The picturesque StLawrence . itedStates that the former country was being inflictedwith the same abuses by the English governmentthat had caused the thirteen American coloniesto fight for their independence. A body ofCanadian rebels established headquarters onNavy Island in the Niagara River, a short dis-tance above the falls, and from there pretendedto rule Canada. A little sidewheel steamer, theCaroline, went back and forth between theisland and Buffalo carrying provisions to therebels. But one dark winter night a company ofthe Men of Gore as the government troopsguarding the Canadian shore
The picturesque StLawrence . itedStates that the former country was being inflictedwith the same abuses by the English governmentthat had caused the thirteen American coloniesto fight for their independence. A body ofCanadian rebels established headquarters onNavy Island in the Niagara River, a short dis-tance above the falls, and from there pretendedto rule Canada. A little sidewheel steamer, theCaroline, went back and forth between theisland and Buffalo carrying provisions to therebels. But one dark winter night a company ofthe Men of Gore as the government troopsguarding the Canadian shore called themselves,rowed across the swift and dangerous current,seized the Caroline as she lay at her wharf, putthe crew ashore, set the steamer on fire and senther all ablaze over Niagara Falls. As a conse-quence, the Navy Island rebels were starved out. This act roused the ire of an American whowas familiarly called Bill Johnson, and whonow became a sort of political Robin Hoodintent to confer on Canada the boon of The historic liohthouse at Prescott The Thousand Islands 37 He got together a band of outlaws, or patriots,if one accepts their view, and on the night ofMay 30, 1838, he and his followers, disguised asIndians and armed with muskets, boarded theCanadian steamer. Sir Robert Peel, while enroute from Brockville to Toronto carryingtwenty passengers and a large amount of moneyto pay off the troops in the Upper shouts of Remember the Caroline! thepatriot band forced the passengers and crewto take to the boats. Then the steamer was seton fire and left to her fate. The hull is still tobe seen where it sank about a mile down theriver from Thousand Island Park. Johnson, elated with his success, made a per-sonal declaration of war; but fortune favoredhim with no further conquests, and this Pirateof the Thousand Islands soon became a fugi-tive from justice. His daring and devoteddaughter Kate rowed him from hiding-place tohiding-place, and kept him suppli
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Keywords: ., bookauthorjohnsonc, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1910
