The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-08-26
RIVER PIRATES
OF The old DAYS
A Thrilling Adventure of the
Past Century.

During the early part of the last GEN.
fury many families were emigrating
from Virginia to Kentucky. Their usu-
al route was down the Ohio river by
means of flatboats.
Among the emigrants of that day
was Colonel Alan MacAIinn of Scotch
Irish descent. His flatboat load con-
sisted, besides stores, of his wife and
daughter and three men and two wom-
en- negro slaves. The colonels right
hand man was an enormously strong
negro, whose strength had won him
the name OF Titan. though he was fa-
military called ritc.
The Ohio and Mississippi rivers were
infested In those Gays 10y some very
rough People. li;.acg was not uncom-
mon. 2l,0 there Svas no government
force II olhf & Il; enc day when the
.GielTGt lti.. rerc nearing Il settle
meni WI j = npa The city of Louis
vile they s. u loa. put off from the
shore nni d directly for them AS
soon rs il It e'r near il was plain its
occupant; welc heEt or no good. They
were hare featured lot. dressed in
coon skin caps and bu1kslsin clothes,
ana were AL armed with rifles and pis-
tolls. However, The settlers We're often
thus dressed, and Colonel MacMinn
was not sure OF these men until they
had boarded his boat. Then they at
once took possession and ordered him
and his family be.ow, where they were
placed under guard. The negro men
they required to work the boat.
The slaves were all devoted to their
master and his family, and went about
their work with no cheerful disposi-
ton. Tite declared that he was de-
lighted with the capture since by serv-
ing the pirates he might earn his free
dom. This surprised his fellow slaves,
but as soon MS he was able he told them
that this was to prevent suspicion, and
he would watch for an opportunity to
recapture the boat.
The pirates, seven in number, soon
after taking their prize found them.
selves in what are called the falls of
the Ohio. part OF the river where the
current is very rapid. 1t was night
ana very dark night Their captain
was somewhat anxious as to the safety
Of the property he had become possess.
ed of, though he cared nothing for hui
man life. Among the stores on the
boat was barrel of rum. which his
men appropriated. lite watched them.
hoping that they would get stupid,
but they stood an enormous quantity
of liquor and were rather inclined to
dance ana sing on deck Their cap
tain cursed them for idiots, then ignor-
ed them. trusting TO lite and the two
negroes to navigate the boat
lite passed the word TO his fellow
slaves that he was about to attack
the pirates, and they promised to help
him. Since the blacks were without
any arms whatever, the ATTEMPT was
hazardous and If unsuccessful would
result in their death and possibly that
of the family. When lite spoke the
pirates were separated, but before Ne
could act two Of them had Joined the
captain. However. lite made up his
mind to proceed.
Approaching the captain as II to
make suggestion, he seized him
around the body. The other two men,
quickly taking warning, sprang for
lite and endeavOred TO pull him Off.
One OF them drew pistol. but dropped
Ii on the deck. While he was looking
for 1t lite succeeded in kicking his
comrade in the stomach, which para
lyzed his efforts. and the negro. putting
forth all his gigantic strength, raised
the captain in his arms and threw him
into the river. Then. taking up the man
he had kicked. he served him like
wise. BY this time the man looking
for his pistol found 1t, but lite seized
il and shot him dead.
Meanwhile the other two negroes,
whose enemies were separated, ran TO
the nearest pirate, seized him and
threw him overheard. The other two,
seeing danger, got together and were
attacked by the two blacks. One of the
blacks was wounded by a shot, and
the either was getting the worst of il
when lite came up and. Selling first
one pirate. then the other, threw both
overheard. At the moment the man on
guard below. having heard the seuf-
fling, came out and was served in the
same manner.
All this had scarcely been accom-.
plished when the captain was diseov-
cred climbing over the stern, but lite
pushed him back into the river. Two
others of the pirates attempted 10
climb aboard. but they were served In
the same manner.
The colonel, being left unguarded,
now came up from below. expecting
that the pirates had concluded to MUIR
der the party and had commenced with
the negroes. When he found that the
boat was in possession OF his faithful
slaves. that the lives Of himself and
his family had been saved. his graft
tude knew no bounds. He gave every
one OF them his freedom on the spot
and promised an additional reward In
the future.
lite and his assistants successfully
navigated the boat TO Louisville and
the colonel. who had had enough OF
the river and its dangers. concluded TO
stop there. The family went ashore.
the stores were unloaded and the fiat-
boat broken mp and used To build a
dwelling. Colonel MacAfinn had frpa