was not good, and some less drunken members of the party dragged the fellow away. Law has no influence over these Rowdies. Violence must be opposed to violence.
The Flower family has bought out a good many {278} of these wretches. One, however, more violent and lawless than any yet known, still remains, of the name of Jack Ellis, the son of an old and industrious settler from Indiana, who says that he expects this son will some time murder his mother; and that if God does not take him, he, his father, must kill him himself.
This rascal, with several others, in addition to their hunting, go round stealing free negroes, on pretence of being employed to find runaways. The poor blacks are thus cruelly taken and sold at New Orleans. I saw Jack with his rifle after a negro, in the employ of Mr. G. Flower, who had armed the poor fellow in defence of himself against Jack, whom the settlement wish to be shot.
Mr. Flower, sen., one day found it necessary to have his family carriage ferried over the river in a flat, which had only one man to manage it, and get the carriage on and off. Much delay being the consequence, and the man unable to do alone, Mr. Flower complained, and said, "If you do not go and tell your master to send more help, I will fine you for detaining me." The fellow very rudely said, "I have no master, nor shall I go for more help. I am not a servant." "How is that," said Mr. F., "the proprietor hires you; you serve him, and he pays you. I am not above assisting you; and being your servant, and you shall pay me too." When landed on the other side, Mr. Flower had two dollars demanded. "Very well," {279} said he, "I have done half the work, and therefore I charge one dollar for my service!" The fellow leered and looked humbled.
