Seymour Bassett and “The Floating Gin Mill”

I have not yet figured out which branch of the family Seymour Bassett belongs to.

Troy New York Daily Times, November 1873
Tragedy On Lake Champlain
“The Floating Gin Mill” Burned
Its Proprietor Killed – The Work of a Mob

The men employed in building the New York and Canada railroad, and which when completed will extend from Whitehall to Rouse’s Point, have been gathered from all parts of the country, and are largely addicted to the bottle. The section of country in which they are employed has long been noted for the temperance proclivities of its inhabitants. The laborers found it extremely difficult to procure liquor, and when they succeeded the cost was large. At different times within the past year various persons, incited thereto by the large profits accruing from the traffic, have opened places for the sale of alcoholic stimulants. The moral, disrepute into which they at once fell induced some to suspend business; others were forced to close their places by inability to procure licenses, or notifications that is was unsafe for them to linger in the vicinity.

In August a queer looking craft was seen near the New York shore of Lake Champlain, in close proximity to the places where the railroad laborers were at work. The craft consisted of an old raft, upon which a small house was placed. In this house always could be found a large supply of the worst liquors. The proprietor, Seymour Bassett, recognized and obeyed neither the prohibitory law of Vermont nor the license law of New York, asserting that his craft was outside of the jurisdiction of both states. The vessel soon became notorious along the lake and was dubbed, “The floating gin palace.” On every pay day the craft was secured in close proximity to the New York shore. The proprietor required no advance announcements; whenever his “floating gin palace” appeared the laborers would leave work and proceed to board the vessel in swarms, spending the hard earnings that belonged to their families for Bassett’s decoctions. On these occasions drunken broils invariably took place and sometimes they resulted fatally. As an instance, following the pay day of the 15th of September the boat was again filled with disorderly and intoxicated laborers. They had imbibed fighting rum, and as a meter of course the tangle-foot became demonstrative, resulting in a knock-down argument all ‘round. Before it was quelled, one man was knocked overboard and drowned, his companions, mad with drink, being to crazy even to attempt to rescue him.

The presence of the boat was a constant threat against the peace and safety of the foremen of the railroad work and the residents, and its partial destruction by fire week before last was hailed with joy by these classed. Bassett, it seems, was a man of a great deal of energy, and he forthwith repaired his floating groggery. On Friday last some persons at present unknown resolved to take the law into their own hands. After dark fourteen men started out in boats from the vicinity of what is known as Fifteen Lighthouse, twelve miles north of Whitehall. They reached the craft without being discovered, and blindfolded and handcuffed George Wood, the bartender. They also secured two watches, thirty gallons of liquor and a double-barreled shot gun, which was loaded. Applying a torch to the concern, they then left for shore with their prisoner and booty. The boat was soon enveloped in flames.

At this time, Bassett, the owner, was at Benson’s landing, on the Vermont side. His attention was attracted by the flames. He immediately started to row across the lake, which at this point is narrower than the Hudson river. When he came within range of the party who had applied the torch, he fired fifteen shots at them, none taking effect. In the meantime Bassett had placed himself within five rods of the party. With the gun taken from the burning vessel once of them then returned the fire, which seemed to take effect, as Bassett called out that he was wounded. The party, however, it is said fired again. After Bassett was shot he contrived to get upon a lighter, where Wood, who had been released by the self-constituted officials, found him and conveyed him to Byram’s dock in Benson, where he died Sunday morning. He was twenty-six years of age. The affair has created much excitement at Benson Landing. One result at least will be security by the affair, and that is the illicit traffic which has been carried on in the above mentioned manner, to such a fearful extent, will be summarily ended. The bartender positively affirms that he can identify three out of the fourteen men who boarded the boat. From whose particular hands Bassett received his death we are unable to state, but it may come to light at at the inquest.

It seems that Bassett’s remains were after his death removed to the New York side of the lake. Coroner Clark of Cambridge was summoned by telegraph last night, and he immediately proceeded to Whitehall. Bassett resided in the town of White Creek near Eagle Bridge. It is stated seventeen bullets were found in his body after death.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.