The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1891-03-20

This is Mr.. Stewart, IA friend OF
mina," SAID Murrell. ANY oh.
jeciions' No one spoke, and for
the first time Stewart fell senli.
ment Of lear. 1t was fearful
crew. There was Mason. Irish Nc
Cabe, Little Harpe, Colonel Burns,
a noted highwaynnan and murder
or, and among them full-bl0nded
negro, giant in size, known all
along the Mississippi as Congo
Jack, a river pirate and assassin.
Every one of these men had prices
on their heads, and the dauntle:s
Stewart figured out what Il bonan-
"a such haul would be il he
could only bring il about.
II was evident that Murrell was
master. Turning on his heel he
said: "Come, Stewart" and en-
tered another room. Here an ex.
cellent meal was eaten, and both
men sal until late in the night.
Stewart agreed to Murrelps prop
osition, and was to START he next
night for Selma. A skilled coun-
terfeiter from The north had lately
been secured by Mnrrell,an he in
tended to flood the cthlniry with
this money, but his man had got
into trouble and was in Jail al Sell
ma, and Stewards first business
was 10 effect his release. On look.
ing over the list Of men he was to
see, he was surprised 10 note the
names OF some who stood high in
public esteem. Murrell assured
him that there was not a county in
The State that some official was
not in his pay or power.
Going out Stewart watched the
route, but II WIS impossible to re-
member anything, so crooked and
obscure was it. He was attended
by a negro as servant, whom Muir
rell recommended as every way
reliable, and they had not been
together two hours before he felt
sure that the fellow was a spy and
dislrusted him. When they eoi
to Selma the man was never away
from his elbow, and it became a
question of doubt how he should
see Governor Fowler without de-
lection. He, however, retired to
his room, under plea OF fatigue,
and about midnight slipped out
The window and reached the
ground. There was a party at the
governors, and he sent in note by
servant, pleading urgent business.
In a short time he was in a room
with that official and Benjamin
Claiborne, attorney general OF the
Stale, and told his story. On look
ing over the list Of those whom
Murrell had recommended him to,
the governor started. "Why, one
Of these men is down stairs now as
my guest ]"
A plan Of operations was at once
agreed upon. There was to be an
horse race at Port Glib
son and a militia muster. Murrell
would be The re 10 meet Stewart,
md preparations would be made
o secure him, and then attack The
outlaws in their stronghold. Stew
lrt's negro must be secured as a
)recau'ion. IL was near daylight
,efore they separated. Stewart
'egained his room without remark.
Next morning his servant was
luietly seized and put out OF the
way, and his master began to make |
10 save the counter
eiler, but the court was obdurate,
nd the jail was too strongly guard
d for rescue.
A few days after Stewart rode |
o Port Gibson. The place was
rowded, the streets lined with
tables, and all was riot
nd disorder. A number of men
,ere lounging around with piece
{ white in their hats. These were
he governors men,and they quiet.
Y followed Stewart. Some one
Duched his elbow. He turned. Il
'as Mnrrell. He looked around
uspiciously and asked: "Where is
our servant ?" Stewart raised his
and and The outlaw was seized.
lie tried 10 draw a whistle, but a
low on The head settled him. Ten
theirs were taken, and then a par
v OF 200 men. we'll mounted, COM
by General Coffee, and ac-
by Stewart, started for
he island. sixty miles away.
luides and boats had already been
and by daybreak next
lorning they were surrounding
he cabins. Little Harpe and Me-
ABE escaped, but Mason and fifty
,nr Others we're shot. No quar-
sr was given. The plunder recov-
red was wonderful, and from Muir
pll's papers it was found that not
sss than 1900 negroes had been
Iolen snc shipped to New DR.
sans.
On the trial every effort was
iade Ia save Murrell, but the Stale
was firm. So strong.
owever, we're the robbers friends
nat he escaped with an impris-
nmeni of ten years.
The Legislature voted Stewart a
ratuiiy OF $4,000 and be got $751;
% in proclaimed rewards /; but he
we'd hunted man, and, after
illing two OF bis enemies, left for
'exas. Murrell had issued orders
rom his cell that Stewart should