Historical Marietta, Ohio

The Marietta Intelligencer, April 3, 1861

To the Public Generally

Justice to myself demands that I should be heard by the public at large in justification of myself against the unjust accusation of James S. Stowe, as I have heard he has charged against me before boatmen at New Orleans, and all along the Mississippi, and in our own community it has been published in the newspapers, and James S. Stowe, in answer to my letter to him of the 15th of March, says that he charges me with being the cause of his being cut loose, fired upon, and driven away from the landing at Lake Providence and other places below.

Now to show that James S. Stowe, to screen himself from his long known difficulties at Lake Providence, has taken this methods of shifting it on to me, whom he calls his neighbor. But we will let the community who cut him loose and fired at him, speak for themselves below.

S. M. Devol

[Simeon Manchester Devol, 1800-1876]

To Whom It May Concern

This is to certify that the cause of Mr. James Stowe being moved from Providence Landing, was not in consequence of any report made by S. M. Devol, Esq. - but was caused by remarks made against the institution of Slavery, at this landing for a number of years past, all of which can be proved by various individuals, among whom is the Town Marshal. Mr. James Stowe was moved from this landing previous to Mr. Devol's arrival here.

Providence, La., Feb. 27, 1861.

A. C. Jamison, Constable

A. W. Green

H. Stein

J. P. Gentry

W. M. Shaw, Prop'r of Wharf Boat

John W. Graves

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James S. Stowe (1806-1895)

Note: James S. Stowe began flat-boating in 1829 and was very successful in the business, carrying a variety of goods including flour, meat, lard, beans, and butter. All along the river he had a reputation for being a “sharp but honest dealer.” His anti-slavery views were also well known. In the months leading up to the Civil War, Northerners were often threatened when traveling in the South. Stowe was a victim of this hostility while on the Mississippi River at Lake Providence, Louisiana, in 1860. His boat was tied up at the shore when news was received that South Carolina had seceded from the Union. That night Stowe, who did not carry a gun, was shot at and his tow line was cut. He was told by an angry mob that “no Lincoln abolitionists could land at their shores” and was given until four o’clock to leave. (Sources: History of Washington County, Ohio, H. Z. Williams & Bro, 1881; “Old Time Flatboatmen,” The Marietta Daily Leader, January 17, 1904)