The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1897-06-02

)DIicI ny t1itl4Gt
her of Mobile, who died 10 or u years ago.
Bafra he died however, he dictated the
history of what was most rec kless and
holhlriy undertaking. The following 40.
count is taken from this dictated story by
James Weir Jr., and published in the
Louisville COurier.J0urnal:
IN 1858 a law was passed making the
Importation Of slaves a capital otfense; con-
aQueutly it became exceedingly hazardous
to bring fresh cargoes of negroes into this
country At this time Maeher, who was
quite wealthy, was running a steamboat
On the Alabama river between Mobile and
Montgomery On one of his trips several
northern men were discussing this law and
asserted that it would undoubtedly sup
press the importation of slaves. Captain
Maeher laughed at the idea and declared
Shat CargOes of negroes could be brought
into the United States without the slight
est danger to the man or men bringing
them H. The argument waxed warm I'M
Pill finally Maeber brought it to an end by
#boldIy declaring that he himself would
Wthin two years land a shiplOad of ne
gro slaves in some southern state.
Immediately on his return to Mobile he
quietly marured his plans and set them in
g CIeratl0n He purchased the schooner
Cotlie paying $35, 900 for the vessel
sld loaded her with lumber. A reliable
8Ean was engaged who shipped as super
+ Fargo and the Clotilde cleared for St.
I1Cmas and a market. After arriving at
n Ihomls the lumber was sold, and then
The vessel sailed for Loanda, west Africa.
here I5O slaves were soon purchased, and
1Ae snip then shaped her course for Mobile
captain Maeher 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 It'd
LlgS OF her arrival Immediately to him.
lime went on, and still there came no It'd
lhsS OF the ClOtilde and her illegal cargo.
ola sunday morning Captain Maeher was
seated On the identical gallery where he
'o'u thiS story. His attention was arrested
ny Ohe sound Of a horses hoofs upon the
1aEa clay surface OF the road. Instructive
y ne seemed to comprehend the situation,
0ut before he could rise from his seat the
messenger was at the gate. DismOunting
Goln Vhe horse, whose sides, flecked with
''a'n' bore evidence of the hard ride, the
Messenger FASTENED to the gallery and cx-
1'ye"Iy announced in a scarcely audible
"nlSper, The niggers have comet
N"pCaIh Maeher received the startling
t,n;1sSage without the least sign of trepida
I %, he immediately hurried to the city
MS plantation was about four miles from
i I'OGiie) and began active preparation for
"uUIhg the negroes out of reach of the
~ 9o'erhment, A tug was secured to tow
% r-o VesSeI IN. Maeher's brother, the late
r"pCalh byrnes Maeher, who at that time
,pln handed the steamboat Gar, was in
7 ~, ooyed to fire up and proceed to the
~, rtn u the Spanish river, which de
( DIo.tSS into Mobile, and there await the
isS Tv't"e arrival. Captain Maeher also
sarv sd o ora that supper was not to be
.own r'q ION On the packet Roger B. fancy, his
So Tn orr ooat' on her trip to Montgomery the
s tba Honas Tuesday night until he boarded
j viii HI This was done for 0 pi ip purposes
H I,u Dc seen seer further along g'''' p0- ~
Bosdw 9oy and proceeded with all III possible
CIotj T3' , 10 the Mississippi sound where the
----- -. was taken in tow and conveyed to