Theft Onboard the Mittie Stephens

You are likely familiar with or at least have heard of the steamboat Mittie Stephens. In February 1869 it caught fire on Caddo Lake near the Louisiana/Texas line while en route from New Orleans to Jefferson, Texas, killing 60-plus passengers and crew. Google the name and there are several websites that detail that tragedy.

Steamboat Mittie Stephens

What is shared here however is an intriguing and in part humorous (largely due to the reporter's melodramatic style) account of an event that occurred two years earlier on the vessel. Particularly amusing is the title given to the culprit in the third-to-last paragraph.

Originally from the New Orleans Republican, as published in the Sullivan (IN) Democrat 10-Oct-1867, Page 2:

A Remarkable Case of the Discovery of Guilt and the Vindication of Innocence

On the first instant the well known house of Horrell, Gayle & Co., of this city (New Orleans) shipped on board the steamer Mittie Stephens, sixteen hundred and seventy-two dollars in gold coin to a party in Shreveport. Tho money was tied up in a strong canvass bag, and properly addressed, and duly receipted for by one of the clerks of the boat, Mr. John A. Purcell. When the boat arrived at Shreveport it was not delivered, of which fact the shippers were promptly notified, and when the Mittie Stephens returned to this place, which occurred night before last, Messrs. Horrell, Gayle & Co., immediately called upon the master of the boat, Captain H. Kellogg, for an explanation. He, in turn, questioned tho clerks, two young men of this city, Messrs. John A. and Thomas Purcell, brothers, who hitherto have never had the slightest breath of suspicion cast against their character. At first both denied all knowledge of the shipment, but upon receipts being exhibited, recollected that the gold had certainly been received and stored away in their stateroom for safe keeping. They searched for it, assisted by the Captain, but only the empty bag was found.

Feeling that appearances were against them, they demanded that all on board should be searched, and in the event that no discovery was made, signified that they would be willing to be arrested and tried, all the while protesting most solemnly their innocence. The search was made, and proved fruitless, so tho young men were arrested and locked up in the Second District Station. They were brought before Recorder Gastinal yesterday morning for examination; but his honor deemed it advisable to postpone the examination till today, in the meantime admitted the accused to bail, Mr. John Douglas, tho well known engraver, who is their brother-in-law, going upon their bonds.

Now, the most singular part of this story is to be related. The chambermaid of the Millie Stephens having occasion, yesterday about noon, to go into cook’s galley for some article, demanded of the cook his keys, as it was locked up in the cupboard. The cook was at his duty over tho stove, and in a high state of perspiration. He put his hand into the pocket of his pants, which were somewhat tight, and drew out tho keys, but along with them came five twenty dollar gold pieces, which fell on tho floor and rolled off in various directions. Immediately calling the captain, the chambermaid directed his attention to this significant display of wealth on the part of the knight of pots and kettles, and that worthy was, without more ado, arrested and searched.

Only the five pieces as above mentioned were then discovered; but it was remembered that he had gone ashore early in the morning, so they at once proceeded to his residence, and upon searching his trunk the whole amount was found. It appears that he had by some means discovered that the clerks had forgotten to deliver the gold at Shreveport, and had managed to enter their stateroom and extract it on the trip down.

So much for the justice of circumstantial evidence. If the chambermaid had not accidentally called upon the cook for his keys, it is more than likely that two honest and honorable young gentlemen would have been condemned as thieves, or at least had their reputation blasted forever. [New Orleans Republican]

The (Shreveport) South-western 08-May-1867, Page 3