Ottawa (Schooner), outrage & shooting, 17 Apr 1847

Outrage at Green Bay. -- The Republican of the 21st ult. gives the details of a daring resistance of the law that occurred in that place on the Saturday evening previoue. It seems that an Injunction had been placed in the hands of the Under Sheriff, with directions to scrve it immediately upon the schooner OTTAWA, Capt. Amos Saunders, then lying near the mouth of Fox River. C. H. White, the deputy, proceeded in a boat to discharge the duty, but threats and resistance on the part of Saunders, prevented its execution, and White returned to town. Procuring assistance, he agin approached the vessel, but was attacked with clubs, poles, oars, boiling water, melted pitch, and indeed with every weapon upon which the exasperated crew could lay their hands. The Captain then ordered his men to bring the topmast over the bulwarks, that it might be used as a battering ram, threatening death to anyone who should refuse to aid in this bold defiance of the laws. After the officer and several of his posse had been bruised and knocked down, a fire commenced by the party in the boat, with pistols, and the mate of the OTTAWA, named Foster, a respectable man from Chicago, was severely, but it is hoped not dangerously wounded. The infuriated set scattered for a moment, but soon returned to the conflict. Saunders hurled an axe at White, but the latter at that instant was knocked down by a stack of wood, and his life thus saved from the axe. White's party finding themselves unable to board the vessel, retired. A surgeon was sent on board, and soon after four of the crew atempted to lad near Devil river.
      Saunders was on board, and although a strict watch was kept, he succeeded in landing. On Sunday morning an armed party took boats and rowed toward the schooner, but as they approached, she hoisted sail, and made across the bay.
      Cleveland Weekly Herald
      Wednesday, May 5, 1847



      GREAT NEWS FROM GREEN BAY. -- SCHOONER OTTAWA CAPTURED. - - We published recently an account of the bloody row on the schooner OTTAWA at Green Bay, and the escape and vessel from the clutches of the law. The Republican of the 3rd announces the capture of the craft, and gives the details of the stragety of officer Lessey in managing the capture so as to "save the effusion of blood." The sheriff and his men lay in wait in ambuscade - the captain and crew landed at the mouth of the creek - the sheriff and posse were on them, levelled their guns, and demanded a surrender - and the Jack Tars, "being out of their element" at once capitulated. The captain was marched a prisoner of war to Green Bay for trial, and, according to a postcript in the Republican dated Sunday, 3 o'clock P. M., "The schooner OTTAWA has just been brought into port and anchored in the river opposite the residence of Sheriff Lessey."
The world will rejoice to hear that order again reigns in Green Bay.
      Cleveland Weekly Herald
      May 19, 1847