“A few days since Marshal Williams1 received a letter dates March 12th, from Marshall Munshower2, of Ironton, stating that a certain boat had left Ironton and was then probably down about the limeworks. A few days later the Captain received another letter from the same source, stating that the boat had passed Sciotoville and might be looked for at this point any moment. To the uninitiated this correspondence might not appear to be of much moment; but the sequel proved that it was a matter of considerable importance to more than one person.”
“The boat- one of those small non-descript crafts so numerous upon the river- came, of course, and tied up to the Kentucky shore, opposite the city, and the Marshall immediately commissioned the police to keep an eye upon it.”
“Now for the story. Tuesday afternoon someone, having no respect for Lent and without the fear of the law in his heart, stole a ham from in front of Damarin’s wholesale house. About that time a man, wearing an old army overcoat and whose general appearance and make-up indicated that he had no particular use for a fine canvassed ham- unless, perchance, it were to eat it at someone else’s expense- was seen going down street in the neighborhood of the Buckeye House, with one of the aforesaid dainty articles in his hand. He was observed by a woman to go into an alley, and afterwards reappeared, minus the ham.”
Wednesday afternoon a sack of flour was stolen from S. Edmunds’ grocery, and circumstances pointing to a rendezvous of some sort in the neighborhood of the alley spoken of, an examination was made of the premises, which led to the discovery of both ham and sack of flour in a stable. In the meantime the man who had been seen with the ham, and another stranger, were observed to get into a skiff and row across the river to the suspicious boat, doubtless intending to return in the evening for the hidden provisions. The latter were returned to their rightful owners, and Captain Bill, being aware of the maneuvers, concluded it was about time to bag the game.”
“The boat head already dropped down below the willows, and the Captain detailed patrolmen Losee, Goad, Clark and McGowan to cross the river and move at once upon the suspected craft. It was seven o’clock in the evening when the officers boarded the boat, and finding no one there but two women they made themselves comfortable as they could and proceeded to wait for the male portion of the crew. They had to wait some time. In fact, the night wore away and their watches indicated four o’clock in the morning before the gentlemen arrived, and if the latter had known what kind of company was waiting to receive them the officers would doubtless have grown gray ere their vigils were rewarded. Presently oars were heard and a skiff touched the side of the boat, and was made fast. Two men came in, and taking in the situation at a glance, one of them exclaimed, ‘We’re gone up!’ And so they were, for they had walked deliberately into the clutches of the officers of the law, who for hours had been expecting them.”
“The robbing of Kauffman’s clothing store some weeks since was one of the circumstances which led Captain Williams to suspect this particular boat’s crew, and hence his combination, ending in their capture. But even the shrewd Marshal and the officers were not prepared for the royal ‘find’ which was to crown their efforts, and which the thieves almost came and laid in their laps. The skiff in which the two men had arrived was loaded with men’s wearing apparel, boots and shows, hams, papers of tea, soap, and nearly ever article found in a country store. This proved to be the ‘loot’ from the store of Mr. Horace Thomas, in Sciotoville, which was robbed that morning about one o’clock. The pirates had gone to Sciotoville that evening- the boat in the meantime being dropped below the willows to be out of sight of the city- robbed Mr. Thomas’ store and returned with their plunder at four o’clock, and found the officers waiting for them.”
“The boat’s crew, men and women, were locked up in the station house, and the stolen property conveyed to the Mayor’s office and displayed in such a manner as would lead a stranger to suspect his honor had opened a ninety-nine cent store.”
“Among other things brought from the boat was an ugly looking Navy revolver, loaded and capped, and a handsome bird-cage containing a fine singing canary. The bird set up its charming voice in the Mayor’s office, which made an agreeable contrast to its uncanny surroundings. Mr. Thomas came from Sciotoville about nine o’clock and identified his property. The two women were set at liberty and allowed to take the bird, but the men were held for trial, which was set for yesterday morning at ten o’clock. When the hour arrived the prisoners waived a hearing, and were sent to jail to await trial at the May term of court.”
“One of the prisoners gave his name as Martin Hyatt, and purposed to hail from Ashland, Kentucky. The other answered to the name of Elaphalet Jones, and Napoleon, Henry county, Ohio, as his place of residence.”3
- William B. Williams
- Nathan Yeager Munshower
- Gobbled! a gang of river pirates run in thursday morning. (1880, March 20). Portsmouth Times, p. 3.
