bank l called him back
and told him to get his pay before he
left, but he paid no attention. That was
all there was of the trouble. The story
that fired at Mcmahon after he had left
the boat Is false. as my revolver. now in
the hands of the cook to whom | gave it
after coming out of the blacksmith shop,
has but one empty chamber. Equally
false are the charges preferred by McMa.
hon that myself or any of my crew, was
drunk, and will so be proven. This Nc
Mahon is bully, and has been discharg-
ed on numerous occasions for his dom.
ineering insulting ways. Steambostmen
are generally afraid of him"
Il desire to have the ARGUS thank my
friends here" said the captain, ''for the
way they have stood by me in this
trouble, and have not been inclined to
call me guilty until they knew all sides of
the case"