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. According to colonial correspondence, an Indigenous man named
Ahmete killed Luccavage. It is uncertain
whether Ahmete shot the Murderer Antoine offensively or defensively. [Authorities assumed] the latter.