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Cairo Index Page |
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Obituaries and Death Notices
Cairo Daily Bulletin
1 Jan 1873-30 Dec 1873
Cairo, Alexander County, Illinois
Transcribed by Darrel Dexter
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Wednesday, 1 Jan 1873:
On Thursday, at 10 minutes to 7 o’clock p.m., Elizabeth, wife of William McHale, in the twenty-fifth year of her age. The funeral will take place today at half past 1 o’clock, from the residence, on Eleventh Street. The remains will be buried at Beech Grove Cemetery. A special train will leave Tenth Street at 2 o’clock. Friends and acquaintances respectfully invited.
(William McHale married Elizabeth M. Whitten on 15 Apr 1865,
in Alexander Co., Ill. William McHale married Margaret Mahoney
on 28 Oct 1873, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Mrs. William McHale died in this city yesterday evening at about half
past six o’clock. She survived the perils of childbirth only a few hours,
and her infant son will be buried in the grave with its mother. The death
of Mrs. McHale makes two little girls, one three and the other seven
years old, motherless. She was a lady whose worth was most appreciated
where it was best known, in her own home, and her husband and children have
sustained a loss which time can never repair, though it may kindly soften
the deep grief of the present. Mrs. McHale had been married eight
years, and departed this life at the early age of twenty-five years. Peace
to her ashes.
Mr. S. M. Stites, an
old citizen of Cairo, and one highly respected by all who knew him, died in
this city on Thursday evening. Mr. Stites died of consumption, from
which he had suffered for a considerable length of time previous to his
death. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a
quiet unobtrusive man. Mr. Stites had lived in Cairo about ten years,
and during this time he made many warm friends, not only in the circle of
his church, but out of it. He died mourned by his family and seriously
regretted by his numerous friends. His funeral takes place today from the M.
E. church. His body will be interred at Richview in this state.
We find the following
account of a sad double bereavement in the Evansville Journal. “Mr.
Henry Davis, who arrived in this city yesterday morning to attend the
funeral of his brother, the late Joseph Davis, who was accidentally
killed at Cairo, received on his arrival, a dispatch bidding him hasten
home, and informing him that his son Frank, a lad of sixteen years, had been
killed. The manner of receiving the dispatch was peculiarly painful. Mr.
Davis on arriving in this city went to the store of Messrs. Parsons
& Scoville to see Mr. Parsons, the late brother’s partner, and
on introducing himself was handed the dispatch, which had arrived in advance
of him. Mr. Davis is a conductor on the Cleveland, Columbus & Chicago
railroad, and on leaving him placed his train in charge of a substitute, and
put his son on the train as brakeman, from which circumstances he concluded
that the poor boy had come to his death by some accident to his train.”
(A marker in
Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridges reads: Louis Nassano died Jan. 10,
1873 Aged 38 years and 3 days.—Darrel Dexter)
WHEREAS, It has pleased an all wise providence to suddenly remove from our midst our brother member, the late Louis Nassano, be it Resolved, That the company realize its loss and that we shall ever remember him with true affection. Resolved, That the widow and children of deceased have our sincere and heartfelt sympathy in their deep affliction.
Resolved,
That a copy of these resolutions be furnished by the secretary to the family
of our late fellow member, and that they be published in the papers of the
city of Cairo.
Mayor Lansden,
chairman of the board of heath, submitted a detailed report to January 6,
1873, in relation to small pox in the city, showing the following
statistics: number of patients received at the Sister’s Hospital previous to
the establishment of the pest house, 15; number received at the pest house,
71, of whom 29 have died; 55 of the 71 cases were nonresidents; 15 were
white and 56 colored; of whom 30 were river men, entitled to hospital
allowance and for whom the Sisters will allow the city what they receive
from the government, viz: 85 cents a day and $6 for burial in case of death,
which will up to this time, amount to about $250, number of cases of small
pox and varioloid in the city, beside those received at the hospital and
pest houses, 75, of whom 30 have died; total expense on account of pest
house from its establishment to January 1, 1873, $2,508.77; total expenses
on account of small pox not connected with pest house, $1,.034.
(Charles
Lancaster married Sarah Hodge on 1 Feb 1865, in Alexander Co.,
Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
The following from the Memphis Avalanche in reference to the death of William B. McGee will not prove uninteresting to our readers.
About a year and a half ago a collision on the New Orleans and Jackson
Railroad, a young man named William B. McGee, then in the employ of
the Southern Express Company was seriously injured while another messenger
named Matthews was instantly killed. Mr. McGee was brought
home, he living with his mother in Pinch on Promenade Street, and after
three or four months’ careful nursing, was able to resume light and easy
work for the company. Since then he worked irregularly as he felt able, and
occasionally taking a short trip away for his health. A few weeks ago he
went to New Orleans, where he remained until the last trip up of the
Belle Lee, when he embarked on her for this city. A
younger brother of Mr. McGee is or was employed as striker on the
Legal Tender. That boat was advertised to leave for White River
Wednesday evening. Young McGee knew that his brother was on the
Belle Lee and Wednesday before the boat went out, he expressed himself
as laboring under a great mental depression, and tried to get someone to
make the trip for him. No one could be found, and he was forced to leave
with his boat, although he kept saying, “I know. A
few broken words informed him that his brother had died a few hours before,
and was then “laid out” in the best room. Before he left Wednesday evening,
he had ordered a dispatch sent him at Duvall’s Bluff in the event of
anything happening, and his mother informed him that she had telegraphed as
desired. She was greatly surprised at seeing him so soon, and the question
now is: What was it that acted upon the young man’s mind producing
premonition of trouble so strong as to influence him as it did?
It may be added that neither of the McGees believe in spiritualism.
The funeral took place Sunday, Rev. Dr. Bowman officiating, the
remains being followed to the grave by a large circle of friends.
Our country hereabout is covered with a robe of snowy whiteness about three
inches thick, and with a stiff breeze from the north sweeping over the snow,
made last night one of unusual severity. Notwithstanding the inclemency of
the evening, at Ullin was enacted one of those diabolical scenes, by far too
common in our midst. One Lyon, became incensed at James Pruett,
and approached him with a loaded pistol which he placed against Pruett’s
side and fired, from which he died in a short. At a regular meeting of Coopers’ Union No 9 of Illinois, held on the 27th day of January, 1873, in the city of Cairo, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted. WHEREAS, it has pleased the Almighty God in his infinite wisdom to remove from our midst our late lamented brother, Rudolph Patterson, therefore be it Resolved, that we his brother associates here assembled do hereby express our heartfelt sorrow at the loss of so faithful a member of our order. Resolved, That we tender the bereaved family of our brother our warmest sympathy and commend them to look for consolation and support to Him who said that “I will be a husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless.” Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be presented to the family of Brother Patterson and a copy of the same be published in the Cairo Bulletin. Leopold Ries, James Watt, Charles Shutts, Joseph Bledsoe, James Hayes, Com. Paducah Kentuckian please copy
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1873: Circuit Court Second Day, Second Week The whole of the forenoon was occupied in making up a jury to try Christopher Shuffleberger for the murder of one Dodds in Union County some ten months ago. The case was brought from Union County on a change of venue. The people are represented by Messrs. Pope and Webb. Shuffleberger will be ably defended by Gov. Dougherty, A. M. Dougherty, and Judge Allen. Twenty-one witnesses were sworn in. From the number of witnesses to be examined it is altogether likely that the case will occupy the attention of the court for the balance of the week.
DIED. In Natchez, Miss., Jan. 19, 1873, Mrs. Elvina Howe, wife of the late Robert J. Howe, aged 59 years. Mother dear, thou art gone. “He who doeth all things well” hath summoned thee and thy spirit hath winged its flight to the bright realms of a glorious and holy sphere, where the spirit of our father awaits thee. Mother and father both gone. They who so patiently watched over us in our slumbering infancy and guided our faltering footsteps; who taught us how to lisp the names now so dear to us, instilled its youthful mind, a knowledge of His word, and engraved on our memories ever to be remembered, who ministered to our every want, and were ever ready to counsel us with good advice; they have gone. The dear familiar voices never to be forgotten are hushed, and our lips that oft bestowed the loving kiss are cold in the embrace of death. Their inanimate forms lay beneath the mouldering sod, but their spirits live in the peaceful abode of Heaven. Father and mother may thy spirits in angel form watch o’er thy children, and protect us from harm and shield us from evil. Guide us aright in the path of duty and when life’s journey on earth is ended guard us safely through the “dark valley” to the bright home beyond.
Thursday, 30 Jan 1873: Circuit Court Third Day—Second Week The whole of yesterday was consumed in the examination of witnesses in the Shuffleberger case. There are yet about 12 witnesses to be examined in this case. The witnesses, as they are called, are being closely interrogated and a great deal of time is consumed in their examination. The case will not terminate before the end of this week. The jury are constantly in charge of a bailiff and great care is taken to prevent them coming in contact with anyone but the proper officers of the court. The grand jury have not completed their labors yet, and may not adjourn until Saturday.
Friday, 31 Jan 1873: Sudden Death Mr. Reimer, an old and estimable citizen of Jonesboro and father of Capt. Reimer, fell dead at the residence of his son yesterday. He had been in good health up to the time of his death and the news of his demise will be as shocking to his many friends as it was sudden. Deceased was about 70 years old. (The Saturday, 1 Feb 1873, Jonesboro Gazette reported that Peter Rymer, father of Capt. J. Rymer, died Wednesday, 29 Jan 1873.—Darrel Dexter)
Circuit Court Fourth Day—Second Week Yesterday afternoon was entirely consumed in examining the balance of the witnesses in the Shuffleberger case. In the afternoon session the attorneys commenced the argument in the case. Late in the evening only one more speech was to be delivered and it is quite probable that by this morning the jury has arrived at a verdict.
A Sad Case A Warning and a Lesson One week ago, a gentleman from near Patoka, Ill., a large stock dealer, arrived in this city with his son, a young man named James Gray. Young Gray was healthy, stout and fine looking, aged about twenty-five years. Mr. Gray, the father, brought several head of stock down on the Illinois Central Railroad, had it transferred to boats and ready for shipment south. He intended to leave this city for the South on that day in company with his son. Unfortunately, the young man had fallen in with some bad characters, had indulged too freely in intoxicating liquors, and insisted on remaining in Cairo, contrary to the wishes of his unhappy father. The elder Mr. Gray was compelled to leave, the young remaining in this city. His dissipation continued till Saturday; he wandering about the city drinking poisonous whisky and subjecting himself to cold and exposure. On Sunday his intoxication took the form of bodily sickness—the case was reported to Judge Bross—young Gray was removed to the St. Mary’s Infirmary and Tuesday he died, unconscious when the messenger of death summoned him to cross the dark river. His descent to ruin and to death was brief and terrible and points a moral which we need not elaborate upon. Accordance with a request of the mother, received by telegraph in this city, the body was placed in a handsome burial case and yesterday was sent on its way to his so suddenly and awfully bereaved family.
Saturday, 1 Feb 1873: Mrs. William Moore, living near Princeville, Peoria County, committed suicide the other day by hanging. Temporary insanity is the supposed cause.
A frightful accident is reported to have occurred last week, near Cleaveland, Illinois, which has already resulted in the death of two persons and will probably cause the death of three more. It appears that a miner, named Spargo occupied a house over the chamber of an old coal mine, and it caved in, the stove falling into the cavity. Mrs. Spargo and her four children fell on the stove, which set on fire the floor and the clothes of the unfortunate victims. Two children were burned to death. Mrs. Spargo and the two other children are in critical condition. It was not known that the chamber was under the house.
We are pained to announce the death of Mrs. Smith, wife of Mr. Joseph Smith, of this city. She died on yesterday morning of quick consumption. In her decease her husband suffers the loss of a good wife and her children the loss of an affectionate mother. The family, in their bereavement, have the sympathy of the community.
Circuit Court Fifth Day—Second Week The jury after being out all night returned a verdict yesterday morning of not guilty in the Shuffleberger case. No one was particularly surprised at the verdict from the fact that the evidence in behalf of the People was rather of a flimsy nature. Of course Shuffleberger and his friends were greatly elated at the result of the trial.
Funeral Notice The funeral services of Francis A. West will take place at the St. Patrick’s Church, corner of Ninth Street and Washington Avenue, at half past twelve today, Saturday. A special train will leave the foot of Eighth Street at half past one p.m. Friends of the family are invited to attend.
Died at the residence of Mrs. Rosanna Smith, corner of Thirty-fourth Street and Ohio Levee, of typhoid pneumonia, Francis A. West, son of Robert and Alice West, aged twenty years.
Sunday, 2 Feb 1873: Huffman, who is accused of killing Tubbs in Hazelwood Precinct, was arraigned and pled not guilty. His trial was set for Tuesday next.
Funeral Notice The funeral of Mrs. Joseph Smith will leave the house at the corner of Twentieth and Commercial Avenue at 3 o’clock p.m. Friends of the family are invited to attend.
Tuesday, 4 Feb 1873:
About nine o’clock on Tuesday night, Henry Peters, well known in
Cairo, especially among river men, walked into a saloon on the levee and
called for a drink. As he raised it to his lips, he fell to the floor and
died instantly, it is supposed of heart disease or apoplexy. The deceased
was a hard working man about forty years of age. He had no relations in the
city and was buried at the expense of the county. Friday, 7 Feb 1873:
At her residence in Villa Ridge, of typhoid fever, Mrs. Jinnette Hudson. The funeral will take place at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, the 8th day of February. All friends and acquaintances are requested to attend.
(This notice was repeated in the Saturday, 8 Feb 1873, issue of the
newspaper.—Darrel Dexter)
“Limber Jim,” a colored man, and known as a gambler and bad character
generally was engaged in playing a game of cards yesterday morning about 9
o’clock in Scott’s saloon, with another negro called “Red,” also a
notorious character. During the progress of the game, a dispute arose
between the two which ended by “Limber Jim” firing a pistol shot at “Red,”
wounding him in the intestines in a manner which Dr. Wood pronounces
fatal. “Limber Jim” was arrested by officers LaHue and Gossman
and lodged in jail. The wounded man was removed to the hospital.
(William A. Hughs married Sarah Moore on 27 Dec 1842, in
Alexander Co., Ill. William A. Hughs married Jane Sowers on
22 Nov 1865, in Pulaski Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
On February 18, at the residence of her parents on Fourth Street, in this
city, after a few days’ illness, Ellen Burke, aged three years, three
months, and sixteen days, daughter of P. and H. Burke. A special
train will leave the foot of Eighth Street, at half past 1 o’clock, to
convey the remains to Villa Ridge Cemetery.
At the residence of Mrs. Cunningham, on Ninth Street, between
Washington Avenue and Walnut Street, John Gallagher, (better known as
John Ives), aged 20 years, of pneumonia. The funeral will take place
at half past one o’clock today. A special train will leave the foot of
Eighth Street at 2 o’clock for Villa Ridge. Early Sunday morning the almost lifeless body of P. R. Jobe, owner of a trading boat, was found near the Mississippi River elevator. He had been beaten in the head with some heavy instrument and his skull fractured. He was immediately taken to the hospital, but died in about twenty minutes after reaching that place. The detectives went immediately to work to ferret out the whereabouts of the murderers, and during the day arrested Thomas Carroll and James Norton, who had been with Jobe on the trading boar. Carroll and Norton were yesterday arraigned before Judge Arthur at the City Court. The examination elicited the fact that Jobe was the owner of a trading boat and had Norton in his employ; that Carroll a roving river man of bad character, who claims that his home is in Tennessee. He went on board Jobe’s boat at the mouth of Yazoo River, professing to be a trapper and came down with Jobe to the head of the river, near National Cemetery, where Jobe left his boat in charge of Norton, Saturday last, and, in company with Isaac Williams, another boatman, came down to Vicksburg on foot. Carroll, coming with them, and following them around the several places in the city, and had some words with Jobe. Williams then took Jobe to the commission store of J. D. Coleman & Son, and deposited his money advising Jobe to deposit his also, which Jobe did. After dark Saturday evening Williams went on board of the Trader to go up to the mouth of Yazoo River, where his boat lay, and Jobe also wanted to go to the cemetery, where his boat lay, but the captain declined to land in the bend on account of the high wind. Jobe then bid Williams adieu, saying he would walk up to his boat. About one hour afterward, say 8 o’clock, it is supposed the murder was committed. Late in the night Carroll came back to Jobe’s boat with two negroes, took a bottle of liquor and drank it with the negroes and took charge of the boat. He then offered to sell some things to the negroes, but Norton, objected. He then ordered Norton to cut the lines, and, after threatening Norton, got a light and went out and cut the stern line himself. Norton escaped to the city, informing the police to watch the boat passing. When it was found Sunday morning, that Jobe, the murdered man, was the owner of the boat, Norton was arrested. City Marshal L. M. Hall and Detective Sharpe got a steam tug and overtook the trading boat at the bar near Warrenton, where they found Carroll selling shoes from the boast. When arrested he gave conflicting statements about his business partnership, and finally did not know whose boat he was on, or how he came on it. Carroll whist on Jobe’s boat, saw him change of $50 note; evidently followed him around Saturday, till after dark; did not know he had deposited his money with Mr. Coleman, knocked him in the head, rifled his pockets and left him for dead, and being disappointed in not finding money, went up to the bend before day, drove young Norton off, took the boat and was found in possession of it, selling the goods and the boat. Altogether it is one of the most cold-blooded murders that has ever occurred in this vicinity. It was a fortunate thing for Mr. Williams that he left on the Trader, or he would also have been murdered for his money; and if young Norton had not escaped from the boat, he would probably never have been heard of again. Mrs. Jobe, the wife of the murdered man, lives in Hickman, Ky. His money, $350, is deposited with J. D. Coleman & Son, in this city, and his boat and goods are in the hands of Capt. Sharp and Coroner Richardson.
Judge Arthur, after examination of the whole matter, discharged James
Norton and sent Thomas Carroll to jail, without the privilege
of bail, to answer the charge of murder at the March term of the circuit
court. At six o’clock yesterday afternoon in this city, Mrs. Dennis Cody, aged 36 years. The funeral will take place today, at St. Patrick’s Church, at 1 o’clock, and the remains will leave on the 2:40 train for Geneva, Wisconsin, for burial. All friends are invited.
(The notice was repeated in the Wednesday, 5 Mar 1873, issue of the
newspaper.—Darrel Dexter) Mrs. Annie Massie L. Burnett, dearly beloved wife of E. A. Burnett, of this city, and daughter of Charles and Hannah Lame, formerly of Philadelphia, departed this life March 2, 1873, aged twenty-five years.
Our darling fell asleep in Jesus. She has led an exemplary Christian life
since her conversion, five year ago. She was a faithful and devoted wife
and daughter, a tender mother, and true and loving sister. She was always
ready to offer help to those in distress and grief, never thinking of self,
but always doing something for the comfort and pleasure of those she loved.
This lovely sleeper was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1848,
was reared by Christian parents, and attained the years of womanhood amidst
the happy enjoyments of a bright and peaceful life. She was noted among a
large circle of friends for her amiability and sweetness of character. At
seven years of age she with her family, moved to Cairo, and on Christmas,
seven years ago, was united in marriage to Mr. E. A. Burnett, by Mr.
Roberts of the Presbyterian Church. Her death bed was a fit
termination to such a life as hers. A short time before her death she
called on her father to pray, then thanked him sweetly, and told him it gave
her courage and helped her much, and after joining her family in singing
“Nearer, My God to Thee,” her spirit was wafted home to her Savior. “Let
not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me; in my
father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you;
I go to prepare a place for you.”
Physicians were in vain,
And eased thee, of thy pain. On the Savior’s breast.
(Ebenezer Burnett married Anna M. Lame on 25 Dec 1865, in
Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter) It is with feelings of the deepest regret that we record the death of Mrs. Annie M. Burnett. Although Mrs. Burnett had been an invalid for many months, and suffered much for several weeks before she died, her death was a shock to her family. She had been afflicted with disease of the heart for nearly two years, but the immediate cause of death was quick consumption. She was conscious until the last moment and willingly and peacefully met the conqueror before whom the great and weak of the earth are alike powerless.
Mrs. Burnett leave two children, both girls, one six years of age,
the other an infant of eighteen months. To the bereaved husband, who has
lost a loving and beloved wife, to the little children, who are happily too
young to appreciate the deprivations of a fond and faithful mother, to the
sister, who mourns the death of an only sister, knit to her ties of the
strongest and tenderest affection, and to the sorrowing parents who lament
the early removal of a dear daughter, we extend our deep and heartfelt
sympathy, sympathy shared by a large circle of friends. It is powerless to
heal the wound of so deep a grief, but it is all that poor humanity can
offer.
(The Saturday, 15 Mar 1873, Jonesboro Gazette reported that Charles
Turlay, son of John S. and Anna M. Turlay, was killed at
Dongola on 5 Mar 1873.—Darrel Dexter)
The funeral services of Mrs. Annie M. L. Burnett will be held in the Presbyterian church of this city, on Sabbath morning, March 9, at 10:45. The pastor of the M. E. church and his people will unite in the services. Funeral sermon by Rev. H. B. Thayer. The friends of the family will meet at the house at half past 10 a.m. and after prayers will proceed to the church. All are invited.
(This notice was repeated in the Sunday, 9 Mar 1873, issue of the paper,
along with a poem tribute to Annie Massie L. Burnett by Kate
W.—Darrel Dexter) Mr. Joseph Harmon, a well known flatboat pilot and brother of Capt. Al. Harmon, died in this city at the residence of his brother last Saturday night of cerebro-spinal meningitis after a long and severe spell of suffering. When he was first attacked by the disease he was piloting a flatboat down the river and on its arrival here he was taken to his brother’s home and the vest medical aid procured, but after about two weeks the disease terminated fatally. Before he went on the river he was the carrier of the Rockport Democrat for a number of years. His remains were sent upon the Emperor in charge of his brother-in-law and will be interred at Grand View, Ind.
(The sermon by Rev. H. S. Thayer at the funeral of Mrs. Annie M. L. Burnett was published in this issue of the newspaper.—Darrel Dexter)
Wednesday, 12 Mar 1873: TERRIBLE ACCIDENT (From the Sun of yesterday) This morning at about eight o’clock while Mrs. Sallie Herndon living at No. 68 Commercial Avenue, was attempting to light a fire with Aurora oil, the can was exploded in her hands and set her clothing on fire. In her alarm she rushed out of the house and over the block in the rear, and when help reached her, she was exhausted, and nearly all her clothing was burned off. She was taken in her house and Dr. Parker was called, who did all in his power to relieve her. She is, however, terribly burned and there is but little hope of her recovery. This is only another lesson in regard to the danger of non-explosive oil. Mrs. Herndon has two or three little children in destitute circumstances.
The body of the Rev. A. N. Cheeny, a local elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who died of pneumonia, in this city, on Tuesday last, was taken yesterday to Metropolis for interment.
Thursday, 13 Mar 1873: Mrs. Herndon burned by an oil explosion on Friday, died yesterday at noon in great agony. Her two children, one nine and the other three years old, are kindly cared for by Mr. Fay of the Delmonico Hotel.
Friday, 14 Mar 1873: DIED. Mr. James M. Campbell, sheriff of Jackson County, died at his home in Carbondale on Wednesday evening last. Mr. Campbell was one of the county’s most respected citizens and his demise will be lamented by all who knew him.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS The Carbondale Observer of a recent date gives the following. “We have learned from our friend, F. J. Chapman, the following remarkable instance of longevity, which seems to have escaped the notice of southern Illinois newspapers. DIED.—In Johnson County, in November last, the exact date not remembered, and within twenty hours of each other, Father Mapherd and wife; they were buried in the same grave. The old couple were natives of North Carolina and came to Johnson County 50 years ago, having at that time been married 21 years; so that at the time of their death they had been married 71 years. As nearly as it was possible to ascertain the fact, they had both attained their one hundredth year.”
Saturday, 15 Mar 1873: MURDER AT GOOSE ISLAND The following which we find in the local column of The Sun of last evening, contains about all we have been able to learn concerning the Goose Island tragedy. We learn that the killing was done yesterday morning about 7 o’clock and that the man killed was named John Sheldon, aged about 55 years. The slayer was Harry Green. An old grudge existed between these two rival blacksmiths, but the immediate cause of the murder was the ownership of an ax. We learn that Green went into Sheldon’s shop yesterday morning, when Sheldon told him that he wanted no difficulty. Green seized a wagon spoke and stuck Sheldon on the head, from which he died. Green was under arrest. County attorney Pope has gone out to prosecute and H. W. Webb to defend. Green was tried yesterday before Justices Jackson and Martain and held to bail in the sum of $1,000 which at the time our information left, had not been procured.
A FORTUNE FOR SOMEBODY. Some fifty years ago, a man named Hudson E. Burr left the state of Illinois and settled in or near Greenville, Mississippi. Whether Burr had gone to Mississippi to seek his fortune or not, we do not know, but we do know that he found it, as many of other men find theirs, by industry, perseverance and energy. Thirty-three years after his departure from this state, in the year 1856, Burr died, leaving behind him a large estate. He had no family, he left no will, and as shrouds have no pockets, he could not carry with him much or little of the wealth he had accumulated. Since that time, no heir has appeared to claim the property of the deceased Burr, and it is today without an owner. It is known that among Burr’s friends or relatives were Emmeline and Lucy Engols, Wharton Ogden, and the children of Hannah Dudley. Any person desirous of helping the heir or heirs of Hudson Burr to possession of their rights, can find out all about the death of Burr, his estate and other pertinent matters by addressing D. E. Outlaw, Greenville, Mississippi.
Sunday, 16 Mar 1873: Anna, Ill., March 11, 1873 Mr. Daniel Hamilton, a citizen of this place, was found dead in his room on Sunday morning last. He was complaining on Saturday and died alone during the night. (The Saturday, 15 Mar 1873, issue of the Jonesboro Gazette reported that B. T. Hamilton died Sunday morning, 9 Mar 1873.—Darrel Dexter)
Funeral Notice Mr. John Goe, father of Mrs. Dr. Brigham, died yesterday morning in this city. The funeral services will take place today at half past one o’clock, after which the body will be conveyed to the Illinois Central train to be sent to Ohio for interment.
The wife of John A. Vick, of Ullin, died on Thursday, 6th inst., of pneumonia, and was buried last Saturday. (John Vick married Martha Hazelwood on 24 Feb 1853, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Tuesday, 18 Mar 1873: OSBORNE’S CONFESSION The following is the confession made by Osborne, the murderer of Mrs. Mathews at Yates City, Illinois, in July last, who paid the penalty of his crime at Knoxville on last Friday: I wish to make this as my dying statement which will be as true as any speedy death will be certain. I would not have made this statement had it not been for the earnest entreaties of my counsel, Mr. Kretzinger, aided by the powerful earnestness of Elder Griffith, and my desire to meet God in peace. My counsel never knew of my guilt until tonight. The 13th of March 1873, they defended me, believing me to be innocent of the crime charged. Sometime in July last a man came to Yates, pretending to sell patent right of some kind. He made my acquaintance. I referred him to Mathews for trade. He said he knew I was working for Mr. Mathews. We walked out by the railroad coalhouse, and sat down in the shade. He then told me of litigation between Mrs. Mathews’ father and others. He talked awhile, and then asked me if I would take five hundred or a thousand dollars and put a certain person out of the way. I said, “No” and asked him who it was that he meant. He said he wouldn’t tell me until I agreed to do it. I thought I would draw him out, and then have him arrested. (I would to God I had), but he refused to give any name. I told him I couldn’t do it, and got up to go off. He said, “Listen to reason.” (Oh that I had. I wouldn’t have been here). He then said, “Would you do it if the amount first named was doubled?” I said—”No.” He then offered $5,000, and said he had arranged with another person for less, but he had failed him and he believed I had the nerve. I asked him who the man was. He said he would tell me if I agreed to do it. I then agreed for that amount to kill the person, but did not know who it was. He said, “Mrs. Mathews.” I started back with horror, and thought I could not do it. He told me she had heard a conversation and was to be a witness for her father, and must be put out of the way. I then asked him who the man was that he first engaged. He said, “Joe Denny.” I asked him if he had told Joe that he was coming to me. He said, “No.” He agreed to meet me where I desired, and pay the money when the deed was done. I saw him afterwards, a few days before the murder was committed. Denny saw me and told me he knew all about it. I then felt I could not back out. If I did, Denny would do it, and then throw it on me, and then get the money. On the fatal Monday, I went from the depot about 11 a.m. to my house, took a lunch, and left a little after 12 o’clock and went south to Mrs. Wood’s lot, and crossed over. I went into the cornfield to look for melons. I passed on the gate, sat on the gate, looked over toward Mathews’, and then thought I would walk over. I did not know then positively that Mathews was gone. I did not think of hiding my tracks more than of doing the deed, until I struck the Farmington Road. Then I looked up and down and saw no one. I crossed into Mathews’ field on the house. And I went up to the pump, I saw Mrs. Matthews in the door. I was much fatigued. She asked me to come in; that they were all gone, and gave me a bench and asked me to sit down. My heart failed me. I was too warm in the house, as she was washing and had a big fire. I went out and sat down by the door. I was sitting there when Knoble went by. He could not see me. I went in then and she closed the front door, and shut down the blinds herself. She said she would get me some dinner. It then flashed through my mind that she would go to the cellar and so would be my best chance. J. H. Mathews swore truly when he said there were but one plate, knife and fork on the table. She went into the cellar for butter with a place and butter knife. For an excuse I asked her if all the water was out of the cellar. She said yes, but it was muddy. I was then at the cellar door and passed down, remarking I wanted to see it. I went down. We talked a little, and as she stooped down I picked up a brick and struck her on the back of the head. She started to run, and I caught her by the dress and waistband of the drawers. That is the way they were torn. I pulled her back, and struck her again. She fell. I picked up a short board and struck her on the side of the head. She quivered. I thought she was dead. I went up stairs, and, to make a false motive, I rummaged the drawer and found the money. Then I must take it to prevent the false motive from being discovered. I put a package in each pocket. Then I thought I would do downstairs and see if she was dead. I saw her eyes open and looking at me. I went up and bent over and said “Adelia.” She raised her eyes. I said, “Do you know me?” She said, “I do.” I asked, “Who am I?” She said “Mr. Osborne” and reached her hand toward me and said, “Why did you do this?” I dropped her hand, turned away, and then looked at her a moment, but felt it was too late to stop. I would have given worlds to have had her as she was before. I took out my knife and cut her throat. She never moved or grimaced. I went upstairs and left. I put the money in the Corbin house. I had on a coat, and got one drop of blood on the sleeve and washed it out next day, when on the hunt alone. I did not violate her person, as God is my witness. Hanna Freed swore truly. She saw me from the north door of Bird’s house, and I saw her there. That knife I used I threw through the hedge running east and west between Enoch’s farm and Sargent’s pasture, towards the east end of the hedge. The knife found was not mine; I never saw it to the best of my knowledge. I have now finished. My time is nearly up. I have fearfully wronged the Mathews family. I ask them to forgive me, as I feel that God has. I have stated the truth and might refer to some of the evidence on the trial, but the time is short. In a few moments I shall be in eternity and God witnesses the truth of this statement.
Mr. Kretzinger has written this statement this 14th day of March,
1873, at 15 minutes before 12 o’clock, at my earnest request. I wanted him
to write it as I stated it to him last, before Elder
Griffith,
again to my counsel and the officers of the court and ministers of God. I
bid you all a last eternal farewell, and may God receive my spirit. I bear
no malice towards any. I. O. O. F. The members of Alexander Lodge No. 224 are hereby notified to meet at their hall promptly at 12 ½ o’clock today to attend the funeral of their late brother Fred A. Rose. Visiting brothers are invited to attend. John F. Robinson, Rec. Sec’y.
ATTENTION ROUGHS! You are hereby requested to meet at your engine house tomorrow at 12 ½ o’clock in full uniform to attend the funeral of Fred Rose.
ATTENTION ARABS! Members will report at engine house today promptly at 12 ½ o’clock in uniform to attend the funeral of our brother, F. Rose. By order of company. T. J. Kerth, Sec’y.
The funeral of Mr. Rose will take place today at 1 o’clock. He will be buried at Villa Ridge and the Odd Fellows and all the fire companies will attend the funeral.
Mr. F. Rose was a member of the Arab Fire Company and the flag of the company was yesterday hoisted at half mast as a tribute of respect to his memory.
John Jones alias John Stricker alias “Louisville,” a noted character of this city, died at the hospital on last Sunday night of consumption. “Stricker” was in poor health nearly all winter.
Wednesday, 19 Mar 1873: The funeral of Frederick Rose took place yesterday at 1 ½ o’clock and was largely attended. The Odd Fellows of which order Mr. Rose was an active member turned out in force, also all the fire companies of the city were in attendance. The procession which was two blocks in length was an imposing one, and gave sufficient proof of the high regard in which Mr. Rose was held by the community in which he lived.
Mrs. Henry Taylor, widow of Henry Taylor, who died suddenly on the Illinois at the marine ways in Mound City a few years ago, was married by Judge Bross on Monday to Mr. Coan, of Smithland, Kentucky.
Resolutions of Respect. At a meeting of Alexander Lodge No. 221, I. O. O. F., held March 18, 1873, of which body the late Fred A. Rose was a member, the following resolutions were passed: WHEREAS, Our lamented brother, Fred. A. Rose, has peacefully passed over the Jordan, death; therefore be it Resolved, That we felt that we have lost a brother who was true to our beloved order in every respect. Resolved, That we tender our kindest sympathy to the family of our deceased brother, whom he has labored so long, patiently and diligently to protect from the charity of a cold world. Resolved, That the members of this lodge wear the usual badge of mourning, and the hall be draped in the mourning for 30 days. Resolved, That copies of the above resolutions be published in the city papers, and a copy be sent to the family of the deceased, also the same be spread upon the minutes of this lodge.
Saturday, 22 Mar 1873: DIED. Died, March 20th at 2:30 o’clock p.m. William T., infant son of Alfred and Anna Harman. The funeral will take place from the residence of the family on Fourth Street, near Commercial Avenue at 2 o’clock today. The remains will be interred at Villa Ridge. (Alfred Harman married Anna Daufit on 14 Feb 1867, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Mrs. George P. Fay and Sallie P. Fay made application yesterday to the county court for permission to adopt Sallie Johnson, minor child of Mrs. Herndon, the woman who died in this city last week from the effects of a coal oil explosion. The permission was granted.
Stricker, who died some days since in St. Mary’s Infirmary, was buried in the potter’s field. Some of his friends interested themselves in the matter and had his body taken up and removed to Villa Ridge.
At Pulaski, yesterday, a man was killed by a train of cars passing over his body. We did not learn his name. (His name was reported as Eli Temple in the 27 Mar 1873, issue.—Darrel Dexter)
Willie Harman, aged about three years and son of Capt. Al. Harman, died night before last of croup.
Sunday, 23 Mar 1873: A correspondent of the Paducah Kentuckian writing from the neighboring village of Blandville says, “much excitement prevails in the community in regard to the fatality of what is now called cerebro-spinal meningitis by physicians. In the vicinity of Blandville it prevails as an unchecked epidemic, producing the most alarming apprehensions and exceeding the mortuary records of cholera itself, the hitherto regarded scourge of mankind. The victims of this awful disease live from one to five days and are variously affected but generally a rigidity of the entire muscular system takes place, gradually relaxing before death.
The case of small pox referred to in the Sun of several days ago, is not likely to give the health officer any more trouble. The parents of the child employed no physician and kept the neighbors in ignorance of the fact that it had small pox and as a consequence the existence of the case was not brought to the attention of the health officers. As soon as Mr. Wooton became aware of the existence of the case, he called at the house and found that the child was dead and ready for burial.
Sunday, 25 Mar 1873: A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT BEARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY The Murderer Buries Three Bullets in His Brother’s Body He Makes Good His Escape Etc., Etc., Etc. A Horrible Accident.
Louisville, March 24.—A horrible tragedy occurred near Beardstown on
Saturday. G. W. Holtshauzer, one of the oldest and most esteemed
citizens, was sitting in his office about half past seven in the evening,
with an unmarried son, D. W. Holtshauzer, when a married son, J. W.
Holtshauzer, entered the door, and without speaking, pulled out a
navy revolver and
SAD ACCIDENT Information of the drowning of Arthur, son of Widow Smith, who resides at the corner of Thirteenth and Polar street, was received by the unfortunate young man’s friends residing in this city, on Sunday morning. Young Smith has for several years been employed as watchman on the steamer Ike Hammitt and left his city a few days ago on that boat, she having been chartered by a St. Louis company to do service on the Upper Mississippi River. From what we can ascertain, the circumstances of the accident are about these: The Hammitt had in tow several barges; when a short distance from Chester, the river having risen, a large quantity of drift wood had clogged between the steamer and barges. Smith was directed to take a “pike” and clear away the drift, which he undertook to do. He was standing on the guards of the Hammitt, and in endeavoring to break the drift, lost his balance, and fell overboard. As he fell, he cried for help, and a Polander who happened to be standing by him, caught hold of the back of his coat, but as the current ran swift, and Smith was rather a heavy man, the Polander fearing that he himself would fall into the water, let go his hold, Smith went under, disappeared beneath the barge, and was never afterward seen. The brothers of the unfortunate young man, who reside in this city, offer a reward of $100 for the recovery of his body. Young Smith bore and irreproachable character, and never failed to win the respect and esteem of those with whom he became acquainted. At the competitive examination for the appointment to represent this congressional district at the West Point military academy, he stood a very creditable examination, and was looked upon as among the most intelligent of all the applicants.
Arthur Smith, aged 20 years, watchman on the steamer Ike Hammitt for the past year, was drowned off that boat on the 18th inst., a few miles above Chester. He has relatives living in this city and they have offered a reward of $100 for the recovery of his body.
Wednesday, 26 Mar 1873: DEATH BY SUICIDE (From the State Journal) The pleasant little village of Pleasant Plains, in this county, has been the scene of another bloody tragedy, this time the victim falling by his own hand. On Thursday of last week, as we are informed, Henry Smith, aged 54 years, a prominent citizen who has always stood high with his fellow men, committed suicide in his orchard in the rear of his residence in Pleasant Plains, by shooting himself in the center of his forehead with a navy revolver. It appears that Mr. Smith had been noticed fixing his revolver on Thursday morning, but nothing was thought of it, and in the afternoon when he left the house, said that he was coming to Springfield to settle with the county treasurer, he being collector of Cartwright Township. As he did not return home at the usual time his family supposed he would remain in the city overnight, and nothing more was seen of him. On Friday evening, between 5 and 6 o’clock his son, passing though the orchard, found the dead body of his father lying upon the ground, with the death wound in his forehead, and his pistol lying by his side. It is supposed that he took his life on Thursday, not long after leaving his house. What circumstances induced him to commit the rash act is unknown, and probably will ever remain one of the hidden mysteries.
Mr. Smith was a son-in-law of the late Rev. Peter Cartwright,
and is said to have always borne an irreproachable character. His tragic
death has cast a gloomy shadow over that community among whom he had long
been a member, which only year of time can dispel. The kindliest sympathies
of all who knew him and his family are extended to those who have been so
suddenly bereaved by his rash act. (Henry Smith married Sally M. Cartwright on 1 Sep 1842, in Sangamon Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Thursday, 27 Mar 1873: Eli Temple was the name of the young man killed at Pulaski several days ago. He was the son of Philip Temple, who was for many years proprietor of a hack line running between Carbondale and Murphysboro.
Matthew Mockler, cousin of P. Mockler, died at the residence of the latter yesterday afternoon at about 5 o’clock. The funeral will take place this afternoon by special train from the foot of Eighth Street at 1 ½ o’clock. Friends of the family are invited to attend.
A Painful Death Some ten days ago a German named Charlie Bradenhagen in the employ of the St. Charles Hotel, struck his foot against a nail, inflicting a slight wound which gave him no particular trouble and was forgotten. Three days ago his face swelled up and pained him very much and it was thought that he was taking the measles. Tuesday morning, however, he was attacked with lock jaw and died in a few hours in the greatest agony. In searching for a cause of the disease, it was concluded that it must have come from the nail wound, trivial though it seemed at first. His remains were forwarded to Blue Island where his parents reside.
Friday, 28 Mar 1873: DIED.—On Thursday morning 26th inst., of membranous croup, aged four years, Addie, beloved daughter of S. D. and A. L. Ayers. Funeral services on Saturday at half past one o’clock p.m. from the parents’ residence No. 78 Walnut Street.
A SAD AFFAIR News comes to us of a sad affair which occurred at Smithland last week, of which the following are the particulars: Sometime ago a Mrs. Johnston married a second husband and moved to Marshall County. Her husband was very disagreeable to his wife and her daughter, Miss Johnston, in so much that she sent her daughter to Smithland to live with a family named Clark. After being there awhile she begged her mother to take her from the place, but the mother refused to do so. Clark’s conduct toward the girl was not what it should have been, and last week it became necessary that he should send her away. This he did, sending her to her relatives at Metropolis, but they would not receive her and she returned, when Clark took her to a house of ill fame, where she became a mother. Her mother came to Smithland to visit the girl during the latter part of the week, and on learning the facts was overwhelmed with grief and died in a few hours. The girl does not yet know of her mother’s visit or death.
Sunday, 30 Mar 1873: The body of Arthur Smith drowned by falling overboard from the Ike Hammitt a few days ago has not yet been recovered.
John A. Parker, a farmer living near Villa Ridge, died on Thursday, March 27, of consumption. He was a member of the Methodist Church and the funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. D. B. Turney, yesterday, at Villa Ridge.
Dishonor—Death A Sad Story of Wrong and Despair We find the following concerning the Smithland, Kentucky, tragedy, to which we referred several days ago, in the Paducah Kentuckian. The Kentuckian says:
In the family of Evan Clark, a prominent citizen of Smithland, a man
of family, there lately dwelt, in the capacity of a servant, a young girl,
whose widowed mother lived in Marshall County. On last Friday, so the girl
says, Clark
sent her to the house of a woman named Ann Adams, where she was taken
sick. The girl says that Clark is the father of the child, which, happily is a frail and delicate creature and not likely to live many days. The affair has created intense excitement in Smithland.
TERRIBLE DEATH Sawed Almost in Two—The Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis We are indebted to Mr. James S. Morris, of Ullin, for information concerning the horrible death of an employee of the firm of which Mr. Morris is a member. William Cane was employed in the capacity of sawyer and on Friday last, while at work sawing lumber, was caught by the circular saw and cut almost in two and died almost instantly. From the same source we learn the dreaded disease, cerebro-spinal meningitis has made its appearance in the vicinity of Ullin, and that several deaths have occurred.
DIED. Died in this city on Saturday morning at 10 o’clock, Katie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. Seifke, aged two years. The funeral will take place today at 1 ½ o’clock p.m. from the residence of the parents, 91 Ohio Levee. Friends of the family are invited to attend.
Tuesday, 1 Apr 1873: SINGULAR DEATH Our citizens will remember L. B. Leach, who was for some years a resident of this city, and cashier of the State Bank of Illinois, and will learn with sorrow that he is dead. The following, relating to his death, is taken from the Louisville (Kansas) Reporter. It is an uncommon thing for a man to write the announcement of is own death, or to prepare for his own funeral, but Mr. Leach did both. Mr. Leach, whose demise we announce today, was one of the oldest citizens of Wamego, where his connection with his son’s and partner’s store gave him an extensive acquaintance with the people of Pottawotomie and Wabaunsee counties. He was a man who had seen many of the trials and viscidities of western life. He left Susquehanna County., Pa., for the “Far West” in 1839 and saw Chicago with less than seven thousand people, and Northern Illinois and Wisconsin almost in a state of nature. He was a practical printer, and had been clerk in a store several years before seeing the West, at both of which professions he was wrought alternately since, often interspersed with other experiences. In 1843 he was admitted to the bar of Illinois, but having no taste for the legal profession, he never attempted to enter upon its practice for a livelihood. From 1845 to 1849 he lived in Grant County, Wisconsin, whence he went to Chicago again; thence to Appleton, Wisconsin. From 1851 to 1858 he lived in Corpetsville, in Broome County, New York. In the early part of 1858 he returned to Illinois and located at Shawneetown where he was cashier of the state bank, the circulation of which was based on southern securities, were destroyed by the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861. In that he lost nearly all he possessed of this world’s goods. He spent the following winter in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in the spring removed to Alton, Illinois, where he resided till he came to Kansas in February in 1867. Mr. Leach died apparently without disease, but seemed long before his death, to be aware of approaching dissolution and foretold very nearly the time when it would occur. And while yet engaged in active daily business he prepared everything for his own burial. Nearly a month ago he gave us, in writing, the substance of this article, alleging as the reason therefore that after his death some one who knew little about him might volunteer the services and mistake the facts. And he gave us, also, about the same time, his own obituary notice, written by himself, with the note at the bottom over his signature, and with the year inserted, leaving only the day and month blank. By his request the funeral sermon was preached at his residence by Rev. E. R. Brown, pastor M. E. church of Wamego to an attentive audience from the xxiii Psalms, the subject of his own selection. Died.—On the 10th day of March 1873, in Wamego, Lucien B. Leach in the 56th year of his age. The above announcement will be inserted in our county paper and forwarded in wrappers, subscribed by my own hand to about 49 persons—with nearly all of whom, as kin or in business, I have been in the part of intimate terms. Several of these names have been as indexes of mental profit and pleasure through a large portion of my life. Lucien B. Leach (Lucien B. Leach married Harriet C. Moore on 13 Mar 1841, in Kane Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Sunday, 6 Apr 1873:
Few additional facts were elicited besides those published in yesterday’s
Republican, at the coroner’s inquest over the victims of the
accident which occurred on the St. Louis and Southeastern Railroad, at
French Village, on Thursday the 3rd inst. Besides the list already
published, there were others who received injuries. Among them were Henry
Budge, of Belleville, Illinois, thigh broken; Mr. Lovering, of
Jonesboro, Illinois, cut in the forehead; Solomon Wilson, scalp
wound. A son of Mr. Wilson also cut in the head; Mr. Paul
Darrance in head and right arm slightly. The little daughter of Mrs.
Mary E. Griffen, who was so badly scalded by the steam from the
engine, was brought with the rest of the wounded to this city and taken to
the sisters’ hospital. The little sufferer died at eight o’clock yesterday
morning, after suffering intensely. The mother is a poor woman, a residence
of McLeansboro, Illinois. She had three children with her at the time of
the accident. Ascertaining her distressing circumstances some of the
passengers who escaped being hurt made her up a small purse and presented it
to her. The remains of the little girl will be cared for by the Sisters. The mutilated remains brought to East St. Louis have been identified as those of Hon. James H. Watt of Chester, Illinois, an ex-member of the legislature and a very prominent man. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, a Royal Arch Mason and an Odd Fellow. Out of respect the court at Nashville, Illinois, adjourned yesterday, after appointing a committee of J. B. Jones, John Michan and William Milikihman to wait on the remains. The committee arrived at East St. Louis in the afternoon and found the remains on board the Belle Memphis en route for Chester. Coroner Ryan commenced holding an inquest a short time after the accident on the bodies of the victims, namely: Mrs. John B. Lusk and Judge Watt. The inquest was adjourned, however, until yesterday morning, when the jury met again in the waiting room of the Southeastern depot. The following are the names of the witnesses, and the order in which they were examined: John J. Dowdall, Conductor Bostwick, Engineer Reed, Foreman Teft, of the roundhouse, Michael Ward, conductor of the dirt train. The latter was brought down from Belleville arrest. He testified to the fact that the construction train was coming down at the rate of sixteen miles an hour.
Mr. Dowdall gave it as his opinion that had order been preserved, all
parties keeping their seats, less injuries would have been received. The
alarm to get out of the car was not given by the conductor. He was not on
the train at the time. A brakeman told the passengers to get out. This
witness further testified that Judge Watt might have been saved
himself. He held on to the railing and seemed paralyzed by fear. There was
every chance for him to clear himself, but instead of making an effort, he
swung round directly in face of the collision. The evidence developed the
fact that the engine of the construction train was reversed. It was the
engineer of the train and not the conductor who decamped at the time of the
accident. After listening to the evidence the following verdict was
rendered: That James H. Watt came to his death in consequence of an accident on the Southeastern railway, at French Village, by the running into of a passenger train by a construction train on the 3d day of April, 1873, and that we find the conductor, Michael Ward and the engineer, John Fanning, of the construction train, were grossly and culpably negligent, the conductor for starting out after the passenger train had passed him ahead of time, and the engineer for moving at too great a rate of speed. Also that the conductor of the passenger train, W. T. Bostwick neglected his duty, and violated the rules of the road by not sending out a flag man to warn the construction train of the impending danger; also, that the railroad company is somewhat responsible in not informing the conductor of the freight train or the discontinuance of trains No. 7, 11, and 12, and which reason detained his train and coupled with other circumstances occasioned the accident. Signed: J. W. Faucett,, foreman; B. Gilchrist, F. Dwyer, A. E. McCallum, William Koch, J. F. Hacke, William Whalin, Charles Perry, T. McQuerney, N. McGinnis, James W. Kirk, Charles Shaffner. A
similar verdict was rendered in the case of Mrs. Mary Lusk.
Mr. Lusk, whose wife was so suddenly called into eternity, was just
returning from a visit to Alabama. He has two children, a boy and a girl,
aged respectively four years and four months. The mother was holding the
older when the alarm was given. She rushed on to the road platform and
instantly thrust her babe out of danger. By the time the infant reached the
ground the mother was a corpse. From all circumstances connected with the
melancholy disaster it is remarkable that it was not attended with greater
fatality.
Died, at his residence, corner of Poplar and Division street, of pneumonia,
Michael Murphy, aged 40 years. The funeral will take place today at
10 o’clock from the residence of the deceased, by special train from the
foot of Eighth Street. Friends invited to attend. The members of St.
Patrick’s Benevolent Society are requested to meet at the residence at 1
o’clock today for the purpose of attending the funeral.
In this city, Sabbath morning, April 6, of cerebro-spinal meningitis,
Charles Thomas, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Farin. A lovely flower,
too fair for earth, has been transplanted in the Master’s garden. An angel
form is beckoning father, mother, sisters and brothers, to be sure to meet
him in the better land. “It is well with the child,” for “of such is the
kingdom of heaven.”
(A marker in Cairo City Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Laura Alice Moore
died April 7, 1873 Aged 15 years, 9 months.—Darrel Dexter) A
young man by the name of Hawkins, a brakeman on the Illinois Central
Railroad, was killed in a most horrible manner near the town of Ullin,
Pulaski County, yesterday at about noon. Hawkins left this city on
the up freight, at 11 o’clock yesterday, when the train approached Ullin, he
went out on top the cars, and in passing under the bridge a short distance
this side of the town, was struck by the bridge and knocked between the
cars, the entire train passing over his body—grinding the unfortunate man
almost to atoms. He was dead when gathered up. Where he lived or what
disposition was made of the remains we could not learn.
The funeral of Laura Moore, which was to have taken place yesterday,
was postponed on account of the unfavorable weather, until the same hour
today, when it will take place from the residence of her mother on
Commercial Avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets. The young friends of the
deceased are invited to attend.
Died, April 7, at 6 o’clock, p.m., Laura Alice Moore, aged 15 years,
after a painful illness of five weeks duration. The funeral will take place
this (Wednesday) afternoon at 2 1/2 o’clock by the regular afternoon train. A
youth in early bloom,
From earth so soon.
A
sad event occurred at the St. Charles Hotel on Friday night. Mr. and Mrs.
J. C. Nyeth, of Chicago, arrived in Cairo on that day, on their way
to New Orleans; the journey was undertaken for the benefit of Mr. Nyeth’s
health, who was a consumptive and who hoped the mild air of the South would
restore him to health. On their arrival here, he sank from the exhaustion
produced by the journey and died in a few hours. His afflicted wife
returned with his body to Chicago yesterday.
At Ullin, Illinois, April 15, 1873, at 3 o’clock p.m., of brain fever, Emma
Alice, daughter of John and Mary Cummings, aged one year, one month
and two days. The deceased will be buried at Villa Ridge this afternoon at
3 o’clock. Gazette and Sun please copy. In this city, yesterday morning, at the residence of Mrs. McBride, No. 9 Eighth Street, Stephen B. Plummer, after an illness of nine days.
(A marker in Cairo City Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Stephen J. Bell
Plummer son of William A. and S. S. Plummer born Sept. 26, 1856,
Died April 17, 1873.—Darrel Dexter) Saturday, 19 Apr 1873:
The funeral of Stephen B. Plummer, who died in this city on the 17th
inst., will take place today at half past one o’clock, from No. 9 Seventh
Street. Friends of deceased are invited to attend.
Richard Paulison, Sr., of Hackensack, New Jersey, died suddenly on
the 12th inst., aged 99 1/2 years. The deceased was the grandfather of Mrs.
William F. Pitcher, of this city. After an absence of nearly twenty-four hours the jury in the Green murder trial, which has occupied the time of the Alexander County Circuit Court for the last four or five days, returned a verdict of guilty of manslaughter in the second degree, and fixed his time of imprisonment at four years. The prisoner was evidently taken by surprise, and was much affected when the verdict of the jury was announced. The counsel for the defense entered a motion for a new trial which will be argued before the court as soon as the case now being tried has been disposed of.
In the afternoon the case of the People vs. Hoffman for the
murder of Henry Tubbs in Hazelwood Precinct some time in the early
part of last summer, was called. Some time was consumed in getting a jury.
The attorneys stated the case to the jury, after which court adjourned to 8
o’clock this morning.
In the circuit court, on Monday afternoon, the case of the People vs. Huffman for the murder of Henry Tubbs was called. Nearly half a day was spent in getting a jury, after which the counsel stated their case, and the court adjourned for Thursday. Judge Allen and S. P. Wheeler appear for the prisoner, and D. T. Linegar and County Attorney P. H. Pope for the People. Yesterday morning the case was resumed and the following testimony taken for the People. Dr. J. P. Grier testified—Practicing medicine; was acquainted with Henry Tubbs; he is dead; died since July; on the 26th of July was called to see Tubbs; went immediately to see him; found him suffering from a wound in the back; the ball had passed through the stomach, went in at the back; remained with him some time; he wanted me to give him morphine; he vomited freely; discharging oysters; it was about 11 o’clock when I saw him; it took me 10 or 15 minutes to go where Tubbs was; next morning I was summoned to make a post mortem examination of the body of Tubbs; I did so and found a hole through the upper part of the stomach; found the ball; it was a rifle ball; Tubbs came to his death by the effects of a gun shot wound; met Tubbs that morning; I was going home and met him a few hundred yards from where he was killed; the shooting was done in the upper part of this county, on the 26th day of July, 1872; Tubbs was in the house when I saw him; did know the size of the ball, but don’t remember now; had the ball until the case was tried before Judge Bross; Mr. Webb took the ball. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—Was at the Widow Goodman’s when I was sent for; was close to the Cairo and St. Louis Railroad; was summoned by Scott Hazlewood saw hi before he got to the house; was riding pretty fast; started as soon as I saw him; had started from Mrs. Goodman’s before he got down the hill; he called me to come as fast as I could; I went pretty fast; went with him; was between 10 and 15 minutes before we got to Tubbs; had a watch and looked at it; don’t remember whether it was 15 minutes before or 15 minutes after 11 o’clock; my watch was about correct; don’t think I met anyone on the way down; found Mrs. Tubbs, Mr. Hazlewood, Mr. Thompson and others at Tubbs’ when I got there; don’t remember seeing anyone on the road down; did not halt in crossing the railroad; did not see anyone coming up the railroad; Cooper Creek is south of where we crossed the railroad; don’t know whether I looked down the road; I can’t tell if Roach came after or before I got there; don’t know if Roach’s grocery was shut up, but think it was closed; don’t know how long Roach stayed there, but he was there quite a while. By Linegar—The grocery is about a mile and a quarter from where we found Tubbs. Mr. Cliff Hazlewood testified—Was acquainted with Tubbs; was with him on the 26th of July, 1872; the first I saw of him was with Jorden, coming toward the grocery; the grocery was kept by a man named Roach; Tubbs was drinking some that day; I was sitting on the fence, and Hoffman came and set by me; did not go into the grocery; Hoffman said, “Let’s go in;” I said, “No;” after a while I saw old man Price and his son go away, and then we went in; Tubbs began to quarrel with Huffman, and said he was “a d----d traitor;” I pushed Hoffman away, and told Tubbs Hoffman did not want to fight; Tubbs did not like it; another man said if they wanted to fight let them do it; Tubbs slapped Hoffman in the face; I think he pushed or slapped Hoffman; Hoffman went out and went over the dump towards home; Tubbs followed him onto the dump; last I saw of Hoffman he was on his way home, near the bridge over Cooper Creek; can’t tell the exact time of day it happened; it must have been 8 or 9 o’clock in the forenoon; I suppose it is half a mile from the grocery to Huffman’s house; I was with Tubbs all the time; we staid at the grocery; Roach took his gun and went up the road and shot once or twice; Tubbs wanted some oysters, and sent for Roach; he came back and we ate several boxes of oysters; Roach took his gun and went off again; we left the grocery and went up to Jorden’s; tubs rode faster than the rest of us, and was some distance ahead; when we got to Jorden’s; we found Tubbs laying on the bed; one of the girls came in from Tubbs’ house; Tubbs got up and went out; in a little while we heard a shot and Jorden wanted to know what it meant; we started over to Tubbs’ house and went around the road; when we got near the house we heard Tubbs’ wife screaming; she said Tubbs had shot himself; we went up to him and found blood on his back; to the best of my recollection I understood that he shot himself; he spoke of the terrors of death, and wanted a doctor; I went my son to Mrs. Goodman’s, where the doctor was; it is a short distance from Jorden’s to Tubbs’ house; both houses set on the same 40-acre lot; it is about 300 yards around the road between the houses; I can’t tell exactly, but think it was about 11 o’clock when shooting took place; it might have been after that time; from the time Huffman left the grocery for home until we heard the firing, think it was 1 ½ or 2 hours; it is 1 mile from the grocery to where Tubbs was shot; the shortest route from where Hoffman lived to Tubbs;’ houses is right through the woods, a distance of three quarters to one mile, there is no trouble for footmen to get through the woods; I have gone through it with a two horse team; don’t know where Tubbs was going when he left the grocery; did not hear Hoffman make any threats against Tubbs at any time; I was on the hill fronting the door where Tubbs was shot; went on the hill and found that he had been shot by a rifle ball—probably “bushwhacked”; saw where some one had laid; we made sightings from behind a tree to the house, and found there was an open way; was probably 60 or 70 yards from the house to the tree; the ground was higher at the place where the shot was fired from than at the house; the elevation would be probably 20 or 30 feet; Tubbs had a pistol in his pants pocket; it was a very small cartridge pistol; I picked it up from the ground; I compared the ball taken from Tubbs’ body and one used in the pistol; there was a great difference, one was a rifle and the other a pistol ball; the pistol ball was very small, what I would call a “bell cartridge ball;” Dr. Grier and myself weighed the ball of the pistol and the ball taken from Tubbs’ body; there was a great difference, the ball taken from the body was twice the heaviest; I don’t know whether the cartridge was off the pistol ball, but the ball taken from Tubbs’ body was much the heaviest; they would not balance at all; some men picked up the patching fired from the gun; it was checked patching; I weighed the ball with a ball given me by Wesley Heilman; the balls balanced exactly; was not positive that Tubbs had not shot himself until after he was dead; Roach and myself examined the pistol, and found that it had not been discharged; just before he died he said that if there was not so many loads in the pistol, someone had shot him; the pistol was a five-shooter; have not got the pistol here; myself and Deputy Sheriff Cain arrested Hoffman; Hoffman said he had awful dreams. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—Arrested Hoffman one night in the winter when it was snowing very hard; when arrested he said he had had awful dreams; went to Roach’s grocery on July 20; I live three miles away from the grocery; from home I road briskly, and don’t think I was ¾ of an hour on the road; was about 8 o’clock when got there; did not find Tubbs there when first arrived; did not find Hoffman there at first; Jorden and Tubbs came together; Hoffman came shortly after, think it was hardly half an hour after; was sitting on the fence and Hoffman came and sat down by me; can’t tell the hour of day we sat there; old man Price went along about that time; Price said “How d’ye do;” Tubbs called Price in to “set ‘em up;” Hoffman said, “Let’s go in;” I said, “No;” Price and his son went away, and then we went in; was about 10 or 15 minutes before we went in; Hoffman and Price had a conversation about hauling ties; the talk took place while we were sitting on the fence; Tubbs wanted to fight Hoffman; I pushed them apart and told them not to fight; told Tubbs to let the boy alone, that he did not want to fight; Tubbs told Hoffman to get out of the house; Hoffman went out, and over the dump, towards home; after we left the fence and went into the grocery, it was not long until Hoffman went out and started home; he left right away; think it was between 8 and 9 o’clock when went to the grocery; was not half an hour before the arrival of the other parties; might be ½ hour, and maybe not so long; Hoffman sat on the fence about (?) minutes; might have been 10 minutes before Hoffman left the grocery for home; got to the grocery before Hoffman; after Hoffman left it was about 25 or 30 minutes before we left for Jorden’s; Tubbs and my son rode fast; Jorden and I came after; when we got there Tubbs was laying on the bed; one of the girls came in from T’s house; Jorden played on the fiddle; after hearing shot I said we had better go down; Jorden and Tubbs live on same 40 or 60 acres of land; Tubbs had been living in Murphysboro; Tubbs was supposed to be my son-in-law; he and his wife were not at good understanding when he died; I sent for a doctor soon after I got to Tubbs’ house; was probably 20 minutes the boy was gone after the doctor; is about a mile from Tubbs’ to Roach’s grocery in a westerly direction; the railroad runs very near north and south; Hoffman lives about a half mile south of the grocery, and 50 or 60 yards from the line of the road; is about a mile from where Tubbs lived to where Hoffman lived, by going through the woods; around the road would be more; about 1 mile or over to where Tubbs was killed; there is no road through the woods between the houses; was on the hill from where the shot was fired; the gate is about 8 or 10 steps from the house; the door fronting the gate is on the east; south door is nearest the gate; the elevation is east of the house; standing in the door have a clear view of the elevation. Wesley Heilman—My name is J. W. Heilman; have known Hoffman for 7 or 8 years; did not know Tubbs; don’t know much about the case either way; can’t tell how I came by the ball; I had it three or four months before the killing; don’t know where I got it; the ball fits Hoffman’s gun; can tell by the shape of it; we were shooting about the time I came in possession of the ball; had been shooting with other parties; was present about ten minutes at the house of Tubbs; went there about 3 o’clock; did not examine the ground; don’t think I ever compared the ball with the gun belonging to Hoffman. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—Don’t know where I got the ball; think it would fit Hoffman’s gun; don’t know if Hoffman’s gun had been dressed out since I saw it; if it had been there would had to have been a change in the moulds; never saw Thompson’s gun. (Testimony continued tomorrow.) Whist everything in nature looks so lovely, the passions of Mars (is) on the rampage, and no little excitement is now rife, in regard to a homicide that occurred on last Saturday in this county. Thomas Lence, a citizen of Jonesboro, in hot blood took the life of Fountain Hughs, by stabbing him three times in the breast, of which wounds he died in about twenty-four hours. He is now being tried for the offense before his honor, J. Grear, Esq. A singular and sad accident occurred to a son of Mr. Horace Eastman on last Monday whilst standing with another lad near his father’s, a dog in full chase of a cat ran against young Eastman, with such force as to break the high bone, and his left leg. He was a sprightly and intelligent lad of twelve years of age. I am sorry to have to chronicle the fact of the death of Mrs. Bouton, the mother of T. F. Bouton, of the Jonesboro Gazette, which took place on yesterday afternoon, at the residence of her son in Jonesboro. Her remains will be taken by the train today to Michigan for sepulture. She was about 60 years of age, and sick but a short time. She was an active, intelligent and estimable lady, whose good qualities endeared her to all who knew her. I have just learned that Richard Provo, living at the mouth of Clear Creek, in Alexander County, was on last Saturday, thrown from a wagon which was being run away with by horses, and in falling had three of his ribs broken, and the fractured end of one of the broken bones punctured the liver, of which wound he died on yesterday.
(The Saturday, 26 Apr 1873, issue of the Jonesboro Gazette reported
that Esther Cushman Bouton, widow of Enoch Bouton, died 24 Apr
1873, aged 69 years, 10 months, and 9 days. The same issue also reported
that Fountain Hughs was stabbed to death by Thomas Lence at
Hamburgh on Saturday, 19 Apr 1873.—Darrel Dexter) Pursuant to adjournment, circuit court met at 9 o’clock yesterday morning. The attorneys being present, the case of the People vs. Alfred Huffman for the murder of Henry Tubbs, was resumed. C. C. Thomas testified—Known Huffman for 16 or 18 years; knew Tubbs; I was at Tubbs’ Sunday morning, and also after he was shot; helped to put him in the coffin, also helped bury him; Mr. J. Morris and I went to see if anyone had shot him; we found a place on the top of the hill; behind a white walnut tree we saw where it looked like somebody had kneeled down and taken sight; we looked and found some bullet patching; in the direction of the house we found marks of boots and shoes; looked as if someone had laid down behind the tree; have seen Huffman’s gun, the balls used in Huffman’s gun are the same size I use in my gun; did not loan Huffman my moulds; loaned them to John Thompson; my moulds made a sort of round ball; saw the ball taken from Tubbs’ body; saw a ball Wesley Heilman had; said to have been made with the same moulds; looked like the ball made with my moulds; the full neck of the ball was there; was not battered; don’t know what became of my moulds; couldn’t find them; suppose they could have been found; have seen the moulds since; Mr. Hodge bought the gun and mould; have been changed since I let them go; don’t know who changed the moulds; I stepped the distance between the house and the place where the shot is supposed to have been fired; it is 74 or 75 steps; think the gun owned by Huffman would shoot 100 yards; would be a clear sight between the house and where the shot was fired; it is a mile or upwards from the grocery to where Tubbs was shot. Cross-examination—Live some 4 or 5 miles from where Tubbs was killed. Loaned my moulds to J. Thompson; saw the ball taken from Tubbs’ body; saw the ball W. Heilman had; was 2 guns alike in the neighborhood; don’t know where Heilman got the ball or what moulds it was run in; have seen my old moulds in Hartline’s possession; moulds don’t now make the same bal they did two years ago; the moulds have been changed; the ground at the spot where the shot was fired was the highest—higher than the gate—15 or 20 feet the highest; fair view from the tree to the gate; made the examination on Sunday before dinner; think Tubbs was shot on Friday; died the same day in the evening; post mortem examination was held the next day; had rained between Friday and Sunday; it was not much of a rain, just enough to lay the dust; had rained lightly at Tubbs’ house; it could be seen that there had been someone there; could not tell when the tracks were made; the rain might have had a tendency to obliterate the tracks; we went to Huffman’s and Mr. Hazlewood asked for the bullet moulds; Albert Huffman was there; could not find the moulds; did not hear him say anything about them. J. W. Durham testified—I am acquainted with Huffman; I knew Tubbs in his lifetime; was not there the day after the funeral; think the funeral was on Sunday; went up on the hill to a white walnut tree; saw bullet patching which was picked up 8 or 10 feet from the tree; the patching was the same as check shirting; there was a nick in the side of the patch as if torn in coming from the gun; did not see Tubbs shortly before the shooting; I went to Huffman’s house when he was arrested the first time; heard inquiries made for the moulds, but they could not be found that night; did not find the gun that night; saw the gun at the first trial; the shooting was down on Friday and I went to Tubbs’ house on Sunday night. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—Jacob Hartline was along; don’t know whether Hartline found the gun; the gun was at the examination the first day. Reason Heater testified—I was not at the grocery; was in the meadow making hat; heard a gun shot, and said it was the keenest shot I ever heard and that I believed Tubbs had shot his wife; heard a woman screaming and said, “Boys, he has shot her, sure;” we went to the house; saw Cliff Hazlewood and Jorden there; Tubbs’ clothes were all off; we turned him over and saw the wound in his back; Tubbs said, “Mrs. Heater, I have a mortal wound and will have to die;” I said I hope not; on Sunday Mr. Thomas, Mr. Morris and myself made an examination, and found where someone had laid on the ground; we saw the impression of toes and knees behind a tree; the marks looked as if they might have been there some time; the grass and pennyroyal was withered; there was a fair view from the tree to the house; I thought the shot was fired at the house; could not tell how long before the shower the person had been behind the tree; Hazlewood and Jorden were at the house; Tubbs did not say how he had been shot; could see the edge of the door from the tree; could not see the full door; the place where we were cutting hay was in plain view of the white walnut tree. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—Was in the field working hay; think it was between 10 and 11 o’clock when the shot was fired; think is was nearer 11 o’clock; the doctor had not come when I got to Tubbs’ house; he came in about 20 minutes; in the morning went to Tubbs’ house and got a cup to get a drink; Mrs. Tubbs was lying on the bed; said she had the headache; it rained on Friday after the shooting; it was a “right smart” shower; there was no rain between that and Sunday. Levi Jorden testified—I know Huffman; I was acquainted with Tubbs; I saw Tubbs the day he was shot; he came to my house and woke me up, and said he wanted me to take my horses and go up to Charlie Dillow’s to get his buggy fixed; we started before day; coming back we stopped at Rasch’s grocery; Cliff Hazlewood, his son and several others were at the grocery; we all took a drink; Huffman came in and Tubbs began to abuse him; Huffman said he had nothing against Tubbs, and went out of the grocery, and started toward home; Tubbs followed Huffman out of the grocery; Rasch took his gun and went up the road; Tubbs wanted some oysters, and sent Scott Hazlewood after Rasch; Rasch would not come and Tubs said he would go after him; we each got a box of oysters; Tubbs got a bottle of whiskey and we all went over to my house; Scott Hazlewood and Tubbs rode faster than we did; when we got there Tubbs was lying on the bed; my wife was getting dinner; Tubbs sent one of my little girls after his wife; his wife would not come as soon as her head got better; Tubbs then left and went over home; in a little while we heard the shot; we then heard someone coming crying; we went to the door and Tubbs’ wife came up and said Tubbs had shot himself; we started over and run fast; when we got there we found Tubbs setting on the ground, and saw blood on his back and a hole in his shirt; he told us that he had shot himself; we carried him home into the house; he seemed to be in his right mind when we got to him; we sent for the doctor; it was about 11 o’clock when shooting occurred; I wasn’t there long before the doctor came; the doctor was near at hand and came soon; Tubbs lived about six hours after he was shot; Tubbs had a pistol in his possession that day; it was a common small five-barreled pistol; I did not examine to see how many shots had been shot out of it; we compared the ball taken from Tubbs’ body and one of the pistol balls; ball taken from Tubbs’ body was largest; I saw a place where somebody had laid down by the side of a walnut tree; wasn’t with the party that arrested Huffman; never heard Huffman make threats against Tubbs. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—It was about 9 o’clock when we got to the grocery; Tubbs treated Huffman pretty rough; he ordered Huffman to leave the grocery; Huffman left and Tubbs followed him to the dump; it was about 10 o’clock when we left the grocery; it is nearly a mile from Huffman’s house to my house. James Hightower testified—I heard of the circumstances of Tubbs’s death; I was not at the grocery; I heard Huffman say that if ever Tubbs treated him as he had treated others, he would kill him if he had to waylay him; Huffman said that Tubbs would make Smithy spend his money for whiskey when he needed if for his family. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—Huffman said he would kill any man who might treat him in that way; he spoke anyone treating him in that way. Alfred Cauble testified—Knew but little about Tubbs; had gone to dinner, and just as we set down Jorden’s boy came and said Tubbs had shot himself; the next day I was summoned to act as juryman at the inquest; we examined about the place and found where someone had been behind a tree; could see the knee and toe marks in the ground; we took the range and ten or fifteen feet off we found the gun patch; used to know the gun; it would cut the patching; two or three years ago I could tell the ball used in that gun; saw the ball that Heilman had, but don’t know about the gun bow; did know two or three years ago; the gun would cut sort of a “swallowed cut” in the patching. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—There are different causes for the guns cutting the patching; never saw a gun that cut patching like this one; don’t know whether the gun had been bored out since I knew it; the distance from where Tubbs was shot to where Huffman lives is a little over three quarters of a mile. John Thompson testified—I was present at the house after Tubbs was dead; saw the ground where it was supposed the man who shot Tubbs had laid; I sold Huffman a gun before this murder took place; sold him the gun during the winter preceding the murder; the gun I sold him was in the habit of cutting the patching; sometimes it would cut a third of the patching away, and sometimes not so much; occasionally it would set the patching on fire; the patching found was cut in the same manner my gun would cut it; different guns will cut patching very much alike; sold Huffman the gun the winter before the shooting was done; I never heard Huffman make threats against Tubbs. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—Haven’t had the gun in my hands but once since I sold it; guns sometimes cut patching alike; sometimes my gun would cut patching one way and sometimes another; looked at the ground for the first time on Saturday; I was in Dongola when I heard of Tubbs being shot; it was in the afternoon when I heard of it; I live about two miles from where Huffman does; passed Huffman’s that day on my way to Dongola; my brother Andrew was with me; we passed within ten feet of the door. Mrs. Tubbs, wife of Henry Tubbs, testified—Mr. Tubbs rode up to the gate and was shot; I was in bed sick when he was shot; heard him groan; the crack of the gun did not scare me much; the horse was hitched to the fence and he was sitting on the ground by him. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—I was not well that day; can’t tell if Tubbs was on the ground or on the horse when he was shot; had not lived there long; my things there, but did not stay there much; Tubbs came down the night before: I asked him who had shot him, or whether he did it himself; he said he did not do it himself; there had been no other pistol about the house; had not had hold of any for several days; had no pistol in my hand for ten days previous to the shooting; did not get a pistol from John Morgan; can’t tell how long before this I had seen Morgan, but it might have been as much as a week before; I had been down from Jackson County about four weeks; my husband and myself had parted. James Price testified—Saw Tubbs the day after he was shot; he was dead when I saw him; never heard Huffman make any threat against Tubbs; was at the grocery with them; left before they did; can’t tell what time it was when I was at the grocery; the grocery is about one mile from where I live. Alexander Thompson testified—Know Huffman; knew Tubbs during his lifetime; did not see Tubbs after he was shot; I have heard Huffman speak of the shooting twice since it occurred; on one occasion he was talking to Benjamin B_____; Ben said: “You killed Tubbs, and I know it; but don’t blame you.” Huffman said: “You don’t believe I killed Tubbs?” Ben said, “Yes I do.” Huffman replied, “Well, if I did, they didn’t prove it on me.” Huffman was at my shop often; on one occasion he had his gun with him and said he had a good gun; told him I knew that, or he could not have killed Tubbs at the distance he did; he said, “I believe most people believe I killed Tubbs.” Told him that was the general impression; he spoke of the trouble he had had since the murder had occurred; told him not to let it trouble him, to get it off his mind; and that from what I could understand Tubbs had treated him wrong, and said that he ought to have killed him at the time—that morning at the grocery; he said he “did not have anything to do it with;” knew of the dispute, and asked him if it was done before or after John and Andrew Thompson passed his mother’s house; he said it was done before they passed along on their way to Dongola, and that he had just got home and was sitting on the porch when they went by; know the gun and have seen it shoot; don’t know about the patching. Cross-examined—I have never had any difficulty with defendant; have nothing against him; never said anything in that shape against him; someone told me that him and Jake Hartline had bought a quart of whiskey of me; never said that I would put him “where the dogs would not bite him;” can’t recollect everything I ever said against him; was a witness against him before the grand jury; had the conversation with him near Hazlewood town; he said he was troubled about it; heard him speak of it twice; never had but one conversation with him; was not drunk at the time the conversation took place; he was not drunk that day; don’t recollect of drinking with Huffman that day; know Reason Heater; can’t recollect everything that has been said about the case; can’t say that I did meet Reason Heater, but might have met him; don’t recollect telling him anything about it; have talked to Heater about it, but don’t recollect this talk about it; saw Crawford Brady and Mr. White at Brady’s house; did not tell them that we were both so drunk that it all seemed like a dream; did not tell then I was drunk; might have told them I was drinking; told him there were things passed I couldn’t recollect; don’t recollect telling them it seemed like a dream; I was keeping a grocery in Hazlewood last January; I may have had a conversation with John Heater about this matter; it has been talked about so much I can’t remember all that has been said; told him we had been drinking, but did not say we were drunk; don’t remember anything about saying anything of a dream; might have said it seemed like a dream; don’t remember of telling anybody that it seemed like a dream; told Huffman and Tubbs had imposed upon him and that he had ought to have killed him that morning; said he had nothing to do it with; said it was done before Thompson and his brother passed and that he had just got home when they came along by the house; don’t know that I told Warren Durham I was drunk; told him I was drinking; conversation occurred on the road in this county; think the conversation took place in December; never told Warren Durham that it seemed like a dream. By Linegar—Don’t remember my conversation with Heater; may have talked with Heater about it; don’t remember of telling him it seemed like a dream; White told me I knew all about Huffman killing Tubbs; told him Huffman never said, “I killed him;” don’t remember having any conversation with John Heater; we talked in his field; told him I understood that they were going to take me to Cairo to prove that I was crazy, and that I had forgotten many things said about it; I was arrested for selling a bottle of bitters to ________; Huffman was a witness before the justice of the peace; I appealed the case to the circuit court; never had anything against him; have nothing against him now.
(Testimony continued tomorrow.) The last of the evidence in the trial of Alfred Huffman for the murder, in August last in Hazlewood Precinct in this county, of Henry Tubbs, was taken on Thursday evening. Owing to the great length of the evidence we were unable to publish it all in Friday’s Bulletin. Below conclusion of the testimony as reported for The Bulletin.
James Morris testified—I know Huffman knew Tubbs while
living; I was about 200 yards away from where he was shot when the shooting
was done; I heard the report of the gun heard the screaming; the shot was
fired between 11 and 12 o’clock—think it was near 12; was talking to
Huffman one day, and he said if ever Tubs treated him as he (Tubbs)
had treated Rufus Smithy one or the other of them would die; threats
were made two or three months before Tubbs was shot. Martin Heater testified—It seems to me as if I heard Huffman say that if he did kill Tubbs they did not prove it on him. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—I don’t know for sure that I heard Huffman say so. FOR THE DEFENSE The first witness introduced by the defense was Reason Heater, who testified: I have known Alex. Thompson for a boy; about the first of February I had a conversation with him at the saloon about this case; Thompson said to me that he and Huffman had been together and drinking; that he was the drunkest; Huffman said that he could kill a chicken at such a distance with his gun; Thompson said his gun must be a good one or he could not have made the shot he did when he shot at Tubbs; Huffman said if he did kill Tubbs they did not prove it on him; Thompson said Huffman said he had just got home when Andrew and John Thompson went by the house; Thompson said he had been drinking, and that the conversation with Huffman seemed liked a dream. Cross-examined by Mr. Linegar—Did not say “some part of the conversation” seemed like a dream; can’t tell just when the conversation took place; think it was about the first of February. Crawford Bradley testified—Live in Hazlewood in this county; had a conversation with Thompson in the presence of Mr. White with reference to this case. White asked what Huffman said about the case; Thompson said that Huffman gave him to understand that he did the crime’ Thompson said he and Huffman were drinking at the time, but not to excess, and told him; Thompson said something about a dream; don’t remember what it was; only that there was something that seemed like a dream; did not give the words used by Huffman in conversation; said that he and Huffman had been drinking. John Heater testified—Know the prisoner Huffman; know Thompson; know where Thompson kept a grocery; Thompson did not say much, only that Huffman gave him to understand that Tubbs had been killed before Andrew and John Thompson passed Huffman’s house; Thompson said that he and Huffman had been drinking just before the conversation took place. Cross-examination by Linegar—Thompson said that Huffman gave him to understand that the gun had been left out in the field. John Thompson testified—Was examined yesterday by prosecution; passed Huffman’s house the day Tubbs was killed; Scott Hazlewood told us at Dongola that Tubbs had shot himself; saw Tubbs next day; live two miles from where Huffman lives; had load of barrels on the wagon; saw prisoner at the house when passed; he spoke to me about hauling some ties; stopped there between 2 and 5 o’clock; the road is a short distance from the house; spoke to me from house; saw his mother and aunt at the house; his aunt is a weak-minded woman; suppose it was between 10 and 11 o’clock when passed Huffman’s house; think it was nearer 11 and 10 o’clock; went from Huffman’s house to Dongola; went past Roach’s grocery; Roach’s grocery was shut up when we passed; he was barefooted when I saw him at home that morning; did not see anyone on the road from Huffman’s to Roach’s grocery; did not seen anyone leave the grocery; did not see Cliff Hazlewood or Tubbs at the grocery. Cross-examined by Linegar—Scott Hazlewood told me that Tubbs had shot himself; met some of my neighbors in Dongola and stopped in the shade and had a talk with them; while there Cliff Hazlewood and his son passed; was about three miles from Huffman’s house; is seven miles from Huffman’s to Dongola; passed my brother Alex’s shop that day and got some water; brother’s shop is about a mile and a half from Huffman’s house. Martin Heater—Know of Tubbs being killed; was not in the field with father making hay; did not go to the house; went to the field; did not find anyone there; went home; after dinner I went to Tubbs’ house; heard screaming at Tubbs’s house; was 15 minutes of eleven when I left to go to the field; was about 5 or 10 minutes going from home to the field; the clock was correct. Cross-examined by Linegar—Was 15 minutes of 11 when I started to the field; when I got there found that father and the men had gone out of the field. Mrs. Huffman, mother of the prisoner, testified—I am the mother of the prisoner; heard of the death of Tubbs; was about 12 o’clock when first I heard of Tubbs’ death; boy named Redwine told me of the killing; about 8 o’clock took his gun and went upon the hill to shoot with Mr. Johnson; he soon came in and told me he was going to see Price about hauling ties; was after 8 o’clock when he came in and put up his gun; it was near 10 o’clock when he came from the grocery; don’t know where Johnson is; saw Mr. Thompson at my house and heard my son speak to him about hauling ties; Alfred was not away from the house after he came in with Johnson; my son and Johnson ate dinner at my home—my house; ate dinner about 12 o’clock; the gun was not taken down after Mr. Johnson and Alfred came in; don’t know who took the gun down; Alfred had been home from Roach’s grocery about half an hour before Thompson came along; Alfred had had on shoes that day; it was a very warm day; the gun was at the first examination before Putnam. Cross-examined by Linegar—Think it was near 10 o’clock when Alfred came home; was after 8 o’clock when he went to the grocery; the gun was there all day after he and Johnson came in; remember Sheriff Irvin coming to my house several days after; don’t remember whether I told him or my son told him about the gun; never told Mr. Irvin that I had sent the gun to Union County; told him maybe the boys had taken the moulds away; was not a great while after the first trial till the sheriff came and made the arrest; think the moulds were left at the well and that they had been carried off; never said that the old sow carried them off; never said anything about the gun being at gunsmith’s in Union County. (Defense rest their case.) The testimony for the defense was here closed. Counsel for the People then recalled the following witnesses, who testified as follows: Sheriff Irvin testified—Can’t say how soon after the homicide I met Mrs. Huffman; news came to me of the murder, and was requested to go up and make arrest; that was the first time I saw her; went to the house when I arrested him; conversation general between us all; Mrs. Huffman said the gun was in Union County, about 3 or four miles above there; both said the gun was there; Mrs. Huffman said the bullet moulds were out at the well, and thought the old sow had got them and run away with them. Alexander Thompson recalled—Saw my two brothers the day of the murder at my shop, almost 11 o’clock when they left my shop; got some water for John; is about a mile and three quarters from the shop to Huffman’s house. Sheriff Irvin recalled—Conversation was the Tuesday or Wednesday after the third Monday in January. Alfred Cauble recalled—I have known Alex Tubbs for 20 years; I have never heard his reputation for truth and veracity questioned; is known as truthful man. Levi Jordan recalled—Known Thompson since he was a small boy; his reputation for truth and veracity is good so far as I have ever heard. _____ Redwine recalled—Have known Thompson for 8 or 9 years; known his reputation for truth and veracity to be good. J. W. Durham recalled by Linegar. Had conversation with Thompson in reference to what Huffman said to him about the Tubbs murder; can’t say just when the conversation took place; know Alex Thompson; his reputation for truth and veracity is said to be good; he is said to be a truthful man. Cross-examined by Judge Allen. Have often heard people say that Alex Thompson was a truthful man; both before and since this occurrence; I live about a mile from Alex Thompson’s house; have heard old man Hartline and others say so. James Hightower testified—I have known Alex Thompson; have known him for several years; don’t know anything about his reputation for truth and veracity. The evidence in the case being all in, court adjourned until 8 o’clock Friday morning. The entire day Friday was consumed in arguing the case, and it was not until six o’clock last evening that Judge Baker instructed the jury and gave the case to them for decision. At 25 minutes past six the jury retired. “NOT GUILTY” After an absence of three hours the jury returned a verdict of “not guilty,” and Alfred Huffman was once more permitted to go forth a free man.
The verdict of not guilty was anticipated and seems to meet the approval of
the public.
(William Kluge married Annie Feith on 12 Nov 1865, in
Alexander Co., Ill. A marker in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads:
Annie Kluge, wife of William Kluge, born June 23, 1847, Died
April 28, 1873.—Darrel Dexter) The Commerce (Mo.) Dispatch of April 19th contains the following tribute to the memory of the late Mrs. Dr. Williams, who was for a time a resident of this city. We are sure that those of our people who had the pleasure of an acquaintance with the deceased will agree with the Dispatch in its expressions of sorrow and regret. This lady who has been affected with phthisis pulmonalis for a year, died quietly and peacefully on Monday morning the 14th inst., at 7 o’clock. All that kind and attentive parents, and affectionate husband and varied medical skill could do to avert the implacable destroyer was in vain. Her beauty and accomplishments were too fair a remark for the errless aim of the destroyer, while silence and skill could do nothing but look on and rebuke the archer. Annie was one of our fair pets—a charming flower that had but a brief season to bloom, and amid the fruition of the few glories which life vouches safe, she was nipped by a frost out of season, and all her attributes of life fell gradually and quietly like autumn leaves.
Her funeral took place on Tuesday evening and was largely attended. The
community feels deep sympathy for the grief stricken husband and family. We
are requested to express the heartfelt thanks of the family, to their many
friends for their kind offices and sympathy.
(The 30 Apr 1873, issue of the newspaper recorded his name as Robert
Vantrees.—Darrel Dexter)
The funeral services of Mrs. Annie Kluge will be held today at the
German Catholic Church in this city. The procession will go from Mr.
Kluge’s residence, on Poplar and Nineteenth streets, to the church at 10
o’clock a.m. The sermon will be preached by a missionary from Toledo,
Ohio. After the services, the procession will move to the foot of Eighth
Street, when, at 1 1/2 o’clock p.m. the remains will be placed on board a
special train for Villa Ridge, where the interment will take place. The
relations and friends of the family are invited.
Tuesday, 6 May 1873:
(A marker in Cairo City Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Charles
Schmetzstorff Born May 22, 1871, Died May 5, 1873.—Darrel Dexter)
(The Jonesboro Gazette of Saturday, 10 May 1873, reported that Mary Coomes, wife of James Coomes, died 4 May 1873, aged about 25 years.—Darrel Dexter)
From a dispatch received here yesterday morning by the firm of D. Hurd & Son, we learn of the death of the wife of Capt. G. J. Grammer, president of the Memphis and Evansville packet company. Mrs. Grammer has been sick for sometime, and her death was not unlooked for. She was a daughter of the late Capt. H. T. Dexter, Capt. Grammer’s predecessor as president of the packet company. She was an exemplary woman in every respect and her death will be mourned by a large circle of friends. The funeral will take place today at Evansville. Within the past three years Capt. Grammar has buried two brothers, two children, his father-in-law and now his wife.
(George J. Grammer married Irene Dexter on 26 Apr 1866, in
Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.—Darrel Dexter) Yesterday morning at about 2 o’clock, another of those shocking accidents by which human life is often taken, happened on the Ohio Levee in this city. A man named Joseph Sullivan, a resident of Flora, in this state, was killed while attempting to cross the Illinois Central railroad track in front of Miller & Parker’s store. A man by the name of Beal arrived in this city a day or two since bringing with him some forty coops of chickens, to watch them overnight, the coops being placed on top of a barge which lay at the lower end of Halliday’s wharfboat. Sullivan left the barge and went up on the levee. It is said he was in Park’s Saloon getting a drink, and that at about 2 a.m. came out of the saloon on the levee, and started to cross the track. The locomotive was backing down slowly, and he thought he could cross the track without danger. His foot slipped, however, and he fell, the wheels passing over his legs and an arm. It was moving so slowly, that it was stopped instantly, almost right on the man. He was taken up and carried to the Arab Engine House, where he died, about 6 a.m. He was perfectly conscious, and declared before his death that the engineer could not be blamed. It was all his own fault. He leaves, we hear, a wife and three children in Flora. This will be terrible news to them and ought to be a warning to everybody. His friends have been telegraphed to know what to do with the body. An inquest was held, and a verdict rendered in accordance with the facts above stated. We understand a dispatch was received late yesterday evening from Sullivan’s wife, stating that she would arrive here this morning.
Friday, 16 May 1873:
Charles C. Munn died in Columbus, Kentucky, yesterday afternoon, of
cerebro-spinal meningitis. (C. C. Munn married Julia L. Rearden on 6 Apr 1873, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
The deceased was long a resident of Cairo, and numbered among his friends
and acquaintances our best citizens. He was a young man whose qualities of
mind and character were of the highest. In his death, the community has
lost an excellent member, his young wife has sustained a crushing
affliction, and his family suffered an irreparable loss.
The remains of Charles C. Munn were
brought to this city yesterday afternoon by the steamer
Illinois,
and were conveyed to the residence of Hon. D. W. Munn, until Saturday
next, when the funeral will take place. Rev. H. B. Thayer will
preach the funeral sermon in the Presbyterian church at 10 1/2 o’clock a.m.
tomorrow. To The Bulletin.—Is it true, as claimed by The Bulletin, that the murder of Swoboda was witnessed by a man who has never been upon a witness stand lest his fair name should receive a stain? If so, Mr. Bulletin, and you know it, out with his name; if he assumes respectability falsely, throw off his false colors; there is more ways than one of having him brought to the witness stand; by all means let him be brought upon the witness stand. The discrimination of male and female inmates of homes of prostitution and murder is all wrong. Why do the police “pull” the females and not the males? Is it because the law makes a distinction between inmates, classing them into two classes, the female being subject to arrest and fine, and the males privileged to violate the same laws without fear of molestation? If so, I have failed to so read it. Or is it because some men are brave enough to strike (“pull”) a woman, but too cowardly to arrest or “pull” a man? Mr. Bulletin we kind o’ like your style of going for the disreputables, and hope you will use your influence to break down distinctions that all violators of law may be subject to the same penalties. Querist We don’t know the name of the man. We were informed by a policeman that another man, besides Rheutan, was present, and could be produced if necessary. Concerning the other matters referred to by our correspondent, we haven’t much to say. If we understand the law, the police cannot enter any house without a warrant, and we don’t know how they can get at the men who visit the disreputable houses. But then we have given that subject very little thought. We are too virtuous to think about such matters for any great length of time. When we become sinful, we shall devote all our intellect to the subject and all our time.
Tuesday, 20 May 1873: Joseph O’Neal, who was hung at Mr. Carroll, in this state, on Friday last, died beautifully. The manner in which he was swung off was, as a lady witnessing the scene expressed it, perfectly lovely. Mr. O’Neal seemed to enjoy the affair very much, and announced his intention to go straight from the scaffold to the bosom of Abraham. All murderers who are hung seek that place of blissful rest.
THAT MAN WHO WAS KILLED. We are never going to get rid of that man who was gently pressed out of existence on Ohio Levee last week by a passenger engine. The Gazette takes position with the Sun, and says the railroad company was not responsible for his care or burial. We hold it was. The Gazette says: The Sun, in a vain or pious indignation, declared that the body of Sullivan (killed on the railroad) was grossly neglected, following the declaration with the anxious inquiry: “Who is responsible?” The Bulletin with that fearless candor, which has always distinguished it, replied that “the railroad company is responsible and that “if the editor of the Sun were not very stupid he would not ask such a question.” Ordinarily the question would be more or less stupid, but in this case we don’t see it by that sort of burner. This man was injured as a result of his own recklessness, declared such to be the fact, was removed from the track alive, and with all his senses about him. The employees of the railroad did not know but he was in the hands of his friends, would be properly cared for. Not until after the man died and his body had lain for hours in a neglected condition, were the officers of the railroad advised of any neglect. When so advised, the agent do about everything the occasion called for. Hence, we view that, considering all the circumstances, it was one of those cases where nobody was responsible. Nobody was responsible for the death. It was an accident. That is true. But the question is who should pay for taking care of the unfortunate man while he lived and bury him after death? The law says the railroad company must. The law says: If any man without money is killed accidentally by any railroad company or corporation, manufacturing or mining establishment, company, association or corporation, either by its, his or their agents, employees or servants, in the prosecution of the business of their employer, or by any engine or car of such railroad company, or by any machinery or explosion of such manufacturing establishment or mines, or by the caving in or damp in such mines, such person shall be properly cared for and in case of death, decently buried by said railroad company or corporation, manufacturing or mining establishment, company, association or corporation. If the damp or caving in of a mine, no matter, how careful the owner may have been, if the engine of a railroad company, no matter how careful the employee using it may have been, injures a man without money, the owner of the mine or of the engine must take care of the unfortunate man, and if he die bury him. We hope that both the Gazette and Sun with this explanation are satisfied that we were right when we said the Illinois Central Company should have taken care of the man its engine killed, and that they were wrong when they said the company was not bound to do so. The law may be wrong, but The Bulletin was, as it always is—be it bashfully said!—right.
DIED. In this city Monday morning, May 19, at 6 o’clock, Annie Margaretta, daughter of E. A. Burnett, and granddaughter of Charles and Hannah Lame, aged 1 year and 9 months. Dear little Rettie was a sufferer six weeks with whooping cough and measles—our little rose bud bloomed but a day, and has joined her mother above.
DEATH Harvest of the Skeleton Scythe Swinger in Alexander Co. “Dead for a Ducat” and Wherefore Throw Physic to the Dogs. We learn from the Commerce (Mo.) Dispatch and other sources, that alarming fatality prevails in different portions of this county, contiguous to the Mississippi River. At Goose Island and Santa Fe a number of deaths have occurred during the past week, and in the vicinity of Commerce, on the Mississippi shore, the ravages of the disease is also alarming. The Dispatch says: Some five or six persons we could name, have, during the past two or three weeks gone to bed in perfect health and woke up dead in the morning. One was the case of a child who woke up and nursed well during the night and horrified its parents by being dead in the morning; another was a woman who went to bed well, and in her death struggle succeeded in arousing her husband just in time to see the last gasp of life; and three or four cases at or near Goose Island, of men who retried to bed after their usual day’s work and were stark dead before the hour for commencing another day’s work had come around. The cause of death in these cases must remain a mystery, as no symptoms have been witnessed except those in articulate mortis. As the prevailing epidemic, meningitis, is proving itself to be a pathological phantasmagoria, and charges itself with the rapidity and with all the delicate shades and tints of the kaleidoscope in its symptoms; and as it seems to have taken up and forged nearly all the common disease of the country—such as neuralgia, rheumatism, pneumonia, puerperal fever, tetanus, etc., into thunderbolts, poisoned by its own peculiar venom, we are disposed to lay these sudden deaths at its door. As this disease is under espionage of medical men we are compelled to cry mad dog at its rear. Since the above was written, we learn that there were two more victims to the insidious destroyer. Accompanying the same information was the following letter: Santa Fe, Ills., May 12, 1873 Dr. H. P. Lynch—Dear Sir: We have a disease in the vicinity of McPheeter’s Mill which we attribute to something the patients have eaten. Dr. Lawrence and myself, by investigating the matter, ascertained that all the patients had been eating the same meat, which they bought at a country store in the neighborhood. Have you a microscope of sufficient magnifying power to detect the trichina spiralis? If you have, you will confer a great favor by sending it to me, or by informing me of the fact and I will bring some of the meat over. Yours, &c. J. W. Renfro.
The friends of Mr. E. A. Burnett sympathize with him in the bereavement he sufferers by the loss of his youngest child, an interesting little girl of twenty-two months of age—a bereavement made doubly sad coming so soon after the death of the little one’s mother. Margaretta Burnett died yesterday morning of whooping cough, with which disease she has been afflicted for some weeks. She had scarcely recovered from the measles and to the combination of disease her frail life succumbed.
FUNERAL SERVICES. The funeral services of Mr. Charles C. Munn at the Presbyterian church Sunday morning were attended by a tremendous concourse of our citizens. Every inch of room was occupied and many failed to find seats. The sermon was preached yesterday on the first page of the Sun. It was delivered in an elegant and impressive manner, during which the speaker had the marked attention of the audience. The music was beautifully rendered by the choir, and was most excellent. The entire services were mournful and touching beyond expression. The hearts of those present went out in great sympathy for the stricken young wife, and his grief burdened father who has lost the pride of his heart, his only son, and for the aged grandfather, who, while himself nearing the portals of the great hereafter, commits one after another of those who are dearest to him to the cheerless tomb, in hope of immortality and eternal blessedness. In fact, the sympathies of our citizens are heartily given to all the relatives, while each who knew “Charlie,” as all were wont to call him, silently mourn the loss of a good friend, a kind-hearted, generous youth, a devoted Christian, and a model young man. At 1 1/2 o’clock p.m., a large procession moved from the church to the I. C. R.R. depot, where the remains were placed on train to be transported to Chicago, where they will be interred in Rose Hill Cemetery. Good, true, noble heart, farewell. May the flowers bloom above his last resting place, and his memory be green with those that loved him until the last trump shall wake the sleeping casket to immortality.—(Sun
Wednesday, 21 May 1873: FUNERAL NOTICE. The funeral notice of Annie M. Burnett will be held tomorrow (Thursday) at 4 o’clock p.m., at the residence of Mr. Charles Lame, on Tenth Street. The body will be placed in the tomb with the remains of the mother. The friends of the family are invited to be present.
DIED. Tuesday, May 20, 1873, at 12 1/2 o’clock a.m., Gertrude Patton, infant daughter of John Q. and Mary Harmon, aged 1 year, 4 months, and 9 days. Funeral services at the residence of the parents, at 10 o’clock this morning. The funeral train will leave Twelfth Street at 11 o’clock.
Deputy Sheriff Cain visited Goose Island to summon a witness on Friday last. At the house to which his errand called him a young man had died an hour before his arrival, and the mother had been taken sick. On Monday the father arrived in the city and informed Cain that the mother had died the same night. Many such deaths are reported from that part of the county.
Thursday, 22 May 1873: FUNERAL NOTICE The funeral services of Annie M., youngest child of E. A. Burnett, will be held today (Thursday) at 4 o’clock p.m., at the residence of Mr. Charles Lame, on Tenth Street. The body will be placed in the tomb with the remains of the mother. The friends of the family are invited to be present.
Saturday, 24 May 1873: Robert Rheutan, who went to Joliet about a year ago, returned to Cairo yesterday. He is an important witness in the Harrison murder trial, which will probably be tried at the present term of the Pulaski County circuit court.
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY Constable George Weldon Stabbed to Death He Is Killed While in the Discharge of His Duty as an Officer. He Shoots His Assailant Through the Heart and Kills Him Both Men Die Within Ten Minutes of the Occurrence. A Terrible Tragedy Occurred in this city last night. Two men were sent to their eternal homes; two women were made widows, and at least three little children robbed of a father’s care and protection. Constable George W. Weldon Was one of the two men killed. He was known to almost every man, woman and child in the city, for he had lived in Cairo ever since there was anything of Cairo to live in. For many years he has been an officer, either as a member of the police force of the city or as county constable, and was always known as a good and faithful officer. He was a married man and leaves a wife and two children, who we are told, will be thrown on their own resources for a livelihood in the future. Alexander Thomas, The other man killed, was a negro. Of him we know but little, and in the excitement that prevailed after the occurrence of the terrible tragedy, could find no one who could tell any more than we already knew. However, he was a married man, but whether he was the father of any children, we cannot say. He was an employee of the barge line, and worked under Mr. Hill. The Cause that Lead to the Tragedy In the excitement and tumult that followed the double homicide, it was almost impossible to find anyone who could be induced to stand still long enough to tell about the deed. The crowd that assembled about the dead men would not fall short of a thousand people, and the excitement was intense. The following are the particulars as near as we could ascertain them: Some time during the day yesterday, an old negro who is known in the city as “Dr. Dillon” had some difficulty with Thomas, and it seems the latter said something hard about the “doctor.” Dillon procured A Warrant For the arrest of Thomas, and it was placed in the hands of Constable Weldon to execute. In the evening after Thomas had gone home from his work, Weldon went to Thomas’ house to Make the Arrest He went into the house and found Thomas in bed. Weldon stated his business, and told Thomas he must consider himself under arrest and prepare to go with him. Thomas said he would go as soon as he got on some dry clothing, and sent his wife into an adjoining room for the clothes. Just what took place between Weldon and the negro after the latter’s wife left the room no one will ever know, for they were alone, and neither of them lived long enough to tell the story. Timothy O’Callahan’s Statement Mr. Timothy O’Callahan, who keeps a boarding house at the corner of Fifteenth Street and Commercial Avenue made the following statement to the local of The Bulletin: He was going along the sidewalk a short distance from his house when his attention was attracted by the report of a pistol. In looking in the direction from which the report came he saw Constable Weldon coming up on to the street from the direction of Munn’s wood yard. Mr. O’Callahan went toward Weldon and noticing he was holding his hand to his neck, asked him what was the matter. Weldon said, “a negro cut me and I shot him.” Mr. O’Callahan then asked him where the negro was, when Weldon replied, “He is down there by the fence; go down and see if he is dead.” O’Callahan seeing the cut in his neck, told Weldon that he (Weldon) himself was a dead man, and took him by the arm and led him up to Commercial Avenue, and placed him on a bench in front of his (O’Callahan’s) boarding house. Leaving him there, O’Callahan started someone after a doctor, while he went to inform Weldon’s wife of the terrible affair. The news had reached Mrs. Weldon before O’Callahan got there, and he met her on the way going to where her husband was. They went back together and when they got there Weldon Was Dead. Coroner Gossman was notified and was soon on the ground. A jury was summoned and an Inquest Held. Before the jury the wife of Thomas testified that the constable came to the house and said he had a warrant for Thomas; that Thomas said he was all wet, and that he should wait until he got some dry clothes. She went into the next room to get them, and when she came out her husband and Weldon were fighting; that Weldon shot him once in the house, and that her husband ran out of the door, when Weldon followed him and fired another shot. A negro man who lives in the same house where the negro resided, told our reporter that he heard the constable enter and say to Thomas: “Get up and go along with me.” In a very short time after, he heard the sounds of a scuffle and the constable cry murder, and then the report of a pistol shot. It would appear from the statement that when Weldon entered Thomas’ room, he found him in bed and ordered him to get up. That the negro complied and when on his feet immediately made an attack on the officer with the knife and the latter after receiving the wound in the neck fired a shot at his assailant. After the attack the negro ran out on to the street and started towards Munn’s fence and when near the corner of the fence Weldon fired another shot at the fugitive, who ran a short distance down along the fence and fell dead. Weldon then went up to him, stooped over him and finding that he was dead, went on to the street again, where he was met by Timothy O’Callahan. Drs. Wardner and Sullivan Held a post mortem examination over the bodies of the dead men and returned statements of the manner in which they came to their deaths in accordance with the facts above stated. Verdict on the Death of Weldon The jury returned the following verdict as to the manner in which Weldon came to his death: We, the undersigned jurors, sworn to inquire of the death of George W. Weldon, on oath, do find that he came to his death by a wound inflicted by a knife in the hands of Alexander Thomas, while the said Weldon was in the performance of his duty as a county constable. Louis Jorgenson, foreman. John E. Holmes, Robert Smyth, M. R. Fulton, John Limbert, Henry Sargent, William Glover, Con. Brice, H. M. Hulen, Andrew Madden, William Rice, M. D. Gunter. The same jury held an inquest over the body of Alexander Thomas and returned the following Verdict: We, the undersigned jurors, sworn to inquire of the death of Alexander Thomas, on oath do find that he came to his death by a ball from a pistol fired by George W. Weldon after the said Weldon had received a mortal wound inflicted by the hand of the said Alexander Thomas while he was in the discharge of his duty as county constable. Louis Jorgenson, foreman. John E. Holmes, Robert Smyth, M. R. Fulton, John Limbert, Henry Sargent, William Glover, Con. Brice, H. M. Hulen, Andrew Madden, William Rice, M. D. Gunter.
Tuesday, 27 May 1873: The murderer of Constable Weldon was not buried on Sunday until after his victim was buried. The negro friends of the murderer declared they were going to keep him above ground until Weldon was covered.
The trial of Billy Harrison for the murder of Joseph Swoboda, in a house of ill fame in this city a little over a year ago, will commence tomorrow morning in the Pulaski County circuit court, Judge D. J. Baker, presiding. The principle witnesses on the part of the prosecution have arrived, and will give testimony at the trial. We learn that two noted criminal lawyers, Maj. Blackburn and Col. Jackson of Cincinnati, have been retained for the defense. Considerable interest in the trial is manifested by the people of this city, in whose minds the commission of the terrible deed is yet fresh.
THE END LAST TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF CONSTABLE GEORGE W. WELDON. The Funeral—A Large Gathering. In accordance with the notice given in The Bulletin of Sunday morning, the funeral of George W. Weldon took place at 1 o’clock of that day. At about 11 o’clock on Sunday forenoon the members of the Arab Fire Company of which Weldon was one of the oldest members, began to assemble at their engine house on Commercial Avenue at the foot of Seventh Street. At about fifteen minutes past 12 o’clock nearly all of the members of the company were present and ready to fall into line at the command of their leader. The company formed in line and the procession proceeded to the engine house of the Rough and Ready Fire Company. Joined by the Roughs, the procession moved up Washington Avenue to Twelfth Street, down Twelfth to Poplar, up Poplar to Thirteenth, thence down Thirteenth to the place of meeting of the Hibernians, Where they halted for a few minutes. In a very short time the procession, now composed of the Arabs, Rough and Ready and Hibernian fire companies, took up the line of march and continued on down Thirteenth Street to Commercial Avenue, where they were met by the members of the Delta Fire Company, Who had been waiting some time for their arrival. As the procession moved along the Delta “fell in” and brought up the rear. Thus, all the fire companies in the city having come together in one procession the column moved down Commercial Avenue to the residence of the deceased near the corner of Eleventh Street. At the House. Arrived at the house, pall bearers, two from each company were detailed, and after a lapse of few minutes time, the remains were removed from the house and placed in the hearse. After everything was in readiness the procession again proceeded down Commercial Avenue to Eighth Street, thence down Eighth Street to The Methodist Church, Where the funeral services were to occur. The remains were removed from the hearse and conveyed to the church sand placed on the platform in front of the pulpit. It took some time for all those who entered the church to get seated, and after the lapse of considerable time quiet was restored. Once all was still Rev. D. L. Davis Took the pulpit and delivered the funeral oration. Those who heard the sermon all say it was an excellent discourse, full of the milk of human sympathy and illustrated the life and character of the deceased in a very truthful manner. After the Sermon The remains were again placed in the hearse, and the procession formed in the same order as before entering the church, moved down Eighth Street to the levee, where a special train was waiting to convey them to the cemetery. At Villa Ridge At the grave, the ceremonies were very short, at the conclusion of which the funeral party returned to the cars and were soon back to the city.
Wednesday, 28 May 1873: WELDON’S FAMILY The late George Weldon was murdered while in the discharge of his duty. No rashness on his part induced the fatal blow that resulted in his death. He was attacked without warning, and suddenly, without opportunity to make any provision for his family, was sent to his account. He left behind him, unprovided for, a family—a wife and two young children. They have no rich friends to whose kindness they can appeal. The deceased had no insurance upon his life, belonged to no charitable order, had no money laid up against the coming of a rainy day. He was not one of those men who can make and save. Years ago, while attempting to make an arrest, he was shot and almost fatally wounded. He recovered, but was a cripple “for life,” and could do no hard labor. He had, therefore, to eke out a livelihood by doing constable’s and policeman’s duty, the recompense for which labor is small—not more than sufficient to five a man of family bread and butter. He therefore died almost penniless, and those who depended upon him are left without money and without friends who can aid them, to fight out the battle of life by themselves. Under these circumstance, why should not the citizens, as is suggested by the Gazette, contribute to buy the officer’s widow and children a little home? Do the citizens not owe this much to them? Weldon was killed while doing duty for the people of Cairo and it is their duty to see that his family does not suffer—that it is provided for and made comfortable. We are sure the people of this city will not treat this appeal with coldness. They have secured by their liberality a title to the enviable reputation of being people whose hands are open as the day—as charitable as the people of any community in the republic. They never turn the worthy poor away without the consolation of a liberal contribution, and we believe—have no doubt—they will open their purse, and throw into the Weldon fund their mites, which, in the aggregate, will make a sum sufficient to relive the immediate wants of the widow and children and provide for their comfort in the future.
A subscription for the family of the late George Weldon was being circulated yesterday, and will be circulated again today. The paper is in the hands of Sheriff Irvin, who will probably call upon some of our prominent citizens today for aid from them. The object is a worthy one, and the money subscribed will be put to good one.
Thursday, 29 May 1873: MURDER! Trial of Billy Harrison at Mound City History of the Bloody Tragedy Proceedings of the Court Yesterday How the Prisoner Looked Pale, but Fate and Saucy as Ever The Trial of Harrison For the murder of Joseph Swoboda, on the night of April 17th, 1872, in the bawdy house at the corner of Fifth Street and Commercial Avenue, owned and proprietored by Grace Winsor, having commenced yesterday in the Pulaski County circuit court, it may not be out of place at this time to give a brief account of the circumstances surrounding that bloody murder. During the day preceding the night on which the murder was committed both Swoboda and Harrison had been drinking and were both more or less under the influence of liquor. In the evening they went to the house above referred to together, whether by argument or we cannot say. Shortly after entering the house Harrison went out and was gone sometime, and when he returned found that Swoboda had made arrangements with Miss Ida Winsor to stay in the house all night. On hearing this Harrison became enraged and asked Ida whether “she was going to stay with Swoboda.” She replied in the affirmative, when Harrison struck her in the face with his clenched fist, making the blood flow from her nose freely. Miss Winsor ran out of the room, and then Harrison turned his attention to Swoboda, and asked him whether he was going to keep company with Ida. Swoboda said he was, when Harrison said, “If you do I will shoot you.” From the statements, made at the time of the murder, by several of the girls who were at that time inmates of the house, it seems Swoboda replied to Harrison that rather than have a quarrel with him, he (Swoboda) would leave the house, at the same time walking toward Harrison, and extending his hand as if to take hold of Harrison’s. At this point, Harrison put his hands into the rear pocket of his pants and drew out a revolver, and pointing it at Swoboda’s stomach fired, the ball entering his body a short distance above the naval. After receiving the shot, Harrison and Swoboda clenched and fell to the floor. Harrison extricated himself and jumping up seized a chair, at the same time saying, “Let me,” or “I will kill the Dutch s-n of a b---h.” Other parties hearing the shot, ran into the house, and learning what had taken place separated the two men. Harrison left the house, but was soon after arrested by Sheriff Irvin and his deputy John Cain. Swoboda lived for about two hours after receiving the shot fired by Harrison. The above is substantially the evidence brought out at the coroner’s inquest held the same night the shooting occurred and before Swoboda died. Proceedings in Court Yesterday The greater part of the forenoon was taken up in preparing the trial and it was not until almost ten o’clock that Harrison was brought into court. During the interval that followed the arrival of the prisoner, our reporter had an opportunity to observe what changes, if any, had come over Harrison since the date of his imprisonment. The Prisoner
Apparently
Harrison
has not changed much in appearance. He is paler than he used to be, but
this change may be accounted for by the fact that he has been confined in
jail upwards of fourteen months. He was well dressed and has the appearance
of a well-fed man. He wore a light blue sack coat, dark vest, grayish pants
and a clean white shirt, white collar and black necktie. His hair was
combed with scrupulous care, every hair being in place. Excepting a thin
moustache, his face was void of anything like whiskers. He wore the same
style of cap as when running at large about the city endeavoring to sell his
services for the purpose of murder. If the nearness of the trial disturbs
his equanimity any, he did not show it yesterday. He wore a light blue sack
coat, dark vest, grayish pants and a clean, white shirt, white collar and
black neck tie. His hair was combed with a scrupulous care, every hair
being in its place. Excepting a thin moustache, his face was void of
anything like whiskers. He wore the same style of cap as when running at
large about this city endeavoring to sell his services for the purpose of
murder. If the nearness of his trial disturbs his equanimity any he did not
show it yesterday. He wore on his face the same cool, deliberate
devil-may-care expression as characteristic of him, and seemingly was as
little concerned about what was going on in the court room as if he were
listening to the trial of some poor vagrant before a police court. His
attorneys had little to say to him, and those persons in the room who were
on friendly and intimate terms with him before he murdered Swoboda,
scarcely noticed him. In the case are: for the defense M. M. Wilson, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and D. D. Linegar, of Cairo. Major Blackburn, a noted criminal lawyer of Cincinnati, has also be retained for the defense, and will arrive about Friday or Saturday, and take part in closing the case. For the state, Judge William J. Allen and S. P. Wheeler, Esq., of Cairo, and County Attorney H. M. Smith, of Mound City, appear. Motion to Quash Venire Mr. Linegar moved to discharge the petit jury on the ground that they were illegally and irregularly summoned; that the sheriff of the county had failed to make proper return of the venire, etc. The whole of the afternoon was consumed in arguing the question at issue and at 4 ½ o’clock, the attorneys having concluded their arguments, Judge Baker took the matter under advisement until this morning. Court then adjourned until 9 o’clock this morning.
Friday, 30 May 1873: HARRISON’S TRIAL Selecting a Jury—Four Jurors Obtained Yesterday. Harrison in Court and Gives His Old Friends a Hand Shake. The trial of William Harrison for the murder of Joseph Swoboda, was resumed in Pulaski County circuit court yesterday morning. Motion Overruled The motion made by the defense to quash the venire notifying persons selected by the county court to appear in court to serve as petit jurors, was overruled by Judge Baker. Selecting the Jury. The task of selecting a jury to try the case was then began. The regular panel of the petit jury for the present week was exhausted before noon, and out of it only three jurors accepted. Court adjourned to give the sheriff an opportunity to summon a new panel. The sheriff and all his deputies started out in search of men to fill the new panel, and it was two o’clock before enough could be found to complete it. Court re-assembled and the work of examining jurors continued. Up to four o’clock, although a large number of persons were called, no additions were made to the number obtained before dinner. After four o’clock one more juror was obtained, and at 5 ½ o’clock court adjourned until 9 o’clock this morning. Harrison, the Murderer, Was in court during the proceedings, and seemed to take considerable interest in the selection of the jury. He was dressed the same as on the day previous, and seemingly was as much at ease as if there was nothing unusual going on. Several of his old time friends went up to him and shook his hand. He greeted them warmly and was much pleased to have them come about him.
Saturday, 31 May 1873: HARRISON’S TRIAL. No Jury Yet—Two Days and Only Seven Jurors The Harrison murder trial now under way in the Pulaski County circuit court continues to draw its “slow length along” with all the slowness possible. The care has now been before the court since Wednesday—three days, and at the adjournment of the court last evening only seven jurors had been chosen. At the rate which jurors have been chosen so far, it will be Monday noon before the full twelve have been selected. Attorneys on both sides exercise great caution in examining jurors, and it is only after the carefullest deliberation that they are accepted. It is not probable evidence in the case will be heard before Monday.
Tuesday, 3 Jun 1873: HARRISON’S TRIAL Examination of Witnesses for the Prosecution The Strong Evidence Tells on the Prisoner The Question of Insanity Raised by the Defense Fourth Day The Harrison murder trial was continued in the Pulaski County circuit court yesterday morning, court convening at 9 o’clock. The Last Juryman Having been sworn at a late hour on Saturday evening, the first thing in order yesterday was the stating of the case by the attorneys. The Jury The following are the names of the jurymen: George W. Pipe, R. M. Johnson, Jesse Lewis, John Donigan, George Kelley, William Burkhart, C. L. Beard, Jesse H. Ray, B. W. Easley, William Francis, George Reed and Joseph Morrow. S. P. Wheeler, Esq., opened the case for the prosecution. He said considerable time has already been consumed in obtaining a jury; in fact, so far as the prosecution was concerned, that they had hoped the trial would have been concluded before this time. He spoke of the line of defense—that of insanity—set up by counsel for the prisoner; he did not believe it; Harrison had performed his duties as bar tender all the day preceding the night on which the crime was committed; he did not believe the jury could be made to believe that Harrison was insane. It might be that he was drunk, but that he was crazy was another question, etc., etc. Mr. M. Wilson, Esq., for the defense, followed Mr. Wheeler in a few remarks to the jury. He did not propose to occupy much of the time of the jury at this time. He would say, however, that the gentleman who had just closed, had termed the plea set up for their client—the plea of insanity—as this “last resort” in cases of this kind. Notwithstanding the gentleman’s opinion in this respect, he believed they would be able to show conclusively to the jury that the prisoner, from long and excessive use of strong drink, was insane at the time of the commission of the crime. It is a well known fact that about two weeks before the killing of Swoboda, Harrison had had a severe attack of delirium tremens; that a well known physician of Cairo had treated him for the same; that when able to leave the house after this, instead of abstaining from the use of liquor, he had taken to it again worse than ever, and for weeks he had not slept on an average more than two hours out of twenty-four, etc., etc. Harrison Is evidently beginning to comprehend the enormity of his crime, and begins to see that the chances for a least many years of imprisonment are ten fold to those for acquittal. During the progress of the trial yesterday, he was very attentive to every word of the evidence, and at times it was plainly noticeable that he was laboring under the greatest mental suffering and excitement. He was pale and wore a haggard look all day, and seemed relieved when it came time for him to be taken to his cell, where he would be out of sight of the gaping crowd that loitered about the courtroom. Swearing the Witnesses. The witnesses for the prosecution, three in number, were then called and sworn. Several witnesses for the defense were also sworn. They were then separated, after which the examination was commenced. Robert Rheutan testified: My name is Robert W. Rheutan; I live at Joliet, Ills.; I know William Harrison, that is him (pointing to the prisoner); knew Swoboda; knew Harrison about one year before the murder; knew Swoboda about four months; I was living at Cairo at the time of the murder; I was down at Miss Grace Winsor’s about ten minutes of nine the evening that the murder occurred; I went in and was there about three minutes, when a railroad friend came in and asked me to go take a drink with him; we started out and went to Lattner’s Saloon and got a glass of beer; came out of the saloon and sat down on a beer keg; in a few minutes a ___ had came up and asked me if I was an officer; told him I was not; he said “a man was shot down there.” I got up and went down street expecting to find the fuss at William Scott’s; got down in front of Winsor’s and found Miss Finley in front of the door hallooing, “My God, get a doctor.” We went into the house and found Harrison on top of Swoboda. Swoboda was lying on the floor on his back and Harrison was on top of him; this was in the hall three doors from the front door; they were laying with their feet toward the room door, and their heads were toward the front door; Harrison was on top and had Swoboda by the throat. I said, “My God, Billy, what have you done.” Harrison said, “I’ll kill the d-----d son of a b---h.” He grabbed a chair and was going to strike Swoboda with it; I said, “No, Billy, you won’t do no such thing; you have done enough;” and took the chair from him and demanded the revolver. He said the revolver was on the floor. Miss Grace Winsor handed the revolver, about a minute afterwards; I took Harrison by the shoulders and got him off of Swoboda; we took Swoboda to the back door to get air, and put a pillow under his head, and set a colored man to fanning him, and put the fire in his vest out; he was shot about one inch above the naval; when we came back from the further end of the hall we met Harrison just about where the fuss commenced; Harrison said, “Bob, I want my revolver; I told him he could not have it; then I called Harrison into a room and told him I wanted to give him a pence of advice; after we went into the room and shut the door and said to him, “Billy, did you shoot Swoboda, or did he shoot himself?” He said, “I shot him, but you swear he shot himself.” I told him the best thing he could do was to go home and go to bed, and if an officer come to give himself up; then I put him in the hands of my railroad friend. Here the vest worn by Swoboda at the time of the murder was produced, and identified as the one worn by Swoboda at the time of the murder. I saw Swoboda about 10 minutes after leaving the house in charge of Sheriff Irvin; saw Harrison run out of the hall; he was running so fast that a man could hardly catch him; the murder was committed in April, 1872, in the county of Alexander and state of Illinois; saw Swoboda after giving Harrison into the hands of the man who was with me; went back to Swoboda and found him breathing and groaning; there was no physician with him when I went back; I was with him some time; I think the pistol was a seven shooter; I would know it if I saw it; did not have the pistol in my hand when Harrison asked me for it; it was in my pocket; Harrison was present when Miss Winsor handed me the pistol; don’t think Harrison saw her hand me the pistol; it was a cartridge pistol; there was one load out; the hammer was on the barrel fired when I gave it up; Harrison was brought back to the house by Sheriff Irvin, and when in the hall, I heard him say, “Don’t want to see him. I done it, and don’t want to see him at all;” did not see Harrison in the room with Swoboda; he did not want to go into the room; I staid there until Swoboda was taken up and carried home; he was in a bad condition and I did not expect him to live as long as he did’ I saw him after he was dead; he died that same night, about two or three hours after he was shot; I did not see Swoboda that night until I saw Harrison and Swoboda together in the house; don’t know that I saw Swoboda that day, but think I did; did not hear the pistol shot fired; did not pay any attention to who was in the house when I went in; I saw Miss Finley in the front door; Bowlby was going out of the door when I went into the house. Cross-examination by Linegar—was at house on the evening before the murder occurred; John Bowlby went with me; do not remember seeing any men; saw Miss Mollie Moore, Miss Finley, Miss Gracie and Ida Winsor when I went in; Mr. Marshall came in and shook hands with him, and we went to Lattner’s saloon; cannot tell how many houses between Lattner’s and Winsor’s; staid at Lattner’s just long enough to get some beer, and went out and sat down in front of the saloon; was there about two minutes before the colored man came up; did not pass Harrison and Swoboda on my way to the saloon; was there about two minutes before the colored man came up; did not pass Harrison or Swoboda on my way to the saloon; do not think passed any one; was about one minute after the negro told me until I got to Winsor’s; did not hear the pistol shot; there was nothing unusual to attract attention going on; my friend went back to the house with me, saw no men in the hall when I went back, saw ten or twelve men standing in front of the house when I got there; was not an officer at the time; the door was open when I got there; it is about twenty-five or thirty feet from the front to the door of the room where the shooting occurred; went immediately to the parties and parted them; took Swoboda to the back door and put a pillow under his head; Harrison was at the front door trying to get his revolver of Miss Winsor; as soon as I took the chair away from Harrison I got the revolver; Harrison was demanding the revolver from Miss Grace Winsor, and he said if she did not give it to him he would set the house on fire with a lamp; I can’t tell what kind of oil they were using; there was gas in the rooms, but don’t know whether there was gas in the hall; I advised Harrison to go home an go to bed, because I was no officer and did not want to have charge of him; Harrison seemed to be scared, but there was not apparently anything else the matter with him; think it was one-half or three-quarters of an hour from the time I first went into the room until Swoboda was taken home; I went about a block on the way with him; don’t know who carried him; went up to the house about an hour afterwards with John Cain; think I saw Dr. Wadgymar in the house when I went there; Swoboda’s vest was still burning when I went into Winsor’s house; I don’t know what size ball the pistol would carry; I gave the pistol to Mr. Irvin; would know the pistol now if I saw it; did not hear Swoboda make any statements as to how the occurrence took place; heard Swoboda say, “Billy only done it for fun.” J. B. Bowlby sworn:—I know Harrison, that is the gentleman sitting there; I have known him for a couple of years; I knew Swoboda; I think have known him for three or four years; recollect a difficulty between the prisoner and Swoboda; think it took place on Thursday, April 17, 1872, at the house of Miss Grace Winsor; I did not see its commencement; saw part of it; the first I saw of the fuss, Mr. Swoboda was in the house; Harrison was in the room three doors from the front door; I was standing in the hall; Swoboda came out of the back part of the house and walked up to the door of the room where Harrison was in; he stopped at the door for a few minutes; and then opened the door and went in; don’t know what happened in the room; the next I saw Harrison come out of the door; stepped back to the wall of the hall, and then went back to the door as if to open it; I don’t know whether the door was fastened or not; but after he tried to get in, he stepped back to the wall and said, “You Dutch s-n of a b---h, I will kill you;” he then drew his pistol and placed it in his left hand and cocked it; just then Swoboda opened the door; as he opened it, he came with his hand up as if to watch Harrison; just then Harrison fired the pistol; I did not hear any words spoken; I then opened the front door and ran out, and went down Fifth Street towards Washington Avenue; saw a crowd gathering about the house and went back just as I got in the door met Harrison coming out running; he came through the door pretty lively; Mr. Irvin and John Cain came in; don’t suppose they saw Harrison as he went out the hall; I suppose is about 6 or 8 feet wide—Harrison was standing about 4 feet from the door right opposite the door, as near as I could see from the front part of the hall; Swoboda did not have time to shut the door when he came out; Swoboda had is left hand raised after the shot was fired he fell forward on Harrison; Swoboda was in the door when the shot was fired; they were so close together that when the pistol went off it set fire to his clothes; Swoboda did not touch Harrison before the shot was fired; there was nothing said, so far as I can tell when Swoboda opened the door; all I heard was Harrison say—”You Dutch s-n of a b---h, I will shoot you;” after that I ran off; when I came out Harrison had just drew his pistol from his pistol pocket and put it in his left hand and cocked it, then changed it back to the right and fired; (here the witness stood up and illustrated the position of the two men when the shot was fired). The shooting as near as I can recollect, was done between nine and ten o’clock; went back to the house and saw Swoboda; he seemed to be in a dying condition; he did not seem to be in his right senses; I don’t recollect whether I saw Swoboda that day before the shooting. Cross-examined by Linegar: It was between 8 and 9 o’clock when I first went to the house that evening; Harrison and Swoboda and Rheutan and the women of the house were there when I went in; I went into the second parlor; Rheutan and I went into the parlor; I think Swoboda was there; Harrison came up and sat down on my knee; think it was a half or three quarters of an hour after I went to the house before the shooting occurred; think the men were friends: I think it was 10 or 15 minutes after the shooting until I returned; I was standing at the foot of the steps with my arm on the banister when the shooting occurred; don’t know what Swoboda was doing in the back room; was about five minutes after Swoboda went into the room when Harrison came out; Harrison seemed to be a little intoxicated that evening; Swoboda was the larger man of the two—maybe twenty-five or thirty pounds the heaviest of the two; Swoboda was not as tall a man as I am; my height is five feet ten inches; have walked the streets with Swoboda and know that he was not as tall as I am; I met Robert Rheutan when I went out the door after the shot was fired; Harrison was in the house when I left; Mr. Cain went in first and Mr. Irvin followed; Harrison ran down in the cellar under the post office. William Marshall called and testified—My home at present is at Carmi, White County; the 17th of April at about quarter to 9 o’clock I went down to Miss Grace Winsor’s and staid there about two or three minutes; asked friend to go up and take a drink at Lattner’s Egyptian Saloon; got a glass of beer ad Bob Rheutan sat down on a beer keg and I stood up beside him; we were there perhaps a minute or two; a darkie came and said a man was shot; we started down towards Fifth Street; the door at Miss Winsor’s was open; we went in and saw Harrison on top of Swoboda in the hall opposite the second door; Mr. Rheutan said “where is the revolver;” Harrison said, “It is on the floor;” shortly after, Miss Grace Winsor handed the pistol to Rheutan; Rheutan took Harrison off and then we took Swoboda back to the door, and set him up so that he could breath well; he was shot above the navel; there was blood about his person; I can’t tell what Harrison said; after we took Swoboda back in the hall, Rheutan told me to go back and take care of Harrison; I did not know him well and did not want to take charge of him; Harrison started out of the door, but I can’t say whether he ran or walked; I was excited and went into the house to assist; the murder was on the night of April 1, 1872; don’t think I heard Harrison say anything to Rheutan about the pistol except that it was on the floor; Miss Winsor handed the pistol to Rheutan; Harrison staid near the door when we took Swoboda back; there did not appear to be much of a struggle at the time; Swoboda seemed to be weak and could not well help himself; to the best of my recollection he was not sensible; I saw the pistol; don’t know whose make, but think it was about ¼ of an inch in diameter; it was a cartridge pistol. Cross-examined by Linegar—I am a fireman on the I. C. R. R. on the train; went to the house with a railroad man, but don’t recollect now who it was; first man I met when I went to the house was Rheutan; couldn’t remember anyone else; know Mr. Harrison; saw Swoboda, but know him better by reputation that otherwise; was in Cairo on an average of twice a week; think I was in the house about three minutes before we went out to get a drink; was in the saloon perhaps two minutes after we came out; Rheutan sat on a beer keg and I stood up beside him; a colored man came up and said there was a man shot; was not over a minute after we went out until the colored man came up; I thought the shooting was at Scott’s; we ran all the way down; the hall was open at Winsor’s and I saw the disturbance inside and one all we could to separate them; we went to where the parties were as soon as we went into the hall; I don’t think Harrison made any resistance at all when we took him off; Harrison seemed to be a little excited when we took him off; I should judge that he had been drinking; I don’t know the man well enough to tell, but think he was under the influence of liquor; I think Harrison staid in the house a minute or so, and Rheutan told me to go home with him, but as I did not know him well I did not want to go; Rheutan told Harrison he had better go home, and if any officer came after him to give himself up; the conversation was after we had taken Swoboda to the back part of the hall; it was almost immediately after we separated them and before we moved Swoboda back in the hall that Rheutan asked Harrison for the pistol; Harrison did not attempt to do anything after we went into the house; I think it was almost immediately as he asked for the pistol that Miss Grace Winsor presented it to Rheutan; she did not seem to want Harrison to see her give the pistol to Rheutan; Miss Winsor was standing near the third door when we went in; can’t tell where Harrison was standing, but think he was standing a little to the left of Grace Winsor; I did not hear Harrison demand the pistol from Miss Winsor; did not see Miss Winsor and Harrison standing together near the steps; the hall was lighted that night with kerosene oil, but don’t know anything about the other apartments; I was there until Swoboda was taken away; don’t remember seeing the sheriff bring Harrison back to the house; I don’t think Swoboda was taken into one of the side rooms; think he was put on a cot and carried home. I staid in the house with Swoboda a good part of the time before he was taken home; don’t know who it was that took Swoboda out of the house; I helped to carry the cot but a short distance and then stopped; I knew Mr. Irvin when I see him, but do not know him particularly; I don’t know who came in with Mr. Irvin; don’t remember of seeing Mr. Cain there; I was excited when we went in; Rheutan did not seem to be excited; I believe what I have sworn to be correct. Court adjourned to 1 ½ o’clock p.m. Afternoon Session At 2 o’clock court reassembled and Miss Grace Winsor, proprietress of the house in which the homicide occurred was called and testified—My name is Grace Winsor. I remember the occurrence at my house when Joseph Swoboda was shot; I was standing on the stairs; picked up a pistol off the floor; picked it up after the shooting; 10 or 15 minutes; I gave the pistol to Robert Rheutan; I never saw the pistol before I picked it up from the floor; I did not see the shooting; I do not remember what kind of pistol it was, but I think it was a five or six-shooter; I knew Harrison and Swoboda; I saw them scuffling on the floor; Robert Rheutan parted them; I was in the hall and I thought he was dying; they laid him on the bed and then took him home; I had four rooms on the first floor; this bed was in the third room; they took him into the room as soon as his family came; do not remember who took him up off the floor; he was in the room half an hour or so before they took him home; there was a crowd about the bed; I was in the room while he was there; I was standing about one-half way down the stairs talking to some one when the shooting took him into the room; there was a crowd around him; there was a doctor there but don’t recollect who; it was a German doctor; it was between 10 and 11 o’clock when it happened; the pistol was a couple of feet from where I saw them scuffling; he asked me where the pistol was; I told him I had it and Rheutan said, “Give it to me;” Harrison said, “Give it to me.” Cross-examined by Linegar—I saw Harrison when he came to my house; the deceased Harrison and one other party came together; it was about half past 10 when they came; it was some time after they came that the difficulty occurred; have seen them in my house together before; both men had been drinking; they drank in the house; Swoboda had a bottle with him and asked me to drink with him; did not hear of any difficulty before I heard the firing of the pistol; the pistol shot was first that attracted my attention; there was some five or six persons standing in the hall talking to me over the banisters when the shooting was done; they all went out; Rheutan was the first one to come in after the shooting; the crowd went out and then rushed in again; Swoboda came in with Harrison, and then went out again, and then came back with a bottle of whisky, and then went to Ida’s room; Ida’s room is the third one from the door; there was someone in the room, but I don’t know who it was; after Swoboda asked me to take a drink with him he went to Ida’s room, and that was the last I saw of him till the shooting took place; I went toward them when the shooting was done, but got scared and went back; can’t tell which was on top in the scuffle; I did not see Swoboda on top any time during the scuffle; Swoboda was the largest man; from the time I went back the first time, I did not go to where the men were until the crowd came; saw Mr. Irvin there; it was only a short time after Rheutan came until Irvin came; I knew Rheutan went to separate them, but don’t know just how he done it; I did not hear Rheutan ask Billy for the pistol; Billy asked me for the pistol first; he picked up a lamp that was sitting on the hall table as if he was going to look for it, just then I saw the pistol and picked it up; I suppose Billy did not see the pistol, for I held it behind my dress; Billy set the lamp on the table when I told him I had the pistol; he had been drinking—he had enough; I did not hear any difficulty between Harrison and Swoboda before S. went out for the liquor; when Swoboda came in the last time Joe said, “Ida has gone back on me;” I said, “Oh, no, don’t mind, Billy and Ida are just having fun for a week or two; it will all pass away;” Harrison and Swoboda had both been calling to see Ida before the difficulty; I saw J. R. Bowlby there that evening; I saw him there but don’t remember if he was there when the pistol was fired; I did not see him have the pistol; Joe did not speak angry when he spoke of Ida going back on him; he spoke as if he was grieved; I saw Billy and Swoboda at the house a dozen times before the shooting, I guess; one would drop in and then the other. Several of the witnesses for the prosecution having failed to put in an appearance up to this time, the court took a recess until the arrival of the train from Mounds Junction. At 4 o’clock the witnesses having arrived, the examination of witnesses for the prosecution was continued. Alex. H. Irvin testified—I am acquainted with the prisoner at the bar; think I have known him some six or seven years; I was acquainted with Swoboda; I was not present at the actual difficulty; heard of it shortly after; at the house of Miss Grace Winsor; I saw a crowd at the house; ran down and pushed my way through the crowd and went into the house, and asked, “Where is he,” they said “He has just gone; there he goes;” I went down the street and as I was passing corner of Sixth Street, someone said he had ran down into the cellar way; I went down and arrested him; I took him back to Winsor’s; he said, “Don’t take me in there; I don’t want to see him;” Swoboda was laying in the rear end of the hall; I could not tell whether he was removed into a room; I only saw him in the hall; I noticed his wound; there was a rupture of the skin in the neighborhood of his naval; I saw the orifice and it had the appearance of a gun shot wound; I did not converse with Swoboda because he was in a kind of stupor, and thought it was not well to disturb him; the arrest was made before ordinary bed time; I saw Swoboda before I took Harrison to jail; he was in a state of unconsciousness, to me at least; he died about 12 o’clock that night; I saw him after he was dead; a pistol was handed to me, to the best of my recollection, by Robert Rheutan; the pistol was mine; Harrison did not get the pistol direct of me; I don’t know how he got the pistol; I loaned the pistol to Thomas J. Parker who was going up the country, and was apprehensive of trouble with some parties with whom he had some difficulty; (the pistol with which Swoboda was shot was here exhibited to and examined by several persons, it is a six shooter of ordinary size). There was one load discharged when Rheutan gave the pistol to me. Cross-examined by Linegar—I was at corner of Seventh Street and Commercial Avenue when I was told by Joseph Arnold of the occurrence; it is 560 from where I was to where the killing occurred; it is 250 feet from where I caught Harrison to where the killing was done; was not with Harrison long until I took him to jail; I saw Robert Rheutan, several girls, Belle Finley, Ida Winsor, and others there; don’t know whether I saw Grace Winsor or not; John Cain went back with me when we made the arrest; I went back to the house after putting Harrison in jail to take the evidence of the witnesses, and Swoboda had been removed to his own home. I staid at the jail all the balance of that night and all the next night, as there was considerable excitement, and I was apprehensive of violence to the prisoner; Harrison was very considerably under the influence of liquor; it could be noticed in his talk; he wanted a drink when on the way to the jail, but I would not let him have it. Dr. C. W. Dunning was called and testified as to the character of the wound inflicted upon Swoboda by the shot fired by Harrison. The ball entering the body passed through the liver and came out near the spinal columns, producing a wound from which death resulted. After the cross-examination Dr. Dunning testified to finding power marks about the lips of the wound on Swoboda’s body. At the conclusion of Dr. Dunning’s evidence, court adjourned until 8 ½ o’clock this morning, when evidence for the defense will be taken.
A colored floater was taken up by Red Campbell in the Ohio Sunday night, in front of Sam Wilson’s store. Coroner Gossman sat upon the body, and the jury found a verdict of death by drowning. There was nothing found upon the body but a pen knife. No evidence of violence could be discovered.
Wednesday, 4 Jun 1873: Ida Winsor, who was the cause of the difficulty between Harrison and Swoboda, which resulted in the death of the latter, was married on Monday by the Rev. Mr. Thayer to a man by the name of Mehner, of this city. This woman, who seems to possess the ability to fascinate men of a certain class, is decidedly homely, a really ugly woman. She has neither personal nor mental qualities to recommend her to any person, and yet she has occasioned the death of one man by violence, put the neck of another into jeopardy, and inflicted matrimony on another. (Hugo Oscar H. C. Mehner married Ida Eugenia Winsor on 2 Jun 1873, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
A number of our citizens were notified by telegraph yesterday that they were wanted at Mound City. The defense in the Harrison case need them to prove Billy’s insanity. But will that defense be successful? It is rather thin, as S. S. Prentiss used to say, there are two things the Lord even cannot predict—the future course of the Mississippi river and the verdict of a petit jury.
HARRISON’S TRIAL Examination of Witnesses for the Defense The Testimony All In—The Counsel Argue the Case. Fifth Day The fifth day of the Harrison murder trial has passed and the end has not come yet. The greater part of the day yesterday was exhausted in the examination of witnessed for the defense, and it was not until late in the afternoon that the argument of the merits of the case was commenced. S. P. Wheeler, Esq., opened the argument for the people in a speech of a little over an hour’s duration. He was followed by M. M. Wilson, Esq., of Cincinnati, for the defense, who spoke three-fourths of an hour. At the conclusion of Mr. Wilson’s argument, Judge Smith, county attorney for Pulaski County, addressed the jury in a short speech, after which court adjourned until 8 ½ o’clock this morning. The Prisoner Harrison is evidently much disappointed at the failure of Major Blackburn to be present and assist in his defense. During the entire day yesterday he spoke to hardly anyone except his attorneys and one or two intimate personal friends. He does not seem to feel at all at ease; and at times he would tap his foot on the floor in a nervous and impatient manner. At other times he was noticed to sit with his eyes fixed upon some one object for full half an hour at a time, as it in deep thought. And, indeed he may well feel that his case is a hopeless one, for if not found guilty and sentenced to be hanged, he is sure to be sent to the penitentiary for a long number of years. Evidence For Defense Court assembled at nine o’clock. Witnesses for the defense—Harry Walker, Thomas J. Parker, Mr. Henry Winter. Henry Winter testified—I am acquainted with Harrison; knew Swoboda during his life; have known Harrison in the neighborhood of thirteen years; I engaged him in Cincinnati in the summer of 1861, and he has been in my employ, off and on, ever since; first acted as dining room boy for me until I sold out to my brother; he returned to my employ about three years ago, and was engaged as bartender in my saloon, the Delmonico, corner Seven Street and Commercial Avenue; he also had an interest in the business; I remember the occurrence of the death of Swoboda; Harrison was tending bar at Delmonico saloon at the time; never noticed that he drank much until about Christmas 1871; after the election he was taken sick from what I supposed to be excitement of the election and strong drink; election was in the latter part of February; noticed his conduct when he was taken down sick; would speak to him about something needed about the saloon, and when I would come in again would find it would not be done; there was a kind of forgetfulness about him; also noticed about his meals; sometimes he did not go to his meals; used to talk to him about drinking and he denied that he drank; I kept a watch of him and saw that he was drinking continually, although he would deny it; he was nervous from drinking and eating and running about at nights; he was in the habit of laying don I the afternoon, and would not be there but a few minutes until he would be down again; when asked about it he would say he could not sleep.; it was not long after I noticed his conduct till he was taken down; his wife called me down to their room, and when I got there he was in bed; asked him what was the matter with him; he said nothing; I told him there must be something or he would not act so; he said they were after him; I asked him who was after him; he said they were and “d----d if he wouldn’t give it to them;” I called Dr. Smith to attend him; the doctor called six or eight times; I found him once in the street with nothing on but an undershirt; it was on Seventh Street little above the block; generally along about daylight these spells came on him; one day nothing would satisfy him but that I must go and et Mr. Walker for him; he said they were trying to kill him; I called and got Walker; he did not state who it as that was after him; these spells were a continued thing so long as he was under the Doctor’s hands; he appeared wild; previous to the election he was in good health; when he got well I did not consider him safe; he would not do business properly and had to put men over him; called in parties to talk about him with reference to what I should do with him; when he got up after being sick, he would go off to sleep, and would come back in an instant, and if asked about it would say that he did not feel well and could not sleep; he boarded with me, and when I was at home I waited on him the same as the rest; noticed that he did not eat and when asked about it he would say, “Never mind; I will be all right in a day or two;’ and would promise to stop drinking and be steady; I saw him the day before the shooting and he appeared about as usual; the day before the shooting, about lunch time, I went into the saloon and found Swoboda and him in there drinking; spoke to him about his promise to stop drinking, when he said he and Joe were having a little round; that night he did not come home; think that was the first night he had been away all night; sometimes Mr. Parker was on watch, or the negro porter, and sometimes would go on myself; he would come and get some money and go out; one time he came into the saloon without hat or necktie; said to him he was a nice looking fellow and told him to go back and get some sleep; this was the same day as the occurrence; did not see him till I heard of the shooting; at the time I heard of the shooting I was standing on the steps talking to my wife about him; someone went by and said Joe Swoboda is shot; I went down and met Mr. Cain and Ham Irvin with Harrison; Harrison was looking wild, tired and good; I could not tell if he was drinking; there was too much excitement about us; he said he wanted me to let him have ten dollars and go his bail. “I will give it back to you in the morning,” he said; Mr. Cain and Mr. Irvin were both there; I know that Harrison and Swoboda were personal friends and were nightly together; we used to do much business at night, and I need to go for him more at night and always found them together; Swoboda was a great deal the larger man; should think there was 25 or 30 pounds difference in the men; Swoboda was the taller of the two. Cross-examination by Judge Allen—I never noticed that the prisoner drank much until Christmas and New Year 1871; the sickness spoken of was directly after the election; Dr. Smith attended him; do not remember of Dr. Smith attending at any time before that; Doctor attended him three, four, five or six days; may be more or less number of days; I thought the Doctor came oftener than he did; Harrison has a wife and one child; he boarded with my private family; after his sickness he got up and attended to business off an on; our business relations were kept up until after Swoboda was killed; last I saw of Harrison was in the saloon about four or five o’clock the day the shooting occurred; don’t think he was on watch; Mr. Parker was on watch; it is my opinion that he as not on watch that day; I don’t think he was on watch on the afternoon before the shooting; I think Mr. Parker was on watch; when he said he was going to go on watch I told him he was not in a condition to do so, that he had better go to bed; I might have seen him in the saloon after supper before the shooting; he was not confined to his bed more than a week; can’t tell when this occurrence took place; it was some time in April; he was not in the saloon much, but was there when he wanted to be; think Parker was in the saloon pretty much all the month of March; he was there up to the time of the shooting of Swoboda; did not see Harrison drink any on the day of the difficulty. Harry Walker testified—I live in Cairo; have been there ten years; I know Harrison; I knew Swoboda in his lifetime; I remember hearing of the death of Swoboda; did not see it; I saw Harrison frequently before the murder; he was staying at the Delmonico; I was called up to the house once to see Harrison; Mr. Winter came after me to go up and see Harrison; I went up and saw that he was sick; he said he had called on me to help him; that some ladies had called to see him, and as an old friend of his, I ought to come and help him out; after he came out of his room he came to my saloon and talked to me about the same thing; talked about a stairway between my saloon and his building; I told him there was nothing of it and that he should go home and go to bed; saw him a few days after that; saw him in the afternoon after the shooting; he was standing in front of his saloon, with a crowd of men; Mr. Parker was standing his watch; Harrison had just come down stairs and said to me that he was going on watch; we advised him to go to bed; he said he was all right; I did not see him on the night of the occurrence, I was at home in bed; after the occurrence I got up but did not see Billy. Thomas J. Parker testified—I reside in this county now; with the exception of three or four years I have resided in this county since ‘58; I have known Harrison six or seven years; think the first place I knew him was at the Metropolitan on the levee; I knew Swoboda probably a year before the occurrence; I was with Mr. Winter just previous to the killing; was working for Winter in Harrison’s place; Harrison was drinking at the time so much that I thought he was incapable of attending to business; was in Cairo at the time of the city election; was acquainted with Harrison at the time; did not think him capable of attending to business at the time of election; he was very nervous; he was easily frightened and excited; I was in the house most of the time; I would tell him we needed cigars and other things and he would come back without them; on the evening of the occurrence I sent him after cigars three times and he came back without them; I made a proposition to him on the evening of the occurrence that if he would go and sleep six hours I would buy him a suit of clothes; this was wither on the day of the occurrence or the day before; he was nervous and flighty, and I noticed the expression of his eyes, they were different from when he was in good health; saw Swoboda and Harrison in Winter’s saloon on the evening of the shooting; it as probably between eight and nine o’clock; they were sitting on the bench talking; they had a drink; they god a bottle of cocktails; at first I refused to give it to them, because I thought they had enough; the day of the occurrence Harrison was not on duty. I spoke to him several times before the occurrence about his condition; he said he could not sleep or eat; I met Swoboda and Harrison together several times—probably half a dozen times before the occurrence—together at the saloon; they appeared to be good friends; I don’t know how Harrison got the pistol; I put it behind a box, behind the bar, and did not miss it until I went in the next morning. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—I was in Cairo at the spring election; I went to stay with Winters sometime in March; I don’t remember how long I staid with him after the occurrence—probably six or seven days; I was there probably four weeks before the occurrence; did not know that Harrison had an interest in the bar—only heard it; did not know it of my own knowledge; I asked him to get cigars; Mr. Winter was not in and I supposed he might go and get them; he was in the saloon probably half an hour on the afternoon before the shooting he was not attending bar; I don’t think he could have done so and I have not known it; I was there as an accommodation to Mr. Winter; if Harrison had insisted on going behind the bar to sell liquor I would have gone to Mr. Winter and protested against it; he was running around and I saw him take his regular rinks; Swoboda and Harrison were in there together; I don’t know which one took the cocktails; they were both under the influence of liquor; did not notice anything only Harrison’s dress; he came without a hat and went back and got a hat or cap; Harrison might have gone behind the bar, but I did not see him; I don’t know who got the pistol from behind the bar; whether Harrison got the pistol or someone else I can’t tell; can’t tell when Harrison first began to drink; about the time of the election I noticed him drinking so much; never saw a difficulty between him and a man in the saloon; never knew him to have trouble with anyone; I don’t recollect having a conversation with Irvin on the evening of the occurrence; I know Mr. Irvin; do not recollect saying there was anything the matter with Harrison; there was considerable excitement and did not have any conversation that I can recollect with Irvin as to Harrison’s condition of mind. Frank Murray testified—I reside in Cairo; have lived there a little over four years; I was acquainted with Harrison and Swoboda; have known Harrison about one and a half years; knew Swoboda ever since I had been there; I did not see the occurrence; I know of Harrison’s drinking for about two weeks before the shooting; saw him every day, or every other day during that time; I noticed he was very much “rattled” that he was on a hard spree; saw him in front of the saloon, and going towards Gates’ saloon without a hat or anything on his head; Swoboda was with him; they were drunk, of course. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—I saw them together on the evening before the shooting; they went by Gates’, and I was sitting on a barrel; they said to me, “Why don’t you come on and have some fun;” they were not to say drunk, but were drinking; saw Billy on the street, and saw him in the saloon; I did not see him very often; don’t think I saw him attending bar the same night of the shooting; some bar tender, when attending to business, go without hats on, and others do not. Charles Arter testified—I knew Harrison and Swoboda; can’t say how long but ever since they came to Cairo; I was intimately acquainted with Harrison a short time before the shooting; my place of business is about 100 or 125 feet from where Harrison did business; I saw him every day before shooting; I frequently shunned the saloon on account of his drinking and easily being excited; I can’t recollect how long before this occurrence I would pass by this saloon and go to another; I saw him in the saloon frequently, but don’t know if he stood watch; I recollect Mr. Parker being in the saloon; and spoke to him several times about Billy. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—I frequently shunned the saloon on account of Billy’s drinking so much. Ida Winsor—Ida Mehner is my name now; I remember Swoboda’s death; I had known Harrison and Swoboda about six months; I saw Harrison all day Tuesday and Wednesday of that week; I saw Swoboda once during that week; Swoboda and Harrison came to my room on the night of the occurrence together; both of them had been drinking; when they came in Joe said he was going to stay all night with me; Billy asked me if I was going to stay with Joe; I said yes; Billy said we could all three stay together; I told Joe what Billy said and he replied, “Does Billy Harrison take me for a sardine; Billy again asked me if I was going to stay with Joe; I said yes, then he struck me in the face; Joe said he was a s-n of a b---h if he staid in the house with a man who would do that and went out to the saloon. Billy laid down on the bed and said, “You know I was in fun when I struck you; I have been drinking so much that I am nearly crazy.” Joe came in again with his hand in his pocket; Billy asked him what he was doing with his hand in his pocket; he replied “None of your d----d business;” I then ran out to call Grace as I thought there would be a fight; just as I got to the foot of the steps I met Grace; then I heard the pistol shot; I was half running and half walking when I left the room. Joseph Wiley testified—I live in Cairo; I have been living there off and on for 5 or 6 years; was slightly acquainted with Swoboda; I was not in Cairo at the time of the shooting; was in ST. Louis for about a year before the murder; had not seen Harrison during that time. Here the defense rested their case.
Thursday, 5 Jun 1873: MARRIED. On Monday, June 2, at the parsonage by Rev. H. B. Thayer, Mr. W. C. Mehner and Miss Ida E. Winsor, all of this city.
THE HARRISON TRIAL. Arguments Yesterday by Judge Allen and D. T. Linegar The Case Submitted to the Jury The Prisoner Affected by the Speeches Owing to a change in the running time of passenger trains on the Cairo and Vincennes railroad, Judge Bake and the attorneys engaged in the trial of Harrison for the killing of Swoboda, did not arrive at Mound City until after 9 o’clock yesterday morning, and it was half past 9 before court was called. The prisoner was already in court when the judge arrived, which avoided any occasion for delay. The jury was called, after which Mr. Linegar commenced the closing speech for the defense. Mr. Linegar spoke for over two hours and was listened to with the closest attention throughout by both the jury and those who had gathered in the courtroom to hear the speeches of himself and Judge Allen. Mr. Linegar left no stone unturned to impress the jury favorably in behalf of his client. He believed Harrison was, in a great measure, excusable for the killing of Swoboda. Swoboda and Harrison had been warm personal friends; they had been together on the evening of the killing, and had gone to the house where the homicide was enacted together. He believed that from the long and excessive use of strong drink Harrison’s mind was not right; that he was by the slightest unusual occurrence thrown into a fit of insanity, during which he might commit an unlawful act. He believed there was some provocation on the part of Swoboda; that when he opened the door and saw Harrison in the hall he raised his hand as if to take Harrison by the throat. The fact coupled with the fact that Swoboda when he entered the room with his hand in his pocket was asked by Harrison what he had in his pocket, and that Swoboda was a much larger man than Harrison, were all circumstances which might have caused Harrison to believe that he was in danger of bodily injury, and if he shot Swoboda under such an impression, then there was an excuse for him. He spoke of the reason why Harrison’s wife was not with him during his trial. It was only because she was confined to a sick bed. If she had been well she would most surely have been with her husband during the trial. She, if any one, had a right to accuse her husband for his course previous to the shooting of Swoboda; but she knew the condition of his mind at that time; and she knew he was not responsible for his acts. That strong drink had drowned his reason—that he was not himself; and she had never once chided him for his course. Mr. Linegar continued his argument until a few minutes after 12 o’clock, when, so far as the defense was concerned, he left the case with the jury, saying that whatever their verdict might be he would be satisfied that the jury had acted cautiously, and in accordance with their best judgment. Court then adjourned until 2 o’clock p.m. Afternoon Session. The court re-assembled at the appointed hour, 2 o’clock. The roll of the jury was called, after which Judge Allen began the closing argument for the prosecution. The judge spoke for nearly two hours, commanding strict attention all the time. The plea of Harrison’s insanity was, to him, and he believed to the jury a farce. Insane men did not do as Harrison had done. He believed Harrison was not only not insane, but he did not believe he was so very drunk on the night on which the murder was committed. He believed it was a malicious, premeditated murder and nothing else. From the evidence before the jury it was clear that Swoboda and Harrison had both been going to see the same girl—Ida Winsor. He did not see what any man could see in her that was attractive. She was homely—dish faced, flat nosed, and altogether disagreeable. Passing to the plea of drunkenness set up the defense, that he said was to cause for the crime and was not recognized as such by the laws. When Judge Baker had finished reading the instruction to the jury and they together with the indictment were handed to them, the prisoner became excited and it was plain to be seen that a terrible war was going on within him, to conquer his feelings and contain his self possession. The Prisoner On entering the court room yesterday morning we found the prisoner seated on a chair in conversation with several friends. We came near to where he was sitting, when he reached out to shake hands with us. We took hold of the extended hand and asked him “how he felt?” He replied that he felt “as well as possibly could under the circumstances.” We said to him that he would soon know what was to be his fate. He said, “Yes. It will soon be over, and I will not feel hard towards anyone, no matter what may be done with me; I will have no hard feelings against the jury or anyone else. I am sure I would sooner be in Joe’s place than in the condition I am.” He then asked for a Bulletin which we gave him, when he turned to his friends and resumed his conversation. He was evidently much depressed, and realizes the terrible position in which he is placed. He was paler and more anxious and restless than at any other time during the progress of the trial. He was dressed the same as has been his custom since the commencement of the trial. During the time Mr. Linegar was speaking he paid the closest attention, and when that gentleman referred to the fact that the only thing that prevented his wife from being with him on this occasion was that she was confined to a sick bed, the prisoner exhibited signs of emotion and could not keep the tears from starting in his eyes. His mother, a feeble old lady, sat by his side during all the forenoon, and several times during Mr. Linegar’s remarks, when that gentleman referred to the unfortunate condition in which she was compelled to meet her son, wept bitterly. She is a very intelligent appearing lady and was dressed in deep mourning but for whom we do not know. Up to 2 o’clock this morning the jury had not returned a verdict.
Friday, 6 Jun 1873: All sorts of rumors concerning the verdict of the jury in the Harrison murder trial were afloat in this city yesterday, when in fact no verdict at all had been rendered in the case until a late hour last night.
HARRISON’S SENTENCE Guilty and His Punishment Fourteen Years in the State Prison. The Prisoner Not Disposed to Grumble at the Verdict. Yesterday afternoon, after being out nearly twenty-four hours, the jury in the Harrison murder trial returned a verdict of guilty, and fixed the punishment of Harrison at fourteen years in the state prison. This verdict was unexpected to at least two-thirds of those who were familiar with the circumstances of the murder of Joseph Swoboda. It was generally believed the prisoner would receive a much heavier verdict than fourteen years. Harrison, it is said, takes the matter very coolly, and is not disposed to find fault with the verdict of the jury.
Sunday, 8 Jun 1873: At a late hour last night, the particulars of the sad event told below were narrated to us by a gentleman who was a passenger on the boat at the time it took place. On last Thursday evening, just before the steamer Tyrone, then lying at the wharf in Nashville, Tennessee, took her departure for this city, a gentleman by the name of Barrow, his wife and a small child came aboard and took passage for Columbia, where the parents of the wife reside. She was in poor health, and after the boat left Nashville became quite sick. The husband was by her side constantly, paying every attention in his power to her wants. Several times during the trip he mistrusted that if an opportunity afforded she would jump overboard, and therefore took particular precaution that she should be ____ her room nor be left alone. Thus matters went on until the boat arrived at Paducah, and while lying at the wharf in that city, she asked her husband to get her a drink of cool water. There being no water in the room he started to go to the fore part of the cabin for it. But he had no sooner passed through the door than his wife sprang from her couch, and locking the door through which he had just passed, and before he could run around the boat she made her way through a door on the opposite side, and when he was within a foot of her, leaped overboard and was drowned. Mr. and Mrs. Barrow had been married a few years, and their child, a babe only four months old, was their only offspring. Mrs. Barrow had been in ill health for a long while, and her husband was taking her back to her old home in the hope that the scenes and associations there might prove beneficial to her. Her remains were recovered, and were yesterday sent to Columbia, the home of her parents, for interment.
Friday, 13 Jun 1873: Capt. J. R. M. Johnson, aged forty-three, died in Memphis Sunday. He was engaged for many years on the river.
Sunday, 15 Jun 1873: On last Monday morning the body of a woman clothed in a night dress was found floating near the Illinois shore at Fort Massac. The Metropolis Times thinks it was the body of the unfortunate Mrs. Barrow, who committed suicide by leaping from the steamer Tyrone into the river near Paducah last week.
Tuesday, 17 Jun 1873: A MIXED CASE Was Dr. Berns Dr. Baldy and Whom Did He Marry? Two Widows Looking for the Estate of One Man—Both Claim Him as a Husband (From the St. Louis Globe.) The case detailed below, now in progress in Belleville, Ill., is said to be the most strange and novel ever known in St. Clair County. Dr. Lepere Berns died in February of this year, and Charles Askins was appointed administrator of his estate. Now comes before Probate Judge Pieper, Mrs. Rush Baldy, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and protests against the appointment and asks that it be set aside, that she may have the same, on the following state of facts detailed in evidence in the probate court. Dr. Peter C. Baldy married Ruth Stebbens, October 3, 1863, in Toledo, Tama County, Iowa, and lived with her in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for nine to twelve months, and then left her, and Mrs. Ruth Baldy has not seen him since. While he lived in Council Bluffs he was acquainted with Dr. Campbell, an oculist, on Fifth Street, St. Louis. Several witnesses in Council Bluffs knew Dr. Campbell also while Dr. Baldy was living there. After Dr. Baldy left Council Bluffs, he corresponded with Mrs. Baldy through Dr. Campbell, the latter gentleman attending to the letters from both parties, and particular instructions were given that the letters not be directed to Dr. J. C. Campbell, and that Dr. J. C. Campbell had received some of the letters already. This correspondence continued until the latter part of 1866, and then the evidence does not show that any more letters were received until 1869; but there are indications that there had been more letters during this interval, but they do not appear in evidence. In 1869, Dr. Lepere Berns writes through Dr. Campbell, as he says in his letter, at the instance of Dr. Baldy, that her husband has been sick and wants his wife to take a boat and come at once to St. Louis and stop at the Everett House, and that he (Dr. Berns) will produce her husband, but that Dr. Baldy is a wanderer on the earth. This letter purports to have been written from Alton, Ill. Dr. Berns seems to have written more letters to Mrs. Baldy, through Dr. Campbell, after 1869. The marriage of Mrs. Baldy was proven; photographs of herself and husband, taken in Iowa, were produced, as well as a photograph of Dr. Berns by Mrs. Ruth Baldy. An expert swears that the photographs of Dr. Berns and Dr. Baldy prove them to be one and the same person. The description of Dr. Campbell is held to establish the fact that Baldy and Berns were the same person, and he is said to have written to Mrs. Baldy to come to Belleville and establish her claim as adminstratrix. The above is a very brief synopsis of the testimony on the part of Mrs. Baldy and her witnesses. Per contra—Mrs. Lepere Berns swears that she was married to Dr. Lepere Berns in October 1865, that her name before this marriage was Mrs. Obson, and that he came to Centerville some fourteen month before, and that she had boarded him continuously during this time previous to marriage. She says she was married by a priest in St. Louis, in the night, but she cannot say in what part of the city, and she cannot produce any certificate or other proof of marriage, except that she occupied the position that a wife should occupy, and the law mercifully says that is enough to establish marriage in Illinois. The whole case seems to turn in the yes of the defense on two points: First, that Dr. Lepere Berns seems to have turned up in Centerville, St. Clair County, Illinois, in the early part of 1864. Some three or four witnesses swear that they were acquainted with him then, and Mrs. Baldy swears that he was living with her in Iowa at the same time. Second, that Dr. Baldy had a half-brother, and that Dr. Lepere Berns was that brother. The plaintiff’s reply that so conspicuous a man as Dr. Berns, in so small a town as Centerville, should have been known to more than three witnesses in the early part of 1864, and that the truth is, these three or four witnesses are mistaken about a year in their time, and must by no means weigh against their strong array of circumstances and positive proof. It only remains to be said that Mrs. Dr. Baldy is a young woman of about thirty-three in appearance, modest and finished in her manners, and seems honestly and deeply affected by the whole proceeding, never smiling during all the gibes, trials and witticisms of counsel, while Mrs. Berns is a woman of about fifty, coarse in feature, with a heavy face, fully denoting great strength. She smiled frequently during the proceedings. The contrast between the women was most marked, and was generally remarked by the bystanders. The decision will come Monday.
Wednesday, 18 Jun 1873: It is ordered by the court that the several reports of inquisitions held by John H. Gossman be and the same are hereby approved, viz: On the body of an unknown white woman April 28, 1873. On the body of Joseph Sullivan, May 14, 1873 On the body of Alexander Thomas, colored, and George W. Welden, May 23, 1873. On the body of an unknown colored man June 1, 1873.
Friday, 20 Jun 1873: CARD. Cairo, Ills., June 17, 1873 Mr. John C. White—I hereby tender my grateful thanks for the prompt payment made by you as agent of the Globe Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York of $2,000, the amount of the policy held in said company by my late husband, Frederick Rose. Yours respectfully, Frederika Rose.
Tuesday, 24 Jun 1873: A letter received in this city yesterday from Paducah and dated on Sunday says, that the cholera is prevailing there to an alarming extent, thirteen deaths having occurred on Saturday. The disease made its appearance in this city one month ago.
DIED Yesterday morning of cholera infantum, after a few hours illness, Almarine Halley, son of Almarine and Mary Halley, aged 13 months. The friends of the family are invited to meet at the residence of the parents on Twelfth Street, at 1 o’clock p.m., and accompany the remains on the 2:10 train to Beech Grove Cemetery. (Almarine Halley married Mary Hartman on 1 Dec 1869, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Thursday, 26 Jun 1873: DIED. On Wednesday June 25th, at half-past 5 o’clock, p.m., Catherine, wife of Daniel McCarthy, in the 24th year of her age. Also on the same day, at 12 o’clock m., Patrick S., infant son of Daniel and Catherine McCarthy, aged 3 months. The deceased will be buried at Villa Ridge this (Thursday) afternoon. The train will leave the station at half-past 2 o’clock.
STABBING AFFRAY Blood Letting at a Negro Dance House The Proprietor of the Establishment Seriously if Not Fatally Injured. Another of those terrible stabbing affrays that have occurred so frequently in this city of late, took place at about 11 o’clock last night at a negro dance house on the corner of Fifth Street and Commercial Avenue, kept by a negro named Turner. There was a dance at the house last night, as there is every night—at which a large concourse of negroes assembled. At the time above specified a quarrel sprang up between Jim Harris and another negro, and during the melee Harris shot his antagonist. Turner, the proprietor of the house, hearing the report of a pistol, ran into the hall and separating the combatants, ordered Harris to leave the house. Harris went to the door, Turner following close behind him. Harris opened the door, and as Turner came up to shut it, Harris attacked him with a knife, and before Turner had time to resist, he had received four severe stabs—one in the muscle of the right arm, two in the right side, and one in the neck under the left ear in the vicinity of the jugular vein. Turner was taken to his home a few rods away, and Dr. Parker called to dress his wounds. Turner may recover, but the chances are that he will not. After stabbing Harris, Turner ran away, but returned in a short time, and in conversation with some of his friends said there was “one or two others that he would like to get even with.” Harris succeeded in eluding the officers, and up to the time of going to press he had not been arrested.
Friday, 27 Jun 1873: Jim Harris, the negro who stabbed Turner is a desperate character. He has lived in Cairo two or three years, and was feared by those who knew him well.
James English, well known to many of our citizens, is dangerously sick at Villa Ridge. His life is despaired of.
Sunday, 29 Jun 1873: A correspondent writing from Villa Ridge, 28th inst., says: “The well known Jimmy English, of this place, and formerly of Cairo, has no desire to part from this earthly sphere. The excellent accommodations of Mrs. Robert Welsen’s Hudson House, and the superior quality of the numerous springs preclude any possibility of such result as The Bulletin anticipates. The No. 1 cheer of Mr. Tom Parker, alone, would preserve one.
Tuesday, 1 Jul 1873: The Paducah Kentuckian says the officers of the James Fisk report that cholera is prevailing in this city, and that five deaths occurred on Saturday. This will be news in this city. Five deaths from any cause have not occurred in Cairo for ten years and there is not a case of cholera in the city.
Harrison has gone to Joliet. He took his departure on Friday last. Fourteen years hence he may return to visit his friends in this city.
Wednesday, 2 Jul 1873: SIX WIVES. “The Last One the D--nest Best Wife I Ever Had.” There lives in this county not many miles from Cairo a man who can boast of having planted five wives and of having taken to his heart the sixth one. He is not over fifty years of age, and considers himself good for at least three more after he has set out the sixth, and as he says, “the d—nest best wife he ever had.” A few days ago we were introduced to the jolly old muchly and oft-married man, and he gave us a detailed account of the good and bad qualities of each one of the six women he had during his life taken “for better or for worse.” His first wife was “a good one” and “as pretty as a picture,” but she “had bad health and did not stop long with him.” The second one was not so pretty as the first wife. They lived together for two years when she took the “measles and they struck in and took her off.” The third wife was “not much account anyhow;” she was devilish and “wanted to fight all the time.” She lived four years and followed her predecessors over the river Jordan. Wife No. 4 was “all right,” but she was always sick. She lived nine years, when she too went the way of all the rest. Then came wife No. 5. She was a “pretty fair sort of a woman,” but the old man and her “could not get along well.” She wanted everything her own way, and he was not always willing that she should be humored. They lived together for several years and then parted, but they were not divorced. After being separated six months they “made up” and lived together again. In four months from that time she died and was “buried with the rest.” The old man some six months ago became acquainted and “fell in love” with a Pulaski County woman, and in six months from the time they first met, they were made flesh of one flesh and bone of one bone. They are now living together, and to all appearances doing about as well as married people generally do. The old man says she is a good woman, in fact, she is, according to his say so, “the d—nest best wife he ever had.” They are both hale and hearty and bid fair to last a long time.
Thursday, 3 Jul 1873: FUNERAL NOTICE The funeral of Michael Duggan will take place from the residence of his father at half-past one o’clock today. The train will start from Eighth Street. Deceased was eighteen years of age. Friends of the family are invited to attend.
DIED. In this city at 11:20 p.m., Tuesday, July 1, Charles Francis, infant son of Henry T. and Catharine Miller, aged 5 1/2 months, of cholera infantum. Funeral services at the residence of the parents, Eighth Street between Commercial and Washington avenues. The remains will be interred at Beech Grove Cemetery. Friends of the family invited to attend. (Henry Theodore Miller married Catherine Sauh on 9 Apr 1871, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Friday, 4 Jul 1873: DIED. The funeral services of little James Roy, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvord, will be held at their residence on Seventh Street, this afternoon at half past one o’clock promptly. The friends of the family are invited. The remains will be taken to Beech Grove Cemetery on the 2:10 train.
Sunday, 6 Jul 1873:
(This may refer to Isaiah Shon, of Johnson Co., Ill., who died at
Murphytown on 20 Jun 1873, according to the Saturday, 5 Jul 1873,
Jonesboro Gazette.) For the past week or ten days our people have been greatly excited over the reports which they have heard of the existence of cholera among the laborers on the Cairo extension of the Mississippi Central railroad in the low grounds of Kentucky opposite Cairo. We have endeavored to get at the truth in reference to this matter and have reason to believe that we have succeeded and that what we state in this account is substantially correct. In many instances these reports were greatly exaggerated and caused some unnecessary fear and excitement in this city. We do not publish these particulars for the purpose of scaring any person, but on the contrary, to show to our people the necessity for cleanliness in person and premises, and the greatest care with regard to what they eat and drink. So far Cairo has been exempt from cholera, and it is only necessary for our people to exercise judgment and care in matters of diet and to the proper use of disinfectants, and we have no fear but that we shall pass through the ordeal unscorched. As for the disease among the men in Kentucky, it seems to have originated about in this way: A few days ago the men were paid off, as we understand it, receiving two months pay. Many of them at once went “off on a spree,” some of them coming to this city while others remained on the ground and had their “dead shot,” sometimes called whiskey, but more familiarly known as “Park’s lightning” brought to them. They drank to excess of this poisonous stuff, and it they drank the foulest of water. Water that was fully as bad if not worse than the whiskey. The water used for drinking and cooking purposes was obtained from what some people calls springs, but which in truth are nothing more than holes in the ground through which sipe water bubbles up. In other places the workmen in order to have water handy dug wells. When the water was first taken from these wells it had a bright, clear appearance, and there was nothing in the taste to indicate that it was not good, healthy water. But after being above ground fifteen to twenty minutes, it would turn green or black and emit a sickening smell. Then add to this the fact that on Sunday and Monday last the men were furnished with fresh meat. That is to say meat that was once fresh. It seems that the men complained that their boarding bosses did not furnish them with fresh meat, that they were compelled to live on bacon, etc. To satisfy them and stop their grumbling, the latter part of last week, several of the boarding bosses came to this city and purchased large quantities of fresh beef, which they packed on ice and started for their camp. The ice did not last long, and when the meat arrived at the works it was not freshest. But it was not altogether spoiled, and “would do.” It was cooked up and of this the men eat freely.
Now taking all this together—bad whiskey, worse than bad water, and meat
which to say the least was “not sound,” and is it not a wonder that every
mother’s son of them did not die? Out of one camp on twenty men, in less
than three days, nine of them died; and in another camp the same
proportion. In all probably 20 men died from Monday morning to Thursday
night, when the men were disbanded, the camps broken up, and the works, for
the time being, deserted.
Died at the residence of her husband, on Walnut Street, between Eighth and
Ninth streets, yesterday, July 8, Mrs. Antonetta Thele, aged 47
years. Funeral services at St. Patrick’s Church, at 1 o’clock today. The
remains will be buried at Villa Ridge. Train leaves Eighth Street at half
past 1. Friends and relations respectfully invited to attend. For several days past rumors of the prevalence of cholera in and about Clear Creek Precinct in Alexander County, about forty-five miles above Cairo, have been afloat in this city,—but until yesterday no definite information from that quarter could be obtained. Yesterday, we met a gentleman who resides a short distance from Clear Creek and from him we obtained the following information, which we believe is correct. On Thursday, July 10, the first case of cholera was reported, and from that time until Sunday, the 13th, thirty cases were reported, and out of these twenty deaths occurred. The precinct is now almost without inhabitants, everybody having gone to the hills and surrounding country to escape the scourge. Farms and the crops have been left take to care of themselves, and from all accounts the country presents a desolate and deserted appearance. Among the victims of the scourge is numbered several of the best men of the precinct and county.
We shall endeavor to keep posted with reference to the matter, and give our
readers the benefit of whatever may be the result.
Wednesday, 23 Jul 1873:
The Rough and Readys We have been furnished the following facts concerning the organization of the Rough and Ready Fire Company and its history since that time. The company was organized on the 12th day of July 1860, the following named persons enrolling themselves as members: John Maxey, John Jaynes, H. Matfield, H. F. Goodyear, J. M. Moss, D. G. Bryant, Thomas H. Viney, H. Bedford, G. W. Fry, William Burrows, Jerry Pierce, W. A. Shelton, Charles Radsberry, Robert H. Beard, Pat Kelley, N. Prowdey, Louis B. Wise, William Chester, Charles Gyer, E. Borrows, H. W. Sadler, Frank Otto, Thomas Klein, R. Fry, J. Springer, W. B. Dibble, J. A. Fry, Charles Eble. Since the date of organization 319 persons have enrolled their names as members of the company. Of these, 71 have been expelled for non-payment of dues, 93 resigned their membership. From July 21, 1860, to July 21, 1873, the company has lost 19 members by death as follows: Alonzo Hurd, March 25, 1862; Gottlieb Dinklocker, April 15, 1861; John Campbell, December 20, 1862; George Thrift, May 11, 1863; C. Chodle, September 27, 1863; W. H. Dibble, September 28, 1863; Adam Neff, July 21, 1867; William Rotzier, August 18, 1868; Louis Weil, October 20, 1868; Charles Eble, September 20, 1869; Robert Briback, November 6, 1871; Gus Bieland, March 28, 1872; Joseph B. Taylor, August 19, 1872; Louis Nassano, January 10, 1873. The following named gentlemen have served as president of the company: W. H. Dibble, from July 21, 860, to September 28, 1863; John Maxey, from September 28, 1863, to August 4, 1864; R. J. Jimminsson, from August 4, 1864, to August 7, 1864; Phil Howard, from August 7, 1864, to November 9, 1864. W. T. Beerwart served the company as president four years. John H. Oberly served one, after which Judge F. Bross was elected, and still holds the position. Since their organization, the Rough and Ready Fire Company has responded to almost every fire alarm, and whenever occasion required, has done noble service and today can show a record second to no other organization in the city. Yesterday afternoon the
dead body of a white man was fished out of the Ohio River, at a point a
short distance below Halliday Brothers warehouse by a couple of
fishermen. The body was badly decomposed, and presented a sickening sight.
To all appearances it was that of a man thirty-five or eight years of age,
and about five feet seven or eight inches high. A “hickory shirt” and the
“checkered pants” was all that covered the body. No papers or other
articles by which deceased could be recognized were found about his person.
Coroner Gossman held an inquest on the remains and the jury returned
a verdict of “accidental drowning.” The Quickstep last evening brought the following particulars of the sinking of the Jennie Howell. At one o’clock yesterday morning she struck a snag that has but recently made its appearance in deep water of old Curfew point, ten miles below Shawneetown. It entered her hull near the bow and passing up extended above the hurricane roof, crushing the forward part of the boat to atoms. She immediately began to fill and careen and in a very few moments there was nothing but a small portion of the edge of her foreward guard visible above the water in which position she was held by the snag. Most of her cabin slid off and disappeared. The Quickstep coming down arrived just after the disaster and found passengers and crew nearly all in night clothing, clinging to the exposed guard, rescued them and carried them back to Shawneetown.
The Howell had thirty-five cabin passengers on board and at the time
of the accident of this number three persons are known to be lost. Two of
them were the children of Mrs. Ring of Buffalo, New York, and the
other Mrs. Prindle, who registered at Vicksburg and was detained to
Evansville.
The said Hazle is a man of desperate character, while Bush is
a civil and respectable man. It was premeditated that two others would have
met with the same fate had not their antagonist backed out. When the matter
is thoroughly investigated it will implicate the others accessory to the
crime. On Saturday afternoon last William Thompson, a young man of about nineteen years of age, son of Mr. William Thompson, Sr., of Santa Fe Precinct, met his death in a most singular manner. Young Thompson, accompanied by two other young men went to Cypress Hill Baptist Church to attend religious services. Services over, Thompson with his friends started to return home. They were riding on horse back, and when near the residence of Mr. Andrew Nows, who lives near the Mississippi river, a short distance from Cypress Hill Church, Thompson’s horse became frightened and unmanageable. The horse from some cause, of which neither of the young men who accompanied Thompson can account, fell heavily and in falling threw young Thompson under him, crushing his life out of the young man almost instantly. The remains of young Thompson were conveyed to the residence of his parents, several miles from where the accident occurred. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, the remains being followed to their last resting place by a large circle of sorrowing relations and friends.
William Thompson is said to have been a young man of steady habits,
and industrious, and in his death the community in which he lived has
sustained the loss of one of its best citizens. In circuit court yesterday the case of William Campbell, indicted for the murder of Patrick Doyle, mate of the Grand Tower, while she lay at the wharf in this city, on the night of April 25 last, was commenced. The prisoner being without money or friends on whom to rely for assistance, Judge John H. Mulkey and D. T. Linegar were appointed by the court to conduct the defense.
Judge W. J. Allen, H. Watson Webb and County Attorney Pope
appear for the prosecution.
At 2 o’clock court reassembled, when the names of twenty-four additional
jurors were presented. By 3 o’clock this panel was exhausted and the three
additional jurors obtained. But unfortunately, shortly after the
adjournment of court at noon, William Lawrence, the first juror
sworn, was taken sick and by 3 o’clock had become so bad that he was excused
from serving on the jury; and then the court was compelled to make an order
for twenty-four additional jurors, after which court adjourned until 8 1/2
o’clock this evening.
The case of William Campbell for the murder of Thomas Doyle, was continued in the Alexander County circuit court yesterday morning. At the adjournment of court on Monday evening, eleven jurors had been sworn. Just before the adjournment of court, an order was made for twenty-four additional jurors to appear at the opening of court yesterday morning. Philip Smith was the fifth person called, questioned and accepted and the jury was full. We believe that none of the papers of the city have ever published anything like a detailed account of the killing of Doyle by Campbell. This being the case we will now give as few words as possible the fact of the case.
Campbell
was a deck hand on the Grand Tower of the Memphis and St. Louis
Packet Company’s line and of which boat Thomas Doyle was first mate.
Doyle and Campbell had a quarrel, during which Doyle
struck Campbell
with a coal shovel. When the Grand Tower reached Cairo
Campbell
left her. A week or ten days after
Campbell left the
Grand Tower
the boat again landed at the wharf in this city. It was after dark, the
lights on the wharf boats having been lit, and Doyle in the discharge
of his duty was receiving and discharging freight to and from the boat.
Campbell
went on board the boat, and inquired for Doyle, stating that he had a
“bill he wanted to settle with him,” that he had “wanted to settle it for a
long time,” and intended to do it that night. He was told that Doyle
was “out front,” and went in that direction in search of him. Doyle
was standing near the door of the wharf boat, giving directions to his men
when Campbell
slipped up behind him and struck him a blow on the right side of the head
with a heavy club. Doyle fell insensible and was picked up and
carried to his quarters on the boat.
Campbell immediately after striking
Doyle ran away from the scene of his crime, and was not arrested
until a day or two after. Dr. H. Wardner of this city, was called,
and examined Doyle’s wound, finding that his skull was broken.
Doyle lived about twenty-four hours after receiving the blow.
The following is a list of the jurymen: William Derryberry, W. O.
Sanders, John S. Dennis, Richard Palmer, Mores B.
Minton, Samuel Walker, George W. Irwin, John Kean,
D. O. Vanderbilt, Alex.
Worthington, William Trump,
Philip Smith. The following evidence as sworn to by the witnesses: Mitchell Alexander testified—My home is in St. Louis; I have been running on the river on the Grand Tower ever since she was built; I know the prisoner by sight; that is him (pointing to Campbell); I saw him first in April last, he was on the Grand Tower for a little while but never made a whole trip on her; he shipped from Cairo to Memphis, and when the boat came back to Cairo he left the boat; it was at Cairo that I saw him come on board again; can’t tell which of the wharfboats it was we laid at when we came to Cairo; when he came on the boat he said “good evening,” and asked me where Mr. Doyle was, that he had a bill he wanted to settle with him; said he had wanted to settle it for a long time and would settle it that night; he then went away, and about ten minutes after he left Doyle was hurt; I was acquainted with Doyle; it was night when Campbell came on the boat; he had a stick in his hand; (the stick which is round, about four feet in length and probably an inch through, was exhibited to the witness and identified by him as the one that Campbell had the night Doyle was struck.) Campbell left me and went up forward; the Grand Tower was made afast to the wharf boat; the killing was in the month of April; I did not hear the blow; I did not see them bring Doyle on board the boat; saw Doyle that night and he seemed in good health; saw him three-quarters of an hour before the killing; I was at my fire doors when Campbell came to me and said “Good evening, where is Doyle? I have a bill to settle with him tonight.” I did not see Doyle until the next night, and then he was dead; he had a bad bruise on his head. I heard of Doyle’s getting hurt, I can’t tell what time of night it was when the boat left Cairo; the Grand Tower has been in service two years the last past April. Cross-examined by Judge Mulkey—Can’t tell what terms Campbell shipped under; we were on our way to Memphis when first I knew Campbell; don’t know whether Campbell shipped for the round trip or not; don’t know why he left the boat; I went on to St. Louis with the boat and came back with her; it was on the following Thursday that Campbell came on the boat; suppose staid with me five or six minutes; had my back toward him when we first began to talk, and after talking a while I turned my face to him; it was dark. I was within three steps of him; my face was toward the fire most of the time; I did not have the stick in my hands that night; I saw it afterwards when it was brought on the boat; I did not put a mark on the stick before we went to Memphis; I put a mark on it because they said it was the stick Campbell hit the mate with; I would not swear that was the stick Campbell had that night; my face was toward Campbell part of the time and part of the time it was not; he did not say anything to me about his and Doyle’s difficulty; don’t know that Doyle knocked Campbell down before this time; I am in the employ of the Memphis packet company; they did not give me any money to come and swear to this case; my wages go on while I am here; if I get any money it will be more than I expect; Campbell did not tell me the night he talked to me that Doyle had knocked him down and robbed him of his wages. Redirect by Judge Allen—I was subpoenaed by Mr. Cain on board the boat; it was after dark Campbell came to see me on the boat, but I could see his face from the light of my fire doors. George Young testified—My name is George Young; live in St. Louis; have lived there 16 years; am a fireman on the Grand Tower and have been there for two years steadily; the prisoner made a trip on the boat with us from here to Memphis; know the prisoner by sight; it was in April or May that he made the trip to Memphis; when we came back he quit here; when we came back on our next trip from St. Louis he came on the boat; didn’t know which one of the wharf boats we were at; it was on Wednesday night I think; he came on the boat and said, “How do you all get along, gentlemen?” and then he went off and I did not see him again; saw him on the next trip; he came on the boat; I was going out and he was coming in; he did not speak to me that time; I went out and stood by the side of the door; he stood on one side of the door and I on the other side; the lights were burning on the boat; he had a stick in his hand; he was standing with the stick behind him; Doyle was back on the boat; I know that Doyle got hurt; I did not hear any noise; a few minutes after he was standing in the middle of the wharfboat with the stick; I heard a noise and looked back; I did not go back right away; there were so many gathering about; a few minutes after some one ran out and I saw it was William Campbell; it was after I heard the noise that I saw Campbell running out of the boat; where I saw the crowd collected was right beside the stage plank near the steamboat; did not see Doyle again until after he was dead; believe it was near Hall’s Point that I saw his body; his body was taken to St. Louis; we landed here on our way up; did not notice close enough to see whether this was the stick or not; it was a stick about that length; the night the difficulty took place Campbell did not speak to me; think we made three rounds from the time Campbell left the boat before Doyle was hit; I do not know what county Cairo is in; I don’t know how long it was after Doyle was hit before the boat left Cairo. Cross-examined by Judge Mulkey—Campbell ran out in town after he hit Doyle; he was going pretty lively when he went by me; he was about halfway on the stage when I saw him going up the levee; he had no stick then; I don’t remember whether it was very dark that night or not; Campbell had on some kind of a blue shirt and a cap; he was running pretty fast when he came by me, and I did not see him stop as far as I could see him; can’t tell how many trips we made when Doyle was hit; Campbell and Doyle had a fuss and Doyle struck him with a coal shovel, then Campbell ran off the boat; on the next trip Campbell came on the boat and got his money; he did not die here; he died on the river somewhere about Hules’ Point; no one has hired me to come here to swear in this case. Redirect—I can’t tell just how many trips we made from the time Campbell left the boat till he got his money; don’t know how many trips we made from the time Campbell left the boat till Doyle was hit, but think it was two or three trips. Chief of Police McHale testified—I was city marshal of Cairo; I have seen the prisoner; I arrested him in the latter part of last April, at the corner of Eighth Street and Ohio Levee, and turned him over to the sheriff; he asked me what he was arrested for, and I told him for striking the mate of the Grand Tower; at first he denied it, but afterwards acknowledged it, and said that he did hit him, and wished he had killed Doyle for he was a mean man; Campbell then told us a difficulty he had had with Doyle on a previous trip. Cross-examined by Judge Mulkey—Campbell told me he had had a difficulty with the mate, and that the mate had hit him with a shovel, and that he had drawn a revolver on him. Dr. H. Wardner testified—I am a physician and surgeon; was called about the 24th of April to see a patient on board the steamer Grand Tower; Thomas Doyle was his name; I found a very severe injury on the right side of the head about the ear, and a fracture of the skull; when I first saw him he had not spoken; after a while he woke up and asked what was the matter; he was told that he had been hit; he then wanted to lay down; four days after he was brought back to Cairo dead and I made a post mortem examination on the head. (Here Dr. Wardner went on to give a detailed description of the wound, etc.) He found that the skull had been cracked from near the corner of the head in almost a straight line to the base of the right ear; that at the lower end of the fracture a small piece of bone, probably the size of a grain of barley or wheat has been broken off. There was no doubt in the doctor’s mind that Doyle died from the effects of the blow inflicted upon his head. The prosecution here rested their case, Dr. Wardner being the last witness called.
The defense having several witnesses who had not yet put in an appearance,
and it being fifteen minutes of 12 o’clock, court adjourned until 2 o’clock
p.m.
Court reassembled at the appointed hour, when the witnesses for the defense
were sworn, after which they were separated. The first witness called was Mitchell Johnson testified—I know the general character of the deceased; his character was known as that of a dangerous man; he was in the habit of carrying a revolver and brass knuckles. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—I live in New Orleans; have been there ever since the war ceased; have been in Cairo about three months; don’t know Doyle’s character any further than I have seen; can’t tell how old a man Doyle was; he was about my height; I am about five feet five or six inches high; he had dark, sandy hair; I was on the Grand Tower and made one trip from St. Louis to Memphis on the boat; all I know about his character is what he done to me. Re-direct—I know what people generally say about his general character. Jack Turner testified—I knew Thomas Doyle; from what those who associated with him say about him he was a dangerous character; saw him have a pair of brass knuckles and a revolver in his boot. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—I live in Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; I have been in Cairo since last Sunday; when I first knew Doyle he was running on the Belle Cross; a boat that used to run from St. Louis to St. Paul, and he knocked my partner down with a club; I only made one trip on her, about one year ago; five or six months ago I saw him on the Grand Tower; Doyle was a heavy set man; I can’t tell just what color his hair was; I think the Grand Tower has been running a year, anyhow; I think Doyle was twenty-five or thirty years of age; I have heard both white and black men talk about him; I don’t know whether he had a goatee or not, but he had whiskers. Jack Bentley testified—I knew Thomas Doyle in his life time; I know a good deal about him myself and what other colored men say about him; he used to carry brass knuckles. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—I have no home, but I am stopping at the marine hospital. Thomas Jefferson testified—I am acquainted with what people generally say about Doyle being a dangerous man; he had a bad character among river men; he put me off the boat at Grand Tower and drew a revolver on me. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—I live in St. Louis; Thomas Doyle had sandy hair and a moustache; he didn’t have any whiskers. Alex. Boone testified—I knew Thomas Doyle when I saw him; only know of him from what I have heard others say that he was a bad and dangerous man; he always carried a pistol and brass knuckles, and was always knocking some colored man in the head. Cross-examined by Judge Allen—I live in Cairo; I shipped with Doyle twice. Alexander Watson testified—I knew Thomas Doyle for about one year; he was considered a dangerous man among river men; he was always knocking and cuffing black men about and they all say he was a bad man; he was in the habit of carrying a pistol and brass knuckles; he was a close built man with sandy hair. Cross examined by Judge Allen—Doyle did not wear whiskers nor mustache; Doyle has not been running on the Grand Tower all the time; he used to run on the Missouri River; I can’t tell how long it’s been since he ran up the Missouri, but it’s since I knew him. At three o’clock the defense rested their case, and the argument was opened in a half-hour address to the jury by Hon. H. Watson Webb. Judge Mulkey followed Mr. Webb in a speech of an hour and a half’s duration; and was listened to with marked attention by the jury.
Hon. W. J. Allen and P. H. Pope, for the prosecution and D. T.
Linegar, Esq., for the defense, will address the jury this morning.
Five or six years ago a Captain Chandler killed his father-in-law in McNairy County, Tenn., and fled. For a long time it was not known where he had gone, but lately it was learned that he was living in Pope County, Ill., near the Massac line. Acting upon this information a Mr. Chambliss procured a certified copy of the indictment against him and went to Metropolis. Arriving there he presented his papers and procured a warrant for Chandler’s arrest, which was given to Deputy Sheriff Overmark to serve. Overmark and Chambliss accompanied by Thomas Willis and R. B. Leiber undertook to make the arrest on Saturday. As Chandler knew the first two, Willis and Leiber, were to arrest their man as soon as he got on this side of the county line. They were successful and Chandler remained with them until he saw Chambliss and Overmark coming up, when he broke loose and tried to make his escape. Willis called to him to halt, and fired his pistol into the ground. This failed to stop him, and he fired again and Chandler fell, shot through the shoulder.
He was taken to Metropolis and put in jail to await a requisition from Gov.
Brown, of Tennessee. On last Sunday night about a hundred men,
residents of the neighborhood in which
Chandler
lived, took him out of jail and carried him off. We learn that the rescuers
threaten to kill anybody who comes to their neighborhood to make any
arrests. The case of William Campbell for the murder of Thomas Doyle was continued in the circuit court yesterday morning. Court assembled at the usual hour, and it was not long after the courtroom doors were thrown open until the house was crowded with people who apparently took a deep interest in the proceedings of the case. However, a great majority of those present were colored, and with a great many of them there is nothing so pleasing as to hear detailed the horrors of a cold-blooded and atrocious murder.
Hon. H. Watson Webb for the prosecution and Judge Mulkey for
the defense, having submitted their argument to the jury on Tuesday
afternoon, there remained three speeches to be made yesterday. County
Attorney P. H. Pope opened the arguments in the morning and addressed
jury for about one hour. On the assembling of court in the afternoon Judge Allen commenced the closing argument in the case for the prosecution. Judge Allen spoke for two hours, concluding his argument at 4 o’clock. The jury as with Mr. Linegar, listened to Judge Allen with profound attention and seemed to be inspired with the truth of what he said. Judge Baker then read the instructions to the jury and at about 5 o’clock they retired to the jury room to deliberate, and render up their verdict (that is if they can agree upon a verdict.)
Even after the jury had retired, many persons remained in their seats to
await their return, anxious to hear the verdict. But at six o’clock when
court adjourned, everyone was compelled to retire, as the jury had not yet
announced their readiness to say what should be the fate of unfortunate
Campbell.
Friday, 1 Aug 1873: “Guilty of Murder as
Charged in the Indictment” For the first time in the history of Alexander County, a jury in a murder case has returned a verdict of guilty and sentenced the murderer to be hanged. The doom of William Clark Campbell is sealed, at least so far as the jury sworn to try him can seal it. Yesterday morning at the assembling of the circuit court, the jury after an absence of nearly sixteen hours, announced that they had agreed and were ready to render their verdict. The prisoner Campbell was brought into court, and took his seat by the side of his attorney the same as he has done from the commencement of the trial. Judge Baker announced that the jury should be brought in, and in a minute after, the door of the jury room was opened and one by one the jurymen came into the bar, and took their places in the jury box. When asked if they were ready to render a verdict, each one nodded his head, and the foreman stepped forward and handed the verdict together with other papers, to an officer of the court, who passed them to the clerk. Circuit Clerk Yocum then read the verdict, as follows: We the jury find the defendant guilty of murder, as charged in the indictment; and we do further find that he should suffer death by hanging.
When the clerk had concluded reading the verdict, the jury was polled, and
as each member was asked whether they were satisfied with their verdict,
they answered distinctly, that they were. When the verdict was read Campbell did not show the least sign of emotion, and seemed no more excited than at any other time during his trial. If he fully realized the dreadful doom which the jury put upon him, he had the nerve to conceal it from those about him. Campbell was then returned to his cell. Two hours afterwards a reporter of the Bulletin visited Campbell’s cell to hear what he night have to say for himself. Arrived at the cell door, we found him lying on his bunk, with his feet resting on the floor, and his left arm thrown up over his face. Jailer Fitzgerald called, and informed Campbell that a reporter of the Bulletin wished to have a talk with him, when he got up from his bed, and came to the door. During the conversation which ensued our reporter learned the following concerning Campbell’s views of his trial, prospects, past life, etc. When asked if he was satisfied with his trial, he replied that “he guessed he would have to be satisfied.” He said that he had no witnesses, but no one was to blame for that; that on steamboats deck hands seldom knew anything about their fellow workmen further than their first names as “Dick,” “Harry” “Tom” etc. There were several witnesses that he would like to have had, but he only knew their first names, and they had left the Grand Tower and it would be useless to hunt for them. Campbell says his attorneys, Judge Mulkey and D. T. Linegar, did everything in their power, and under the circumstances, much more for him than he had a right to expect. His regret is that he has no money to pay them for their services; and says his friends are poor or he would have them pay his lawyers for him. He had little to say as to his prospects for a new hearing. We suppose he has been posted to say little on this point. He is particularly severe on Chief of Police McHale, who he says swore “too hard” against him. He says it is pretty hard to have to be hanged, but if it is his doom he could stand it. He does not belong to any religious organization, or society of any kind, and complains that none of the colored people of Cairo have ever come to see him. If he has an acquaintance in Cairo he does not know it. He says his full name is William Clark Campbell; he was born in Louisiana, but when two years old, he with his parents, was sold to a man named Hinden, and removed to Boone County, Missouri. About four years before the war broke out Campbell’s father ran away from his master and succeeding in reaching Canada, since which time nothing had been heard from him. About the time the first call was made for colored troops, the Ninth Iowa Cavalry passed through Boone County and Campbell left his home and engaged as a cook for some of the officers of that regiment, and continued with them to the close of the war. After the war he became a roustabout, and followed the Missouri River. Last winter he came down the Mississippi and was engaged first on one boat and then on another up to the time he shipped on the Grand Tower and had the difficulty with Doyle. His mother, several brothers and two sisters live in Omaha Nebraska, but he has not heard from any of them for two years. None of his relatives are aware that he is in jail here, but he wants some one to write and tell them all about it. As to the cause of the “bad blood” existing between Campbell and Doyle, we have received Campbell’s version of it. It was in the latter part of March or early in April that Campbell shipped from Cairo on the Grand Tower as a deck hand. The boat made the trip from Cairo to Memphis and return. Arriving at this port, the boat made fast at the Illinois Central wharfboat. One of the officers of the Grand Tower went on to the wharfboat to see if there was any freight to be put on, and Campbell and several other negroes were ordered to follow him and if there was anything to bring it. The officers reported that there was nothing to be loaded and the deck hands all returned to the boat. On his way back Campbell met Doyle, and asked for his pay, stating that as he had shipped from this port, and his clothes were all here, he wanted to leave the boat. Doyle flew into a rage and swore he had paid all he was going to pay, and said if Campbell wanted his money he would have to stay on the boat until they got to St. Louis. Campbell went to his partner “Steve” and told him they would have to go to St. Louis, or they would lose their pay. Campbell then went to the rear end of the boat, and in a little while she dropped down to one of the lower wharfboats. A barge loaded with coal came alongside, and the deck hands were ordered to put the coal on the Grand Tower. Campbell picked up a shovel and started to go on to the barge to help unload it. He was near the middle of the boat, when he met the captain of the watch, who wanted to know if he had “had a fuss with the old man.”—(meaning Doyle) and said that he (Doyle) had first driven “Steve”—Campbell’s partner, off the boat. Campbell started forward, but had gone but a few steps when he met Doyle, who wanted to know “where he was going with that shovel.” Some words passed between them, when Doyle demanded the shovel. Campbell says he knew Doyle well enough to know that if he gave up the shovel Doyle would strike him with it. Campbell lowered the shovel so that the blade rested on the floor, but was very careful to keep hold of the handle. Doyle also placed one hand on the handle of the shovel, and at the same time dropped the other hand down by his side as if to draw a pistol. Campbell saw him move and let go of it, but before he could escape Doyle raised it and dealt him a blow on the head with it. Campbell left the boat and did not return to it again until the night of the killing of Doyle. This is the negro’s version of the quarrel, but whether it is the true one or not will probably never be known.
Bidding Campbell
good day, our reporter turned to leave, but at the next cell engaged in
conversation with Westlake,
another prisoner. In a few minutes
Campbell struck up and for some time
hummed a familiar brake-down.
For several days past a rumor has been afloat in this city that another dreadful murder has been committed somewhere in the upper part of the county. But while many persons had heard that a dreadful crime had been perpetrated, none of them could tell where, when or under what circumstances. Yesterday we met a gentleman direct from the scene of the fearful tragedy, and from him were enabled to ascertain the following particulars of what appears to be one of the most dreadful homicides ever committed in this county. The murdered man’s name was Don Breese, and the murderer Daisy Breese, his brother. For a longtime these brothers have lived in this county, and from what we can learn, have always been considered suspicious characters by those who knew them best. It is known that they have during their residence in this county committed several misdemeanors that of right would have sent them both to the penitentiary. They were aware of this fact, and knowing that a grand jury would soon be in session, and in all probability their misdeeds brought to the attention of that body, they would off all they could of their stock, etc., and a few days before the convening of the present term of the circuit court, left the county. They took with them two or three horses and it is said that Don, the murdered man, at the time they left, had on his person between seventy and one hundred dollars in currency. After leaving the county, nothing was heard of them until last Thursday evening, when they were first seen passing Briley’s store, about two and a half miles this side of the Union County line. When first seen they were walking along the road, Don being about sixty yards in advance of his brother Daisy. If anyone saw them after they passed Briley’s the fact has not yet been made known, for the next heard of them is at Hulen’s Mill. At the mill they stopped to get a drink of water. Don Breese came up to the well and drank and then passed on. By the time Daisy had taken a drink his brother was again some fifty or sixty yards in advance. Before they got out of sight of the mill Daisy was seen to pick up a club, which he carried on his shoulder. They were next seen passing the residence of Mr. Samuel Smalling, when they were walking side by side. So far as is known, this was the last seen of the brothers together, and the next heard of Daisy is at the residence of his father-in-law, Mr. John Walker, in Goose Island Precinct, where his (Daisy’s) wife was. He came to the house at about eleven o’clock at night; and, if we are correctly informed, after talking to his wife for a short time, took a quilt and went into a corn field where he slept all night. The next morning (Friday) he returned to the house, and in a conversation with his wife remarked that if she “heard of a death she must not go back on him.” Before leaving Walker’s house he shaved off his moustache and taking his hat off his head threw it into the fire remaking, “I’ll burn you up, d--n you, for you may be the means of giving me away.” He then left Walker’s and that night went to the residence of Mr. Wiley Clutts where he stayed until Saturday morning. On Saturday morning he got up, eat his breakfast, and when about to leave the house, said he would be back on Monday evening, meaning last night. Daisy Breese’s conduct while at Mr. Walker’s house led Mr. Walker to believe all was not right, and that there must be foul play somewhere. But nothing further of the whereabouts of Don Breese was learned until Friday afternoon, and then it was brought to light in a very strange manner. In the afternoon of the day mentioned (Friday) a son of Mr. Samuel Holmes, while riding along the upper end of Sandy Ridge, in Unity Precinct, and within a hundred and fifty yards or so of Whittaker’s school house, his horse became frightened and it was with difficulty that young Holmes could urge him forward. Upon looking for the cause of the fright of his horse, the young man saw in the road a few yards ahead of him evidences of a tussle having recently taken place. Upon a closer examination he found the trail where some heavy object had been dragged from the road. Following the trail, about twenty or twenty-five yards from the road in an old tree top he found the dead body of a man. Young Holmes gave the alarm and it was not long until quite a number of persons living in the neighborhood were on the ground and the body was recognized as the body of Don Breese. Squire Hargis of Unity Precinct was notified and an inquest held, and the above facts as related to us brought out. From Whittaker’s school house to Walker’s, where Daisy stayed on Thursday night after the killing is about five miles; and this accounts for his arriving there so late at night. It is said that Daisy Breese had for a long time harbored ill feeling for his brother Don, and once told his wife that he intended to kill him. It is further said that, feeling that they were constantly in danger of being arrested, Daisy proposed to Don that they get together all the property they could; then go to Mr. Greenlee and buy a horse, giving their note with Mr. John Walker (Daisy Breese’s father-in-law) as security. They were then to leave the country and let Mr. Walker pay for the horse. Don refused to do this, giving as a reason that Walker had always been a good friend to them and helped them out of trouble on more than one occasion. Don also told Walker of Daisy’s proposition, and thus the trouble between them began. Mr. O. Greenlee and Mr. Walker came to Cairo on Sunday afternoon, and informed Sheriff Irvin of the murder. Mr. Irvin, accompanied by Greenlee and Walker, immediately started in pursuit of Daisy Breese. Up to a late hour last night Sheriff Irvin had not returned and as no word had been received from him, it is not known if he has succeeded in capturing his game. We venture the assertion, however, that if Daisy Breese succeeds in escaping Sheriff Irvin he will do more than many smarter criminals have failed to do.
Don Breese, the murdered man, is the same man who was twice arrested
on warrants sworn out by Mr. Nick Williams, the butcher at the corner
of Twentieth and Poplar streets, for stealing a steer, the property of a
negro who lives some eight miles in the country, and bringing it to Cairo
and selling it to Williams. But at both trials he proved an alibi.
There is however, no doubt that he was guilty, but it is supposed Mr.
Williams made a mistake as to the day on which he purchased the steer.
Yesterday was the day set for hearing the arguments on the motion for a new trial for Campbell, now in the Alexander County jail under sentence of death for the murder of Thomas Doyle, mate of the steamer Grand Tower, while that boat lay at the wharf in this city, on Wednesday evening, April 25, 1873. The argument was opened by Judge Allen for the People. Judge Allen spoke at considerable length, reviewing the manner in which the case was conducted, the evidence from the beginning of the trial to its close, and the pleas set up for the prisoner by his counsel. In the afternoon, Mr. Linegar for the prisoner addressed the court in a lengthy argument. He took the ground that the prisoner had not had a fair trial, in this that, when the first panel of jurymen was exhausted, and the court ordered a new panel, the sheriff or his deputies failed to bring into court any but white men; that at a time when there were over one hundred colored and not twenty white men in the courthouse, the panel having been exhausted, a new one was ordered by the court. The officers whose duty it was to summon persons from among whom the jury was to be chosen, returned none but white men, thus ignoring the right of our colored citizens, and precluding the rights of the prisoner to have upon the jury a fair representation of men of his own color and race. Judge Baker in summing up the arguments of counsel spoke at considerable length, disposing of each question raised with clearness and precision. As to the point raised by Mr. Linegar, with reference to the manner in which the jury was empanelled, Judge Baker said in substance, that it was not the court who selected the jurors, the court ordered the panel to be made, and so long as the sheriff and his deputies returned into court men who were intelligent and competent to serve on a jury, it was not the province of the court to say whether they should be white or black, or whether they should be selected to equal numbers of both races. Judge Baker dwelt on this subject a great length but could not find in this fact sufficient cause for setting the verdict of the jury aside. The motion for a new trial was overruled. At the conclusion of Judge Baker’s remarks, D. T. Linegar, Esq., rose and entered a motion for a stay of judgment, but this motion was also overruled.
Judge Baker then announced that he would pass sentence on
Campbell
this morning at 8 ½ o’clock. In the Bulletin of yesterday morning we gave a lengthy account of the murder of Don Breese, which took place in Unity Precinct, in this county on Thursday night last, stating in the account that Sheriff Alexander H. Irvin was in pursuit of the supposed murderer. We are now able to report the capture of Breese, and his safe incarceration behind the bars of the Alexander County jail. Sheriff Irvin accompanied by Mr. O. Greenlee of Goose Island and John Walker of Hazlewood left Cairo on Sunday night by the Illinois Central train. They went to Carbondale and from there to the residence of Mr. Joseph Townsend, in Williamson County, and about eleven miles from Carbondale. When the party arrived within a short distance of Townsend’s house, where it was supposed Breese would take refuge, Mr. Walker and another man, whose name has slipped our memory, were delegated to proceed to the house, and, if possible, find out whether Breese had yet arrived. After separating with Walker the man who accompanied him, Sheriff Irvin and Mr. Greenlee passed around to the rear of the house to wait their return. But in a very short time they heard some one running through the house, and in a minute or so two shots were fired. They then knew that Breese had been found and was attempting to make his escape. Mr. Greenlee started down to where there was a turn in the road that he might have a better view in both directions. But before he reached the turn in the road, Breese had crossed it and taken refuge in the woods. The country around about Townsend’s is full of swamps and heavy timber, and it was feared Breese would succeed in making his escape. But presently Townsend took a bucket and started for the well or spring for water, when near the spring, Breese who was concealed in some undergrowth, made himself known to Townsend. Townsend when he came back to the house informed Sheriff Irvin of Breese’s presence near the house. The sheriff at once set a plan on foot to toll him out of the woods into an open field, where he could easily be captured. Townsend was sent out to where Breese was and succeeded in inducing him to go into the field, where Breese understood he was to remain until after nightfall, when Townsend would “pilot” him out of reach of the officers. In the meantime Sheriff Irvin was not idle. By the time Townsend had succeeded in getting Breese into the field, Mr. Irvin had got together a posse of citizens, who surrounded the field and began to close in from all sides. The field is grown up with a thick growth of iron weeds, and by kneeling down one could completely hide himself from view. The posse began to close in, but had not gone far when Mr. Irvin caught sight of Breese, who was kneeling down, revolver in hand, and evidently bent upon resistance to the last. About this time Mr. Irvin saw John Walker raise his rifle as if to take aim and then lower it again. Breese was four or five times commanded to surrender, but paid no attention to it. As the posse came up Breese rode up and leveled his revolver at Walker, evidently intending to kill him if possible. But before he had time to fire Walker brought his rifle to his shoulder and fired. Breese fell. At first it was supposed he had received a fatal wound, but upon examination it was found that the ball struck him on the left side of the neck, running down into the shoulder. The wound, though painful, is not dangerous. Breese was brought to Carbondale and from there to Cairo. He is now in the county jail, where he will remain until his trial comes off.
Sheriff Irvin desires us in the public manner to return thanks to Mr.
John Ogden and D. P. Waggoner for this assistance on this
occasion.
Thursday, 7 Aug 1873: The last act in the Campbell murder case, so far as the Alexander County circuit court is concerned, was concluded yesterday at about noon. Without going into details we will say that the motion for an arrest of judgment entered by Mr. Linegar on Tuesday evening after the overruling by Judge Baker of the motion for a new trial was also overruled and all that remained to be done was the sentencing of the prisoner. At about half past eleven o’clock Judge Baker announced his decision overruling the motion. For several minutes after a deathly silence prevailed the entire court room and the dropping of a pin could have been distinctly heard in almost any part of it. Then came from the judge’s lips the words, “William Campbell, stand up.” As soon as those words were uttered there was a general bustle in the court room, everyone present made a move to get as near as possible to the judge’s stand, in order that they might hear more closely the sentence of the prisoner as the words came from the judge’s mouth. But a rap or two from Deputy Sheriff Fitzgerald soon restored order and everything was as quiet as before. Judge Baker then asked the prisoner if he knew of any reason why sentence of death should not be passed upon him. But just at this moment there was a little confusion in the court room and the prisoner made no reply. Judge Baker then pronounced the sentence of the court. His remarks were very impressive and there were but few persons in the house who were not more or less impressed with the awful solemnity of the occasion. The duty of pronouncing sentence of death upon a human being no matter what the surroundings of the case may be is not an enviable task and we can easily comprehend Judge Baker’s feelings while performing this task yesterday. After addressing the prisoner at considerable length, reviewing the evidence adduced at the trial stating that two of the ablest attorneys in this portion of the state had been appointed to defend him, and that in the opinion of the court “they had left no stone unturned in behalf of their client, the action of the jury in returning a verdict of guilty and fixing the penalty of his crime at death, etc., Judge Baker fixed the day of execution for Friday, the 29th day of August, 1873. At the conclusion of Judge Baker’s remarks, Campbell resumed his seat. During the whole time the judge was addressing him, he stood motionless, hardly once moving even so much as hand or foot. And when he took his seat did not show the least sign of emotion or nervousness. Sheriff Irvin and one or two of his deputies then returned the prisoner to his cell, where he will remain until he is brought out on the day on which he is to be hanged. Court then adjourned until court in course. Yesterday after dinner, Mr. Irvin visited Campbell’s cell, when the prisoner said to him, “Sheriff, who is going to hang me?” to which Sheriff Irvin answered that he supposed that that disagreeable task would fall upon himself. Campbell replied, “I am glad of it. I want a nice man to do it, for if a rogue did it, I would come back and haunt him.” Mr. Irvin inquired if Campbell did not desire to have a minister to come to see him, to which he replied, “I don’t know; guess if wouldn’t do much good anyhow.”
Friday, 8 Aug 1873:
On last Sunday while on his
way to church, Mr. John McClure stopped at the well at the Lively
Grove schoolhouse in Washington County, about three miles northeast of
Tilden, to water his horses. On lowering the bucket he found it would not
sink, and on examining to ascertain the cause, discovered a dead man in the
well. He immediately informed the neighbors of the fact, when they in
company with him, raised the body to the surface. From the bruises on his
head, breast and shoulders, and the general appearances of the man it is
supposed by those present that he was murdered. He was about five or six
inches (?) high, dark brown hair, light whiskers, and supposed to be
twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, and of foreign birth. He had on
when found, grey pants, check shirt, dark heavy woolen coat and vest, brown
overalls, and shoes and socks. There was also found in the well two pair of
cotton drawers, one check shirt all covered with blood, black wool hat, one
pair new boots, No. 6. Found in pants pockets, white handle two-bladed
pocket knife, cap box containing one silver and one brass ring, one small
key, two common linen handkerchiefs, a paper with figures on one side and
the name “Will West written on the other, a conductor’s blank of
Toledo, Peoria, and Wabash Railroad, a copy of the Peoria Review,
dated July 9, 1873, a lot of Robinson’s show pamphlets and bills and
a paper with the name Behlmann written on it.
Died yesterday, at 3 o’clock, p.m., Mr. R. D. Hendrix. Funeral
services to take place at residence of deceased on Eighth Street, between
Walnut and Cedar streets, at 1 ½ o’clock p.m., today. Friends are invited
to attend.
At the residence of his mother on Seventh Street, yesterday afternoon, Henry Harris, of typhoid pneumonia. Funeral takes place on Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock.
(A marker in Cairo City Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Henry son of J. H. &
A. Harris Died Aug. 29, 1873, Aged 17 Years.—Darrel Dexter) Wednesday morning August 20, 1873, Lulu, daughter of F. W. and M. I. Cherry, aged 4 years, 7 months, and 2 days. Funeral leaves residence on Ninth Street between Walnut and Cedar at 1 ½ o’clock p.m. on regular train.
(Francis W. Cherry married Melissa I. Horn on 27 Aug 1864, in
Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Sunday, 24 Aug 1873:
Wednesday, 27 Aug 1873:
Editor Cairo Bulletin: For the benefit of the public generally, I will
state that I have not seen Don Breeze since his death. The reported
séance that has been reported in the Cairo papers became circulated by a
third party being present during a conversation (and not probably
understanding it) between Mr. William Holden and myself relative to
the killing of Don Breeze. As a matter of mirth I gave it some
coloring. I make this statement to disabuse the minds of some persons. We
have no other kind of spirits on earth than those that are manufactured and
very often they are a very poor article.
A reporter of The Bulletin, who has for the past week had daily interviews with Campbell, the murderer who is to be hanged tomorrow, has succeeded in learning much of his past life, which, under the circumstances, will be of interest to our readers. Campbell was born in Louisiana, and at the age of two years, together with his father, mother, and several brothers and sisters, were sold to a man named Fleetwood Heinden, of Boon County, Missouri, to which place they were removed. Five years before the breaking out of the war, Campbell’s father succeeded in making his escape, and went to Canada, where he remained until about the year 1865, when he returned to this state and is now said to be a resident of Chicago. Campbell’s mother married again and removed with her family to Omaha, where they now live. At the breaking out of the war Campbell ran away from his master in Boon County, and went to St. Louis where he hired to Capt. Charles Reed, of the Ninth Iowa Cavalry as cook. But he did not stay with Reed long. He next employed with Capt. Flick of the same regiment, in the same capacity. At the conclusion of the war he went to Little Rock, and was hired by a Mr. Fulton as coachman. He remained in Little Rock one year, and then went to Omaha, and became a deck hand on the Missouri River. He labored in that capacity until March last, when he came to Cairo, and went on the Grand Tower as a deck hand. His history since then is well known to the reader of The Bulletin, and it would be useless to restate at this time.
On Monday last we had an interview with him, when the following conversation
took place: It was evident to our reporter that Campbell had some hopes that Mr. Linegar, who that morning left for Carlyle to lay his case before Judge Breese in the hope of obtaining a supercedeas, would succeed, and that accounted for his cheerfulness. On Tuesday morning, after learning that Mr. Linegar had returned and that he had failed to procure the supercedeas we again called upon Campbell, but this time found him in no mood to talk. In fact, he would not talk, and seemed anxious to be left alone. He was in much better spirits yesterday and seemed willing to converse. There was hardly a quarter of an hour during the day that there were not some of his colored friends with him. Yesterday morning, when Sheriff Irvin visited him, he requested the sheriff to cut off his finger nails, which had grown very long, and asked him to send them to his sisters in Omaha as keepsakes. Mr. Irvin did as requested and yesterday afternoon forward them by letter to the parties designated. Although within distinct hearing of the saw and hammer of the workmen engaged in building the scaffold, it seemed to have little effect upon him.
Campbell
says that three years ago he was in the employ of Mr. Robert Wines,
of Jefferson City, Missouri, and that he was accused
of insulting Mrs. Wines. He says the charge that he ever knowingly
insulted Mrs. Wines is false.
You are hereby notified to assemble at the engine house in full uniform this
Friday afternoon, August 29, at 4 o’clock p.m., sharp, to attend the funeral
of the late Frank Hundley. Every member is expected.
The members of the Hibernian Fire Company, No. 4, are hereby notified to
meet at their engine house this afternoon at 4 ½ o’clock in full uniform, to
attend the funeral of their late brother, Frank M. Hundley. It is with feeling of the sincerest regret that we this morning announce the death of Mr. Frank M. Hundley, cashier on the Illinois Central wharf boat, which occurred at fifteen minutes past one o’clock p.m., yesterday, August 28, 1873, after an illness of six days. Mr. Hundley was born in Lynchburg, Ohio, in the year 1845, and consequently was in the twenty-eighth years of his age. He was a half brother of Mr. James Johnson, agent of the Illinois Central railroad in this city, at whose residence he died. We know of no young man in the community who was more highly esteemed than Mr. Hundley, and his many good qualities of head and heart endeared him to every one with whom he became acquainted. He came to Cairo in the year 1864, and immediately entered the service of the Illinois Central railroad in the capacity of clerk, from which position he was promoted to that of cashier on the wharf boat. He has always been looked upon by those high in authority on the road as one of the most trusty and competent officials at this end of the line.
His remains will be taken to Olney, Illinois, for interment. The funeral
services will be held at the Methodist church in this city at 6 o’clock this
(Friday) evening, August 29, 1873.
Although The Bulletin has already contained an account of the arrest, trial and conviction of William C. Campbell, who was hanged yesterday for the murder of Thomas Doyle, we believe it is not improper at this time under the circumstances to again go over the whole ground, and give our readers a full and correct history of the murder of Doyle, the arrest, trial, conviction, and execution of the murderer. As near as can be ascertained, Campbell hired as deck hand on the Grand Tower, of which boat the murdered man Doyle was mate, sometime about the first of April last.
The Grand Tower
belongs to the Memphis and St. Louis packet company line, and was laying at
the wharf in this city when Campbell
sought and obtained employment on her, for the round trip to St. Louis. Doyle, it seems, told them that he would pay off no more men until the boat had made the round trip (from St. Louis to Memphis and return to St. Louis) and that if they left the boat before reaching St. Louis they would forfeit their pay. Although they were much disappointed at not receiving their pay here, they concluded to go on to St. Louis. Shortly after the above took place, a barge laden with coal for the Grand Tower came alongside and the deckhands were ordered to put the coal in the boat. Campbell went to the rear of the boat after a shovel, procuring which he started to go out to the barge to go to work. But on his way he was met by the captain of the watch who asked him if “he had had any trouble with the ‘old man,”(meaning Doyle) and at the same time added that he (Doyle) had just driven “Steve” (Campbell’s partner) from the boat.
Campbell
said he had not had any trouble with Doyle, and started for the
barge. But he had gone but a few steps when he was met by Doyle, who
wanted to know “where he was going with that shovel.”
Campbell
replied that he was going to help put the coal on the boat. Doyle
then ordered him to give up the shovel and go “back to the boat.”
Campbell
fearing that if he gave up the shovel to Doyle that he would strike
him with it, retained his hold on the handle. Doyle also took hold
of the handle, and succeeded in getting it away from him.
Campbell
then started to run, but before he could get out of Doyle’s reach,
was struck on the back with the blade of the shovel.
And did not return. Shortly after this occurred, the
Grand Tower,
having transacted all her business at this place, left for St. Louis.
Campbell
remained in the city and worked at odd jobs until the
Grand Tower
again came to Cairo. When he went to the Captain and received pay for the
work he had done on her, and left the boat apparently satisfied, as he told
some of the men that he “had got his pay and it was all right now.” the Grand Tower again on her way to Memphis landed at the wharf in this city, and “made fast” at the Cairo City wharfboat, owned by Messrs. Halliday Bros. It was between 8 and 9 o’clock in the evening, and the work of transferring freight was being done by gas light. Campbell, with a heavy club, went aboard the Grand Tower and inquired of one of the stokers where Doyle was, stating that “he had a bill to settle with him;” “that he had wanted to settle it for a long time, but had never had a good chance,” but that he intended to “settle it tonight.” Campbell then left the Grand Tower and went out onto the wharfboat and took up a position at the side of the gangway next to the levee. George Young, another of the stokers of the Grand Tower, saw Campbell standing here and had some conversation with him. In the meantime Doyle was overseeing the men under his control, directing them where to deposit freight as it was taken from the wharfboat. He was standing near the end of the stager plank that formed the passage way between the Grand Tower and the wharf boat and just inside the wharfboat Campbell left his position at the foot next to the levee and crossed over to the opposite side of the wharfboat, and stood within a few steps of where Doyle was standing. A few minutes afterwards Doyle was heard to utter a loud cry, and when those who heard it got to him they found him lying on the floor of the wharfboat in an insensible condition. At the same time Campbell was seen to drop his club and run off the wharfboat and up over the levee at the top of his speed.
Doyle was
taken up and carried to his quarters in the texas. Dr. H. Wardner
was sent for and examined and dressed the wound, but as, the skin was not
broken, stated that it would require the lapse of a few hours to determine
the extent of Doyle’s injuries. The Grand Tower having
transacted all of her business at this place, departed for Memphis, but
before reaching that city Doyle died. Three days after she returned
to this city, when a post mortem examination of Doyle’s head
was made. It was found that the skull was fractured from near the crown of
the head to the base of the left ear, and that about an inch above the ear a
small piece of bone not larger than a grain of barely had broken off and
forced into the brain. On the night that Doyle was struck the captain of the Grand Tower, sent for Sheriff Irvin and Chief of Police McHale, to whom he gave a description of Campbell, and requested them to leave no stone unturned to effect his arrest. Doyle was struck on Thursday evening, April 24, and on Friday evening, the 25th, Sheriff Irvin and Chief McHale got track of Campbell and succeeded in capturing him. When arrested, Campbell asked what he was arrested for, and what they would do with him. McHale told him for striking the mate of the Grand Tower, and (not knowing that Doyle was dead) said he would probably be sent to the calaboose for a few days. At first Campbell denied striking Doyle, but finding that it would do him no good to deny it, said, “Well, I did strike Tom Doyle, and I wish I had killed the s-n of a b---h.”
Campbell
was taken to the county jail and locked up, where he remained until the July
special term of the Alexander circuit court, when the grand jury returned a
“true bill” charging him with the willful murder of Doyle. was set for Monday, August 4,1873, and on that day Campbell was brought into court. He was asked by Judge Baker whether he had counsel or the means to procure attorneys to conduct his defense. He replied that he had neither and wished the court to assign him counsel.
Judge Baker appointed Judge John H. Mulkey and Hon. D. T.
Linegar as counsel to defend
Campbell, and that they did their
full duty as such counsel is known to everyone who knows anything about the
trial. In fact too much cannot be said in their praise for the manner in
which they conducted this case. Hon. William J. Allen, Hon. H.
Watson Webb and County Attorney P. H. Pope appeared for the
People.
As above stated Campbell’s
trial began on Monday morning and it was about noon Tuesday before a jury
was obtained.
were made by Hon. H. Watson Webb for the prosecution, and Hon. D. T.
Linegar for the defense. For the prosecution only four witnesses were introduced. Mitchell Alexander, and George Young, colored men, and stokers on the Grand Tower, and Chief of Police McHale, and Dr. H. Wardner, of this city.
Mitchell Alexander testified to Campbell’s having came aboard
the Grand Tower and making enquiries after Doyle, stating that
he (Campbell) had a “bill to settle with him, that he had wanted to
settle it for a long time but he had never had a good chance;” but that “he
intended to settle it that night.”
Chief McHale swore to having arrested
Campbell
and to what he (Campbell) said on that occasion.
there was introduced a number of colored men, old river “roustabouts,” who
according to their own testimony, each had at some time in his life been a
deck hand on the Grand Tower. They all knew Doyle, and were
unanimous in the assertion that he was a bad and dangerous man. He was in
the habit of carrying concealed weapons, and did not hesitate to knock a
colored man on the head at the least provocation. In fact, according to
this calculation of non-descripts, Doyle was the meanest man that
lived in his day.
consumed the greater part of two days. Hon. H. W. Webb made the
first speech for the prosecution. He was followed by Judge Mulkey,
who made an able argument of over an hour’s duration. County Attorney P. H.
Pope followed Judge Mulkey, Hon. D. T. Linegar and
Judge Allen making the closing speeches, which were not concluded
until late on Thursday morning.
It was nearly 6 o’clock when Judge Baker concluded reading the
instructions to the jury, after which the case was given to them for their
decision. A few minutes past 6 o’clock they were conducted to the jury
room, after which court adjourned. On Friday morning at 10 o’clock the jury announced their readiness to return a verdict. All the attorneys in the case being present, Judge Baker ordered that the jury be brought into court. The door of the jury room opened, and as the members entered the court room, they each presented a determination of countenance which of itself was almost sufficient proof that they had determined to return a verdict of guilty and fix the punishment of the prisoner at death. They took their seats in the jury box and their names being called and the full twelve men answering to their names, Judge Baker inquired—“Gentlemen, have you agreed upon a verdict?” Answer was made in the affirmative. The foreman of the jury then stepped forward and handed to Circuit Clerk Yocum their written verdict, which found the prisoner “guilty of murder as charged in the indictment,” and in the words of the verdict itself, “we do further find that he shall suffer death by hanging.” The reading of the verdict produced a sensation of awe, and an expression of justice, throughout the courtroom.
The attorneys for the prisoner asked that the jury be called, and as the
names of the jurors were called, and the question whether they were
satisfied with the verdict propounded, each distinctly answered “yes.”
was then made, and Monday, August 11, set as the day for arguing the
motion. All day Monday and the greater part of Tuesday, 12, were occupied
in arguing the question. But the motion was overruled, and then Mr.
Linegar entered a motion for an arrest of judgment which motion was also
overruled. The motions for a new trial, and the arrest of judgment having been disposed of, it became the duty of the court to pronounce sentence upon the prisoner. The prisoner was requested to stand up, when Judge Baker called upon him to state if he knew any reason why sentence of death should not be pronounced upon him. Campbell made no reply to the question, possibly not understanding what the judge said, as there was considerable confusion in the courtroom just at that moment, everyone trying to get as near as possible to the judge’s stand. Order being restored and the by standers called upon to maintain silence, Judge Baker, in the most impressive manner, reviewed to the prisoner the enormity of the crime of which he was charged and found guilty; the reasons for overruling the motion for a new trial entered by his counsel, and eulogizing them for the efficient manner in which they had conducted his case, and remarking that the “court had appointed the best legal talent at the bar for his defense, and had they been largely feed they could not have done more for him.” As for a new trial to be granted by the supreme court on account of any error committed by the court, such a thing was possible, though not probable, for had this court erred at all, it was on the side of the prisoner, who had from first to last the sympathy of the court.
It now became the painful duty of the judge to pronounce the fatal words
that were to consign Campbell to another world; and he counseled the
prisoner to take no comfort to himself that a new trial would be granted
him, or that executive clemency interfere, but to prepare to “meet his God,
for in a few days he would be a dead man!” The sentence of the court was
then pronounced, which was that the prisoner be hanged on Friday, the 29th
of August,1873, between the hours of 12 m. and 1 o’clock p.m.
At the conclusion of the sentence Judge Baker ordered the prisoner to
be returned to his cell, there to remain until the day of execution. Since the conclusion of his trial we have had almost daily interviews with him. Generally he was in good spirits and willing to give any information desired. But for the past week, and especially since Tuesday last, with the exception of a single day, Wednesday, he has not been so communicative and on one or two occasions has gave us to understand that he did not wish to talk to us or anyone else.
Although within distinct hearing of every stroke of the hammer as they were
applied by the carpenters in putting up the enclosure in which he was to be
hanged, and knowing what it all meant, it did not seem to worry him in the
least. In which Campbell was hung is situated in the southeast corner of the jail yard and fronts fifty feet on Washington Avenue, by twenty-five feet on Twentieth Street. It is built of boards, sixteen feet high, and was without roof or covering of any kind.
From a beam running across the entire width of the enclosure and resting on
and stayed by a strong joist, was suspended two iron pulleys—one at the end
of the beam and the other in the center. An inch hemp rope was passed
through these pulleys, and at the end of the rope next to the side of the
enclosure was attached two iron weights weighing in the aggregate in the
neighborhood of four hundred pounds. By means of a small rope also passed
through the pulleys, these weights were drawn up to a height of ten feet,
where, the small rope being made fast to a stake driven deep in the ground,
they were securely held.
on the sidewalks and in the streets around the county jail. By eight
o’clock, no less than five hundred men, women, and children had come
together, and the crowd was gaining new accessions every minute. However,
no one was admitted to the jail yard but those who could produce tickets
signed by Sheriff Irvin.
At about nine o’clock Mrs. Campbell, mother of the doomed man, made
her appearance at the gate of the jail yard, in company with Mr. Thomas
Jenkins and Anthony Ramsey. She was admitted to the yard and
conducted to the corridor on the ground floor of the jail where she and her
friends were seated. Scarcely had they sat down when
in which the remains of the doomed man were to be carried to their last
resting place, was driven up before the jail yard. The coffin was brought
into the yard, and to get it on the inside of the enclosure, it was
necessary to pass within full view of Mrs. Campbell. When the poor
woman saw the coffin she burst into tears, and gave vent to her feeling in
such a manner as to be heard in almost any part of the jail.
All this time the crowd in the streets was increasing, and it is safe to say
that by ten o’clock there was fully fifteen hundred people on the ground.
But while the crowd was large and constantly increasing there was order and
good behavior on all sides.
At a few minutes before ten o’clock, a rumor was circulated about the
courthouse and jail that Mr. Oberly of The Bulletin had
received a telegram from J. J. Bird, stating that he had succeeded in
getting Gov. Beveridge to grant Campbell a respite for 30
days. The report put everyone on tip-toe to ascertain the truth in regard
to the matter, and it was not until Sheriff Irvin announced that he
had not been notified of any such action on the part of the governor, that
the hubbub created by the report subsided.
At ten o’clock Sheriff Irvin received the following telegram from
Gov. Beveridge:
This settled the matter, and that the day of doom for
Campbell
was at hand was settled beyond a doubt.
Several times during the morning The Bulletin reporter tried to get
to see the prisoner, but was always met by the same remark, “Campbell
don’t want to see anyone but his relatives, personal friends and spiritual
advisers this morning.” Failing to see Campbell himself, we sought
Jailor Fitzgerald, whom we felt sure could tell us as much about
Campbell
as the prisoner himself could. From Mr. Fitzgerald we learned that that he was in good spirits and healthy, and had had a good night’s rest. He was communicative with those with whom he was well acquainted, but did not want to be bothered by newspaper reporters or those who came to see him “just because he was to be hung.”
It was now nearly fifteen minutes past ten o’clock and the crowd outside was
still growing larger, and it was becoming apparent that a little excitement
prevailed. At a few minutes past ten o’clock a posse of thirty armed men under command of ex-Mayor Thomas Wilson, were marched into the jail yard, where they were divided into reliefs of ten men and assigned to duty on the outside of the jail yard.
Chief of Police McHale with the entire police force also arrived at
about the same time, and at once forced the crowd to retire to the opposite
side of the street, and by order of Mayor Wood, closed several
saloons in the vicinity of the courthouse where it was feared too much
liquor was being sold. Shortly after ten o’clock Rev. Jackson of the African M. E. church of this city, arrived and in company with Mrs. Campbell, Mr. Jenkins and one or two others, proceeded to Campbell’s cell, and they engaged in prayer with him. This service was continued for upward of an hour and then mother of the prisoner bade him a last farewell and took her departure. The separation of the mother and son on this occasion was truly affecting—the mother weeping bitterly, and the son, whose life was so soon to be forever blotted out, speaking words of comfort and cheer to her. Mrs. Campbell was then taken away from the cell, and taken to the house of a friend in the lower part of the city.
Rev. Jackson and the rest of the party shortly after also retired and
the prisoner was left alone.
for the last act of the terrible—the execution of the prisoner. Sheriff
Irvin, as cool and deliberate as we have ever seen him, evinced a
determination which was truly commendable—that of leaving nothing undone
that would tend to shorten the sufferings of the doomed man.
and the time of William Campbell upon earth is now less than thirty
minutes.
began to move to and fro, and all eyes were turned in the direction of the
entrance.
at precisely four minutes past 12 o’clock a murmur ran through the crowd in
front of the hall leading into the jail, of the approach of the prisoner
from his cell. At five minutes past 12
Campbell,
surrounded by a
led by Sheriff Irvin entered the open place between the courthouse
and the enclosure. As Campbell
stepped down off of the porch he caught sight of the large crowd on
Twentieth Street, the greater part of which was negroes. As he saw them he
took off his hat and cried at the top of his voice: farewell, farewell, all; I am going to leave you forever, farewell. I am going to rest. Thank God, I am going to rest.” Stepping inside the enclosure he continued: “Thank God, I am going to rest from this troublesome world. The Lord has freed my soul, thank God I am going to rest. I have made my peace with God, and I am willing to go. Mr. Irvin, I am willing to go; I am willing to go.”
He then sat down in a chair, Sheriff Irvin standing behind him with a
hand resting on each shoulder. At the conclusion of the third stanza, Campbell said, “I thank,” and then stopped. Campbell assisted in the singing, and his voice could be heard above all the rest. At the conclusion of the singing of the hymn, Rev. Jackson read a chapter from the Bible, after which he made a short prayer. During all this time Campbell was very quiet and never moved a muscle. When Mr. Jackson had finished his prayer, Sheriff Irvin knelt down and pinioned Campbell’s feet, and rising took another short strap and pinioned his hands behind his back. This done, he asked Campbell if there was anything he wished to say. Campbell replied: “Thank God, I am going home; thank God, my troubles are over.” Aside to Sheriff Irvin he said, “I want you to see my mother back home.” Sheriff Irvin said he need give himself no trouble about that. He would see that his mother got home safe. Campbell then said, “Thank God, the Lord has forgiven me.” Jenkins held on to Campbell’s arm as if to support him. He did not seem to like this, and said, “Take that away, there will you; I can stand.” Sheriff Irvin then asked Campbell if he had anything further to say. Campbell replied that he had not. The rope was then adjusted about his neck. Just before the white cap was drawn over his face, Sheriff Irvin stepped up to and placing his arm about Campbell’s body kissed him on the cheek. The sheriff then said: “Are you ready, William?” Campbell: “I am ready.” Sheriff Irvin then stepped back, caught up a hatchet, and at precisely 21 minutes after 12 o’clock cut the small rope by which the weights were suspended. The heavy weights came down with a crash, and Campbell’s body was thrown up at least eight feet, the rebound being fully two feet, and which broke his neck instantly. At the expiration of six minutes the body hung motionless, and to all appearances life was extinct. He died almost without a struggle. Drs. W. R. Smith, C. W. Dunning, and H. Wardner were in attendance, and at the expiration of 12 minutes and 20 seconds announced life extinct. From the report of the doctors in attendance, the action of Campbell’s heart ceased, 12th minute, 20th second; and the pulse ceased beating at the 7th minute and 20th second. At the expiration of twenty-six minutes the body was lowered into the coffin and turned over to Rev. Jackson and Mr. Thomas Jenkins. It was taken to the Seven Mile burying ground for interment. When Campbell was carried into the air yesterday, the weights falling on the other side made a loud noise. At this moment the crowd on the outside became convulsed and one huge wench ran forward crying out “Come on you niggers and let’s bust the white trash!” The stability of the males more or less occasioned by the sight of numerous weapons of warfare perfectly disgusted the wench and her lip fell away down on her breast.
She was as brave as Zenobia and braver than Cleopatra and yet couldn’t raise
a riffle of enthusiasm. Twas too bad! She has our sympathy and may the Lord
preserve her from the gallows.
Mr. Edward Cody, foreman of the gang of men, was taken sick yesterday
morning and compelled to quit work, and it is supposed the men dug too far
under the bank and as a consequence it caved in upon them. The men were all
brought to this city and placed in St. Mary’s Hospital, excepting Drum,
who is a married man and was taken to his own home. Dr. H. Wardner
was in attendance on the wounded man.
William Campbell, the slayer of the steamboat mate, Doyle, was
strung up by the neck until he died, and thus the law has been satisfied.
We question the wisdom of the execution, and do not believe that the
unfortunate man was guilty of premeditated murder, but that is neither here
nor there. Campbell has
been choked to death, and right or wrong, the verdict which sent him to the
grave cannot be changed. As a reformatory punishment, it certainly cannot be said that it worked the reformation of the criminals for any worldly purpose. It sent many bad men from the wickedness of this world to the righteousness of the world to come, but so far as the criminal is concerned it does not reform him for society. The gallows has, if we may believe the testimony of divines and dying culprits, manufactured many good angels, but it has not made one good citizen of any country.
If hanging is an institution to be maintained, because it is a method by
which society gets rid of dangerous characters, we had neither heard not
read any arguments that have convinced us that this is a fact. If killing
is necessary, there are many better methods of taking life than the method
of the noose. To die by the cord is not a painful death; and the
formalities which surround an execution by choking with a cord, make the
criminal a kind of hero, and the public is more injured than benefited by
the display. If a man must be killed, kill him in a room at an hour unknown
to the public and take his life with out parade and as suddenly and
painlessly as possible. The horrors of a secret death would do more to
restrain the hand of murder than all the gallows in Christendom. But, in
fact, a man even a bad man, can be put to better uses than the uses of a
corpse. Resolved, It has pleased the Supreme Architect of the universe to summon from his labors on earth, our beloved brother, John Rice, calling him by His Omnipotent will to that judgment which awaits all who are toiling on earth; and Resolved, That the brotherly ties which have so long bound us in mutual friendship and enjoyment to our desperate friend, and severed no more to be united until the grave shall yield up its dead; therefore Resolved, That we earnestly sympathize with the relatives and friends of our deceased brother, and tender them that consolation which the world can neither give nor take away, and that we will wear the usual badge of mourning thirty days.
Resolved,
That a copy of this preamble and resolutions be forwarded to the family of
our deceased brother and be published in the daily papers. I had an interview with the governor on the train, between Joliet and Springfield, and having stated to him the nature of the petition and voluminous documents accompanying it, desired that he should grant a respite of the sentence thirty days, until he could have time and opportunity to investigate carefully the evidence in the case, as well as the petitions, among which was one emanating from the citizens of Omaha, signed by three members of the bar, ex-Governor Saunders, and many prominent citizens of that place; also weighty private letters from your honor and Judge Mulkey.
The impression made by the language of the governor “that he would send a
telegram to the sheriff and review the matter” was in my opinion explicit
enough, and, in connection with his manner and apparent acquiescence in the
arguments used by me in support of the necessity of the postponement of the
execution of Campbell’s sentence, was conclusive to my mind of his
intention in the matter; in consideration of which I forwarded the above
mentioned telegram.
(The 6 Sep 1873, issue of the Jonesboro Gazette reported the death of
Mrs. Mary Griffith on 3 Sep 1873, aged about 35 years. The 13 Sep
1873, Jonesboro Gazette reported the death of Joseph Griffith
on 4 Sep 1873, aged about 65 years.—Darrel Dexter)
(The 9 Sep 1873, issue reports his name as Mark Bunch.—Darrel
Dexter) Editor Cairo Bulletin—Six miles west of Jonesboro at the grading of the Mississippi bottom, cholera has been making some ravages. Five deaths occurred in one family. However, the disease has not yet attacked any other locality. Mr. John McElhaney, of Jonesboro, did of the disease last night. This was a sporadic case contracted in the bottoms. Mark Bunch, a very worthy man of about 35 years of age, was killed at the asylum on Saturday last, by the caving in of the side of a sewer, in which he was at work at the time. Life was extinct before his exhumation.
(The Saturday, 6 Sep 1873, issue of the Jonesboro Gazette reported
that Caroline, wife of John McElhany, died on 31 Aug 1873, aged 50
years. The death of John McElhaney was not mentioned in the
paper.—Darrel Dexter)
The following resolutions of respect were adopted at a late meeting of the
Hibernian Fire Company. Resolved, That in his death the Hibernian Fire Company has lost a zealous and enterprising member and the community at large a popular and upright citizen. Resolved, That we tender to the family of the deceased and to his numerous friends our deepest sympathy and condolence.
Resolved,
That a copy of these resolutions be furnished to the bereaved family and
that they also be published in the city papers.
(A marker in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Dennis Mahoney
Jr. Died Sept. 9, 1873, Aged 23 years.—Darrel Dexter)
Lucy Crane, one of Grace Winsor’s soiled doves, raised a great
commotion yesterday in and in the vicinity of the castle. Lucy is an
affectionate lady, as tender-hearted as a pigeon, and she clings to one man,
whom she calls her lover. Yesterday she received the sad intelligence of
her lover’s death. Did Lucy weep? Did she put on weeds and allow grief to
pray upon her virgin heart? “On the contrary quite the reverse,” as the
good Captain Bunsby was in the habit of saying. She did what any
true woman, of genuine sensibilities would have done under similar
circumstances. In short, she got drunk—very drunk. Drunkenness is
mourning. After this mournful duty had been performed, Lucy impelled by
sorrow, procured a hatchet, and endeavored to tearfully strike her sister
doves on the head, all for the love of her dead lover. But they all
retreated from the table at which they had been dining. The weeping Lucy
then proceeded to smash all the dishes visible, to overturn the table and to
dash out the window panel with her fist. She struck one blow too much and
her arm in a fearful manner and began to bleed like a stuck sow and scream
like the steam whistle of the steamer
Illinois. A large crowd was
attracted, the policemen whistled, boys shouted and all that part of the
city was soon in a commotion. Martin and Cain arrested the
sorrowing and bleeding maiden and after Dr. Wardner dressed her arms,
lodged her in jail, she mourned for her dear departed all last night. The
sorrows of the demi monde are as violent as they are noisy.
Mr. James C. Arick, whose death was announced in these columns
yesterday morning and whose funeral will take place today, was born at St.
Clair, Belmont County, Ohio, on the 18th day of October
1848, and consequently was twenty-five years of age at the time of his
death. He was a student at Racine (Michigan) College, from which he
graduated in 1866. Leaving college he came direct to Cairo, where he
engaged in the commission business with his father, Mr. A. A. Arick,
the firm continuing to do business up to 1870. Leaving the firm he accepted
a position under Dr. Tagert, supervisor of revenue for Utah
Territory. Early in 1872 he married Miss Lizzie Wells, of Salt Lake
City. Shortly after his marriage he returned to Cairo and entered the
services of J. M. Phillips & Co., wharfboat proprietors, his father,
A. A. Arick, being a member of the firm. Mr. Arick was still
in the employ of J. M. Phillips at the time he was taken down sick.
He was probably as well known in Cairo and among river men as any young man
in the city, and was popular among those with whom his business brought him
in contact. He was a young man of fine business attainments and had a
bright future before him.
At a meeting of the Hibernian Fire Company, held on Thursday evening, the following resolutions were adopted: WHEREAS, It has please Almighty God in his Divine Providence to take suddenly from our midst our esteemed brother, Dennis Mahony, therefore; Resolved, That the Hibernian Fire Company do sincerely mourn the death of our brother, who just entering into manhood gave great promise of future usefulness as a true fireman and upright citizen. Resolved, That by his death the company has lost an active and prompt members, and the community an industrious citizen, and that we offer our sincere condolence to the afflicted family and friends of the deceased.
Resolved,
That a copy of the resolutions be presented to the family of the deceased,
and that they be published in the daily papers. At the last regular meeting of the Delta City Fire Company the following preamble and resolutions on the death of the late James C. Arrick, were adopted: WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, in his infinite wisdom, to remove from us in the early dawn of his manhood, our beloved friend and brother, James C. Arrick, Therefore be it Resolved, That in his death the Delta City Fire Company has lost a faithful and consistent member, and the community at large a true and upright citizen. Resolved, That we tender to the family of the deceased, and to his numerous friends, our heartfelt sympathy in this their great and sudden affliction.
Resolved,
That a copy of these resolutions be furnished to the bereaved family, and
they also be published in each of the city papers.
(Matthew D. Gunter married Eliza R. Billings on 25 May 1871,
in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Some six or eight weeks ago, believing himself well enough to work, he went
back to the wharfmaster’s office in the capacity of night collector of the
wharfage. But he was two weeks ago and was again stricken down, and as time
has proven for the last time. During the last four or five days of his
illness, death was almost hourly looked for and though sick unto death, he
suffered very little pain, yet he was conscious of the fact that his end was
near at hand. He did not complain but was resigned to his fate and willing
to abide the will of his Master. We are sure that every one who had even
the slightest acquaintance with Lawrence McKee will agree
with us when we say he was a good man. In his death his aged parents are
bereft of a noble son, and the community at large of a good citizen. Dilts, the Murderer of George Dennie, in Dog Tooth Seventeen Years Ago, Arrested at Last. The readers of The Bulletin already know that several days since Sheriff Irvin arrested in Kansas a man named of Elijah B. Dilts, and brought him to this city, where he is now confined in the county jail; but very few know anything of the circumstances surrounding the crime for which he was arrested, and it is our purpose in this item to relate them so near correctly as possible. In the year 1856 Dilts was a resident of this county, and lived in Dog Tooth Precinct. There also lived in Dog Tooth a man by the name of George Dennie, and Dilts and Dennie were not friendly. On one occasion Dilts and Dennie had a quarrel, which culminated in a rough and tumble fight, in which Dilts was severely worsted. Two weeks afterwards Dilts, in company with several other men, met Dennie in the road near the residence of Hezekiah Remmick, and picking up a club made an assault on him. Dennie twice succeeded in getting the club from his assailant, and both times threw it away. Dilts again picked up the club and attempted to strike Dennie with it, but the, latter a third time succeeded in getting it away from him, but before Dennie could dispose of the club Dilts drew a pistol and shot him dead. The murderer was arrested, and admitted the killing, remarking that he had “killed one d----d dog,” and he “would kill two more before night.” The county jail was then at Thebes, and it was there that Dilts was confined a portion of the time, and the rest of the time he was confined in the Union County jail at Jonesboro. After being in jail some eight or nine months he succeeded in making his escape, since which time he has been at large. According to his own story, after his escape from prison he traveled over Kentucky, and a great portion of Missouri, at one time going from Sandoval to St. Louis in the same car with John Hodges and C. C. Cole, then sheriff of this county, he being unknown to them. After going first to one place and then another for four years, he at length settled down in Leavenworth County, Kansas, where by industry and economy he succeeded in accumulating some property. However, he was regarded among his neighbors as a dangerous man, and is represented to have killed the stock of those with whom he was at enmity. On once occasion, while engaged in a dispute with one of his neighbors, he said that “he had had to leave one state, and if people were not careful he would have to leave another.” Several months ago, Sheriff Alex H. Irvin, by some means, obtained information of Dilts’ whereabouts. Several weeks ago he armed himself with the proper documents and started for Kansas, where he found Dilts living on a farm about one mile from Fairmount Station on the Kansas Pacific Railroad in Leavenworth County. After arresting Dilts, Sheriff Irvin immediately started for home, where he arrived on last Wednesday morning, safely lodging the prisoner in the county jail. At the time Dilts was arrested the identical pistol with which he shot Dennie was found upon his person.
The finding out of Dilts’ whereabouts, his arrest, and bringing him
back to this county, are all achievements of which Sheriff Irvin may
justly feel proud and will be duly appreciated by the people of this county.
A number of persons, in some way, connected with the river, were a few weeks ago attacked by a disease which at first was not suspected to be the yellow fever. Several of them died, and then it was said yellow fever had taken them off. The doctors at first denied the presence of yellow fever in the city began to shake their heads and to say: “It may be the yellow fever.” And it may be, but if it is, this is not a fatal type of the disease. The only deaths have been young Arrick, Powers, Hughes, Fielding and Pitcher, all of whom were frequenters of the wharfboats, and one or two other persons, while there has probably been in this city a hundred even more than that number of cases of the disease now called the yellow fever. The percentage of deaths has not been six and we believe we may say there is as great a percentage of deaths when any fever is prevailing here. Last September the mortality in the city was as great as this year, but this year a number of persons well known have died, and the fact has been commented upon. When any old citizen of Cairo dies, so healthy is the city generally, the fact creates alarm and the presence of an epidemic is at once suspected.
There is no occasion for alarm, but every precaution should be taken by the
authorities and citizens. Houses in which the disease makes its appearance
should be disinfected, and we would suggest that there can be no good result
from visits to the bedsides of the afflicted, unless called there by a sense
of duty. In some cases, where the yellow fever symptoms have been marked,
whole “flocks” and “droves” of citizens have called to see the sick person.
Our advise is to be careful and pray for a white frost.
Wednesday, 1 Oct 1873:
Yesterday morning little John McAllister, a colored boy aged about 7
years, with his brothers, visited William Fountain, another colored
boy about 10 years of age, to play with him. While they were engaged in
some game they espied a flock of partridges near the slaughter house outside
of the Mississippi Levee, and William remembered that his father had a
revolver with which partridges might be shot. He told his companions to
wait until he got it, and that they would have some fun. Having procured
the pistol, the young hunters started in search of the birds, but did not
find them. While they were walking together William pointed the pistol at
John when John’s brother told him to put it up that it might go off.
William let the muzzle drop, saying that the tribe had only a little powder
on it, and almost immediately after pointed it at John again and pulled the
trigger. The pistol was discharged, and the bullet entered John’s right
breast a little below the nipple. John ran a short distance and fell dead.
About half past nine o’clock this morning the people living in the vicinity
of Washington Avenue and Fourteenth Street were horrified by the report that
Fred. Blankenberg, the baker, had committed suicide. A short time since he spent considerable money in fitting up the small frame house on Fourteenth Street directly in rear of his property fronting on Washington Avenue. The work on the house was about completed, and from which he expected to realize a handsome interest on the money invested. But, unfortunately, during the storm that prevailed, on Sunday evening, the house was blown down, wrecking it so badly as to make it a question whether it would pay to rebuild it. This misfortune seemed to make him more despondent than ever. This morning about nine o’clock he went into a room occupied by himself and wife, and some of his smaller children, as a bedroom. He set down on the edge of the bed in which the children slept, and after talking to this wife a short time asked her if she “did not want to be shot.” She said no, and started to leave the room. Just as she got to the door leading into the kitchen, she saw Fred put the revolver to his head and fire, and immediately fell back on the bed. In a short time several persons who were in the saloon in the same building, and a man employed in the bakery, came to his assistance, when it was found that the ball had entered just at the edge of the forehead and passed into his brain.
Drs. Gordon and Evans were called in and gave it as their
opinion that the wound was fatal, and that it was only a question of time as
to how long he might live.
(Frederick Blankenberg married Agustua Heaude on 21 Nov 1867,
in Alexander Co., Ill. He married Magdalene Schad on 9 Jan 1870, in
Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Just as we go to press we
learn of a desperate affair which took place at Mound City this morning
between two negroes, which resulted in the murder of one and the escape of
the other. Owing to the lateness of the hour we were unable to learn more
than that at about ten o’clock this morning, a colored man, who for some
time past has been in the employee of Mr. H. G. Carter, as teamster,
and another negro became involved in a quarrel; that the former fired four
shots, three of which took effect in the body of the latter, killing him
almost instantly. The murder succeeded in making his escape and crossed the
river into Kentucky. We will give full particulars tomorrow. In yesterday’s Bulletin we stated that a murder had been committed at Mound City, but owing to the lateness of the hour at which we received the news we were unable to give the full particulars. Since then we have ascertained the following, which we suppose to be nearly a correct statement. For some time past a colored man named Morris and a mulatto girl (name unknown to us) have been living together in Mound City as man and wife, though they were never married. The girl, tiring of Morris, left him and becoming acquainted with another colored man named Smith, a teamster in the employ of Mr. H. G. Carter, they became engaged to be married, and on Thursday last the couple came to Cairo, where a license was procured and they were married. Morris learning that they were to be married, declared that he would kill one or the other of them, that they should never live together. Smith, it seems, after he was married told some of his friends in this city that he expected to have trouble with Morris, and was almost afraid to go back to Mound City where he could not help meeting him. But he did go back, and yesterday morning while passing along the street met Morris. His words passed, and they came to blows when Smith drew a revolver and fired four shots at Morris, three of them taking effect, two in the breast and the third in the head. Morris fell and died in a few minutes. Smith succeeded in eluding the officers, and finally succeeded in crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky. At last accounts he had not been arrested.
(The Saturday, 18 Oct 1873, issue of the Jonesboro Gazette states
that Tom Morris was shot and killed by Henry Smith in Cairo on
10 Oct 1873. Henry Smith married Belle Morris on 24 Sep 1873,
in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Some weeks ago Col. S. Staats Taylor, of this city, employed Mr. C.
Musser, late assistant civil engineer of Toledo, Ohio, to take charge
of the surveying department of the Cairo City Property Company in this
city. On Monday last Mr. Musser arrived in Cairo, and on Tuesday
morning began his labors.
St. Louis, October 13—The Evening Dispatch has a special from
Carrolton, Mo., giving an account of a terrible tragedy enacted near there.
It appears that Robert Austin, a young farmer, residing about eight
miles from Carrollton, has for some time suspected the infidelity of his
wife. Friday morning last Austin
left home, saying he was going to the St. Louis Fair, and would be absent
several days. He went to the depot but returned home after dark and
secreted himself in a closet in his wife’s bedroom, armed with a
double-barreled shot gun. His wife soon retired and shortly afterwards
Elijah Halley entered the room, undressed himself and just as he was
getting into bed, Austin
sprang from his concealment and fired at him, but missed his aim, the shot
entering his wife’s abdomen. Austin
fired again at Halley and killed him instantly. The affair created
intense excitement by reason of the prominence of all parties concerned.
Young Austin
is the son of Col. Austin, one of the oldest and wealthiest farmers
in Carroll County. His wife was the daughter of Dr. Flournay, a
prominent citizen of Fayette County. Young Halley was a brother of
Elders Thomas and Henry Halley, both prominent in the Christian
Church. Mrs. Austin died Saturday afternoon.
Austin
surrendered to the authorities. (James Price
was murdered in Cairo on 27 Dec 1866, by Charles Shelton and Charles
Brooks.—Darrel Dexter)
DIED.
(Henry
Eichoff married Katie Foehr on 19 Mar 1871, in Union Co.,
Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
(Jacob Martin married Amarala Arter on 4 Oct 1863, in Pulaski
Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Saturday, 1 Nov 1873: “A colored man in this city by the name of -----, who pretends to be a Christian and member of a church, permitted his wife to suffer and his new borne babe to die of neglect. When it was dead he wrapped it in a cloth and put it in the ground. Such a man is not worthy of the name of a man or Christian.”
On questioning the man who brought the note, he said that the colored man
referred to had allowed his wife while in child birth to be alone, when the
child was born he neglected to give it attention and in a short time it
died, when he wrapped it in a cloth and buried it. The name of this worse
than wretch can be had on application to the “local” of The Bulletin.
Miss Belle Fosgate, daughter of the late Mr. Blanchard Fosgate,
whose death and burial occurred this week, also died yesterday and will be
buried from the First Church at 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. It will be
remembered that a son of Mr. Fosgate a young man, also died only a
few weeks ago. The death of Mr. Fosgate and Miss Fosgate are
attributed principally to excessive grief, and are therefore particularly
sad. Mrs. Fosgate, two sons and a daughter are now all of the family
that remains.
(Blanchard Fosgate married Sophronia Smith on 1 Sep 1842, in
Kendall Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
We find the following paragraph in the St. Louis Republican: The late Gen. W. F. Thornton, of Shelbyville, was a blood relative of the brilliant and eccentric John Randolph of Roanoke, and near of kin to Gen. Lee. He knew Jefferson personally and sat at the same table with the elder Adams, discussed affairs of state with Monroe, contended in friendly argument with Jackson, was the warm friend of Henry Clay and the recipient of Clay’s confidence and regard, and twenty years ago was the recognized compeer and friend of Douglas and Lincoln in the North and Bell and Breckinridge in the South. Writing about Gen. Thornton, father of our fellow townsmen, W. W. Thornton, Ex Senator William A. Richardson, editor of the Quincy Herald, says:
In life we knew him for forty years. He was the finest conversationalist we
have ever had the pleasure to meet. His information was varied and
accurate. We would probably express our meaning better by saying his
information was universal and profound. His conversation was charming and
always instructive. He had the rare faculty to adopt himself alike to the
learned and the unlettered; he was alike interesting to both. With
opportunities to know many of the distinguished men of the nation, we have
no hesitation in saying that in conversation Gen. Thornton excelled
them all. We add this lead to the memory of our deceased friend. On the Mississippi River, four miles above Belmont, there is a place known to river men as “Lucas Bend” or “Tar’s Landing.” At this point there is a store—a country store—which like most all other country stores, is not devoted to the sale of any one particular line of goods. Dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, powder and shot, and last, though not least, whiskey is sold at this store. The proprietor, Joseph Klug by name, was doing a good business and accumulating considerable money. Recently, having more ready cash than he desired to put into his business, Mr. Klug purchased a forty-acre tract of land. The purchase of this land by Mr. Klug in some way interfered with the arrangements of a farmer named Washington Strother, who owned the adjoining farm, and the two men became bitter enemies. On Monday last Strother went to Klug’s avowedly for the purpose of settling the trouble between them. The two men talked their troubles over, and agreed to drop all further ill-feeling with reference to it. Then Klug and Strother went to the rear end of the store room and had a drink of liquor together. Having disposed of the liquor, the two men started for the front door, and when within a few steps of it, Strother stepped back as if to allow Klug to pass out first. But that was not his intention—he was bent on revenge. As they neared the door, Klug a few feet in advance, Strother drew from his pocket a huge knife, and with one blow cut Klug’s throat from ear to ear. The wounded man fell to the floor, and expired without uttering a word.
After committing the deed Strother stepped to the door, and wiping
the blood from the knife on the door jam, left the premises. In a little
while the news of the murder spread throughout the neighborhood, and a large
party of citizens started in pursuit of the murderer. He was overtaken
several times, but being mounted on a fleet-footed horse, succeeded in
keeping out of the reach of his pursuers. County Constable Russel,
of Belmont, came up with him once, and found that he was accompanied by two
other men. He ordered them to halt, but they turned to run toward the
woods. Russel fired, and succeeded in wounding one of the parties,
who he captured. The wounded man stated that Strother was also
wounded by having been shot by someone further down the road, but that his
wound was not serious. At last accounts the murderer was at large. Klug,
the murdered man, was well known to a number of gentlemen in this city.
(George Lohr married Catherine E. Rayman on 27 May 1866, in
Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
(Patrick Walder married Ann Rollan on 16 Jan 1863, in
Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Editor Bulletin—I have another sensation to report. On yesterday (Friday) about 10 o’clock Mr. George W. Bulliner, living in Williamson County, while on his way to this place was waylaid and murdered. He was about three miles from town and while passing through a strip of woods some unknown person or persons fired upon him with buckshot. Two shots were fired, both taking effect. He fell from his horse to the road, where he was picked up by persons who were in the immediate vicinity. Some four or five persons heard the report of the gun, but _____ (line missing) planned. Mr. Bulliner had, the day previous, arranged to meet a gentleman in Carbondale to attend to some business matters. The assassin concealed himself in a tree top that formed z perfect screen and fired upon his victim at a distance of some fifty or sixty yards. Mr. Bulliner lived about two hours after being shot. He conversed with those who came to his assistance, but expressed no knowledge as to the perpetrator. The murdered man was about fifty-five years of age. He was a wealthy farmer. For a number of years a bitter feud has existed between his family and some of his neighbors. It is generally believed, however, that he was murdered by someone who is a stranger here, but had known Mr. B. in Tennessee before he came here. It is said that while he lived in that state he was taken out to be hanged by a mob, but was saved through the entreaties of his wife. Since he has lived in this part of the country his cotton gin has burned at one time his hay stacks at another, and his dwelling attempted to be fired at still another. He was indeed a desperate man and led a desperate life.
It is greatly feared that this is only the beginning of a series of
murders. He has four sons, all like himself, and all accustomed to deeds of
blood. The neighborhood is a noted one for rows, cuttings and shootings,
and the end is probably not yet. At about six o’clock this evening Mr. George Brush, brother of Col. Dan Brush, went into the Planter’s House and in the act of registering his name, spattered some ink on the register, whether purposely or by accident is not known, but most probably by accident. This offended Mr. Werner, the clerk, and a quarrel ensured. At this juncture Isaac W. McDonald, proprietor of the hotel, interfered and took up the quarrel on the part of the clerk, shoved Brush out of the door, and as he did so shot and instantly killed him. McDonald was arrested.
The city is in a fever of excitement over the affair, and threats of
application of Judge Lynch are freely made by the more excited of our
citizens. Both parties were well known in this county, Brush being
very popular. McDonald is a Scotchman, desperate character, and has
few friends in this city.
This is to certify that we the joint heirs of the estate of Dennis Mahony,
have this day received from William Kuchenbecker, agent of the
Teutonia Life Insurance Company, one thousand dollars in full for policy on
said Dennis Mahony. Accept our thanks for the prompt payment of the
above policy.
Col. Brush, the uncle of the murdered man, as the city attorney, has aimed to enforce and execute the ordinances by a faithful discharge of his public duty. McDonald has been twice arrested and brought to trial for selling ardent spirits without license, and Col. Brush as been officially required to prosecute the case. This secured for him the enmity of McDonald, who has been regarded as a very desperate and dangerous character; and Col. Brush was stricken down by a sudden blow in the dark, which it is believed that McDonald gave; and efforts were made to burn and destroy his residence, also, although there was no detection of the guilty person. McDonald was a saloon keeper in Murphysboro some four years since; had previously been in the mines; and for the last two or three years has lived in Carbondale. Nobody entertains a good opinion of him, and he has always borne the odium of his neighbors as a reckless and criminal man. It is believed that he murdered Mr. G. W. Brush out of revenge and spite toward Col. Brush. At twelve o’clock yesterday, the sheriff and the posse of armed men were fearful that McDonald would fall into the hands of the mob. They are with the prisoner, and yet the house outside is surrounded by people who intend to lynch McDonald if they can get at him. Such is the report from there. Mr. Brush was not a quarrelsome man. He was of good habits and respectable connections—a genial companion and an honorable man. He was well known in Carbondale, where his murder occurred, having been almost raised there. In 1861 and 1863 he was the military telegraph operator at Mound City. In the fall of ‘63 was captured by the rebels at Union City, after receiving a wound in the arm. He was taken to Andersonville, and in that, and at Libby Prison, was confined for nearly three years. On his release, he returned home in broken health and went westward to live. For about six years he has been merchandising in Missouri, Kansas, and Indian Territory. It is but a little while since he returned to Carbondale on a visit.
He leaves two brothers, one sister, and a large number of friends to mourn
the calamity of his murder, and invoke vengeance on the guilty hand that
slew him.
(A marker in Cairo City Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Hermina Tessier
daughter of M. & M. Tessier, born Oct. 26, 1867, died Dec. 17,
1873.—Darrel Dexter)
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