Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-30
LAST SLAVE CARGO,
The Story of a Schooner Lead of
Blacks From Loandi, Africa,
Landed in Mobile in 1861
IN SPITE OF UNITED STATES LAW.
Captain Ieaher, the Importer, and One Of
bis Chief Lieutenants Still Liv.
ing in Alabama.
A DARING SMUGGLING OPERATION
Undertaken in Jest and Carried Cat at Cost Of $780,.
900 and Great Danger.
IN SPITE OF UNITED STATES LAW.
A DARING SMUGGLING OPERATION
Undertaken in Jest and Carried Cat at Cost Of $780,
900 and Great Danger


called ME recently 10 the residence of Captain
Tim Meader, three miles from this city.
The house is two-story frame, situated
upon the crown of red clay hill. and faces
to the south. An ordinary picket fence sur
rounds the house, which has broad gallery
extending across the front. Upon this
gallery, basking in the MONDAY sun OF a
warm November day, enjoying the balmy
breeze that blew in from the gulf, was seated
the venerable Captain, flom whose lips was
learned the stoty of the importation of the
last cargo of slaves into the South.
Captain Tim Meader is one OF the Oldest
stesmboatmen now living in this section OF
the country-in fact, one Of the pioneers in
the navigation of the Alabama river. His
long lie is full of thrilling incidents, and
many stories are extant OF his personal
proves. He is now II years of age, and is
living in retirement at his home. He is a
sufferer from partial paralysis, but his
bodily iatirmI;ieS have in no way affected
his mental faculties. and he converses
with an ease and volubility that is
remarkable for one of his years. He
never seems to tire of relating "reminiscences
o. his early career. and receives his visitors
with cordial Southern welcome. He has
not visited the city for four years past, but
he reads the daily papers ana takes lively
interest in current events.
UNCLE SANS SLAVE LAW.
During the wear 1858 Captain Meaher
commanded the steamboat Roger B. Taney,
a weekly packet plying the Alabama river
between this city and Montgomery. On
one OF the trips OF this boat he had, among
other passengers, several Northern gentle
men, who were making a tour OF the South,
and were on their way to Montgomery.
During the passage discussion arose con-
cerning 4 law but recently passed by the
Federal Congress mrking il capital offense
to import slaves. In the course of the dis
cussiOn the Northeraers claimed that the
importation o slaves would cease, as no
man would risk his neck in the hazardous
undertaking. The doughty captain treated
this assertion with a levity that astonished
his Northern hearers, and declared that
nothing would be easier than to import 4
cargo of slaves, Notwithstanding the new
law and its severe penalty.
The discussion was continued at some
length, until finally, to prove his faith by his
works, Captain Meaher agreed, in presence
of the assembled company, to land a cargo
of slaves in the South within two wears.
The Eortherners received this assertion with
doubtful smiles, while those of his hearers
who knew the Captains character felt as
sured that he would at least make the effort
to carry out his hazardous undertaking.
Upon his return to Mobile Captain Meaher
began quietly to make his preparations.
Unfolding his scheme confdentialiv to sew
eral prominent shareholders of that day
thev each agreed 10 take certain number
Il
Tor himself THUS the cargo OF human
freight was apporti0ned for future delivery.
SEA PRISON OF THE SLAVES.
The schooner ClotiIde was purchased at a
cost Of $50, 600, and overhauled aud fitted
out especially with q view TO the work in
hand y reliable and trustworthy man, as
agen,. was shipped on the vessel as super
cargo. The Clotilde was loaded with cargo
OF lumber, and cleared for ST. Thomas and
a market. The vessel set ssil for St.
Thomas, where in due time she arrived
safely. The lumber was sold, and then the
Cloulde 0read her white wings and shaped
her course for Loandi, on the west coast of
Africa, where she took aboard a cargo of
100 negroes.
Captain Meaher had given orders to a
number OF his trusted employees to keep
sharp lookout for any news of the vessel
with instructions to report the first tidings
OF her arrival Immediately to him, Time
wore on and still there came no tidings of
the Clotilde and her unlawful cargo. One
Sunday morning in 1861, while Captain
Meaher WAS seated on the identical gallery
where he related this story, his attention
was arrested by the sound Of horses hoofs
upon the hard clay surface of the road
lntuitivelv he seemed to comprehend the
efr hut hpf,-a he aopid r;e
his seat the horse and rider were at the
gate. Dismounting from the horse, whose
sides, f1ecked with foam, bore evidence of
the hard ride. the messenger hastened to the
gallery and excitediy announced in scarce
audible whisper, THE niggers have comer'
Captain Meaher received the startling an
Douncement without the least sign OF trepi-
dation. With him TO think was TO act.
He Immediately hurried TO the city and at
once began active preparations TO land the
negroes out OF reach OF the Government.
Trusty lieutensnts were called to his aid,
and hastened hither and thither to do his
bidding.
ANOTHER OF THE ACTORS NOW LIVING,
A messenger was dispatched to find Can
tam j. NJ. HolIiugsworth at that time a
prominent tugboat Captain and owner. who
Is now living on his farm on the Gulf coast
near Ocean Springs, Miss. He was foupd
in church, and without making known to
him the nature of the Clotiide's cargo. Cam
tain Meaher secured his services and those
OF his fastest tug TO tow the vessel in, His
brother, the late Captain Byrnes Meaber
who at that time commanded the steamboat
the Gar, was instructed to fire up and pro.
ceed 10 the mouth of Spanish river
which deboGches into Mobile Bay about
four or five miles east of this city, and there
await the Clotilde's arrival, Captain
Meaher also issued orders that supper must
not be served on the packet Roger Is. Taney
on her trip the following Tuesday night un-
til he boarded the boat at some point up the
Alabama river.
Having thus laid his plans he boarded
the tug and proceeded with all possible head
way to Mississippi Sound, where the Clo-
tide WAS taken in tow and conveyed to the
mouth OF Spanish river. The cargo of me-
groes and the crew Of the Clotllde were then
transferred to the steamboat the Gar, which
was in waiting, ard the schooner was towed
into Bayou Connor, where she was set on
fire and scuttled. The Gar proceeded up
the river with her cargo, which was landed
in q cane brake on the plantation OF John
NJ. Dabney, on the Bigbee river, A few
trusted men were left 10 look after the ne
groes, and, with the crew of the CIo:ilde
still on board, the Gar returned down the
Bicbee and steamed into the Alabama river.
where she awaited the coming of the Mont
gomery packet, the Roger B. Taney.
THE CAPTAIN ARRESTED.
Under cover of night Captain Meaher and
the CIotilde's crew were transferred to the
Tauev. The crew OF the SLAYER we're slowed
away in the upper portion OF the boat, locked
in and supplied with cards and whisky. 1t
was $50 before supper was announced on
the Taney that night, and when the Captain