Luccavage, Antoine
Antoine Luccavage was a French-Canadian whiskey smuggler based out of Bella Coola, British Columbia. In 1865, John Ogilvy, Deputy Collector of Customs stopped Luccavage while on a delivery as Luccavage lacked a permit for his goods. Officials took Luccavage aboard the Nanaimo Packer Steamer to New Westminster where he was to appear in court. However, Luccavage managed to escape from the Steamer onto another boat passing by, the Langley schooner. From there, Luccavage reportedly returned to Bella Coola. After noting Luccavage's absence, Ogilvy and a team of other men came aboard the schooner and had tea with the captain. Ogilvy remained above deck, while the others remained below. Afterwards, the members below heard a gunshot and rushed above deck to find Ogilvy shot by Luccavage. The crew scrambled to get together, and Mr. Moss, an Indian Agent who accompanied Ogilvy, rushed to capture Luccavage before he could escape. Luccavage then pulled out a revolver and a knife on Moss and stabbed him. The injured Ogilvy managed to defend the crew by firing at Luccavage, who then escaped once again on another boat. Ogilvy died on board due to his injuries. Subsequently, the Colonial government set a $1000 reward for the capture of Antoine by his Excellency's Command, C. Brew Chief Inspector of Police, New Westminster, 20 May 1865. Despite the bounty on his head, Luccavage continued his business and was spotted around Fort Rupert and Victoria numerous times. After several months of chasing leads on Luccavage's whereabouts across the west coast of the US authorities found Luccavage dead in Fort Rupert.1 According to colonial correspondence, an Indigenous man named Ahmete killed Luccavage.2 It is uncertain whether Ahmete shot the Murderer Antoine offensively or defensively. [Authorities assumed] the latter.3
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