Monday, 5 Jan 1881:
The Soet family is still in the same condition of want and misery as
they have been heretofore and, if possible, are now more in need of public
charity than they have been. Yesterday, Mrs. Soet, with tears in her
eyes, appealed to neighbors for the necessary goods for her sick husband.
She has not been idle all these weeks, but leaving her bedridden husband,
she sought and found washing to do, and has thus managed to supply absolute
necessities for a few days. Mr. Soet has been solely, but constantly
growing worse and is given up as a hopeless case by the attending physician,
Dr. Carter. He might, at first, have been taken to the hospital, but
he did not avail himself of opportunity and it is now too late for him to
enter there. We are aware that much has already been done by outside
parties to relieve the sufferer, but this assistance has come from too small
a circle and could, therefore, not be of long duration. The people of the
city should be appealed to by some of our prominent ladies, who have a
reputation for having large hearts and willing hands and who always succeed
in undertakings of this kind. It is to be regretted that in our city, where
food, clothing, medicines, money and kind people are plenty, there should be
a single helpless sufferer from want, even were he undeserving.
Thursday, 6 Jan
1881:
Mr. James Barclay’s little child was reported worse last evening and
no hopes were entertained of its recovery.
Saturday, 8 Jan
1881:
Died, at the residence of her sister, on Sixth Street, Rebecca M. Sturges,
wife of E. R. Sturges, at one o’clock yesterday morning of
pneumonia. The funeral services will be held at the residence of her
sister, Mrs. G. Cloyne, at half past nine o’clock this forenoon,
after which the remains will be removed to Beech Grove Cemetery. The
friends of the deceased are invited to attend.
Tuesday, 11 Jan
1881:
The Argus says: “The body of Mr. Samuel Halliday, which was
interred in his private grounds, near his residence, thirteen years ago, was
disinterred on Saturday last and removed to Beech Grove Cemetery. The
casket was opened, and while the flesh was found to be all gone, the
clothing looked as well as when first interred, colors as well as textures
being preserved. An infant child of Mr. John Aisthorpe’s interred
about a year ago was also removed.”
Thursday, 13 Jan
1881:
DEATH OF MR. CHARLES A. SAUP.
At about 7:30 o’clock last
night, Mr. Charles A. Saup, who for quite a time suffered from
consumption, breathed his last in the presence of a few relatives. He was
in the twenty-sixth year of his age and had been a resident of this city
from his nineteenth year. He was a printer by trade, and for many years was
foreman of The Bulletin job department, for which position he was
well fitted by reason of his thorough knowledge of the arts and mysteries of
the trade. None ever enjoyed the confidence of his employer more than he
and, truthfully may we say, that none ever deserved it more. An intimate
acquaintance with him for many years enables us to sincerely express the
highest appreciation of him for his many good qualities. He was a man of
firm convictions of right, faithful to all his engagements and uniformly
kind and thoughtful of the rights and feelings of others; a man of more than
ordinary acquirements, of active mind and of unusual frankness of speech,
whose heart was ever touched by the distress of others and whose thought
were ever for the comfort and well being of those about him. Of a
temperament that sought retirement rather than display, he did not fill so
large a place in the public gaze as he might easily have done if he had
desired. But these with whom he associated were his warm and steadfast
friends. He was a member of the Knights of the Mystic Krews of Comus,
members which, as well as many other friends, visited his bedside during the
last days of his lingering illness, and will ever cherish his memory. The
funeral will take place tomorrow when the hour of services and place of
burial will be made known.
Friday, 14 Jan 1881:
The funeral of Mr. Charles A. Saup will take place at two o’clock
this afternoon, at the residence of Mr. Miller, on Ohio Levee, at the
foot of Twenty-seventh Street, and proceed from there to St. Joseph’s
Church, from where the remains will be conveyed to the train at the corner
of Fourteenth Street and Ohio Levee, which will convey them to Villa Ridge.
The friends and acquaintances of deceased are invited.
Saturday, 15 Jan
1881:
The burial of Mr. Charles A. Saup took place, as previously announced
it would, yesterday afternoon at two o’clock. The Mystic Krew, of which he
was a member, turned out in a body with the Comique band, as well as many
friends and acquaintances. Services were held at the residence of his
sister at the foot of 27th Street and from thence the remains
were taken to St. Joseph’s Church. After the impressive services at the
church, the procession moved to the train at the foot of Fourteenth Street,
which took them to Villa Ridge, where all that was left of poor beloved
Charley was interred.
Sunday, 16 Jan
1881:
A colored woman, supposed to be the mother of the dead infant recently found
under the sidewalk at the corner of Twelfth Street and Ohio Levee, was
yesterday arrested by Officer Wims and brought before Judge
Olmsted for a hearing. A number of witnesses were heard, the testimony
of most of whom pointed to her innocence. The court discharged her.
Tuesday, 18 Jan
1881:
Mrs. C. O. Patier yesterday received a dispatch from Chicago,
conveying the sad intelligence that her mother, who has been ill for some
time, is about to die, having already lost the sense of hearing and the
ability to speak. Mrs. Patier left on the afternoon train yesterday
for the bedside of the invalid.
Saturday, 22 Jan
1881:
Mrs. Anna Lang, the mother of Mrs. Stansberry, died on
Nineteenth Street, yesterday, at the age of sixty-seven years. She was also
the mother of Mrs. Nesbeth, who resides in Indiana, and who has been
telegraphed to and upon whose arrival the funeral will take place. Mrs.
Lang was a very estimable lady and her death will create profound sorrow
among her many sincere friends.
An accident occurred on the Illinois Central Railroad, this side of Makanda,
yesterday morning, at about two o’clock, which was more destructive to life
and property than any that has lately occurred on the road. Four freight
trains left here for the north, night before last—each but a few miles
behind the other. At about one o’clock, while the foremost train was
passing over the trestle, this side of Makanda, and when the engine and
several cars had gained the other side of the trestle, it broke down,
precipitating a number of cars and converting them into an unrecognizable
wreck. Fortunately no one was injured on this train and the train back of
it was immediately flagged and safely stopped before it reached the wreck,
as was also the third train, but the fourth and last train was the one which
caused the havoc. Owing to a curve in the road at that point the engineer
was unable to see the signal until he was quite close upon the train before
him and then, with his best efforts, the disaster could not be averted, but
he remained at his post, as did also his fireman. The engineer of the third
train being unable to get out of the way on account of the wreck and train
ahead of him, gave his engine and reversed her in order to prevent her from
being shoved into the train ahead of him. This was effectual, but his
entire train, except the eight cars nearest the engine, was demolished, as
was also the entire fourth train, with the exception of a few cars. The
engineer on this train, named Morgan, sustained injuries which will
probably cause his death and the fireman named Sanders, whose home is
in Centralia, was killed and probably two brakemen, one of whom, however,
has only been found. Mr. Sanders, the fireman, was for some time a
resident of this city, but for several years has been farming near
Centralia. He was for many years past a trusted engineer of the road and
was a few days ago again pressed into service because of the scarcity of
firemen on the road. He leaves a wife and five children.
(The 22 Jan 1881, and 29 Jan
1881, Jonesboro Gazette identified the killed as William P.
Markham, of Makanda, and Mr. Sande__en.—Darrel Dexter)
Sunday, 23 Jan
1881:
A man named Marsh, whose residence is near New Madrid, boarded the
steamer Annie P. Silver at Memphis and paid for his passage to his
home. He was assigned a stateroom and demeaned himself in a quiet and
gentlemanly manner—attracting no special attention. Reaching Point
Pleasant, he left the boat, with satchel in hand, under the impression that
he had arrived at his destination, but being persuaded that he was mistaken
by the second clerk of the boat, Mr. Daniel Blake, again boarded the
boat. Shortly afterwards, while in the cabin, he had a fit and after
recovering therefrom went to his stateroom, but shortly afterwards came out,
again carrying his satchel. He tried the doors of all the staterooms, and
finding them locked went to the clerk’s office and insisted that he had been
carried past his landing and wanted the boat stopped. He then mounted the
stairs leading to the deck and made straight for the pilothouse, but before
reaching it, shot at a negro boy who was walking along the deck, in the act
of carrying a scuttle of coal. The boy dodged immediately upon seeing the
pistol leveled at him and secreted himself. Reaching the pilothouse, which
was occupied by the pilot, Capt. David Silver, and the second clerk,
Mr. Daniel Blake, Marsh opened the door slightly and pointing
his pistol at the clerk’s head, shot him through the temple before his
presence was noticed. A shiver ran through the clerk’s frame and, falling
from the chair, he was dead before he touched the floor. Marsh then
leveled his pistol at the pilot, but before he could shoot, Capt. Silver
had caught hold of it and received the bullet in his hand—thereby probably
saving the life of the pilot. A terrible struggle then ensued in which only
after the most desperate efforts, Marsh was overpowered and the
pistol taken from him by beating his head with a poker. He exhibited a
strength that was unnatural and almost equal to the combined strength of the
captain and pilot, and raved like a mad man. He was under the impression
that he was about to establish himself master of the craft and spoke in an
excited and disconnected manner. Upon reaching New Madrid he was put ashore
and it was learned there that he was generally known as a very quiet and
inoffensive man, who was well thought of by the people of the town. The
remains of Mr. Blake were shipped to St. Louis from Belmont. He was
one of the most popular clerks on the river, and was unmarried. These facts
we have from Capt. Silver, whom we found in the office of Dr.
Parker, where he was having his finger dressed.
Thursday, 27 Jan
1881:
AN ATROCIOUS MURDER.
ASSUMPTION, Ill., Jan. 25.—One of the most atrocious murders in the annals
of crime has been committed by Theodore Valrain, a French farmer,
living southwest of this place some four miles. He deliberately, and
without provocation, took his gun and shot his wife in the forehead, killing
her instantly. It is supposed he was intoxicated, as he was in town at 5
o’clock this afternoon. No arrest has yet been made.
Mr. T. D. Campbell, formerly sheriff of Ballard County, Ky., died at
his home in South Ballard, on the 16th inst., and was buried on the 18th
inst. He was a man of sterling qualities and generally known throughout
Southwest Kentucky, where his death at the advanced age of sixty years is
universally regretted.
Sunday, 30 Jan
1881:
The meanest, most contemptible and cowardly act was perpetrated here
yesterday by a mate of the Sam Roberts, on a deck hand. The
mate striking (so we were informed by the injured man) him on the head with
a piece of iron and fracturing it so, that it is thought by some it will in
all probability cause his death. We did not learn the man’s name; he was
suffering so we did not care to disturb him. There are always two sides to
a story, and for the present we shall not say anything further until we get
the full particulars in the case.
We called on Capt. D. H. Silver, of the Annie P. Silver,
yesterday, and found him suffering from the effects of a wound which he had
received at the hands of a lunatic, near New Madrid. It was thought that an
amputation of his finger would be made, but today he is resting easier and
he will likely not loose his finger, though he is suffering intensely with
fever, his pulse having gone up to 140. It will be remembered that Mr. Dan
Blake, a clerk of the Annie P. Silver, was killed by the
lunatic, and Capt. Silver was wounded in the hand, while taking the
pistol from the hands of the maniac, who has since died at New Madrid. Had
it not been for the timely efforts of the Captain, who saw in an instant
that it was a life or death struggle, or they would all be killed, and the
boat would have run into the high bank and every person on the boat would
have been drowned, the bank being too high for anyone to climb. We
sincerely hope that the Captain may not be so unfortunate as to loose his
finger, but may permanently recover. The Captain stated he had never before
realized such a terrible tragedy in life, although he had frequently read of
them.
Tuesday, 1 Feb
1881:
Last night about fifteen minutes to ten o’clock Mr. Mike Mahany, an
old resident of Cairo, and stepfather of our city clerk, Dennis Foley,
died at his residence on Nineteenth Street at a mature age. He had been
sick with quick consumption for about three weeks, and his death was quite
sudden and unexpected and will cause surprise and deep regret among those
who knew him. Owing to the lateness of the hour we were unable to obtain
full particulars. Services and funeral will probably take place tomorrow.
Sunday evening, at five o’clock, young Mr. Patrick Naughton breathed
his last, after a lingering illness of many months. He leaves behind him a
mother, two sisters and a number of more distant relatives and innumerable
sincere friends, who deeply regret his untimely taking off. He was
twenty-two years of age, at the time of his death, was raised in Cairo, and
had been an efficient and trusty employee of the New York Store, for five or
six years. Owing to an agreeable disposition and a freedom from
misanthropy, he was always looked upon as indispensable when any social or
other event was under consideration, and was a universal favorite with all
who knew him, both young and old. His funeral took place yesterday
afternoon at two o’clock by special train, and was largely attended.
One of the most painful duties which it has been our lot to perform for many
a day, is to record the death of Mr. James W. Stewart, a man who was
well known throughout this part of the country and highly respected for his
noble character. As is known by all readers of The Bulletin, his
death has been expected for some time, and it came yesterday forenoon at
11:30 o’clock. He suffered much and long from that dreadful disease,
consumption, which has never yet failed to carry its victims to the grave.
Mr. Stewart was born at Buffalo, New York, on August 23d, A. D.,
1842. He came to Cairo in the naval service of the government in 1862 and
remained here in that capacity during the years 1863 and 1864. He was
married to Miss Francis White, of this city, on October 2nd, 1866,
and was the father of two sons and three daughters, who, together with his
wife and other relatives, remain to mourn his death. Leaving the naval
service he entered the employee of Halliday Brothers and shortly
after became connected with the City National Bank, where, with the
exception of about two years, when he engaged in business for himself, he
has remained until his death. He was a fine penman and bookkeeper, a true
Christian, a kind husband and father, and an ever ready and faithful friend
to all who ever knew him, or needed him. He was a member of the Baptist
Church and of the Knights of Honor at the time of his death. His remains
will probably be taken to Uniontown, Ky., for burial, where other members of
his family have preceded him.
Wednesday, 2 Feb
1881:
The funeral of Mr. J. W. Stewart took place yesterday afternoon, at
two o’clock. A large concourse of citizens—friends of the deceased—followed
the remains to the steamer Gus Fowler, which conveyed them to
Uniontown, Ky., for burial. The Knights of Honor turned out to the number
of ninety-one or two and the Comique band headed the procession.
Yesterday the cabin boy of the steamer John Dippold, Ed Reed
by name, fell overboard while the boat was lying at the old elevator and was
drowned.
The trial of General Buford, which was going on in Owenton, Ky., for
some weeks, is ended and the murderer has been acquitted on the flimsy plea
of insanity.
The funeral of Mr. Michael Mahanny, who died night before last, will
take place today at 1:30 o’clock. Services will be held at his late
residence, on the corner of Nineteenth and Poplar streets, form whence the
procession will move to the train, at the foot of Fourteenth Street, which
will leave for Villa Ridge at two o’clock. Friends are invited.
DEATH OF MRS. W. W. THORNTON.
The following dispatch was
received at this office at 9:15 o’clock last night:
“SHELBYVILLE, Ill., Feb. 1st, 1881.
Cairo Bulletin:
This afternoon at two
o’clock, suddenly, after a long and painful illness, died Mattie W., wife of
Mr. W. W. Thornton, second daughter of Dr. John S. Moore, of
St. Louis, Mo. Funeral at Shelbyville Friday.
T. M. Thornton.”
Mrs. Thornton was an
old citizen of Cairo, universally known and beloved, and her unexpected
death will awaken feelings of sorrow in the breasts of all who enjoyed her
acquaintance while a resident here.
Thursday, 3 Feb
1881:
The funeral of Mr. Michael Mahanny took place yesterday afternoon, at
two o’clock. The remains were taken from the residence on Nineteenth Street
to St. Joseph’s Church on the corner of Cross and Walnut streets, where
services were held and from whence the procession moved to the train at the
foot of Fourteenth Street, which took the remains to Villa Ridge, for
interment. The attendance was large, for Mr. Mahanney was an old
citizen and had many friends.
Yesterday morning Mr. D. J. May, an old conductor on the Illinois
Central railroad, died of consumption at Centralia. His death is much
regretted by the employees of the road, with whom he was a general favorite.
Friday, 4 Feb
1881:
A young man named L. R. Rivers, an employee of the Mississippi
Central Railroad in East Cairo, had both his legs badly mangled by an engine
night before last. His foot was caught in a guide rail, which threw him
down with his left leg across the track, and the engine, passing over it,
nearly severed it in twain and broke his right leg below the knee. Dr.
Parker amputated one leg and set the other, and though the poor sufferer
rested apparently quite comfortably through the night, he died yesterday
morning, about eight o’clock.
Saturday, 5 Feb
1881:
The acquittal of Tom Buford, the murderer of a muchly honored and
peaceable man, upon the ground of lunacy, creates much newspaper comment
wherever it becomes known, and we have yet to see a single printed item that
does not either ridicule or denounce the jury for their imbecility. Tom’s
brother, Sinclare, was also tried for murder and acquitted, upon the ground
of insanity. He was then tried for insanity, and was acquitted upon the
ground of sanity. The same farce will probably be enacted in Tom’s case.
Sunday, 6 Feb
1881:
A prominent citizen of Dongola, and member of the Order of Odd Fellows, and
Knights of Honor, named M. Bame, died on Thursday of last week.
(The 29 Jan 1881, 5 Feb
1881, and 12 Feb 1881, issues of the Jonesboro Gazette reported that
Judge Michael Bame died Tuesday, 25 Jan 1881, at his home in
Dongola.—Darrel Dexter)
Tuesday, 8 Feb
1881:
Saturday night last the little five-year-old girl of Mrs. Kent,
daughter of Mr. Francis Klein, died at the home of her parents, on
Twelfth, between Walnut and Cedar streets. She has been sick only a few
days with diphtheria. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, at 2:30
o’clock, the remains being conveyed by special train to Villa Ridge for
interment.
(Anna Kline married
John Kent on 4 Aug 1874, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Mr. John Howley left yesterday on the 11:20 train for Forest City,
Mo., in response to a telegram informing him of his brother Michael’s death.
Sunday morning, at two o’clock, the little two-year-old daughter of Mrs.
Sullivan, sister of Mrs. H. Wells, died after an illness of about
a week with measles. The remains of the little sufferer were followed to
the Illinois Central train yesterday afternoon, at about 4:30 o’clock, by
the nearest relatives and the friends of the family and were sent to Rising
Sun, Indiana, for interment. Mr. Morse accompanied them to their
last resting place. Mrs. Sullivan could not attend them because of
the serious illness of her little son, Willie.
ATTEMPTED MURDER
AND SUICIDE.
A Drunken Man First Nearly Kills his Wife and Then Makes An Attempt Upon His
Own Life.
Yesterday evening about 5:30
o’clock a horrible tragedy was enacted in a little eating house just above
the passenger depot of the Illinois Central railroad. It was one of those
horrible acts, which cause brave men to shudder, and all men to become
rooted to the spot with utter amazement. The actors in the affair were
tolerably well known in the community, having lived here for a number of
hears. Thomas O’Neil, an Irishman, and generally known as a very
rough character, was married to a widow named Mrs. Kennedy sometime
ago, who was keeping one of the small restaurants above the depot
aforesaid. Tom was in the habit of getting drunk and generally became
extremely rough when in that condition, but had intervals of soberness when
he was more peaceable. He was employed on Eighth Street some time ago,
overseeing the chain gang that was at work there breaking rock, but since
then he has been laying around, drinking and carousing. Yesterday evening
he came home beastly drunk, and when he entered the door, his wife was
kneeling on the floor scrubbing. It is not known whether words passed
between them or not, but it seems that, without giving her any cause for
suspecting his intentions he picked up a chair and struck her over the head,
fracturing her skull and knocking her insensible. He then grasped a razor,
and with one slash at his throat, severed his windpipe. The affair
immediately became known and Dr. Parker was called to do what he
could under the circumstances, and we learn from him that the woman will
survive. O’Neil will also probably survive. While there are many
expression of sympathy for the woman, there are none for the brutal would-be
murderer.
Wednesday, 9 Feb
1881:
Mr. Elijah Dickerson, who lives near Commercial Point, and who has
been suffering for some time with dropsy, is reported to be just alive. Hi
stepdaughter, Miss Minnie Worthington, who was here on a visit to Mr.
J. H. Metcalf, was sent for yesterday and left for his bedside.
(Elijah Dickerson
married Mrs. Melinda Worthington on 4 Jan 1877, in Alexander Co.,
Ill. Benjamin Worthington married Malinda Baumguard on 1 Dec
1861, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
Yesterday morning, about nine o’clock, Thomas O’Neil was taken by
Officer Dunker and Mr. Naughton from his place on Ohio Levee
and conveyed in an ambulance to the hospital. He was stretched out on a
mattress and seemed to rest tolerably easy. On the way to the hospital he
spoke to Mr. Naughton, instructing him to inform some friends in a
small town some miles north of us of what had occurred and speaking about
other matters that related to himself and his friends until the hospital was
nearly reached, when he ceased speaking and lay silent for some moments.
Suddenly he threw out both arms, exclaimed, “Oh! I’m in h--l” and expired,
his head resting in Mr. Naughton’s arm.
Mrs. O’Neil is not so badly injured as was at first supposed and will
get over her injuries all right. She was resting quite easy last evening.
Yesterday morning, at nine o’clock, the nine-year-old daughter of Mr. E. C.
Bush, died after an illness of some days with a disease of the
spine. The remains will be taken to Charleston, Mo., via the iron
Mountain this afternoon.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
Died, after a few days
illness with measles, at 6:30 o’clock yesterday evening, Dennis, infant son
of Mrs. Devine. The remains will be taken to Villa Ridge by the
Illinois Central train, at two o’clock p.m., today, starting from the
residence, near the corner of Fourteenth Street and Ohio Levee.
Thursday, 10 Feb
1881:
The remains of the child of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Bush, which died at
their residence on Poplar Street Tuesday morning, were taken to Charleston,
Mo., yesterday.
The funeral of the infant son of Mrs. Devine took place yesterday
afternoon, at two o’clock. The remains were taken to Villa Ridge per the
Illinois Central train.
Captain Mathew Williams, an old river man, died at Vicksburg on
Monday last. His remains arrived here yesterday and were taken by the
Gus Fowler to Paducah. He was engaged on the river, in different
capacities, almost from his youth up and has been a captain of different
steamboats since his twenty-second year. He was a very agreeable gentleman,
which accounts for the fact that, during the three or four years that he was
captain of the James Fisk Jr., he became very popular with the people
of Cairo and, in fact, with all those who were acquainted with him. A short
time ago he was captain and part owner of the steamer Dean Adams, but
he sold out his interest in her and invested it elsewhere—in another boat,
we understand. He leaves a wife and several children. He has also a
brother-in-law, Mr. Steyer, who is engaged in the wharfboat business
at Golconda.
ANOTHER SHOOTING AFFRAY.
Our readers will remember
seeing in The Bulletin, some days ago, an account of a disgraceful
shooting scrape, which took place on the ferryboat Three States while
she was lying at the Missouri shore. The account was correct, except in
stating that both men shot at one another. Rollins did not return
Reeves’ fire, although he had a pistol and probably would have done so
had not Mr. Robert Devore, the clerk of the boat, shoved him into the
engine room, and thus stopped the dangerous game for the time being. But
Reeves, the assaulter in this instance, seems to have been determined to
spill gore for, seeing that he was foiled in this attempt he makes another
and more cunning, but also more cowardly one. Yesterday morning while
Rollins was quietly walking through the woods on the Missouri shore,
five men pounced upon him with shot guns in their hands and commenced
pouring buck shot into his body from all sides, shattering one of his arms
and seriously wounding him in the bowels, while his skin is literally
riddled with smaller shot. Fifteen shots were fired, and it seems that most
of them took effect. Reeves was the leader of the dastardly gang and
will not probably have the satisfaction of knowing that his bloody work is
well done. Three of the murderous crowd, including the fiend, Reeves,
gave themselves up to the authorities and will be ready to resume business
after they have satisfied twelve of their countrymen that they are subject
to occasional fits of emotional insanity, which will be in about two weeks.
Friday, 11 Feb
1881:
Our readers will learn with feelings of sorrow, that Mr. DeVoo,
father of Mrs. Thomas Sloo, died yesterday morning at 10 o’clock of
the effects of a partial paralysis, from which he had suffered a long time.
He died at the residence of his daughter, No. 7, Winter’s Row, at the age of
seventy-one years, and his remains will be sent to Madison, Indiana, by the
Illinois Central train at 4:30 o’clock p.m. today. Owing to the severe
illness of Mrs. Sloo, there will be no services.
(The 12 Feb 1881, issue
records his name as Mr. DeVott.—Darrel Dexter)
The Whitcamp murder case is set down for trial on next Wednesday
morning at 9 o’clock by agreement of the parties concerned.
Yesterday a young girl named Sara Johnson died, after an illness of
about two weeks with measles. The funeral takes place today from the
residence uptown. The remains will be taken to Villa Ridge on the Illinois
Central train.
It seems that we got things slightly mixed in our account of the Reeves-Rollins
shooting affray, in yesterday’s issue. If the reader will read Rollins
for Reeves and Kentucky for Missouri, he will have it right.
Saturday, 12 Feb
1881:
The remains of Mr. DeVott were sent to Madison, Indiana, per the
Illinois Central train at 4:30 o’clock p.m. yesterday.
(The 11 Feb 1881, issue
records his name as Mr. DeVoo.—Darrel Dexter)
The remains of Miss Sarah Johnson, were taken to Villa Ridge on the
Illinois afternoon train yesterday.
Lewis Harris, a colored man, died uptown day before yesterday, after
an illness of about eighteen months. He was in a destitute condition, and
his friends were out yesterday soliciting funds with which to defray the
expenses of his funeral, which is to take place this afternoon.
Sunday, 13 Feb
1881:
A miner named Charles Roach fell down one of the shafts of a mine
near Murphysboro night before last and was instantly killed, his body
showing signs of severe internal as well as external injuries. His watch
was stopped at 2:30 o’clock, which gives ground for the belief that the
accident occurred at that time in the morning.
Yesterday morning Mr. James Kennedy, an employee at Halliday
Brothers’ coal dump, when going to his work, found the body of a man lying
by the side of the fence, which surrounds the coal dump yard and notified
Coroner Fitzgerald of the fact. A jury was at once summoned and an
inquest held, which developed the following facts: He was a stranger named
J. M. Grover, who had arrived here some time ago from the
Pennsylvania oil regions and had since about the middle of last January been
employed at the new elevator, but quit some days ago, partly because he was
sick and partly because he wished to look for a new lodging house nearer to
his place of work. He was also seen by a number of men on Friday evening
when he seemed to be all right. There were no signs of violence about the
body and the jury brought in a verdict of death from unknown causes.
Mr. Huff, the former manager of the telephone exchange, has gone to
Whitefield County, Ga., to attend the funeral of his grandmother.
Tuesday, 15 Feb
1881:
The little one-year-old boy of Mr. Richard Powers died at the
residence of the family on the corner of Twenty-eighth Street and Commercial
Avenue yesterday morning. The funeral takes place today; the remains will
be taken out of this state, we understand.
A colored man died on Twentieth Street between Commercial Avenue and Poplar
Street on last Sunday.
Two grandchildren of a farmer named Wagner, living near McHenry,
Ill., perished in his house, which burned Wednesday night.
The remains of Captain Matt S. Williams were taken to Golconda, the
funeral taking place last Thursday, at two o’clock p.m., from the residence
of his father-in-law, Mr. Theodore Steyer, of that place.
(Matthew S. Williams
married Emma A. Steyer on 18 Oct 1877, in Pope Co., Ill. Theodore
Alexander Steyer married Ellen Sim on 14 Apr 1851, in Pope
Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
At Decatur last week Policeman Condon was arrested on a state warrant
for a too free use of the billey, and Policeman Johnson is in jail in
the same place awaiting trial for manslaughter, in consequence of the death
of one Carson from the effect of a clubbing received last week.
Thursday, 16 Feb
1881:
Hon. Fernando Wood expired at nine o’clock on the night of the 13th
inst., at Hot Springs, Ark. Since his arrival at the springs a short time
ago, he has been in a weak and almost helpless condition, which continued
without the slightest change until overtaken by death. His disease was
complication of gout and rheumatism; the springs were of no benefit to him,
and his physicians entertained no hopes for his recovery from the
beginning. The body of the deceased now lies in state at the Arlington
Hotel, awaiting the arrival of his brother. It is expected that the remains
will be taken east by tomorrow morning’s train.
Fernando Wood, of New
York, was born of Quaker parentage, in the city of Philadelphia, June 14,
1812, his father removed to New York in 1820, where Mr. Wood has
since resided. When nineteen years of age he commenced business as a
shipping merchant in which occupation he was entirely successful, retiring
with an ample fortune in 1850. He was three times elected mayor of New York
serving in that office during the years 1855, ‘56, ‘57, ‘61 and ‘62. He was
earlier a member of the House of Representatives, having served as such in
the years 1841, ‘42 and ‘43. He was elected to the Twenty-seventh,
Thirty-eighth, Fortieth, Forth-first, Forty-second, Forty-third,
Forty-fourth, and Forty-fifth Congress, and was re-elected to the
Forty-Sixth Congress as a Tammany Democrat, receiving 7,277 votes
against 6,480 votes for Hardy, anti-Tammany Democrat; 5,726
votes for Berryman Republican and 333 scattering votes.
Friday, 18 Feb
1881:
A special session of the circuit court was called and convened at seven
o’clock, yesterday evening, in order to examine a number of men who had been
subpoenaed by bailiffs during the afternoon for the jury in the Whitcamp
case. Six jurors had been selected on Wednesday, but of these one was
discharged yesterday, and during the day, although a great number of men
were examined, only one was found, so that at suppertime yesterday evening,
the former number (six) was again full. After seven o’clock only one more
was obtained, making the number seven. The names of the seven are: Matthew
Homes,
Sandusky; Jacob Christian, Thebes; J. M. Edwards, Hodges Park;
William Holmes, Sandusky; John W. Martin, Goose Island, W. H.
Gilmore, Cairo; Emanuel Holmes, Hodges Park.
A telegram received by County Clerk Humm from Dr. H. Wardner
at Anna yesterday afternoon states that E. G. Hobby, an inmate at the
asylum, died day before yesterday. Mr. Hobby was before he became
insane, a miller in the employ of Messrs. Charles Galigher & Son, (at
the time only Charles Galigher, we believe) and a very good man in
every way. He had purchased a couple of lots nearly opposite the high
school and built thereon a two-story frame house furnished it handsomely and
was living there with his wife in a state of almost perfect happiness and in
easy circumstances when his reason began to fail and he became hopelessly
insane—a terrible fate for anyone, but the more so in his case because of
the consequence which followed. He was sent to the asylum at Anna and his
wife remained here, but not long. Overcome by the shock of the sudden
change in her dream of happiness, and constant grieving over the loss she
had sustained, she too, lost her reason. She occupied the handsomely
furnished house alone now and everything in it mocked her. At least she
seemed to think so, for with axe in hand, she demolished all the furniture,
tore up the carpet and, together with curtains, bedding and clothing, burned
them in the yard. She broke the windows and doors and chopped up the floor
in the house, often to the amusement of the children of the high school and
others who understood not the poor creature’s irresponsible condition. Some
time ago she followed her husband to the asylum and it is probable, perhaps
it is well to hope—that she will soon follow him a step further into that
region, where, it is generally believed there is no exciting one’s highest
hopes of future bliss and then cruelly dashing them to the lowest depths of
misery.
Saturday, 19 Feb 1881:
The child of Mr. Michael Kobler, which has been sick for some days
with measles, died yesterday afternoon, a few minutes after three o’clock.
The funeral will probably take place tomorrow.
(Michael Kobler
married Elizabeth Kugler on 26 Oct 1863, in Alexander Co.,
Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
THE WHITCAMP MURDER CASE.
The circuit court was in
session all day yesterday engaged in the preliminary proceedings in the
Whitcamp murder trial. Only seven of the jurors had been obtained up to
adjournment the evening before, and hence the first business of yesterday
morning’s session was the selection of five more jurors. All the forenoon
was taken up in the examination of men and more had been subpoenaed at
Hodges Park who were to be down on the evening train, but at about 2:30
o’clock, in the afternoon, the jury was full and a dispatch was sent to the
country, informing the agent there of this fact and asking that no more
recruits be sent down. The jury is now composed of the following men:
Mathew Holmes, Sandsuky; Jacob Christian, Thebes; J. M.
Edwards, Hodges Park; William Sandusky, Sandusky; John W.
Martin, Goose Island; W. H. Gilmore, Cairo; Emanuel Holmes,
Hodges Park; Lewis Leath, Monroe McCrite, Marion West,
Henry A. Nelson, James F. Childers. The last five were chosen
yesterday. They are not prepossessing men—that is, they are not what may be
called a strikingly handsome group—but yet, when it is considered that under
the existing law but few men of intelligence could serve as jurors in a case
of this kind and that intelligence and regularity of features do not always
go together, they will do very well. Of one thing there can be no doubt,
and that is, that they will render a verdict in accordance with the dictates
of their consciences, guided only by the law, the evidence, the judge, and
the lawyers. Though their appearance as a body of men be a little uncouth,
their honesty of purpose cannot be questioned, and we believe that Mrs.
Whitcamp will get as fair a trial and verdict as anybody ever got.
After the jury had been
obtained, Mr. W. C. Mulkey proceeded to present his case to it for
the prosecution and after that the defense presented their side of the case
and then the court adjourned until the morning at nine o’clock, when the
taking of testimony will begin. The most important witness for the
prosecution is, of course, George Kohl, Mrs. Whitcamp’s
accomplice in the crime, and who is now under a life sentence for his share
in it, but is here on a writ of habeas corpus to testify to her
guilt. In conversation with several parties he spoke with much bitterness
of Mrs. Whitcamp who, he said, was responsible for his present fate.
“She is the snake that stung me,” said he, “and I’m going to tell the truth
about the whole business.” In answer to the questions whether he would tell
the same story now that he told at his own trial, he replied in the
affirmative.
Sunday, 20 Feb
1881:
In our list of jurors in the Whitcamp case, published yesterday
morning, a mistake occurred. Instead of “William Sandusky,
Sandusky,” it should have been William Holmes, Sandusky. With is
exception all was right.
A day or two ago a little colored girl was suddenly attacked with a fit
while crossing Washington Avenue from the courthouse toward Mr. J. H.
Metcalf’s store, and fell down in the mud laying there in a helpless
condition and crying. Her cries were heard and she was taken home and
shortly after died. She was buried yesterday.
Col. Egleton Carmichael, an old and prominent citizen of Metropolis,
Illinois, died at his home in that city during last week. His death leaves
a vacancy in the county treasurer’s office to which he was elected last
fall.
THE WHITCAMP CASE.
Kohl Will Testify.
Court opened yesterday
morning pursuant to adjournment, at nine o’clock and all went well until the
prosecution sought to place George Kohl on the witness stand to
testify in behalf of the People when the defense objected, chiefly upon the
ground that his religious belief was not such as would make an oath binding
upon him. Witnesses were brought to testify that he had said that “if a man
dies he dies like a dog,” as much as to say that there was no existence
beyond this and, therefore, no retribution for crimes or sins committed in
this life. But the prosecution took the ground that he (Kohl)
believed in a supreme being and in retribution in this life for sins
committed in this life and that, therefore, he would be punished here if he
swore falsely. Counter testimony was also offered by the prosecution
impeaching that of the defense and was sustained. In his way and in lengthy
arguments by different lawyers on both sides the entire day was taken up and
it was not until about 6 o’clock that the court decided in favor of the
prosecution, so that the first thing in order at the opening of court
tomorrow morning will probably be the taking of George Kohl’s
testimony. It is likely that when this case has been disposed of, which it
is believed, will be about Wednesday, the court will adjourn, as Judge
Browning was to open court in another circuit tomorrow already.
Tuesday, 22 Feb
1881:
The Whitcamp murder trial opened yesterday morning with George
Kohl on the witness stand. He was questioned up to four o’clock in the
afternoon by the prosecution and then Mr. Wheeler took him in hand
for the defense. He rehearsed all the horrible details of the crime in a
clear, straightforward manner, which left no doubt upon the hearers that he
was telling the truth. He repeated about the same story he told at his own
trial, which must yet be fresh in the minds of our readers and which we need
not, therefore, reproduce. Mr. Wheeler will resume his
cross-examination of him this morning.
Wednesday, 23 Feb
1881:
CIRCUIT COURT
Progress in the Whitcamp Murder Trial Yesterday.
The courtroom was crowded all day yesterday
with people of all classes, sexes, colors and from all parts of the city and
surrounding country. Every seat was taken and the side aisles were filled
nearly to the doors. Complete silence reigned among the audience, which was
broken but a few times during the day. Everybody was listening intently to
the questions of the lawyers and the answers of the several witnesses.
George Kohl was again
placed upon the witness stand in the morning and cross-questioned for an
hour or two, with regard to his relations with Mrs. Whitcamp, but the
bulk of his testimony had already been given and he was soon dismissed to
give place to others. Mr. and Mrs. Schlammer, who were neighbors of
the Whitcamps, were placed upon the stand and whose chief testimony
was that which corroborated Kohl’s, when he said that Mrs.
Whitcamp took her daughter, Caroline, and left the premises in order to
avoid being present while the crime was being committed. The Schlammers
testified that Mrs. Whitcamp and her daughter were at their house on
the fatal day.
Henry Whitcamp,
brother, and Fred Whitcamp, the nephew of the murdered man, were then
successively placed upon the stand and their testimony was principally
confirmatory of that of Kohl. They reiterated some of the facts as
to the actions of Mrs. Whitcamp subsequent to the murder by which she
sought to clear herself of suspicion. Among other things the fact she had
offered money for the recovery of her husband’s body and subsequently for
the capture of Kohl.
Nich. Williams was
examined in the afternoon and he told a very straightforward story. He it
was who elicited a confession from Kohl and helped to unearth the
remains of the deceased. He told how he obtained a confession and where and
how he, Sheriff Hodges and several others went to the scene of the
murder, and told Mrs. Whitcamp of their mission and how she had tried
to mislead them by telling them that her husband was drowned and offering to
show them where he fell into the water, etc., and how afterwards she had
acted when the lumber was being taken from her husband’s grave, saying that
had she known that he was buried there she would have taken him out long
ago; and then, when the footprint was discovered on the grave, how her left
slipper fitted it exactly. But we have no room for more. Court will open
this morning with other witnesses on the stand, and, from present
appearances, we judge that the case will be prolonged through the balance of
the week.
Thursday, 24 Feb
1881:
Mrs. Whitcamp was placed upon the witness stand last evening after
supper, but she had not finished telling all she knew when court adjourned.
Her examination will be resumed this morning.
THE TALK OF
THE DAY
Yesterday’s Developments in the Whitcamp Murder Trial.
Although days have been taken up in taking testimony in this all
absorbing case, it does not seem to become monotonous to the people who have
been crowding the courtroom day after day and listened with deep interest to
every word that was spoken by either witness or counsel. And this is not
strange; it is not to be wondered at, for the defendant has lived for many
years in the heart of the city and, together with her husband, the murdered
man, was well thought of in the community. She, the defendant, was
connected with the German Lutheran Church and took a prominent part in the
social events given by the Germans of the city. He, the murdered man, was a
Free Mason in good standing and a perfect gentleman so far as his
associations with the outside world was concerned. It was known however,
that, at times, the family relations were not as they should have been there
being many scenes from the fact that the immediate actors in this bloody
crime were well and favorably known here for many years; there is this
further fact that the Whitcamp family branches out into many members,
that is, there are many blood relations to it, all of whom are among our
best citizens, who enjoy the respect of all who know them. In the view of
these facts and the further fact that this tragedy is the most horrible ever
enacted by members, and in the immediate vicinity of this community, it is
not strange that the courtroom is continually crowded with people, who watch
eagerly the progress of the trial.
Court opened yesterday morning at the usual hour, the seats
outside the railing were soon filled with spectators and inside the railing
were the jury, the defendant, the lawyers for the prosecution and for the
defense and several bailiffs, while Judge ge Browning presided. The
prosecution proceeded to call up more witnesses, the first put upon the
stand was Mr. Henry Wells, cashier of the Alexander County Bank, who
being asked about the murdered man’s finances, replied as follows:
“Fred Whitcamp never had any account with us; I examined
our books and never found Fred Whitcamp’s name there; I have been in
the banking business for six years.”
The second witness was Henry Dunker, who testified to the
following facts:
My age is fifty-three years; I have been acquainted with Mr.
Whitcamp and Mrs. W. for seventeen or eighteen years; we visited
each other’s families; I heard of the death of Mr. W.; I heard it in
town; don’t remember who told me; I had a conversation with Mrs. W.;
she came to my house the fourth day of March, 1880; I think on Thursday
between nine and ten o’clock a.m.; I was in bed asleep; my wife woke me up;
I got up and saw Mrs. Whitcamp there; she said she had a great deal
of trouble, that her husband was drowned. My wife was there in the room; I
asked her (Mrs. W.) why she hadn’t come sooner, that she only came
when in trouble; she said she hadn’t time, that she had been busy; I asked
her why she didn’t bring in the news sooner; she said she had no conveyance
across the chute, and that the old man had a chance to buy a skiff at that
time, but he wouldn’t do it, and that she was afraid to cross with Kohl
on a raft; I told her what I had seen in the paper about George’s arrest; I
asked her if she had a pistol or gun at home; yes, she said, they had an old
gun and pistol at home. I saw her again the next day; she came to my house,
very early in the morning, between seven and eight o’clock; I don’t remember
who woke me up; my wife then went in the back room; she looked very uneasy;
her actions were peculiar; she asked me if I wouldn’t come over here at the
courthouse and see George Kohl and tell him not to say too much, and
that he should tell the old story, and that he should ask for his
preliminary trial as soon as possible; she said she didn’t like to go to the
penitentiary; she said she would give me two hundred dollars, but didn’t say
what for; she said she wanted to go on her farm and take are of it, that
Henry Whitcamp told her to. I afterwards visited her at the jail; I
think this was the 10th or 11th of March; I told her I
had seen the examination of Kohl in the paper; she asked me how the
people in town took it; if they were much excited. I told her yes, they
were a good deal excited over it; my best impression is that she then said
in a low whisper that she did not like it because they had found Fred; she
then rung her hands and lowered her head; she then asked me if I could go to
Henry Whitcamp’s and get her prayer book and Bible; I then went over
and got the Bible and gave it to her.
CROSS-EXAMINED BY THE DEFENSE
I have known Mrs. Whitcamp a good many years; after I had
been there two or three times, the sheriff refused to let me see her any
more; I think I only saw her four or five times; Mr. Lansden gave me
a note and then Sheriff Hodges let me see her; I think Caroline
Whitcamp handed me the Bible. I also went to get her counsels,
Linegar, Lansden and Wheeler; I do believe in a God and
that a man is punished here on earth for his sins by the laws of the country
and by his conscience.
This concluded the evidence for the forenoon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Court convened about half past one o’clock in the afternoon and
the first witness called by the defense was Mr. James Summerwell, who
was questioned with regard to Dr. Hultz, who practiced medicine here
some years ago, having his office on Eighth Street in Mr. Whitcamp’s
house, and who, it was said, had offered to put “the old man out of the way”
by giving him a poison of his own composition. Mr. Summerwell
testified as follows:
I know Dr. r. Hultz; he had his office on Eighth Street in
Mr. Whitcamp’s house; Hultz was not here at the time of the
yellow fever in 1878; I think he left here three or four months before the
yellow fever.
CROSS-EXAMINED BY THE PROSECUTION.
He
was a doctor; a good deal of talk about his peculiar way of treatment.
The next witness was Mr. Brinkmeyer, of the firm of
Schmitt & Brinkmeyer tailors; who said that he had lived here for
twenty years and was acquainted with Mr. Whitcamp; that he was before
the grand jury and that George Kohl was before the grand jury twice
on different occasions, “and,” he continued, “his statement was part German
and part English; I acted as interpreter for him; Kohl testified that
Whitcamp wanted him to help him pull something out of the water and
Kohl refused and Whitcamp called him a s-- b---- and picked up
something—a stick, and George shot him; Kohl didn’t say that
Whitcamp repeated it, or that he threatened to kill Whitcamp;
Kohl said he had always resisted killing Whitcamp and that if he
hadn’t said that, he probably wouldn’t have killed him; Kohl said
from first to last that he was induced to kill Whitcamp by Mrs.
Whitcamp; Kohl said that he had backed out many times and might
have backed out this time if Whitcamp hadn’t called him that name;
Kohl said he went out on Tuesday and left his pistol under his pillow.”
SAMUEL E. WILSON
one of
the grand jurors testified for the defense as follows:
“I have lived here twenty-seven years; I am not acquainted with
Mrs. Whitcamp; was on the grand jury that indicted Mrs. Whitcamp;
I only remember of Kohl being in there once; I heard Kohl only
say that Whitcamp asked him to do something on Sunday and he
refused. That is all I remember. I didn’t hear Kohl say that if
Whitcamp hadn’t done so and so, he would (not) have been killed. All I
heard Kohl say was that Whitcamp wanted him to work on Sunday
and he refused.
John Gladney testified for the defense as follows:
I have seen George ge Kohl; I was present and heard a
conversation between him and Damron in the little room; Damron,
Kohl, Hendricks, and myself were present; Kohl talked
with Damron about five minutes; he said that on Sunday Whitcamp
was out pulling a long plank and asked him to help him pull it out of the
water; he told Whitcamp that he wouldn’t do it; Whitcamp then
called him a d--- s-- b----; Kohl said that if you call me that again
I will shoot you; he said he called it again and he shot him; he said if he
had not called him that, he would be a living man today. I do not remember
whether he was telling what he told someone else or not.
The next witness was Thomas Seeman, who said:
I have been in the cell with George Kohl since he came
back here; there were two of us in the cell with him; I have had a
conversation with him about this case; he told me Whitcamp had a
float, which he wanted to have out of the water and spike on some stronger
pieces; he said he had hauled it out as far as he could, and then asked him
to help him, he told him that it was Sunday and he could not do it; he
called him a s-- of b----; he said if he called him that name again he would
kill him; and Whitcamp said he could call him a hundred s-- of b----s
and he said he shot him; and Whitcamp said if he had not called him
that the s-- of b---- would be living today.
Kohl told me he came back to testify against Mrs.
Whitcamp and that he expected her to get a good dose, and if she went up
he would get a pardon in a year or two, and if she came clear, he expected
to have to stay.
MISS CAROLINE WHITCAMP
I am
the daughter of Mrs. W.; on the 22d of last Feb., 1880, I was on my
father’s farm; in the forenoon me and my father were on the water, Mother
didn’t go, we desired to go; we got back about noon; we eat dinner; me and
Mother went to the graveyard. I insisted on Mother going and she finally
consented and we went; we started right after noon; we came home at 5 p.m.;
we went to graveyard and from there towards home and met Mrs. Kilgore
and mother, after talking awhile with her, wanted to go home and I insisted
on us paying Mrs. Schlammer a visit; she gave in and we went up to
Schlammer’s and staid until 5 p.m.; we were at Mrs. Schlammer’s
one and a half hours; we found George Kohl at home; I was present
when the body was found. The shoes Mother had on were usually on the porch,
and we all used them to wear around. Mr. K. used them. I don’t know
where those shoes were the night after he was killed. The water was high,
we had a raft to cross the slough; three could cross safely on the raft.
That was the flat my father and I used that morning—that Sunday morning
Mother got on the flat, and it began to sink and Father told her to stay at
home. She was going with us until then. When we went in George was sitting
in corner of room and clothes wet hanging on pole. He said do you know the
news, and she said no, and he said your husband is drowned, and we looked
and finally believed it.
CROSS EXAMINATION
We stayed at raft before going up to Mrs. Schlammer’s;
this was on our way home; I don’t remember of hearing a gun; she said her
heart felt heavy while out that evening; this was on our way from
Schlammer’s; I told her to stop running so fast; we were then running
she said she was too fat to run. We run because it was late, getting dark;
Mother went after rope to the barn and I called her to come on with the
rope. She then came with the rope and we then went home together. Mother
and I got supper and we all ate as early as usual; 8:30 Mother told me to
sleep with her and I did; I went to bed first and then George; I never saw
Mother from the time she was arrested till the inquest.
William Hendricks was then called to testify in behalf of
the defense, but he protested that what he knew of Kohl’s
conversation with Damron was gained while acting with Damron
in obtaining evidence for the prosecution and that therefore he did not
think it right to testify. The court held, however, that this was merely a
question of courtesy between counsel; and that, if the defense insisted upon
it he must testify. The counsel for the defense insisted and Mr.
Hendricks said what he knew of a conversation had between Damron
and Kohl in the presence of himself and Gladney in one of the
small rooms in the courthouse. What he said was confirmatory of Gladney’s
story. He was the last witness examined before supper. An extra session
was held after supper at which more testimony was taken, which will appear
in connection with today’s proceedings in our next.
Friday, 25 Feb
1881:
THE WHITCAMP TRAGEDY
The
Defendant’s Testimony
Since the defense has been
bringing forward its witnesses, the popular verdict as to the probable
result of the trial has been somewhat modified in the defendant’s favor.
Several breaches were made in the testimony of George Kohl and one or
two others, which have had a weakening effect upon the prosecution that is
patent to all who paid close attention to the progress of the trial, and
that will be felt by them to the end. Yet they have a good case and their
lawyers, being young men of talent and energy, will not fail to present
their side in the strongest possible manner. The lawyers for the defense
are satisfied that they have the strongest side of the case and are just as
confident of success as are their opponents.
The popular interest in the
case is unabated—in fact increasing as the trial progresses. The courtroom
was again crowded within a few minutes after court convened yesterday
morning, a number of ladies being present. Mrs. Caroline Whitcamp,
the defendant in this case, who has been on the witness stand a short time
at the night session of court the evening before, was again called upon the
stand as the first witness for the defense yesterday morning. Her
testimony, including what was elicited from her at Wednesday evening’s
session, which did not appear in yesterday’s issue of The Bulletin,
was as follows:
I am forty-four years old,
have lived here twenty-eight years, have been married twenty-six years, was
married in Cairo. I have lived here all the time until we moved out on the
farm and raised two crops; we lived on Eighth Street before we moved onto
the farm. I remember when Kohl came to my house; it was on the 14th
of October 1878; my husband employed him; I worked on the farm at my work in
woods; I hoed corn, plowed, planted potatoes, milked, etc.; I was not at
home on the eve of my husband’s death; I was at the graveyard seven miles
from here; have three children buried there; Caroline, my daughter,
persuaded me to go; I would not have gone had she not insisted upon it; in
the morning wanted to go with them (Kohl and my husband) and got on
raft and it sunk with us and my husband said I couldn’t go; I stayed at home
and worked; they came home about noon; we ate dinner and as I washed dishes
Caroline said, “Let us go to the graveyard,” but I said no, and after the
dishes were washed she repeated her wish to go to the graveyard, and I again
refused; she again insisted and I finally went. We walked on the fence to
the slough; I shut my eyes in crossing the slough because water makes me
dizzy. We went to the burying ground and stayed there until three o’clock;
we came back to the railroad track and met a man named Hillman on the
track. We then saw Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore below the crossing place
three hundred yards away; then, in about fifteen minutes, we went to the
flat to cross and topped a short time when Mrs. Schlammer came along;
we were near the road seven or eight feet from the road; I stood on the side
of the road; we had heard Schlammers were not at home; Kilgore
told us they were not at home; Schlammers were coming from Cairo;
Mrs. Schlammer said I have been to your house two or three times, and
now you must come along with me, but I said no, I must go home; Mrs.
Schlammer said it is not late, come on, and so Caroline and we went and
walked; the wagon in which Mrs. Schlammer rode was a single one-horse
wagon and very small; Mr. Schlammer got there first, but not five
minutes before we did; we stayed there one and a half hours; we then went
home down the railroad; Caroline ran and I ran also; I had been to the
graveyard and thought of my boy, and I was so fat, that is why my heart was
heavy. After we left Schlammers’ we went home at four or five
o’clock p.m.; from the flat to where I got the rope is about fifteen feet;
We went to the house and saw George Kohl there and I asked him where
Mr. Whitcamp was and he didn’t answer me; I asked him again, and he
said he was drowned. I called him and he didn’t answer me as he usually
did; I asked again, and he said the same. George said nothing more about my
husband being drowned. I did nothing but try to cross the slough Monday; I
fell into the water and got sick; George wouldn’t go over again; I tried to
get him to go over; I was not well the whole week; I came to town Saturday;
it was corn planting time when I went after George at Sackberger’s;
he wouldn’t go with me; my husband sent me; I had no other business; George
had had my husband’s horse a week; he came as far as Fitzgerald’s
saloon; the second time my husband sent me; I also had butter and eggs;
George had been here then one week; Mr. Whitcamp said water was
getting high and he wanted George there to help take care of the stock; I
never had any conversation with George Kohl about killing my husband;
I went to Henry Whitcamp’s when I came to town and told him of
Whitcamp’s death. I stayed in town until Monday; Kohl said, “We
were on the river and I jumped off, and the bank caved in and we fell in and
a stump saved me.” He said he was wet and wanted to put on dry clothes; he
did not say at what place Mr. Whitcamp was drowned; George said they
both fell in as they got off the boat; he never told me any different story
about my husband; we never talked any more with him that evening; I didn’t
feel well; next day I didn’t do nothing; when I went to the farm Henry
Whitcamp told me it was better to pay Kohl off; I told him I had
no money and he let me have fifteen dollars; I don’t know how much was
coming to Kohl. I gave Kohl no money then or afterwards; I
never said anything to him about leaving, for the reason he said he was
going to stay there and take care of the stock. I get there Monday about
ten o’clock a.m., afoot; I gave that $15 to Henry Whitcamp, the cow
had a young calf and I milked her; I left about ten o’clock a.m.; went to
Ann Harris’ one hour, and then went to Cairo; I went home about three
o’clock a.m., nobody went with me; Ann Harris wanted to go across
with me, and I didn’t want her to; I went out next morning; Caroline and
Emma Whitcamp went with me; we got out there at ten or eleven o’clock
a.m.; we walked; we found nobody there; George Kohl took me across on
Monday and back again Tuesday; we met Schlammer on the other side of
levee; he said Fred told him to tell me to telephone for George; the girls
said, “Let’s go and see what clothes he wore;” Fred said on Sunday something
was wrong; Tuesday when we went out, somebody was over on the other side,
and we waited until they came back; we came back same day and went to Henry
Whitcamp’s; I stayed here until Wednesday and went back; I don’t
remember who went with me that day; Thursday noon I got the meat at
Williams’; had no conversation with him at all; never was at his shop
afterwards; he never put his hand in mine; the barn is a double barn; I
never heard or knew of Kohl digging any hole; I saw Kohl
pulling planks Monday morning; I did not know that Kohl was going to
leave; I did not tell him at any time to leave; I left the stock and things
in charge of Kohl; me and my husband got along first rate, except
when he was drinking, he mistreated me; he got drunk after the divorce
matter was settled; when he was sober he was a mighty good man; my husband
proposed that the property be made over to me; he came over to me; I told my
husband that when he gave two lots I would come back; I went back to him; in
about three weeks I filed another bill for divorce; I know Ann Harris,
I heard her statement yesterday; I had a conversation with Ann Harris
about my husband’s death; I told her he had the money on Sunday; I do not
know when he got it; I told her my husband was drowned and told her he had
money and I shouldn’t wonder if Kohl had killed him for the money. I
told her my husband asked me for pocket book and I gave it to him, I told
her I tried to get Kohl to go and report it and he would not go; I
told her about the drowning of my husband, as Kohl had told it to
me. I have known Henry Dunker for some time; I visited his family
some, not much; I was at his house twice as he said; I was speaking to him;
no one was present; I didn’t tell Dunker to come over and see Kohl
for any purpose whatever; I was talking to him about my husband’s death.
Dunker had acted as my friend; I had no conversation with him at any
time about coming over to see Kohl; I did not offer him any money for
doing anything for me; I went back to the farm on Thursday to stay; I was
there on Saturday when Hodges, Fitzgerald and Williams
came out; I told them that Kohl told me he was drowned; someone told
me to come and show them my husband; I asked them if they wanted to go out
to the Mississippi; they told me to come behind the stable and they would
show me my husband; I was not out there when they took the plank off;
Caroline, George and myself wore the shoes; I had the shoes on in the
morning, when the men came out there; I never knew of Kohl’s having a
pistol; I never had any agreement with Kohl about buying a pistol; we
had a gun and pistol about the house; I staid at the store on Eighth Street;
it was Christmas one year ago; I did all of the work in the store; we had a
storekeeper; I was not at home during that time; when Caroline persuaded me,
I consented to go to the graveyard; I have always been afflicted with the
heart disease; the reason I run when I left Schlammer’s house was
because it was getting late; I did not see any large amount of money on
George when he came back the day of the killing; Mr. Dunker suggested
my attorneys as being the best men to employ; I did not pay Hendricks
any money for property; I never had any conversation with Kohl in
reference to Dr. Hultz.
Court adjourned for dinner
after Mrs. Whitcamp had finished her testimony.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION
commenced at 1:30 o’clock and the examination of witnesses was again resumed
by the prosecution. The first witness called was
MISS EMMA WHITCAMP,
who,
being asked whether Mrs. Whitcamp or her daughter suggested going to
the graveyard, replied, “Mrs. Whitcamp asked Caroline and not
Caroline Mrs. Whitcamp, to go to the graveyard with her.”
Mr. Heath was next called and said: “I am a shoemaker; I
was a member of the coroner’s jury; I remember of hearing the testimony of
Caroline Whitcamp; she said her mother insisted on her going to the
graveyard; Kohl’s foot measures six and a half inches, and a number
eight and a half shoe would make him an easy fitting shoe.”
Fred Whitcamp was
then called up by the prosecution, but the defense objected and were
sustained by the court, hence he did not testify. Mr. Heath was then
recalled to the stand and asked what the testimony before the coroner’s jury
was, as to who suggested a visit to the graveyard and he replied that it was
Mrs. Whitcamp and not Caroline, her daughter.
Ten
witnesses were then introduced with the object of impeaching Mrs.
Whitcamp’s character for truthfulness. These were Charles Edicker,
William Alba,
Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Tell, Mrs. Hofheinz, Mrs.
Walters, Mrs. Resch, Henry Block, Mrs. Shelly, and
H. Bloms. With the exception of Mrs. Shelly all testified
that Mrs. Whitcamp’s reputation as to truthfulness was bad. But we
do not deem if necessary to tire the reader by giving their testimony, more
especially since it was rendered null by counter testimony introduced by the
defense at the night session.
The examination of witnesses closed at about eight o’clock
yesterday evening and the argument for the prosecution was begun by Mr. W.
C. Mulkey. This forenoon will probably yet be taken up by the
prosecution and the defense will commence their argument at the afternoon
session. It is likely that the case will be given to the jury tonight or
tomorrow forenoon.
Saturday, 26 Feb
1881:
The argument of the prosecution in the Whitcamp murder case was
resumed yesterday morning by Mr. W. C. Mulkey, who occupied the floor
until about eleven o’clock a.m. when Mr. S. P. Wheeler followed for
the defense. Mr. Wheeler occupied the balance of the forenoon and
the afternoon until about four o’clock when Mr. Leek took the floor
for the prosecution again. He spoke until six o’clock and about two hours
after supper, when Mr. Albright followed him for the defense and
occupied the balance of the session, until about ten o’clock at night. He
will resume this morning and will be followed by Mr. Linegar, who
will speak until evening, perhaps, and Mr. Damron will then begin the
closing argument for the prosecution. The speeches so far have been
powerful and the interest is intense. Many ladies were present all day
yesterday.
Sunday, 27 Feb
1881:
Died, at Chicago, on Friday, the 25th instant, Arthur Mackie, late of
this city, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. The funeral will be held at
Jonesboro Cemetery, where he will be buried in the family burial place on
Monday morning, at eleven o’clock. The friends of the family are invited to
attend. (Anyone who desires to attend the funeral can take the train on the
narrow gauge at 8:45 o’clock a.m., arriving in Jonesboro about 10 and
returning can leave Jonesboro at 3:40 in the afternoon.—Ed. Bulletin.)
The Whitcamp trial was not quite concluded last night. Mr.
Albright resumed his argument for the defense yesterday morning and
spoke the greater part of the forenoon. Mr. Linegar followed him and
concluded the argument for the defense about five o’clock in the evening,
when court adjourned, until seven o’clock in the evening. Mr. Damron
then began his closing speech for the prosecution and finished by about ten
o’clock, when the case was given to the jury.
MR. A. MACKIE DEAD.
A telegram from Mr. John
Mackie, of Chicago, to Rev., B. Y. George, received here
yesterday forenoon, brings the intelligence of the death of Mr. Arthur
Mackie, which occurred on Friday and resulted form an internal surgical
operation performed upon him one day last week—about ten days ago. He had
been suffering for some years from an ailment, to cure, which was a risky
undertaking, but when he removed to Chicago he determined to brave all
risks. He employed the best surgical and medical talent in the city, the
operation was accomplished and it was thought at the time and for several
days afterwards that it had been entirely successful, for the patient seemed
to be perfectly at ease and convalescent. But it appears that though Mr.
Mackie was otherwise a hale and hearty old man, his constitution was not
equal to the strain to which it was subjected and he had to succumb even
after giving every reason to hope for a speedy recovery and a continuous
happy life for many years to come. His remains will be buried at Jonesboro,
Illinois, tomorrow morning, Rev. B. Y. George officiating.
Mr. Mackie’s sudden
death will excite the sympathy of this entire community because of his many
years residence among us, and the general favor with which he was regarded
by all.
(The 5 Mar 1881,
Jonesboro Gazette gives his name as Arthur Mackey, but his
gravestone in Jonesboro Cemetery, which has no dates, records the name as
Arthur Mackie.—Darrel Dexter)
Tuesday, 1 Mar
1881:
The Whitcamp trail is ended, the verdict rendered and the defendant
is a prisoner no more. She has gone through a terrible ordeal, which does
not, however, seem to have affected her very much, for she looks as healthy
and as robust as ever she did. As was stated in Sunday’s Bulletin,
the case was given to the jury at ten o’clock Saturday night and they
returned a verdict of not guilty at four o’clock Sunday morning. The court
convened on Sunday to receive the verdict (the law permits this to be done)
and the prisoner was released immediately after. We firmly believe that
with the evidence and the law given them, they could not have done
otherwise, and that they rendered a verdict in accordance with the dictates
of their consciences. But that said, verdict gives general satisfaction to
the people of this city, we are not prepared to say.
Wednesday, 2 Mar
1881:
Kohl, the man who killed Mr. Whitcamp, was taken back to
Chester, Ills., yesterday morning.
Friday, 4 Mar 1881:
A Mrs. Younger living in Graves County, Kentucky, about seventeen
miles from Paducah hung herself a day or two ago, after having quarreled
with her husband.
Saturday, 5 Mar 1881:
The negro who killed Mr. Zimmerman near Mounds Junction some years
ago and who was caught in one of the southern states, passed through here
yesterday enroute for Mound City to stand trial.
Some weeks ago John Doyle, of Moweaqua, near Decatur, Ills., died,
leaving wife and four children. Since then the house has burned up, with
all its contents, and on Tuesday the children died of diphtheria, leaving
Mrs. Doyle stripped of her all. So sad a case is very seldom
recorded.
Sunday, 6 Mar
1881:
The jury in the case of the man
Wilson
tried for murder in Pulaski County court, rendered a verdict of
manslaughter. He was sentenced to eight years in the penitentiary.
Samuel Redding, the negro who killed Mr. Zimmerman, a merchant
at Mounds Junction, in the year 1877, is now confined in the Pulaski County
jail and will have his trial at the present term of court. As was stated in
yesterday’s issue, he passed through here on his way from Mississippi, where
he was captured, to Mound City day before yesterday, in the custody of
officers of the law, and report reached here yesterday that he has made a
confession. The report is reliable. He denies having done the killing
himself and says that he was only an accomplice with two other negroes,
named respectively Porter Black and Johnson, who live near
Mound City. The former of these is a man that is well thought of by the
community, being an industrious man and in tolerably easy circumstances.
Redding
charges that Black did the killing and that Johnson and
himself helped to do the robbing. The story is believed to be false by
nearly all people who know the parties concerned, and this belief seems to
be well born out by the fact that Black and Johnson remained
and Redding
alone left for parts unknown. It is thought that he (Redding) thinks
by turning state’s evidence and throwing the weight of the crime on other
shoulders to better his own case, and hence his confession(?). Black
and Johnson have been arrested however, and are confined in jail to
await further developments in the case.
(The 8 Mar 1881, and 11 Mar
1881, issue give the names of the alleged accomplices as Black and
Perkins.—Darrel Dexter)
Tuesday, 8 Mar
1881:
The negro Redding
will have his preliminary examination tomorrow, when it will be established
whether or not there is any necessity of holding the two other negroes that
have been arrested. The feeling against him in the community where the
crime was committed is intense, and his story implicating the negroes
Black and Perkins is not believed.
(The 6 Mar 1881, issue gives
the names of the alleged accomplices as Porter Black and Johnson.—Darrel
Dexter)
Thursday, 10 Mar
1881:
Mrs. William Minor, a resident of Twenty-eighth Street is said to be
at the point of death from the effects of a relapse of measles.
The little one-year-old child of Mr. Richard Fitzgerald was very sick
yesterday with measles. It was thought to be beyond the help of physicians.
John Mann, who had lived in Randolph County, Ills., for 58 years,
died near Chester yesterday, aged 85. He was one of Gen. Jackson’s
heroes at New Orleans—a private in the 14th Kentucky regiment.
Many deaths have occurred this winter in the vicinity of Dongola. The
undertaker here, Thomas Rinehart, sent out twenty coffins in the
month of January, which he says is twice the amount that he ever furnished
before in the same length of time.
Friday, 11 Mar
1881:
Mr. Fitzgerald’s little daughter, May Lillian, died yesterday
morning, at ten o’clock, and will be buried this afternoon. Notice of
funeral in another column.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
DIED—at
half past 10 yesterday morning, May Lilian, daughter of Richard and Margaret
Fitzgerald, aged one year and two months. The funeral will leave the
corner of Fourteenth and Levee streets this afternoon at 2 o’clock, by
special train.
(Richard Fitzgerald
married Margaret Sheehan on 6 Jun 1877, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel
Dexter)
As previously announced the preliminary examination of the negro, Samuel
Redding, Mr. Zimmerman’s murderer, and his two supposed
accomplices, took place at Mound City on Wednesday afternoon before Esquire
Metz. The time set for the examination seems to have been well born
in mind by the people of Pulaski County, for long before the hour set for
the opening of the court, the courtroom was entirely filled with people,
both white and black. The excitement was intense and painful expectancy was
visible in every countenance. Mr. J. A. Goldstine and little Lena
Zimmerman went there from here—the latter to identify the murderer of
her father whom she had seen when he fired the fatal shot and whose features
she had firmly impressed upon her memory. Owing to the great crowd in the
court room and around it, it was decided to conduct the examination, or
rather the identification, in the jail building and there Miss Lena, Mr.
Goldstine, Esquire Metz, the sheriff, jailer and one or two
others went, excluding all curious lookers-on. A plan was decided upon that
would leave no doubt of determining which of the three prisoners was the
real criminal. The three prisoners were brought forth from their cells, and
manacled, as they were, placed shoulder to shoulder at one end of a room,
and then Miss Lena, who was kept in an adjoining room, was told that she
would be shown the prisoners, that she should scrutinize their faces closely
and that if she recognized either of them as that of the man who killed her
father she should keep it to herself until taken beyond the hearing of the
prisoners. She was then confronted with the three negroes, whose faces she
scanned closely. Black and Perkins bore the child’s gaze
without flinching, but
Redding
became somewhat agitated, averted his face and gave other unmistakable signs
of guilt. The prisoners were then removed, and the child stated that the
man to the right (which was
Redding)
was the murderer of her father. Other evidence, proving an alibi, was also
produced in favor of Black and Perkins, and they were released
upon a nolle, entered in their behalf by the state’s attorney. The
enthusiasm of the people was great and the freed prisoners were overwhelmed
with congratulations.
Tuesday, 15 Mar
1881:
A man named Gib White was shot by another named Harrison Sherfield
in Carbondale, Ill., last Friday.
Wednesday, 16 Mar
1881:
S. M. Gales, secretary of the Memphis cotton exchange, died Monday,
aged 58.
Three soldiers of the 18th infantry—Quinn, Kinney and
McDonnald—were drowned while trying to cross Marion River near Fort
Assineboine. Their boat upset.
Miss A. A. Garrison, of Cleveland, returning from Mardi Gras, was
found dead in her stateroom on the steamer Thompson Dean Monday
morning at Lawrenceburg.
Saturday, 19 Mar
1881:
Mart Gillen, a passenger conductor on the Illinois Central railroad,
died yesterday morning. He had been connected with the road for over twenty
years and was a general favorite among the employees.
Sunday, 20 Mar
1881:
A dispatch from Nashville, Tenn., dated 17th March, says: “Frank Badgett,
recently fireman on the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad,
committed suicide with laudanum today. He has a sister living at Cairo,
Ill.”
Wednesday, 23 Mar
1881:
Seven men who were under arrest for the murdering of the “tramp” near
Dongola, on the 7th of February, 1879, succeeded in getting their case put
off till next term of court. The case is certainly a vexatious one for it
is heaping up cost in huge piles for the taxpayers to liquidate in the end.
The funeral of Mr. John Gates’ little girl took place yesterday
afternoon at two o’clock. Two coaches were full of mourners who attended
the little corpse to Beech Ridge.
Mrs. Georgia Delay, wife of Charles Delay, who is well and
favorably known in this city, died at Parker’s Station, Mo., on the evening
of day before yesterday. The remains will be brought there and taken to
Beech Grove for interment. It is expected that the funeral will start from
here today.
Friday, 25 Mar
1881:
The funeral of Mrs. Heffly, who died several nights ago, took place
yesterday afternoon. A large number of the deceased’s friends followed the
remains to the place of interment, Beech Grove.
Saturday, 26 Mar
1881:
The little four-year-old child of Mr. W. B. Rodden, the Eighth Street
sewing machine agent, died night before last, of brain fever. The funeral
will probably take place today.
Sunday, 27 Mar
1881:
Fred Hecker, the German leader, died Thursday at his farm near
Summerfield, Ill., from the effects of a stroke of paralysis received on
Tuesday evening.
Tuesday, 29 Mar
1881:
Judge T. B. Tanner, of Mt. Vernon, Ill., died Friday evening. He was
widely known in Southern Illinois, having been circuit judge, member of the
legislature, member of the constitutional convention of 1862 and justice of
the appellate court.
Wednesday, 30 Mar 1881:
The death of one and the serious sickness of another little negro boy from
the effects of a fluid contained in a bottle, which they picked up in front
of Mr. P. G. Schuh’s drug store, is certainly sad and ought to serve
as a warning to others who were equally as eager as these boys were to get
at the pile of refuse thrown out of the charred store.
From yesterday’s Paducah Enterprise we learn that the people of
Paducah were startled on last Sunday by the report that a prominent citizen
of Benton, Ill., and ex-circuit clerk of Marshall County, was found dead in
a room of the European Hotel in Paducah. He had on Saturday been going
around the city talking and joking with his friends and had gone to the
hotel, telling the clerk that he wanted to sleep for about an hour.
Although he was seen lying in his bed by several of the servants of the
house, it was not discovered that he was dead until Sunday morning. He was
found with his knees drawn up to his stomach and a black vomit issuing from
his mouth. The coroner’s jury found a verdict of death from an unknown
cause, but after some inquiry it was found that he had been in the habit of
using morphine and the supposition is that he took an overdose of the drug.
Thursday, 31 Mar
1881:
Captain Joseph Johnson, who was found dead in a Paducah hotel the
other day, was a member of the Knights of Honor. Besides a life insurance
of two thousand dollars in this organization he had an insurance of two
thousand five hundred more in other companies.
Sunday, 3 Apr
1881:
DEAD.
Died—At
the residence of his parents on Fifth Street, Delos Trigg, aged
sixteen years, son of William and Lizzie Trigg. Funeral from
residence at four o’clock p.m. today. Remains will be taken to Illinois
Central depot. Friends are invited.
Last night at eight o’clock
young Delos Trigg breathed his last after many days of painful
suspense between life and death. His remains will be taken to Madison,
Indiana, today, accompanied by Mr. Davison. This blow is severe one
to the mourning parents and relatives of deceased, for he was a youth of
much promise. Their many friends will bear with them the weight of their
sorrow.
DIED.
WALKER—At
the residence of her parents, on Sixth Street, at 2:15 a.m. today, of
cerebro spinal meningitis, Miss Nettie Ellen Walker, eldest daughter
of Harry and Maggie Walker, in the thirteenth year of her age.
The funeral services will be
held at St. Patrick’s Church at 1 o’clock p.m. tomorrow and a special train
will leave the foot of Eighth Street at 2:20.
Miss Walker was a
very intelligent young lady, much beloved by all, and her sudden death is a
deep affliction upon her parents and friends. They have the sympathy of the
community, but even that is poor comfort in so great a trial.
Tuesday, 5 Apr
1881:
RESOLUTIONS OF REGRET
Adopted by the Employees of the Theater Comique in View of the Death of
Miss Nettie Ellen Walker.
At a meeting of the
performers, musicians, and employees connected with the Theatre Comique,
held in Cairo, Illinois, April 2nd, 1881, the following preamble and
resolutions were unanimously adopted.
Whereas It has pleased a
kind and beneficent Providence to remove from our midst the eldest daughter
of our manager, Little Nettie Walker, and whereas
His ways are inscrutable and
past finding out, therefore be it
Resolved, That we extend to
the bereaved family our heartfelt sympathy in their sorrow and afflictions,
and
Resolved, That while we bow
to his inevitable laws, we feel that her loss is irreparable to her
immediate family and time alone can heal the wound that death has made
Resolved, That a copy of
these resolutions be handed the bereaved family and that they be handed the
daily papers for publication.
William Gray,
chairman; E. E. Elliott, secretary; William A. Wylie, A. L.
Goss, Ed Lemon, James E. Jackson, Will White,
Theodore Schottle, George A. Maxwell, Horace Monger,
Bonie Lemon, G. H. N. Stiver, Frank Rogers, H.
Casland, William Nagle, Charles Stiver.
Argus
please copy.
A CARD OF
THANKS.
Editor Bulletin:
Allow me through the medium
of your paper to return my heartfelt thanks to the many friends and
acquaintances, that so kindly volunteered their aid and consolation to
myself and family during our recent affliction. Their kind offices will
always be remembered, and treasured as bright spots during the dark hours we
have lately passed through. Again allow me to thank them one and all.
Yours, &c.,
Harry Walker
Last Friday an accident occurred on the Illinois Central railroad near
Makanda, Illinois, in which an engineer was killed, others injured, an
engine damaged and a number of cars wrecked. A freight train, which drew
out sooner than its orders called for, ran into a cattle train, which was
right ahead of it around a curve in the road, with the result as stated.
The funerals of Delos Trigg and Miss Nettie Walker took place
Sunday afternoon and were both largely attended. The remains of the former
were taken to Madison, Ind., by the four o’clock Illinois Central train and
those of the latter were taken to Villa Ridge on a special train at 2:30
o’clock, accompanied by a large number of friends.
Wednesday, 6 Apr
1881:
DIED.
McKEE—At
his residence on Fifteenth and Cedar streets, in this city, Jeremiah
McKee, in the 79th year of his age, at 3:50 a.m., yesterday. Funeral
services at the Presbyterian church at ten o’clock a.m. today, conducted by
Rev. B. Y. George. The remains will be taken by the regular train at
eleven a.m. to Beech Grove for interment.
SHOT DOWN IN COLD BLOOD
McLEANSBORO, Ill., April
4.—There was a shooting scrape at Thompsonville, in Franklin County, on
Saturday. Mr. Raines and son went to that place and there met one
Dr. Carter and his brother James. A few days before this, James was
in Galatia and got into a fight with Raines’ son receiving a terrible
beating. When Dr. Carter saw Raines he asked him why he had
struck his brother. He replied he had a right to. The doctors said, “G-d
d--n you, I will kill you.” Dr. Carter then drew his revolver and
young Raines his. At this point Dr. Hamilton separated them
and they both went away. Dr. Carter proceeded to his home, returned
with a shotgun and fired at young Raines, filling his body with
buckshot. He will not live. James Carter went up to the father and
struck him with a large club, knocking him down and seriously injuring him.
After the affray both of the Carters made their escape.
Thursday, 7 Apr 1881:
(A poem “In Memoriam” subscribed to Mr. and Mrs. Walker, at the death
of their daughter, Nettie Ellen Walker, was published.—Darrel
Dexter)
Friday, 8 Apr
1881:
Mr. W. T. Scott has gone to Newark, Ohio, to attend the funeral of
his brother, who died there several days ago.
DIED
At 10:30 o’clock a.m.,
yesterday, at his residence, George Wellington Whitlock, aged
sixty-three years. Funeral services will be held at the residence on Tenth
Street, between Walnut and Cedar streets, this forenoon, by Rev. B. Y.
George, and the remains will be taken to Jonesboro by Illinois Central
train at 11 o’clock.
The cause of Mr. Whitlock’s
death was a complication of ailments, chief among which was an affection of
the lungs. A severe fall down a cellar stairs, which he received sometime
ago, has caused him much suffering, but his last hours were very peaceful.
He was an old citizen of Cairo and has been an honorable one in all his
varied relations with those who had any dealings with him. He lived to a
ripe age, and had it not been for the accident referred to, he would
probably have been with us many years longer. He leaves a wife and two
children, who, in their sorrow, have the sympathy of their many friends and
acquaintances.
Saturday, 9 Apr
1881:
The funeral of Mr. G. W. Whitlock, which took place yesterday
forenoon at eleven o’clock was largely attended by the friends of the
deceased.
Sunday, 10 Apr 1881:
(A poem to the memory of Nettie Ellen Walker daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
H. Walker, was published.—Darrel Dexter)
James O’Connell, the man who through the kind assistance of Mr.
Irvin, was admitted into the hospital a few days ago, died there day
before yesterday and was buried yesterday morning. His disease seems to
have been a more serious character than was supposed by some.
Wednesday, 13 Apr
1881:
At Shawneetown, Ills., Friday, Pickering, father and son, were each
sentenced to 99 years in the pen, for murder of
Dawson
10 years ago.
ACCIDENTAL MURDER, PERHAPS.
Yesterday afternoon, about
three o’clock, two colored boys, about sixteen and eighteen years of age
respectively, were fooling with one another in Mr. Harry Walker’s
kitchen on Sixth Street. One of them had a loaded pistol and while they
were “skylarkin’” as they called it, the pistol went off and the ball struck
the other young fellow in the side, passing through the rib close to the
stomach and inflicting a wound from which he may not recover. Dr. Parker
was immediately called, who made the poor victim, whose name is Mike
Hilmes, as comfortable as possible, but expressed it as his opinion that
the wound is dangerous one, which may prove fatal.
This is only another
argument in favor of the passage of a law making it a crime for minors to
possess firearms of any description under any circumstances.
Thursday, 14 Apr
1881:
Another, being the third death from small pox in the Kemp family, in
Gridley Township, McLean County, occurred Friday.
Yesterday morning Mr. M. P. Fulton received a telegram from St. Louis
stating that Mrs. J. B. Snyder was dead, but giving no further
particulars. No notice of Mrs. Snyder’s illness had been given to
her relatives here, and therefore, the news of her death was the more
painful to them. Mrs. Snyder was about fifty-six years of age, a
sister to Judge D. J. Baker, an aunt to W. B. and M. F. Gilbert,
and mother of Mrs. M. P. Fulton. Judge Baker and Mrs.
Fulton left yesterday for St. Louis to attend the funeral.
On Saturday last, James Maddocks, a fifteen-year-old boy, of Long
Creek, Macon County, had his neck broken by a fall from a hayrack.
Monday, 15 Apr 1881:
A day or two ago a countryman from up in this county, came to town and
informed Coroner Fitzgerald that he was wanted in the country, about
twelve miles up the Cache River, where the body of a dead negro was lying
close by a tree. The coroner didn’t care much about going because it was
raining and the roads were bad, but yet, desiring to perform his duty, he
secured a horse and buggy and started in search of the dead man. He found
the object of his search at the place designated. It was the body of a
large negro man, his head was resting upon his arm close to the trunk of a
tree, and his feet were pointing toward Cache River. He seemed to have died
while asleep. After the coroner had satisfied himself that the man was
dead, he summoned a jury of six to sit upon him; the jury was composed of
five colored men and one white man. They sat around the body with long
faces for a few minutes, not knowing how to proceed. No external signs of
violence could be discovered upon the dead man before them, hence the
coroner decided that his vitals must be examined. But there was no surgeon
within miles around which was a dilemma. The coroner was equal to the
emergency, however; he had a pocketknife and one of the jurors had the blade
of an old saw. With these implements the coroner proceeded to work as he
had seen others do, many times before, and in a few minutes he had succeeded
in reaching the stomach of the corpse. He examined it critically and
discoursed learnedly to the jury, explaining to them that there were not the
slightest internal signs that might be considered as causes of deceased’s
death, and then, in a dexterous manner that surprised the jury, the coroner
closed the opening he had made in the breast of the body and sewed up the
skin with a string and needle. A consultation followed, which resulted in a
verdict of death from want and exposure. Mr. Fitzgerald after having
served as coroner, surgeon, witness and instructor, now saw himself
compelled to constitute himself scribe for the jury. Accordingly he wrote
the verdict and handed it around to be signed. The five colored jurors made
five X’s and the white man made something that can neither be recognized nor
described. The body was then decently buried and the coroner and the jury
parted, each for his home, feeling that a very solemn duty has been well
performed.
About eleven o’clock yesterday forenoon, the little child of Mr.
Henderson, who resides near the convent, uptown, died. The funeral
takes place this afternoon; the remains will be taken to Villa Ridge for
interment.
(The 16 Apr 1881, issue
identifies the father as Henderson Downing.—Darrel Dexter)
DIED.
Yesterday evening, at 5:30
o’clock, at the residence of the parents on Walnut Street, aged five months
and five days, Florence Mildred, daughter of Jessie and Kate Hinkle.
Funeral takes place this afternoon at two o’clock. The remains will be
taken to Villa Ridge by special train.
The child had been ill but a
short time and died from the effects of a severe cold. The bereaved parents
have the sympathy of their friends in this community and elsewhere. The
funeral will start from the residence of the family, the second door from
the corner of Ninth and Walnut streets, at 1:30 o’clock and will proceed to
the train at the foot of Eighth Street. Friends of the family are invited.
(A marker in Cairo City
Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Florence M. Daughter of J. & K. Hinkle,
Died Jan. 12, 1881, Aged 5 Mos., 5 Ds.—Darrel Dexter)
Saturday, 16 Apr
1881:
DIED
At 12:10 o’clock on Friday
night, of an affection of the brain, Timothy J. O’Sullivan, aged
twenty years. Funeral takes place tomorrow (Sunday) at 2 o’clock p.m. from
the residence of Mr. Richard Fitzgerald, on Washington Avenue,
opposite the courthouse. Remains will be taken to Villa Ridge by special
train from foot of Fourteenth Street.
Mr. O’Sullivan had
been sick but a very few days which he suffered very much. He was an
estimable young man, had been in the employ of Messrs. C. O. Patier &
Co. for some time, and was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He
was a nephew of Mrs. Richard Fitzgerald with whose family he was
living. He was very popular among the young people and well liked by
everybody who knew him. His sudden death will be regretted by all.
The three-month-old child of Mr. Henderson Downing, which died of
congestion of the brain day before yesterday, was buried yesterday afternoon
at Villa Ridge.
Yesterday evening, at seven o’clock, a young man named Henry Sanna,
brother of Mrs. Peter Fair, died at the residence of the latter, on
Nineteenth Street, of some kind of affection of the brain. He had been ill
but a few days, and would have been twenty years of age next August. The
funeral will take place tomorrow; further notice will appear in tomorrow’s
Bulletin.
Mrs. Mary Taylor, of El Paso, an old lady of 70, attempted suicide by
cutting her throat. She will probably die.
An old woman—fifty-four years of age—a fortune teller, living in a secluded
spot near Waltonboro, was found dead in her shanty a few days ago by a party
of young men who went there to have their fortune told.
The funeral of little Florence Mildred Hinkle took place yesterday
afternoon, at two o’clock. The remains were accompanied to the train by
many of the friends of the family and were taken to Villa Ridge for
interment.
A young lady of Keokuk, Iowa, named Miss Minnie Rail, died of heart
disease in her lover’s arms a few days ago. She had just, in compliance
with her lover’s urgent request, named their wedding day.
Sunday, 17 Apr
1881:
GONE BEYOND.
Henry Sanna, aged
twenty years, died of an affection of the brain at the residence of Mr.
Peter Fair, on Nineteenth Street, at seven o’clock Friday evening.
Funeral takes place this afternoon at two o’clock from the residence where
services will be held. The remains will be taken to Villa Ridge by special
train from the foot of Fourteenth Street. Deceased was a brother of Mrs.
Fair and a very promising young man. The friends of the family are
invited to attend the funeral.
(A marker in Cairo City
Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Henry Sanne Born Nov. 18, 1861, Died
April 15, 1881.—Darrel Dexter)
PASSED AWAY.
The precious infant son of
Jacob and Amarala Martin, aged two years, two months and nine days.
Funeral services at the residence at half past one o’clock today. The
friends of the family are invited to be present. The remains will be taken
to Villa Ridge by special train for interment. A congestion of the stomach
caused death after a number of days of suffering. The sympathy of many
friends, though it is soothing, to some extent, to hearts torn with grief is
a poor recompense for a loss such as Mr. and Mrs. Martin have
sustained in the death of their child.
(Jacob Martin married
Amarala Arter on 4 Oct 1863, in Pulaski Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
DIED
At 12:10 o’clock on Friday
night, of an affection of the brain, Timothy J. O’Sullivan, aged
twenty years. Funeral takes place today (Sunday) at 2 o’clock p.m. from his
late residence. Remains will be taken to Villa Ridge by special train from
foot of Fourteenth Street.
Yesterday evening at 4:15 o’clock little Annie Martel, aged two years
and two months, died of spinal meningitis, at the residence of Mr. M.
Tessier. The remains will be taken to Murphysboro for interment this
evening.
The remains of Mr. Timothy J. O’Sullivan were held over until today
in order to enable the employees of the New York Store, with whom he had
been so long associated, to attend the funeral. He was but recently married
to the daughter of Mr. W. A. Redman, and had just begun a career of
usefulness and happiness when he was called away. The Ancient Order of
Hibernians will attend the funeral in a body.
Tuesday, 19 Apr
1881:
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT
At a meeting of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, Division No. 1, held at their hall on the evening of
the 15th inst., in the City of Cairo, the following preamble and resolutions
were unanimously adopted.
Whereas, it has pleased
Almighty God in his wisdom to remove from our midst our late brother, T. J.
O’Sullivan, therefore be it
Resolved, That, while
recognizing the wisdom and justice of Him who doeth all things well, we
sincerely mourn the loss of one who, in all his relations as a Christian and
loving companion and an earnest worker in the cause of friendship, unity and
true Christianity, could not be excelled.
Resolved, That we, as his
brothers in the cause of benevolence, do join in our heartfelt sympathy with
his wife who mourns his untimely death. All knowing his worth as a
companion will deplore his loss, but console ourselves with the hope that
God, in his infinite mercy will reward him for his generous goodness toward
all men.
Resolved, That this order
has lost a true and faithful worker, humanity a kind friend and his wife an
affectionate husband, whom we will miss in our social gatherings in the
future.
Resolved, That a copy of
these resolutions be presented to the wife of deceased, entered at large on
the journal and published in Cairo daily papers.
John E. English
W. Mockler
Patrick Duggan, Committee
On Sunday afternoon the remains of Mr. Tim O’Sullivan, Henry Sanna,
and of the little child of Mr. and Mrs. Martin were taken to Villa
Ridge for interment. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, headed by the Comique
Band, accompanied the remains of the first named to their last resting
place.
Wednesday, 20 Apr
1881:
A man named J. M. Pate, died in the May House, in Paducah, Ky.,
Monday morning. He was sick at the time he put up at the house.
Thursday, 21 Apr
1881:
SHOT IN THE NECK.
ANNA, Ill., April 19.—Two
negroes named Roland and Tanner, living at Cobden, eight miles
north of here, quarreled this afternoon over drawing gravel, and at once
opened fire upon each other with revolvers, exchanging seven shots, when
Tanner was hit in the neck and will probably die.
C. L. Wood, a brakeman fell between the cars at Table Grove, Fulton
County, was run over and instantly killed.
Yesterday evening, about seven o’clock, Mrs. Ann Redman, the
venerable mother of Mr. Joseph Redman, expired in death. How she
suffered nearly everybody in Cairo knows. She was aged—nearly seventy-five
years old—and had been lying upon a bed of sickness for a long time. She
was afflicted with dropsy and had, for a month past, been at times so low
that her death was momentarily expected. She was a good old lady and,
though she lived to a ripe age, her death will be regretted by many and her
relatives have the sympathy of numerous friends.
An old colored man living some distance up the Cache River on a farm
situated not far from
Reno’s
place, committed suicide yesterday morning by shooting himself. He had for
some years been subject to periodical attacks of speechlessness, during
which he seemed to be in some agony and either refused or was unable to
utter a word. He was attacked in this way yesterday morning and a few hours
afterward he approached his wife with a double-barreled shotgun and motioned
to his breast. His wife took the gun away from him and hid it. But the man
got another similar weapon and going out into the yard, set the muzzle
against his breast and fired, killing himself instantly. It appears that he
was very much troubled about his ailment and preferred to die rather than
suffer any longer.
Friday, 22 Apr
1881:
THE FUNERAL.
The remains of Mrs. Ann
Redman, who died at her home on Eighth Street on Wednesday evening, will
be taken to Beech Grove for interment at 11 o’clock this forenoon by
Illinois Central train. Owing to the repairs going on in the Presbyterian
church, the funeral services will be held in the Methodist church this
morning at 10 o’clock.
Mrs. Ann Redman was
born in Manchester, England, Feb. 15, 1804, and came to this country at six
years of age. Her maiden name was Siddall. She has two brothers
living, one in Philadelphia, and one in Arkansas, aged respectively 86 and
85. Her home in America was first in Philadelphia, then in Pittsburgh,
afterward in Gallatin County, Ill. In Shawneetown, she was married, when 22
years old, to Mr. Allen Redman, a native of Lexington, Ky. Some
years afterward, she made a profession of religion, in connection with the
Presbyterian church in Equality, wither they had removed. During all the
rest of her long life, she was consistent and highly respected Christian,
beloved in her own church and almost equally so by members of other
denominations. After leaving Gallatin County, she lived for some time in
Carlinville, and from that place removed to Cairo in 1864.
Few people have enjoyed to a
greater degree the respect of this community.
As she had very many friends
to sympathize with her in the sickness and other trials of her old age, so
she leaves many to sympathize now with her sorrowing children.
(Ann Siddell married
Allen Redman on 16 Feb 1826, in Gallatin Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
A negro named “Redney” Burns with the assistance of a “pal,” attacked
and killed the jailor of the Cook County jail on the 20th inst.
Saturday, 23 Apr
1881:
Mrs. Ann Redman’s funeral took place yesterday forenoon, the remains
being taken to Beech Grove attended by a goodly number of her earthly
friends.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The funeral of little Robert
Hudson will take place at the residence of his father, Col. I. B.
Hudson, this afternoon at half past one o’clock. The service will be
conducted by Rev. B. Y. George. A special train will leave foot of
Sixth Street at half past two for Villa Ridge, where the remains will be
interred. Friends of the family are invited to attend.
(Isaac B. Hudson
married Carrie S. Sage on 5 Jan 1871, in Alexander Co., Ill. The
marker for Isaac B. and Carrie E. Hudson in Cairo City Cemetery at
Villa Ridge also reads: Robert W. Hudson Born May 6, 1878.—Darrel
Dexter)
Sunday, 24 Apr
1881:
By the death of Mrs. Violetta Keeley, a pioneer of Greene County, an
estate of $8,000 goes to Shurtleff College, upper Alton.
The funeral of the infant boy of Col. and Mrs. I. B. Hudson, took
place yesterday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, the remains being taken to Villa
Ridge for interment. Many sympathizing friends accompanied the little
coffin to its place of burial.
At Joliet, William Casey, a prisoner in the penitentiary, was put in
the solitary Friday night. Wednesday, when the cell was opened, he was
found hanging by the neck, dead.
Thursday, 28 Apr
1881:
Oliver Mahney, of Toulon, died suddenly a few days ago leaving an
estate of $30,000 to a little nephew, a boy of eight or ten years.
Mrs. John Tyler, of Prairie Creek, Logan County, while working in the
garden Friday afternoon, fell dead from heart disease, it is supposed.
At Springfield, Tuesday morning, Miss Mary Tilmore was found dead in
her room, at the residence of Mr. William Whitley, with whose family
she was visiting.
Little Carrie, the youngest daughter of Capt. W. M. Williams, is yet
very low and her recovery is doubtful.
Friday, 29 Apr
1881:
Miss Ettie Cox committed suicide at LeRoy, McLean County, Sunday
night. Thwarted love was the cause.
Saturday, 30 Apr
1881:
Thomas Fitzgerald, an inmate of the LaSalle County Asylum, a man 70
years old and demented, disappeared about three weeks ago. His body was
found in a small pond a mile from the asylum on Sunday.
A man named Archie Sterling living in this state opposite Paducah,
who made an attempt to commit suicide some days ago by cutting his throat,
is still alive, but will die unless he receives surgical aid. He refused to
allow anything to be done him that might tend to his recovery; he is still
determined to die.
The most terrible incident of the storm, which swept over this neighborhood
day before yesterday, was the killing of Mr. Dwyer, general
yardmaster of the Iron Mountain Railroad at Bird’s Point. He was standing
on top of a car superintending the switching of cars in the yard during the
storm, when a large tree was blown down and struck him on the head, crushing
his skull and killing him immediately. The boxcar upon which he stood is
said to have been cut completely in two.
Yesterday afternoon Coroner Fitzgerald was notified that a dead man
needed his attentions at the box factory. He obeyed the summons and,
arriving on the spot designated, found the body of a negro lying upon the
ground under a shed. He summoned a jury and proceeded with the
investigation into the causes of death. It was brought out in the course of
the investigation that the man’s name was John Romer; that he was
about forty years old; that he had been in the city for some time, wandering
from place to place day and night in a sick and somewhat deranged condition;
that he was arrested some days ago and tried for vagrancy, but given a stay
on condition to leave town; that Mr. Wells, of the box factory,
Thomas Clark, the levee saloon keeper and others, had for weeks in
various ways, contributed to his relief; that Dr. Wood had been duly
notified of the man’s condition, but had refused to interfere in his
behalf. All this was established by good testimony and the verdict of the
jury formed accordingly. This verdict was, in substance, as follows: “We
the jury find, after due investigation of all the circumstances, that death
in this case resulted from want and exposure and that Dr. Wood has
been grossly if not criminally negligent in failing to provide for deceased
after he had been duly notified of his condition.” The verdict is rather
severe on the doctor. While there is not the care given to sick paupers in
this county that even the commonest humanity would demand, the fault lays in
the law and with the county board as much as it does with Dr. Wood.
There should, by all means, be better provision made for the care of the
county poor, who are physically and mentally unable to keep their bodies and
souls together.
Sunday, 1 Mar
1881:
The father-in-law of Marshal J. H. Robinson, who died at Elco the
other day, was born in Harrisburg, Penn., and was eighty-five years old at
the time of his death. Marshal Robinson returned to Cairo yesterday.
A man named Legler was kicked in the face by a mule at Alton, Ills.,
last Friday. His nose was smashed out of shape, one of his eyes almost
kicked out and a hole about an inch deep made in his forehead. He is not
expected to live.
George Keller, a boy 9 years old, working at the Quincy paper mill,
was caught in a belt Wednesday and thrown against the ceiling, killing him
instantly.
On Wednesday last, Mr. Jerry Hartnett, one of the oldest conductors
on the western division of the Illinois Central railroad, was instantly
killed by falling between two cars near Masonville, Iowa.
Tuesday, 3 May 1881:
In conclusion of an item in Friday’s Bulletin, giving an account of
the verdict of the coroner’s jury over the body of the old colored man
Romer, it was said that our county poor were badly treated and that the
fault lay with the law and with the county commissioners as much as it did
with Dr. Wood. The two latter have been heard from. Dr. Wood
denies emphatically that he is to blame, and the commissioners have done
likewise. Where, now, is the champion of the law? Stand forth, Justus and
defend the honor of your calling over callumacious press! The fraternity
and the outraged law look to you as the embodiment of their lore, the able
exponent of their mysterious power, the bold permeator of their iniquitous
rights—they call upon you, sir, to vindicate them in the face of the
intermediate reprehensibleness of the circumstantial evidence surrounding
the case. Come, justus, let justice be done though the heavens fall.
Thursday, 5 May
1881:
Phillip Morgan, an old citizen of Marion County, died at Salem,
Saturday, aged 81.
Hiram Cody, one of the pioneers of DuPage County, died at
Bloomingdale, aged 83 years.
Friday, 6 May
1881:
A FATAL ACCIDENT.
ALTON, ILL., May 4.—John
Scullen, a brakeman on the Indianapolis and St. Louis road, who was run
over yesterday afternoon near Litchfield, while switching cars, died last
night from the effects of his injuries. He was a resident of this city and
a young man of good character and fine appearance. He leaves a widowed
mother and other relatives.
A SUDDEN CALL.
SHAWNNEETOWN, Ill., May 4.—A
farmer named George Bird, while peddling vegetables at the Riverside
Hotel today, took ill suddenly, fell to the floor in a fit and died in an
hour or two. Mr. Bird lived near town and was a good citizen.
A few days ago a prominent and wealthy citizen of the village of El Paso,
Ills., named P. C. Ransom, shot and killed in cold blood a lawyer of
the place named Walter Bullock, who had been retained by a woman
claiming to be a wife of Ransom in a suit against him for bigamy,
divorce, and alimony.
The remains of a man, in an advanced stage of decomposition, were found near
El Paso, on Monday. There was no clue to his identity.
Miss Mary Williamson was drowned in a small pond near Monticello
Seminary, Alton, on the 3d inst. She and another young lady were out on the
pond in a small bark of some kind, which overturned with the result as
above.
DIED.
Yesterday afternoon at two
o’clock p.m., the infant daughter Marion Craig, of Walton W. and Mattie
Wright, at the age of one year, one month, and seven days. Funeral
services will be held at the residence, 76 Ohio Levee, at one o’clock p.m.
today. The remains will be taken to Villa Ridge by Illinois Central train
from the foot of Sixth Street at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Friends of the
family are invited.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright’s
grief over the loss of their sweet little girl is not confined to their own
bosoms. The community sympathized with them in their affliction.
A NEGRO SHOT.
At about half past twelve
o’clock yesterday a negro named Jack Parker shot and probably killed
another negro named Yancy Graves. The shooting took place in a room
in the Wilcox Block, which has a very questionable reputation, and,
it is said, was the result of a quarrel. Immediately after Graves
was shot he left the house and ran at full speed toward the paint store of
Mr. B. F. Blake, about a square away, but fell just before he got
there and lay helpless and in apparent agony until he was taken to his place
of temporary residence in one of the little barracks on Ohio Levee, between
Twelfth and Fourteenth streets, where we learned late last night he breathed
his last.
Jack Parker, the man
who did the shooting, is well thought of by those who know him best. He has
been in the employ of the Cairo City Gas Company for over seven years and
has always been found to be very peaceable and attentive to his duties. His
side of the affair of yesterday is that he had called upon a woman in
Wilcox’s Block to collect some money, which he had loaned her some time
ago. While he was speaking to her the door was suddenly pushed open and
Graves entered with a club in his hand, which he began to use vigorously
upon the woman, knocking her down and then proceeded to attack him (Parker)
striking him over the head several times. He succeeded in shoving his
assailant away, and, drawing a pistol, told him to leave. Instead of doing
this Graves
drew a pocketknife and with it in one hand and the club in the other, moved
toward Parker who then shot at him twice, the balls taking effect in
his assailant’s abdomen. After
Graves
had left, Parker went to his home where he was caught in the act of
changing his clothing, preparatory to escaping, perhaps, by Officer George
Olmsted, who lodged him in the county jail.
Dr. Carter attended
the wounded man about three o’clock in the afternoon and gave it as his
opinion that he could not live four hours more. It was reported late
yesterday evening that the Doctor’s prediction had been verified.
(The 7 May 1881, issue
reported the name as Charles Groves, instead of Yancy Graves.—Darrel
Dexter)
Saturday, 7 May
1881:
PASSED AWAY.
Yesterday morning, little
Ida, daughter of D. F. and E. J. King, died of cerebro spinal
meningitis. The funeral takes place from the residence of the family,
opposite the courthouse, this morning at ten o’clock. Remains will be taken
to Milburn, Kentucky, by Mississippi Central train from foot of Eighteenth
Street.
DEAD.
The negro Charles Groves
(not Yancy Graves as previously stated) who was shot by Jack
Parker in Wilcox’s block day before yesterday, died about half
past three o’clock yesterday afternoon. Coroner Fitzgerald was
immediately called to hold an inquest, which call he promptly obeyed. The
corpse lay in the house on Ohio Levee where the wounded man had been
conveyed after the shooting. A jury of six was summoned, which consisted of
Messrs. L. H. Meyers, foreman; John
Towers,
John Clancy, William Sexton, Michael Hourigan, and Mark
Kane. After viewing the corpse the jury decided to adjourn until
7:30 in the evening, and in the meantime gather what evidence they could
concerning the case. They met at the hour named in the courtroom, at the
courthouse, where a number of witnesses were examined and every point in the
bloody affair fully brought out. After due deliberation the jury decided
that deceased came to his death by a wound caused by a shot, fired from a
weapon in the hand of Jack Parker. The jury further declared that
the said Jack Parker was justified in the act.
The prisoner was returned to
his cell after having been examined by the jury and will probably be given a
preliminary hearing today, when he will either be discharged from custody or
held to answer to the circuit court.
Sunday, 8 May
1881:
Anderson Parker, the negro who stabbed another negro named Glenn
to death in this city some months ago, will be tried in the circuit court
tomorrow.
Mr. D. F. King’s little child was taken to Milburn, Ky., for burial
yesterday forenoon. The remains of the man
Groves
were also buried yesterday sometime.
Yesterday evening, at six o’clock, Salome, the little daughter of Mrs. James
W. Stewart, died, after an illness of some two weeks with a disease
of the spine. Mrs. Stewart is having rather more than her share of
affliction of late. She deserves the deep sympathy of the community.
Yesterday the man Jack Parker, who shot and killed Charles Groves,
was given a preliminary trial before Esquire J. H. Robinson and,
after all the evidence in their case was heard, he was discharged. It was
proven beyond a doubt that he was compelled to fire the pistol in order to
protect his own body from harm.
THE HAND OF
DEATH.
Was laid yesterday evening,
at six o’clock, upon the from of little Salome, second daughter of Mrs.
Francis A. Stewart. She had suffered for some time with meningitis
and was eleven and a half years of age at the time of her death. Funeral
services will be held by Rev. B. Y. George at the residence on Tenth
Street at 2:00 o’clock this afternoon; remains will be taken to the wharf
boat after services and from there taken by Evansville packet to Uniontown,
Kentucky. The friends of the family are invited to attend.
Friday, 13 May
1881:
A dispatch to Mr. Ed McCullough, received here yesterday afternoon,
stated that Captain S. T. Hambleton, of the firm of Hambleton
Bros., Mound City, died at his home in Cincinnati, at one o’clock
yesterday. The captain was an uncle to Mr. McCullough.
Yesterday forenoon, at ten o’clock, the remains of Mr. French Axley
were taken to Villa Ridge and interred.
MISSOURI
MURDERERS.
The following letter was
received by Chief of Police L. H. Myers, yesterday, from the sheriff
of New Madrid County and explains itself:
SIKESTON, Mo., May 11, 1881
Marshall at Cairo.
DEAR SIR—Lookout for and
arrest three men for murder, aged about 24 to 26 years; one Frank Brown,
6 feet 8 inches, weight 150, dark hair, mustache, and side whiskers, blue
eyes, dark clothes, a No. 6 boot, branded on top front “E. Pluribus Unum.”
And one Jesse Myers, 5 feet 11 inches, weight 168, light hair, blue
eyes, very slim, walks slow, wears tight pants, dark, long tailed coat, scar
on left eye. And one James Hamilton, 5 feet 3 inches, weight 140,
wears cap and a pair of cloth shoes with leather tip, a tight fitting sack
coat, has large, brown yes, dark hair, sore on right knuckle. These men
killed a deputy sheriff and wounded 4 others in New Madrid County today.
Charles D. Matthews.
A reward of two hundred
dollars is offered for the capture of each one of the red-handed trio.
Saturday, 14 May
1881:
THE MURDER.
The following is a clear
account of the bloody affair which occurred near New Madrid on the twelfth
instant, and to which reference was made in a letter published in
yesterday’s Bulletin:
“Four men named Rhoades, Meyers, Hamilton and Brown,
had formed a secret organization for purposes unknown to anyone save
themselves, but now generally supposed to have been robbery and outlawry,
and by accident let their plans become known to William Knox who, not
being in sympathy with them, gave them away, whereupon they concluded to
kill him, and on last Monday night visited his house for that purpose.
Knox succeeded in evading them by disappearing through a back door. The
other inmates of the house becoming alarmed at the threats of the four men,
also attempted to make their escape, but were fired upon, one shot taking
effect in the legs of a man who had an infant in his arms. Three shots also
struck the infant in the legs and body. The scoundrels also fired at one of
the women as she ran though the orchard, but without effect. They then
remained around Knox’s house until daylight, when they left, taking
the direction the man had run whom they had shot. They had gone but a short
distance when they found the wounded child lying on the ground. They took
it back to the house and dressed its wounds. They then proceeded in search
of the wounded man. They soon found and also assisted him back to the house
and called a neighbor, whom they instructed to attend to the wounds. Early
Tuesday morning Knox swore out a warrant for the arrest of the four
men and had it placed in the hands of the constable, who proceeded to
perform that duty. Finding the quartet, the constable was promptly and
coolly informed that they would not be arrested by him, but after some
conversation they consented to go, telling him to lead the way and they
would follow. After proceeding some distance they changed their minds, and
turning in to the woods ran off and were not seen any more until yesterday
morning. The sheriff of New Madrid County, being notified, went with a
posse of ten or twelve men to the scene of action, which was near Bayne’s
Store, and while there saw the four men coming down the main road to them,
and discovering who they were mounted their horses and gave chase. The
quartet seeing the officers and advancing took to the woods and concealed
themselves in the brush. In about an hour the sheriff and his men came upon
them concealed behind a log, the first intimation they had of their
proximity being a volley of buckshot fired into the party, instantly killing
one of the deputies, Robert LaForge, and wounding another, Albert
Hunter. The sheriff’s party returned the fire and for several minutes a
regular battle ensued, but the ambush gave the outlaws such an advantage as
to force the officers back, leaving the murdered man, LaForge, on the
ground. The desperadoes quickly relived him of his money, jewelry, and
pistols, and then retreated. The sheriff’s party soon rallied, and with an
increased force of forty men continued the pursuit. Early in the afternoon
they found one of the desperadoes, Rhoades, who had been so badly
wounded as to be unable to travel, and took him prisoner. Rhoades’
statement is that his comrades, finding him shot through the leg and in the
face, concluded that they would be unable to escape with him. Leaving him
one pistol, they sent him to the house of a widow woman and told him to do
the best he could for himself, and then deserted him. He was kept under
guard until he escaped, but was soon afterwards found in a stable hanging by
the neck to the rafters. The sheriff and party are still hunting the other
three, but had not discovered their whereabouts at a late hour. The
desperadoes are armed with double-barreled shot guns and four shooters each,
and are determined not to be taken alive. The whole community is in a
terrible state of excitement, young LaForge having a large and
influential circle of relatives and friends. The citizens of New Madrid
have offered a reward of $600 for the three desperadoes. These are the
facts as near as they can be obtained at present, there being so many
conflicting reports under the excitement.”
Sunday, 15 May
1881:
F. M. Meeker, living southeast of Vandalia, was killed by the kick of
a horse a few days ago.
A young man named Short, aged sixteen, in attempting to get off a
moving train at Quincy, lost an arm and had his collarbone broken. He will
probably die.
The body of Elmer Foster, the seventh of the victims of the Elgin
ferryboat disaster, has been recovered.
It has been ascertained that the four murderous ruffians who fired upon the
sheriff’s posse near New Madrid, Mo., the other day and killed young
LaForge, had protected their breasts and backs with steel plates made by
themselves of crosscut saws. The county court of New Madrid County has made
an additional offer of two thousand dollars for the capture of the gang.
One thousand dollars for Meyers and five hundred for each of the
others. This makes the reward for Meyer’s capture twelve hundred
dollars and for J. O. Hamilton and F. Brown, seven hundred
dollars each.
Tuesday, 16 May
1881:
Mr. Alford, a prominent farmer of Pike County, was stricken dead by
lightning on Friday. One of his horses was served in a similar manner.
DIED.
WILLIAMS—In
this city at an early hours yesterday morning, May 16th, 1881, after a
painful illness long protracted, Carrie Or’Lea Williams, youngest
daughter of Capt. William M. Williams, aged ten years, three months
,and ten days. Funeral services will be held at the house at 10 a.m.
today. The remains will be interred at Beech Grove, the funeral party
leaving the lower depot of the Illinois Central R. R. by the regular
accommodations at 11:10 a.m.
FOUND DEAD.
On Sunday morning Richard
Rix, a colored man and sexton of the colored people’s church on the
corner of Fifteenth and Walnut streets, was found dead on the floor of his
bedroom, which was flooded with sipe water. It was his duty, as sexton, to
open the church and ring the bell for morning service, but as all this had
not been done when some of the church people arrived an investigation was
instituted, which resulted in his discovery as stated. He occupied a room
in the basement of a small shanty back of the church, on Fifteenth Street,
and he had laid a couple of boards upon blocks from the sidewalk into his
room, so as to enable him to pass in and out without wading through the
water. Boards had also been laid in the room, along the bed and to a rude
table on which he kept a bucket with water and other things. He was subject
to fits, during which he would always call for water to drink and to put on
his head and would often remains unconscious for some time. The
circumstances under which he was found would indicate that, feeling that he
was about to be taken with a fit, he hurried from his bed toward the water
bucket, but swooned before he reached it and fell with his feet and part of
his body on the board walk and his face and shoulders into the water, where
his spark of life was effectually quenched. Thus he was found by those who
forced upon the door of his miserable abode. Richard Fitzgerald held
an inquest over his body soon after it was discovered and the jury’s verdict
was “death by accidental drowning.” He was then placed in a coffin, lay in
state in the church which he had faithfully served for many years until
yesterday and was then buried on the ridge just above
Kendall’s
farm.
Thursday, 19 May
1881:
Yesterday morning, at three o’clock, the little child of Mrs. James Ross,
who keeps a grocery on the corner of Tenth Street and Washington Avenue,
died after an illness of a number of days. The remains were taken to Villa
Ridge in the afternoon for interment.
Howard Willis, aged 17, fell into the water works dam at Decatur
Saturday and was drowned. He was one of the editors of the amateur paper
called the Reporter.
A colored man named Henry Flake, living, when at home, on Washington
Avenue, near Herbert’s Saloon, was run over and seriously hurt by a
train on the Chicago, St. Louis an& New Orleans railroad. His wife was
dispatched day before yesterday and she started on the five o’clock train
for Jackson, Tenn., where the accident occurred. The man had one leg and an
arm cut off and was injured about the chest, which leaves but little hope
for his recovery.
Friday, 20 May 1881:
A letter received by Mr. Frank Cassiday from his wife, who is at New
Madrid, states that Mrs. LaForge, mother of the young man who was
killed, recently by the bloody vendetta of New Madrid County, is in danger
of losing her mind in consequence of the shock given her by the news of her
son’s tragic death. This is the second son of hers that came to his death
in an unnatural way, a former one having been poisoned. Young LaForge
was a cousin of Mrs. Cassiday and a good tempered brave young man.
The desperadoes have not yet been captured.
Sunday, 29 May
1881:
The Jamison murder trial at Springfield resulted on the 27th instant
in the acquittal of the accused. He had murdered a colored man.
Henry Tedford, residing near Sulphur Springs, fatally stabbed his son
because he refused to obey him. This is Old Testament doctrine revived.
An old man named Enoch Davis (commonly called Jeff Davis) who
has lived on a small farm in this county, about eight miles from this city,
for many years, died a day or two ago from the effects of internal injuries
received while lifting a log. He was about ninety years of age.
The little child of Captain McKinney, of the H. S. McComb,
died yesterday morning at four o’clock, and will be buried this afternoon at
Beech Ridge.
DIED.
Died—At 4:20 p.m., May 28th,
Josie Belle, infant daughter of Capt. J. W. McKinney. Funeral
services will be held at his residence on Twentieth Street at 1:20 p.m.
today (Sunday) May 29th, and train will leave foot of Twentieth Street for
Beech Grove at 2:00 p.m. Friends of the family are invited.
Tuesday, 31 May
1881:
In a notice published in The Bulletin some days ago, in which it was
said that Mr. R. S. Reynolds, brother-in-law of Mr. Os. Greenley,
had been killed and that he had shot three or four other men. The
Bulletin erred. Mr. Reynolds did not shoot three or four other
men and he is not dead. His trial for the murder of Frazer is to
come off in the county.
(Issues from May 22, 1881 to
Saturday, May 28, 1881, have not been preserved. Robert S. Reynolds
married Amanda Greenly on 20 Apr 1861, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel
Dexter)
Some weeks ago Mrs. Nott, mother of Edward, William and James Nott,
went to Chicago in the hope of recovering from an ailment with which she had
been suffering for some time. It appears that neither the change of
climate, nor of physicians, was able to help her. She died on the night of
day before yesterday, and her remains will be buried in Villa Ridge today.
Persons desiring to attend the funeral services can board the eleven o’clock
Illinois Central train.
On the 27th instant, a young man of Mayfield, Kentucky, named Ewing
Graham, a young man, about 23 years old, attempted to commit suicide at
the residence of Dr. W. A. Boyd. Graham had been on a spree
for two or three days, and had frequently threatened suicide when on one of
his periodical sprees. He had just gone down to his boarding house with Mr.
J. F. McElrath, whom he told of his intention to kill himself.
Nothing was thought of it, however. He walked in the house, and then came
out immediately and going as far as the gate, drew a small pistol,
22-caliber, placed it to his side and shot. The ball took effect in his
right side, striking the lower rib, and it is thought by the surgeons,
ranged downward. The wound is considered very dangerous and will probably
prove fatal. No cause of the deed is known except that he is a monomaniac
on the subject. He had a brother who committed suicide in Murray about two
years ago by taking morphine. Graham is a well-behaved, gentlemanly,
young man when sober, and has a great many friends at Murray, where he was
raised.
Wednesday, 1 Jun
1881:
Lizzie Davene, the young girl who was injured by being shot from a
cannon at Barnum’s show a few weeks since, is dead. She was the same
young lady who performed the fete in this city without sustaining any
injuries.
Miss Rose Meeker, whose father was murdered by the White River
Indians some time ago, lectured in Springfield on Sunday. Her lecture
consisted of a recitation of the White River massacre and of her troubles
while a prisoner in the hands of her father’s murderers.
A very large crowd of colored people went to Villa Ridge yesterday forenoon
to attend the funeral ceremonies of Mrs. Nott, whose remains were
taken there for burial. The party from here consisted of about three car
loads which returned home in the afternoon, about three o’clock.
On Saturday morning a man named John G. Rughard, was found dead in
his home in the town of Harlem, near Freeport. He had committed suicide by
taking a dose of morphine.
Saturday, 4 Jun 1881:
Richard Harris and Isaac Mitcheson were suffocated by foul
vapors while cleaning a privy vault at Jacksonville on Monday. Harris
leaves a wife and two children, and Mitcheson a wife and five
children, all in meager circumstances.
Joseph Parrott, one of the earliest settlers of Schuyler County was
followed to the grave by nearly one hundred of his descendants. He was the
father of seventeen children, only one of whom survives him.
Sunday, 5 Jun 1881:
John Chapman, of Green Valley, Peoria County, was killed by lightning
on Wednesday, while plowing in the field.
Mr. John Clearney, of Alton, while out driving Wednesday evening, in
company with Mrs. Crane and a child, was struck by lightning and
killed.
Herman Schneider was killed by lightning, near Streator, while
returning from the field to his house to avoid the storm of Wednesday
evening.
Mr. John Tear, a prominent citizen of Warren, fell before a roller
that was being drawn by two horses on his farm and received internal
injuries from the effects of which he died a few days ago.
A rumor reached here yesterday from New Madrid, Mo., to the effect that Miss
Ada Dawson, a very estimable young lady of that city, committed
suicide by shooting herself with a revolver.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
About ten o’clock, last
night, while an engine on the Cairo & Vincennes railroad was backing up the
track with two cars, and while in front of Schuh’s drug store, a boy, about
sixteen years of age, named George Merrian, attempted to jump upon
the cow catcher of the engine, but loosing is footing, narrowly escarped
death. besides loosing the fingers of his right hand by the cars passing
over them he sustained some very serious bruises.
Stunned by a blow he had received on the head,
he lay beside the tracks for some time, but was finally carried to the
office of Dr. Parker, near by, where all the fingers were amputated
near the hand except the little one, which was amputated only as far as the
nail extended. upon examination it was found that the knee cap of the left
leg was broken and that the leg was so badly bruised that amputation will
probably be necessary. The other injuries sustained are of minor
consequence.
The boy is a stepson of Mr.
Phil Brown and is said to be employed in the hardware and tin store
of F. M. Warren.
Tuesday, 7 Jun
1881:
George Marrian, the lad who was seriously injured by a Cairo and
Vincennes railroad engine last Saturday night, died at his home Sunday
morning.
Wednesday, 8 Jun
1881:
John C. Smith fell dead at Moline, Friday, from apoplexy, while
walking the street.
An old negro barber named Thomas Freeman, who had been keeping a
barber shop on Ohio Levee, several doors above Eighth Street, for a number
of years, was found dead in his chair by one of his customers yesterday
afternoon. He lived very secluded, attending strictly to his business and
for all that was known, enjoyed life. The cause of his sudden death is a
mystery.
Thursday, 9 Jun
1881:
Late last night information of a murder committed at Vincennes, Ind.,
reached The Bulletin through the telephone station number seventeen.
The particulars are as follows:
Two men named Duffy
and Boyer, were standing on Second Street talking. The latter said
to the former: “Your hat is a d----d poor one.” Duffy replied:
“That makes no difference to you.” Boyer thereupon suggested that he
could whip Duffy, which the latter seemed to doubt, and it was
decided to go to the banks of the Wabash River and “fight it out.” They had
gone but a short distance when Boyer dropped behind, drew a revolver
and deliberately shot Duffy in the back, killing him almost
instantly. Boyer then fled across the river, but was pursued by a
number of citizens and captured in a wheat field, where he sought to hide
himself, and lodged in jail. Much excitement prevails in the city.
Boyer is known as a bad character.
Day before yesterday Mr. and Mrs. Harry Walker went to the Villa
Ridge Cemetery and had their little daughter Georgie, who had been buried
nine months, raised and reburied next to little Nettie, who died and was
buried a short time ago. The day was the birthday of the latter.
DIED.
At four o’clock yesterday
morning Mr. John Fitzgerald breathed his last in the hospital in this
city at an advanced age and after a long illness. His remains will be taken
by special train to Villa Ridge for interment this afternoon. Funeral will
leave the hospital at one o’clock for St. Patrick’s Church, from whence it
will go to the train at the foot of Eighth Street. Friends of deceased are
invited.
Friday, 10 Jun
1881:
The remains of Thomas Freeman, the colored barber, who died of an
unknown cause several days ago, were taken to Villa Ridge for interment
yesterday.
The funeral of Mr. John Fitzgerald took place yesterday afternoon.
The remains were attended by many friends to Villa Ridge, where they were
interred.
Mrs. J. W. Marson, of Waverly, died Monday, after a brief illness.
John Tucker, Sr., who came to Illinois in 1834, died in El Paso,
Monday, in his 69th year.
In bidding me goodbye, he
(Jefferson Davis) gave me his card and requested me to make
some inquiry, regarding one of his old servants that was living in Cairo.
He speaks very feelingly of this old woman, and expressed a regret that he
could not keep her and take care of her in her old age. Her name was Betsy
Younger and I have learned that she died in this city not long ago in
extreme poverty. This will be sad news for the good old man, for such I
regard him to be.
Wednesday, 22 Jun
1881:
Rev. S. E. Hudson, a prominent minister of the C. P. Church, died at
his home in Lincoln last week.
Two farmers named Cheris Callahan and John Lenning, residing
near Dekalb, Mo., met about a mile from the village on Monday and engaged in
an altercation which resulted in the killing of Callahan.
The attendance at the funeral of Mrs. Lentz’s baby yesterday was
unusually large. The services over the body were conducted by Rev. Mr.
George, and were impressive and consoling, if consolation could be
obtained at such a trying hour by the unhappy young parents, even from the
words and promises of the Savior of the world, who said, “Suffer little
children to come unto me and forbid them not.”
Thursday, 23 Jun
1881:
Mr. Charles R. Stuart yesterday received a telegram announcing that
his father was dying at his home in Rockford. Mr. Stuart left for
his bedside on the afternoon train. Mr. John Horne has taken his
place at the counter during his absence.
Friday, 1 Jul
1881:
Speaking of the death of the wife of Rev. Fred L. Thompson, the
Bloomington Bulletin says: “We regret to learn of the death of Mollie
L. Thompson, wife of Rev. Fred L. Thompson, chaplain of the
Southern Illinois penitentiary, on Wednesday, June 22, aged 34 years. She
was buried from the M. E. church at Metropolis, on the 26th. Mrs.
Thompson was a noble woman, and was indeed a helpmeet to our friend,
Rev. Mr. Thompson, who n this woman’s untimely death suffers an
irreparable loss. We offer to him our sympathy in his misfortune, and know
that so good a man as he is can practice the resignation he has so often
preached to the broken hearted and the desolate.”
Sunday, 3 Jul
1881:
William Hoefer, a merchant of Warren, died from injuries received
from being thrown from a carriage.
Wednesday, 6 Jul
1881:
On Saturday last the little child of Charles Arter was buried at
Villa Ride with appropriate ceremonies. It died on Saturday, after a severe
sickness of a number of days with summer complaint.
An accident of a very serious character occurred at the elevator yesterday
morning. A man named William Clotello, one of the laborers, missed
his footing and fell through the vent to the floor, a distance of nearly
sixty feet. He fell on his left side, breaking his arm near the shoulder,
his leg through the thigh and his collar bone. He also received severe
internal injuries. His family consists of a wife and two children, who live
on thirty fourth Street. His injuries are such that his recovery is
despaired of, though he was still alive at five o’clock yesterday evening.
Thursday, 7 Jul
1881:
Fred Mitchell, pilot of the City of
Helena,
died aboard the boat, just below Cape Girardeau, of malarial fever on the
5th inst. His case was pronounced hopeless by Dr. Parker upon
arriving here. He was from Nashville, Tenn., and had been in the Anchor
line about a year. He leaves a young wife in St. Louis, having married
about two month ago.
Yesterday forenoon, at about eleven o’clock, Mr. William Clotello,
the man who fell from the new elevator a day or two ago, died. He was in
possession of all his senses almost to the last moment. He leaves a wife
and child who are not dependent upon their own exertions for a living. He
is the third man that fell from the elevator, but he is the first in whose
case the fall resulted fatally. The funeral will probably take place today.
Friday, 8 Jul 1881:
Mr. Samuel Harrison, a prominent citizen of Nashville, Tenn., and
inspector of steamboat boilers, died some days ago.
DIED.
Yesterday morning, of summer
complaint, the infant son of Mr. A. G. Leonard. Funeral services
will be held at the house on Center Street, between Washington Avenue and
Walnut Street, by Elder Cooper, at nine o’clock this morning.
Remains will be taken to Villa Ridge for interment on the regular Illinois
Central train.
(A marker in Cairo City
Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Roscoe E. Bertie son of A. G. and S. L.
Leonard Born April 29, 1880, Died July 7, 1881.—Darrel Dexter)
Sunday, 10 Jul
1881:
FUNERAL NOTICE.
Died, at two o’clock
yesterday morning, at his mother’s residence on Ohio Levee, between Second
and Fourth streets, Gus McGinnis. Funeral services at St. Patrick’s
Church, at two o’clock this (Sunday) afternoon. Special train will leave
foot of Eighth Street at half past two for Villa Ridge. Friends and
acquaintances are invited to attend.
A WATERY GRAVE.
On the evening of the day
before yesterday, three young ladies, Misses Naylor, of Charleston,
Mo., and Miss Ellen Lehigh, of this city, who was visiting there,
were bathing in the Mississippi near Island No. 1, when the last named and
Miss Lucy Naylor unexpectedly got into deep water. The alarm was at
once given and Mr. Naylor, brother of the young ladies, succeeded in
rescuing Miss Lehigh just as she was about to go down for the third
time. Miss Lucy Naylor, however, went down, never to reside again
alive. Her body had not been recovered late last evening.
Wednesday, 13 Jun
1881:
Alex Rodgers, a pioneer of Dewitt County, is dead at 80 years.
B. Frank Jones, of Waverly, died of apoplexy, Thursday night.
William Cleary committed suicide by shooting at Chester, Friday.
Henry Bergman, a farm laborer near Loda, Iroquois County, died from
sunstroke, the other day.
The body of a boy, apparently about 9 years of age, was found floating in
the river at Quincy, the other day.
Frank Antoine Yeuck, a German farmer living near Assumption, Macon
County, was sunstroke on Friday, and died in half an hour.
Hon. E. W. Wilder, a former member of the Illinois Legislature, was
found dead in his bed at East St. Louis on the morning of the 6th.
F. Reynolds, while driving a steam thresher over a culvert bridge
near Quincy went through and was fatally crushed, the machine falling on
him.
Clem Gallion has been convicted of the murder of Thomas Dilley
and wife in Henry County, and sentenced to be hanged at Cambridge, Sept. 16.
A great many cases of sunstroke have occurred at different points within the
past few days. Four are reported at Elgin, some fatal; five at LaSalle,
three fatal; three at Mendota, that of a Swede named Peterson proving
fatal. Deacon Daniel Little an early settler of Genesco, was in a
critical condition from the same cause.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The remains of Adolph
Hebsacker will be taken to Beech Ridge by the Illinois Central train at
two o’clock this afternoon. Funeral will leave from the residence on Eighth
Street for the train, which will start from the foot of Eighth Street.
Friends are invited.
SHOT DEAD.
Adolph Hebsacker Commits Suicide by Sending a Load
of Shot through His Brain.
At about eleven o’clock
yesterday forenooon Adolph Hebsacker shot himself dead in a small
room adjoining his own, in the third story of the building occupied as a
bakery by Mr. R. Hebsacker, on Eighth Street. The particulars of the
deed are few but horrible; no good cause for it can be assigned,
yet everything seems to show that the act was premeditated.
About a week ago he was
overcome with heat, and since then he has been lying in his room, coming
down only at times to eat or drink. Yesterday morning Mr. R. Hebsacker,
his brother, went to his room and asked him if he was well enough to drive
the bread wagon around town, to which he replied in the negative, and Mr.
H. told him to take good care of himself and left him. Shortly
afterward he came down and bought two bottles of soda pop in the saloon of
Mr. Nicholas Monce, next door. He drank one bottle and took the
other with him, saying that it was too warm to drink anything stronger than
soda. He went to his room again, coming down shortly afterward with a water
bucket, which he filled with water from the cistern in the rear of the
house, and carrying it clear around the building, went through the bakery
and then upstairs to his room. This conduct was noticed by Mr. R. Hebsacker,
who asked him why he took such a round-about-way for his room, to this he
replied in an evasive way and went on. Hardly five minutes had elapsed
after this when a shot fell, which was heard by nearly everyone in the
house, but it could not at first be located. Mr. Hebsacker was among
the first to locate the dreadful sound, and rushing upstairs, discovered his
brother lying on the floor, face downward, with a double barreled shotgun in
his arms. He drew the prostrate form out of the middle of the floor in the
hope that life was not quite extinct but the shot had done its work well, a
few twitches of the muscles and all was over.
Coroner Fitzgerald
was immediately summoned, who, finding that all the signs so conclusively
proved suicide, at first decided that no inquest would be necessary, but
after maturer deliberation concluded that, as no one had seen the shot
fired, it would be better to hold an inquest, which he did in the evening.
The jury was composed of
Messrs. N. Feith, J. H. Metcalf, John A. Poor, William
Frank, Benjamin Lynch, and Nicholas Monce. A thorough
examination into the circumstances satisfied the jury that it was a clear
case of suicide and a decision was rendered accordingly.
Mr. Adolph Hebsacker
was thirty-eight years of age; he came to this county about eight months
ago, and went to work in the bakery of his brother, baking at first, but
recently driving the delivery wagon. He was born and lived until his
departure for this county in Tubingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, where his
parents now reside. He went through the Austria Prussian and the
Franco-Prussian wars and was generally considered by all who knew him here
as an exemplary man. His actions just before he committed the deed were
peculiar so much so that they were commented upon by nearly all who saw him.
Thursday, 14 Jul
1881:
Theodore Tobin, a grocery man of Quincy, died of heat Saturday.
Col. Henry H. Wood, of Jacksonville, died of sunstroke while on a
visit at Quincy Saturday.
James Gay, one of the earliest settlers of his vicinity, died at
Leroy, McLean County, a few days ago.
Col. Rufus L. Miller, a prominent lawyer of Quincy, died on Sunday
evening after an illness of several days. He acted as marshal of the day at
the celebration of the Fourth.
Macon County has a bill of $2,000 against Christian County for the costs of
the trial of Robert W. Crafton, some years ago, for the murder of
Ebenezer Duff. Crafton took a change of venue from Christian County
where the murder was committed.
CIRCUIT COURT.
The Reynolds Trial.
Court convened yesterday
morning with a full jury in the Reynolds case and proceeded at once
to the taking of evidence. The jury consisted of the following gentlemen:
Mark Kain, Charles Purcell, John Feith, William
Reddin, Lewis Forman, George Houghteling, Judson Kelly,
Charles Snook, N. H. Crowley, William Carey, John
Higgins and Scott Neal. It was pronounced by most who were
present when it was selected as a very good jury for the defense.
Only a few witnesses were
examined by the prosecution and the testimony taken was very weak indeed.
The defense followed with a much greater force of witnesses and of
testimony. In fact the evidence both in quantity and quality was so utterly
against the prosecution that no arguments were made on either side, but
States Attorney Damron meeting that as the case stood it was
hopelessly against him, he abounded by telling the court that, under the
circumstances he could not ask the jury to render a verdict against the
prisoner. The court asked all those of the jury who were of the same
opinion to rise, and all rising, they were discharged and Robert S.
Reynolds left the court room an INNOCENT man.
Friday, 15 Jul
1881:
A WORD FOR THE REYNOLDS JURY.
Cairo, July 14th, 1881
Editor Bulletin:
DEAR SIR—It seems to be the
prevailing opinion that the jury in the case of the People vs. Reynolds
were bribed. It matters not what the verdict of the jury may be in cases of
this kind, there will be some to censure. This was an extraordinary case.
In behalf of myself and the other members of that jury I will say that
according to the evidence produced no other verdict could be rendered.
When the evidence for the prosecution of a case is all in, and the attorney,
who is prosecuting the case gets up and says to the jury, “Gentlemen, from
the evidence which I have been able to produce, and other circumstances
surrounding this case I feel that I have no case, and there being no
evidence by which to convict the defendant, I leave the case in your hands
believing you will do that which is just and right in the case.” Then comes
the instruction of His Honor the judge, which in point of fact amounts to
just about what has been told us by the prosecuting attorney. Can a jury in
the face of all this, when there is not an atom of evidence against the
defendant, get up and say we believe this man guilty, and are in favor of
his conviction? Before further charging this jury with having been bribed,
I would ask or suggest that some one interview other parties, the
prosecuting attorney for instance, and find, if possible, how and why his
principal witness was so suddenly and mysteriously spirited away. There may
have been bribery in this case, for ought I know, but it was not in the
jury, neither was there any attempt at bribery, and it there had been, I
feel assured that there was more than one on the jury who would have
repelled the attempt and treated the bribers with the scorn and contempt
with which they should have been treated.
Mr. Editor, you will greatly
oblige me and I believe every man who sat on that jury if you will five this
a place in your paper. Yours very respectfully,
Judson Kelly.
John Murray was killed in the Ellsworth coal mine at Danville,
Monday.
Mrs. Harriet Higbee, daughter-in-law of Judge Higbee, of
Pittsfield, died Tuesday.
John Hendrickson, a farmer living near Paxton, was perhaps fatally
mangled Tuesday, while working a hay stacker.
Father Richard H. Conway, a priest, at Aourbonnias, was found dead on
Tuesday morning.
John Kelly was killed by a German named Groh in a saloon row
at Freeburg. Groh escaped.
Ex-Mayor Wilding, of Belleville, died Sunday afternoon, after a
lingering illness, aged 46. He had been mayor four terms, and councilman
and justice of the peace several terms.
Tuesday, 19 Jul
1881:
A child of Webb
McKinney,
colored, died Sunday and was buried yesterday. Another child, belonging to
Ambrose Brown, colored, died and was buried on the same day as that
of McKinney.
A negro named Charles Austin, living on Third Street, between the
avenues, was found dead in his room, on Sunday evening at four o’clock. A
corner’s jury was summoned by Coroner Fitzgerald, and an inquest held
over the body. In the evidence before the jury no cause of the death of
deceased could be discovered, and although Dr. Wood, the examining
physician and foremen of the jury, gave the body a critical examination,
nothing could be found upon it that threw any light upon the case. A
verdict of “death from an unknown cause” was, therefore, the verdict of the
jury. It is said that
Austin
was seen during last week in a rather bad condition, being under the
influence of both heat and whiskey. It is reasonable to suppose, therefore,
both these had something to do with his unexpected demise.
Mrs. Ada Horne, mother of Thomas and John Horne, died at her
house, on Seventh Street, on Sunday. She had been seriously ill for some
weeks. Her remains were taken to Columbus on the steamer
City of Greenville
for interment.
AN ACCIDENT.
The evening freight train on
the Illinois Central yesterday evening brought down from Villa Ridge the
mutilated body of a young man named T. E. Smith, who has for some
time been living on Commercial Avenue, near Tenth Street, over the tailor
shop of Mr. Peter Zimmerman. It appears that when the train passed
through Villa Ridge, Smith jumped aboard unseen by the conductor and,
in attempting to gain the top of the train, fell between the cars on the
track and was run over. The conductor saw him fall and had the train
stopped, but not until several cars had passed over the unfortunate man and
town him up frightfully. He was taken into the caboose and brought to his
home in this city, where Dr. Parker was called to dress the wounds.
Upon examination it was found that the poor man was in a condition as to
almost pertude the idea of his recovery. His left leg had sustained a
compound fracture of the thigh, the thigh of the right leg is broken in two
places; a wound in the crotch, of several inches in length, extends almost
to the bladder; his right arm, at and just above the elbow, is crushed; the
scalp at the back of the head is gashed and a deep cut extends from the top
of the forehead down to the middle of the nose. Dr. Parker dressed
all the wounds, in a skillful manner and made the poor sufferer as
comfortable as possible, but it is his opinion that the man’s recovery is
extremely doubtful.
Wednesday, 20 Jul
1881:
OWING TO WHISKY
WHITE HALL, Ill., July
18.—Whisky is in a fair way to make the coroner of this county one of the
wealthiest men in it. Within as many months it has furnished him with four
subjects for inquests and yesterday at Roodhouse the preliminary steps were
taken which will, in all probability, supply him with the fifth. Ad
Currer is about 30 years of age; Lewis McGee about 50, and lame.
Both reside at Roodhouse. Sunday they engaged in a fight in a grove near the
town. The young man was getting the better one, when the latter drew a
knife and nearly disemboweled his assailant. McGee was arrested and
Currer is in charge of physicians with but slight chances of
recovery.
The remains of Patrick Corcoran were taken to Villa Ridge yesterday.
Services were held in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
The next case was that of the negro, Anderson Glenn, who is charged
with the murder of another named Moses Justus. Part of the forenoon
was taken up in securing a jury in the case and in the evening the following
men had been selected: B. D. Davidson, David Brown, Pres.
Brown, George Wooden, G. W. Hester, Frank White, W.
B. Hubbs, James R. Block, Joseph Hutchinson, W. P.
Redburn, R. D. Logan, and Thomas Smith. The taking of
testimony will begin this forenoon.
Mrs. Melvin and daughter, Mrs. Gordon, mother and sister of
Mr. Lem Melvin, arrived yesterday from New Albany, Ind., having been
called here by a dispatch announcing the dangerous sickness of Mr. Melvin
at the hospital in this city.
Mrs. L. D. White, long a resident of Quincy, died in Scotland
Thursday.
Frederick Schneider, a Bloomington mason, fell from the top of a
four-story building into eternity.
Henry G. Ramsey, author of Researches in the Mississippi Valley,
suicided at Freeman. Cause, financial difficulties.
Thursday, 21 Jul
1881:
DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS LOADED.
CLAREMONT, Ill., July 19.—A
ten-year-old girl of Levi Couch, of Hadley, Ill., was shot and killed
on Sunday by a twelve-year-old son of Patrick McEveley, while the
girl was at Mr. McEveley’s visiting. Mr. and Mrs. McEveley
took occasion to leave the children at home and during the absence of the
parents the boy got the gun and pointed it at the girl saying, “I will shoot
you,” when it was discharged the ball penetrating the brain just above the
left eye, producing instant death. The funeral takes place Monday, at the
Antioch Cemetery. The families and friends have the sympathy of the entire
community. The body didn’t know it was loaded.
SUN STROKE.
CHARLESTON, Ill., July
19.—Mr. Nelson Bush, a prominent farmer of Hickory Township, died
yesterday from sun stroke. The Odd Fellows of this city attended the
funeral, which occurred today. Mr. Bush had only been married a few
weeks.
(Nelson Bush married
Rachael Moore on 10 May 1881, in Coles Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
SLAIN BY THE HEAT.
DECATUR, Ill., July
10.—Frank Lutz, a farmer living a few miles north of Decatur, is
lying in a dangerous condition, having been stricken down by the heat while
at work in a field. It is thought he will die. He was an old soldier.
News was received here this
evening of the tragic death of a farmer named Fred Orris, who was
kicked in the head by a horse, in Shelby County, the other day. His skull
was fractured and he died in a short time. He left a family in needy
circumstances.
Yesterday morning a frightful and fatal accident occurred at the Illinois
Central yards in Bloomington, in the death of Mrs. Victoria Keough,
and her son, aged 12 years. For some time past the boy had been in the
habit of jumping on freight trains and stealing a ride to different stations
on the road. This morning he left home at an early hour, followed by his
mother, who went to the railroad to prevent her son from leaving home by
boarding a freight train. He was caught, but broke away from his mother,
when the latter started to run after him, and when in the middle of the side
track both mother and son were struck by a slowly moving switch engine, b0th
being literally torn to pieces, their heads severed from their bodies and
both presenting a most ghastly sight. Mrs. Keough came to
Bloomington a few years ago from Philadelphia where she resided for some
time, having a large circle of acquaintances.
CIRCUIT COURT.
The Anderson Glenn
murder case occupied all the time of the court yesterday until late in the
night. The case was opened in the morning by Prosecuting Attorney Damron,
who was followed by Mr. Leek for the defense. Taking of evidence
began about ten o’clock in the forenoon and continued until three o’clock in
the afternoon. Mr. Damron then opened the argument for the
prosecution and spoke until about five o’clock, when he was followed by Mr.
Leek. Mr. Damron closed the argument after supper and then
the case was given to the jury. Up to this writing, eleven o’clock, no
verdict had been found.
J. Murry Bacon, a well-known citizen of Jerseyville, died Saturday.
Joseph Atkinson, a well-to-do farmer living near Dixon, attempted
suicide with a razor. His recovery is doubtful.
Charles Kehley, aged 16, son of Prof. Kehley, of Decatur, fell
from a train near Braidwood, and was killed.
Friday, 22 Jul
1881:
A woman named Goulding was burned to death a day or two by the
explosion of coal oil, which was sold for 130 fire test, but which proved to
be only 105 when tested. In speaking of the horrible death, on the Illinois
Central railroad at Bloomington, of Mrs. Keough and her son, which
was also chronicled in yesterday’ issue of this paper, the Bloomington
Bulletin uses words that are as applicable here as there, and that will
probably be as much disregarded here as there. The account closes as
follows: “Poor younger Keough came to his tragic death, and was the
cause of sending his mother to an untimely grave, by the habit, common, as
one of the witnesses at the inquest said, to all the boys that of jumping on
and off trains. Had he been kept away from the railroad, the heart rending
accident of yesterday would not have shocked the community. Bloomington has
five railroads, and not a train comes or goes ton either that does not carry
from depot to junction or from town to Normal its freights of boys stealing
rides. Train men cannot keep them away—they will jump off one car and onto
another, policemen cannot catch them, for they are as quick as a squirrel to
run and hide. Many boys have been maimed for life by this habit, and some
have suddenly met their death, but others, not taking heed, keep on
climbing, over moving trains, seemingly to show how they can tempt and avoid
death—but the will sometimes fall and be ground under the relentless
wheels. There is a state law and a municipal ordinance inflicting fines for
getting onto or off from moving trains, and some way should be found to
enforce them.”
CIRCUIT COURT.
Some errors occurred in
The Bulletin’s account of the evening proceedings of the circuit court.
The truth is that Mr. Walter Warder, who was associated with Mr.
Leek in defending Anderson Glenn, closed the argument for the
defense night before last. State’s Attorney Damron closed the case
yesterday morning, and it was given to the jury at ten o’clock. At two
o’clock yesterday afternoon, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of
manslaughter and the prisoner was sentenced to nine years in the
penitentiary.
Saturday, 22 Jul
1881:
HE LINGERED UNTIL YESTERDAY.
MATTOON, Ill., July
21.—Michael Brady, the poor laborer who was, a week ago, so severely
burned by gas igniting in a well, lingered until today, when he died from
the effect of his injuries, and the excessive heat. He leaves a wife and
several children in meager circumstances.
Tene Smith, the young man who was so seriously injured on the
Illinois Central railroad at Villa Ridge a few days ago, is doing tolerably
well, and, the physicians think, may recover. He does not complain of much,
pain, except in his arm and shoulder.
“There were six deaths in Cairo last Sunday night, according to the News.
It seems to us that this is not a very favorable showing for a town that
claims to be one of the healthiest in this part of the state.”—DuQuoin
Tribune.
The above is a mistake.
There were not six deaths on Sunday night. There were five deaths, which
occurred during Saturday, Saturday night, Sunday and Sunday night. Of this
number, one, a negro “died of some cause unknown,” so said the coroner’s
jury, which sat upon him. Of the other four, two were children and two
women—the former had summer complaint and one of the latter had been sick
for a long time. None of these victims of the dread destroyer died of any
disease peculiar to this city, for there is not such disease here. It is
the opinion of some of our physicians that the reason these four who had for
several days been in a dangerous condition died so suddenly, was the rapid
change in the atmosphere from extreme hot to extreme cold, which was
accompanied by heavy thunder and rain, on Sunday last. The intimation of
the Tribune that Cairo is not a healthy place, is entirely
erroneous.
A son of Dr. Thompson was drowned in Rock River near London. He was
nineteen years old.
Sunday, 24 Jul
1881:
The little child of Mr. Albert Trover, who lives in the upper portion
of the city, died of summer complaint on Friday night.
Mrs. Martin, living on Twenty-eighth Street, died suddenly yesterday
morning. She will probably be buried today.
Tuesday, 26 Jul
1881:
FATALLY STABBED.
OLNEY, ILL., July 24.—Last
night, between 11 and 12 o’clock, a cutting affray took place on Main
Street, between Charlie Hollister, son of James Hollister, a
highly respected citizen of this city, and Charlie Scott, son of
David Scott, one of our most influential businessmen. Young
Hollister had been paying his attention to a young lady of this city for
the past several months, and it seems that Scott, in some manner,
insulted his sweetheart which kindled his wrath to such an extent that
caused him to vow vengeance against Scott. He started out on the
hunt for him, and met Scott on Main Street and demanded an apology,
which was denied, whereupon a scuffle ensued in which Scott received
a stab in the back—a dangerous and probably fatal wound. Hollister
is confided in jail awaiting a preliminary examination.
The name of the negro who killed his fellow prisoner in the Paducah jail on
Sunday, a detailed account of which appears elsewhere in this paper was Levy
Bolden, that of his victim John Stewart.
On Sunday a great deal of excitement was created in Paducah by the killing
of two negro prisoners in the county jail. The circumstances are about as
follows: The two negroes in question occupied cells one above the other,
and the one below heard the one above making efforts to escape by filing
away the bars. He told a colored woman who was waiting upon the prisoners
of this, and the woman informed the jailer, who thereupon removed the negro
from above into the same cell with the informer. Previous to his removal
this negro had made threats against the life of the informer, but it was not
thought that he would carry out the threats, particularly as there were no
weapons in the cell with which he could make the attempt. But on Sunday
cries of murder and help were heard to issue from the cell in which the two
were confined and when the jailer, sheriff and county judge went to
ascertain the trouble, they found the negro had made good his threat and
killed his companion with an iron rod he had torn from the bedstead. The
sheriff unlocked the door and ordered the murderer out, but he refused to
open the door, and when the sheriff opened it and attempted to enter, he
received a blow on the hand, which caused him to drop his pistol. The black
villain was about to strike again, but was killed by two shots fired by the
jailer and judge before he could accomplish his purpose. The affair caused
such great excitement that the newspapers of the city issued extras for the
information of their readers.
Thursday, 28 Jul 1881:
Charley Scott, son of David Scott, was stabbed and probably
fatally wounded by Charlie Hollister, son of James Hollister,
at Olney.
Friday, 29 Jul
1881:
Paducah Enterprise: “The sad accident which resulted in the death of
young Luther Potter in this county, Tuesday evening, is but another
frightful warning to those who persist in carelessly handling firearms.
Thousands of people have been killed in the same way that he met his death,
yet it is safe to say that despite the warning the practice will yet be
indulged in. Blowing into a gun is a poor way to find out if it is loaded.
The best way is to use a ramrod. In the same way are people killed or
horribly burned almost every day with coal oil, despite the fact that the
papers are full of accounts of deaths and accidents from the careless use of
the explosives. Despite the many warning people do not seem inclined to
heed them.
Saturday, 30 Jul
1881:
Robert Imboden, the lad who was injured in jumping from a wagon on
the ferryboat some day ago, died yesterday morning at 6:10 o’clock. His
injuries were such that lockjaw resulted from them. His remains were to
have been taken to New Madrid, Mo., for interment last night. He was a
stepson of Mr. W. C. Newsum.
Tuesday, 2 Aug
1881:
The funeral of Mrs. Ellis, a colored woman, who had been in the
employ of Col. J. S. Rearden for some time, and who died Sunday, took
place yesterday. Her remains were attended by a large procession of friends
and were interred at Villa Ridge.
Wednesday, 3 Aug
1881:
A SOMNAMBULIST DROWNS HIMSELF.
SHAWNEETOWN, Ill., August
1.—Jasper Newell, a school teacher from Kentucky, was drowned
Saturday night off the packet just below Evansville, Ind. He was asleep on
deck and, it is supposed, walked overboard in his sleep. His brother said
today his body has not been found.
BURNED BY OIL.
PANA, Ill., August 1.—A
girl, aged 12 years, and a daughter of William Lynch, residing in the
western part of the city, was so badly burned this evening by the explosion
of a coal oil can, from which she was pouring oil on the fire, that her
death is momentarily expected.
THE TENTH VICTIM.
PEORIA, ILL., August
1.—William Rice, another one of the victims of the disaster at
Woolner distillery, died last night, making the tenth whose injuries have
proven fatal. Augustus Woolner, one of the proprietors, who died
Sunday morning and several other were buried today, the funerals being
largely attended. The death of two more is momentarily expected.
On the 1st instant a boot black of Quincy named Love stabbed another
named Cross in the neck with a common pocketknife, making a wound
which proved fatal within ten minutes after it had been inflicted. The
murderer is thirteen and the victim twelve years old.
“Mrs. Judge W. H. Green, of Cairo, who is known to persons in this
city, is now at Waukesha, Wisconsin, lying at the point of death from that
dreadful disease consumption.”—Paducah
Enterprise.
Paducah News:
“Saturday evening last Mr. Mat Baldwin, second clerk of the steamer
Dexter, was stabbed severely and perhaps seriously by a deck
passenger on the boat. From the information as it comes to the News
it seems that Mr. Baldwin went on the deck to collect passage from
the deck passengers. He, in some unknown way, got into a quarrel with a
man—name unknown—and knocked the fellow down and jumped upon him. The
fellow, it is said, immediately drew a knife and plunged it into Mr.
Baldwin’s side twice, making painful and ugly wounds. The difficulty
occurred below Golconda, Ill., and when the boat reached that port the man
was jailed and a physician called to attend the wounds of Mr. Baldwin.
The physician went with Mr. Baldwin to Evansville and in returning
home on the
Hopkins
yesterday, said he was badly cut if not fatally hurt. Mr. Baldwin
has but lately taken a position on the Lower Ohio, but is better known on
the upper part of the river, where he has boated fro some time.”
FOUND DEAD.
A man named Gregor Holler
was found dead in a bed in his room in Mr. John Sackburger’s boarding
house on Ohio Levee near Eighth Street, last night, about eight o’clock. He
had been sick some time ago, but was thought to be on the say to complete
health. He had been up and around for several days before, but yesterday
afternoon he laid down as had been his habit for some time and about eight
o’clock in the evening was found dead as stated. Drs. Bryant and
Parker were summoned immediately and although the body was still quite
warm when they arrived, he was found to be beyond their help. It is thought
that death resulted from heart disease. Holler was at the time he
was taken sick tending bar for Mr. Nat Prouty, below Sixth Street,
and rooming at Mr. Sackburger’s house. He was a cousin of Mrs.
Sackberger and a man of a very agreeable disposition. The time of
funeral had not been decided upon last night.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The remains of Gregor
Holler, who died at the residence of Mr. John Sackburger
yesterday evening, at 6:30 o’clock, at the age of forty-nine years, will be
taken to Villa Ridge for interment on a special train at two o’clock this
afternoon. Funeral services will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, at one
o’clock. Friends are invited.
Thursday, 4 Aug
1881:
The remains of Gregor Holler were accompanied by a large number of
friends to Villa Ridge yesterday afternoon at two o’clock.
Friday, 5 Aug
1881:
Some days ago Mr. Raggio, the Italian, received a telegram from
Cincinnati, stating that his sister, Mrs. White, was dangerously sick
and asking him to come to her bedside immediately. He went, and shortly
after he arrived Mrs. White improved, and he was about to return
home, when she took a relapse and he remained. On Wednesday he sent a
dispatch for his wife and she left the city the same evening. Mrs. White
formerly resided in this city and her husband built the two-story brick
house at the corner of Twentieth and Poplar streets.
Saturday, 6 Aug
1881:
The state’s attorney of Pulaski County, James Anderson, was found
dead in his bed yesterday morning. He retired the evening before in
apparent excellent health, which leads his friends to believe that the cause
of his death was heart disease. He leaves a wife and three children, one of
them nearly of age. The people of Mound City are in mourning over the
unexpected event. Mr. Anderson was also well and favorably known in
this city, where his death will be regretted.
Charles Northrup, steward of the steamer Belle Memphis, and a
gentleman of large acquaintance along the rivers, died on Wednesday. The
facts that the flags of the steamer Belle Memphis floated at half
mast during her last trip is proof of the value of the man in whose memory
they were so lowered.
Sunday, 7 Aug
1881:
ACCIDENTALLY DROWNED.
PEORIA, Ill., August 5.—The
body of a man named William Kane, a coal minter from Abingdon, Ill.,
was found in Lamarah Creek, seven miles from here yesterday. It is a case
of accidental drowning.
A few days ago Mrs. Charles Arter went to Villa Ridge and selected a
lot in the cemetery with the intention of having the remains of her husband
removed to it from where they now lie at some future time. It is also the
intention to have the remains of Charley Saup disinterred and sent to
Zanesville, Ohio, where his parents reside.
Tuesday, 9 Aug
1881:
RUN OVER AND
KILLED.
VANDALIA, Ill., August
7.—This morning about 3 o’clock, No. 14, west bound freight on the Vandalia
road, ran over and killed Pat Goodwin just inside city limits. When
found he was lying diagonally across the track near the crossing of a street
with both legs completely severed from the body and one arm and shoulder
crushed into a shapeless mass. It was evident that the body had been
carried a distance of thirty or forty feet from where the death dealing
engine first struck it, as both legs and particles of bone were found strewn
along the track. He was formerly a section boss on the Vandalia Road just
west of this city, but was discharged a few days since, in consequence of
which it was thought he took to hard drinking. Coroner Fitzgerald
held an inquest this morning at 10 o’clock, which resulted in the verdict
that the deceased came to his death while intoxicated by being run over by a
freight train. He was 34 years of age and leaves a wife and two children in
destitute circumstances.
Freight trains on the Ohio & Mississippi collided on a straight track four
miles outside of Vincennes, Ind., killing Dr. Jacob Raiff, of Sumner,
Ill., and injuring John Musgrove and Richard L. Cox.
FATAL SHOOTING.
Frank Heeter, son of
Reason Heeter, of Elco, in this country, was shot and killed in a
cornfield near Elco on last Saturday afternoon. Forty-eight buckshot and
two pistol balls were found in his body. He was a young man and quite
favorably known in all parts of the county. His body was first discovered
by Mrs. Cauble, wife of Frank Cauble, who, being out in a
neighboring cornfield, heard the shooting and found the dead man lying on
the ground. She at once gave the alarm by calling her husband, who
suggested that it would be better to call some of the neighbors, as their
presence there alone might direct suspicion against themselves. Mrs.
Cauble then called Mr. Black and young Heeter’s father,
who went to the field, and after satisfying themselves of the death of young
Frank, they notified Esquire H. F. Putnam, who summoned a jury and
held an inquest over the body.
Several witnesses were examined among them Francis Cauble, who by the
way, was strongly suspected of being the murderer. He testified to having
borrowed a gun some time before and having failed to return, but refused to
state where the gun was at that time, and it could not be found about his
premises. The verdict of the jury was that death resulted from a shot fired
by an unknown person.
Coroner Fitzgerald left for the scene of the affray yesterday
morning, and held another inquest. It is likely that new facts were
developed.
(John Franklin Cauble
married Sarah Alice Black on 15 Dec 1874, in Alexander Co., Ill. The
13 Aug 1881, and 20 Aug 1881, issues of the Jonesboro Gazette
reported that Francis Heater was 25 and that he was formerly engaged
to Sarah (Black) Cauble, but that the family thought they were
too young to marry.—Darrel Dexter)
FUNERAL NOTICE.
DIED.—At his residence on
Seventh Street on Monday morning, August 8th, 1881, of old age, Mr. Antonio
Steagala, aged seventy-six.
The funeral will leave the
residence on Seventh Street for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, at 12:30
o’clock, will leave the church at one o’clock for a special train on the
Illinois Central railroad, which leaves the foot of Fourteenth Street at two
o’clock. Friends of the family are invited.
Wednesday, 10 Aug
1881:
A tragedy occurred at Mayfield, Kentucky on Sunday which resulted in the
death of a young man named William Yates. Yates was at a
house a short distance from Mayfield visiting, when one James Crawford,
of the same town came in also for the purpose of making a visit. A dispute
arose between the two, in the course of which Yates, who is
considered a hard character, drew his revolver and fired two shots at
Crawford. The latter ran out doors followed by Yates and in the
yard the shooting again commenced this time Crawford fired back.
Four shots were exchanged and Yates was shot through the heart and
instantly killed. Crawford was unhurt.
Coroner Richard Fitzgerald returned yesterday evening from Elco,
where he had been to examine into the killing of Frank Heeter. He
was accompanied by State’s Attorney Damron and Mr. Angus Leek.
They remained there the greater part of yesterday and the day before, giving
every circumstance of the case due consideration. At the end of the
investigation the coroner believed that the facts would justify the arrest
of Cauble which was done and he was brought down and is now in the
county jail. The evidence against him is purely circumstantial and he
claims to be able to prove by competent witnesses that he was fully half a
mile away from Frank Heeter, when the shot was fired.
Mr. Raggio has returned from Cincinnati, but is wife is still there.
His sister is improving.
KILLED WHILE STEALING A RIDE.
CHAMPAIGN, ILL., August
9.—John Aman, a cigar maker from Syracuse, N.Y., in attempting to
board a freight train last night, was horribly mangled so that the largest
piece left was a small part of his leg. He quit his employer, took a
carouse and started to leave the city by stealing a ride on the Central
road. The Cigar Makers’ Union buried him.
VERY BADLY CUT.
CARROLLTON, ILL., August
9.—Word has reached here that in a drunken row at Rockbridge, Saturday
night, John Freer, a young man of about 30, was very badly cut by one
Cuff Houck. One wound is under the shoulder blade and two just over
the hip. Fatal consequences are feared. No arrests have yet been made.,
A man—an Italian, employed in the kitchen of the “Halliday”—was overcome
with heat yesterday afternoon and last night was not expected to recover.
He lives on Sixth Street.
(The 12 Aug
1881, issue identied him as Ambrogio Squire.—Darrel Dexter)
Friday, 12 Aug
1881:
Mr. Ambrogio Squire, the Italian, of whom mention was made in
yesterday’s Bulletin as being dangerously ill from the effects of
sunstroke, died yesterday forenoon at eleven o’clock. He had been in this
county only a short time and in the city only three days. He went to work
in the kitchen of The Halliday and on Wednesday morning was overcome with
heat from the effects of which he died. He leaves a wife and two children,
who are very much in need of assistance, especially the wife, who will soon
again become a mother. He also leaves a brother in Cincinnati, who has been
telegraphed to by Mr. Testera, head cook of The Halliday, and who
will probably be here today. Two sisters of Mrs. Squire are also in
this country and live in St. Louis, but to a dispatch to them, sent by Mr.
Peter Saup, no reply was received. Mr. Testera has given the
sick man and his family every attention during their affliction and much
pecuniary assistance and has made arrangements for the funeral, which takes
place from the residence of the deceased, on Sixth Street, this forenoon at
eleven o’clock. The remains will be taken to Villa Ridge.
A CORRECTION.
Editor Bulletin:
DEAR SIR: In your account
of the examination at Elco, in regard to the killing of Francis Heater,
you state among other things: “At the end of the investigation the coroner
believed that the facts should justify the arrest of Cauble, which
was done, and he was brought down and is now in the county jail.” My dear
sir, in the above statement you give the coroner a power that he does not
possess in law; whatever belief the coroner may have in regard to the guilt
or innocence of Frank Cauble or anyone else, is not yet known to
anyone but himself. The coroner caused to be disinterred the body of
Francis Heater and had a jury summoned, sworn and impaneled, to
diligently inquire as to the cause of the death of the deceased, which jury,
after hearing all the evidence touching the said inquiry, returned to the
coroner the following verdict, signed by them all, to wit:
“We, the undersigned jurors,
sworn to inquire of the death of Francis Heater, on oath do find,
that he came to his death from the effects of gunshot wounds, inflicted in
and upon the back and side of the deceased; that said shot or shots were
fired and discharged out of a gun or pistol in the hands of John F.
Cauble, and we deem the killing unlawful and unjustifiable.
Samuel Briley, foreman; Benjamin F. Hunsacker, J. W. Durham,
John W. Brigman, William Miller, Louis B. Palmer.”
After the return of the
above verdict, the coroner issued a warrant for the arrest of John F.
Cauble, and afterwards issued a mittimus committing said
Cauble to the county jail, there to remain until further dealt with
according to law. The warrant and mittimus above mentioned were
issued under and by virtue of Sec. 23, chapter 31, Revised Statutes, which
reads as follows: “If a person implicated by the inquest, as the unlawful
slayer of the deceased or as accessory thereto is not in custody therefore,
the coroner shall apprehend and commit, or cause to be apprehended and
committed to the county jail such persons there to remain until discharged
by due course of law.”
As to the evidence being
purely circumstantial, perhaps your informant has better knowledge of the
facts than the jury that spent most of two days and a half a night
investigating the matter. Resp’t etc.,
F. J. R.
A TERRIBLE FALL.
NOKOMIS, ILL., August
11th.—On Sunday night Douglas Pherigo, a young man from Johnson
Township, fell from the second story of the Pacific House, in Taylorsville,
receiving a wound four inches long in the skull. The bed was near the
window and Pherigo fell while asleep. His physicians think he can
not recover.
BEHEADED BY A TRAIN.
ALTON, ILL., August
11.—Passengers on the accommodation train from Springfield this morning
report that about six miles from that place the train passed the headless
corpse of a man lying by the track. The clothes were torn off and the body
fearfully mangled. The head was found about 100 feet from the body.
Conductor Straver stopped his train, moved the body to one side, left
a man to guard it and notified the officials. The man had evidently been
run over during the night by a passing train. A bottle of whisky found near
the severed head, told the story.
DEAD IN HIS BUGGY.
CARROLLTON, MO., August
11.—John Alt, one of the oldest citizens of this county, was buried
today near the German church, west of this city. For some time his health
has been failing, and a few days ago, in company with his wife, he visited
Excelsior Springs, in Clay County, making the journey in his buggy.
Experiencing no benefit from the waters, he started on his return home
yesterday morning and when about four miles from Richmond was overcome with
the heat and died in his buggy on the road. The body was brought home on
the cars the same day and laid away as above stated. He was a good citizen
and universally respected.
Sunday, 14 Aug
1881:
CRUSHED BY THE
CARS.
ALTON, ILL., August 12.—This
afternoon a stranger named Mimam, attempted to pass between two
disconnected cars of a freight train, when the engine backed up and the
unfortunate young man was caught between and as badly crushed that his life
is despaired of. He was brought to this city, taken to the hospital and was
alive at last accounts.
FATAL RUNAWAY ACCIDENT.
BLOOMINGTON, ILL., August
22.—John Hines, a well known farmer, residing near Hudson, met with a
terrible accident this forenoon. He was engaged in hauling corn, when the
team became frightened and ran away, throwing him to the ground, the wheels
passing over his body and injuring him internally. He will die.
DROWNED WHILE BATHING.
ALTON, ILL., August
12.—Anson Thompson, son of W. C. Thompson, of Upper Alton, was
drowned this morning while bathing in a pond on the premises of Professor
Wymad. He was 16 years old and bore an excellent reputation.
TWO BUGGY ACCIDENTS.
SHELBYVILLE, ILL., August
12.—Yesterday at a Sunday school celebration twenty miles north of this
place, Col. Shridera farmer, living in that locality, was instantly
killed by the upsetting of his wagon, which was caused by driving over a
stump. His neck was broken.
On the same afternoon a
carriage containing Misses Mary and Jennie Trower, Mrs. Brewsler
and Mr. John Thornton was carelessly driven off a bridge, upsetting
the carriage and severely injuring Miss Mary Trower. The rest
escaped with but slight bruises.
Thursday, 18 Aug
1881:
TWO TERRIBLE ACCIDENTS
CENTRALIA, ILL., August
16.—A Pole named Laskey, a carpenter, living near Sandoval, was run
over by a train here tonight. He was intoxicated and walking along the
track and a train of two cars and an engine backing up ran him down. One
arm was severed and his body cut in two.
William Craig crept
inside the guard wire at the coal mine, to get a better view into the hole,
when the cage descended rapidly and crushed his head into a jelly. He was
unmarried but leaves many relatives here. He was greatly troubled with
scrofula and some think he committed suicide. Craig was an estimable
young man and a member of the Baptist Church.
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
DECATUR, ILL., August
16.—Last evening, while out hunting near Maroa, in this county, Lew
Tingle, son of the late Capt. Joseph Tingle, accidentally shot
himself through the head, dying instantly. The verdict of the jury was
accidental death.
J. W. To__ey, late of
Bloomington, died at the hospital here this afternoon of typhoid fever. He
was an Odd Fellow and had been sick two weeks.
Friday, 19 Aug
1881:
KILLED BY A TRAMP.
URBANA, ILL., August 17.—A
desperate affair occurred this evening ten miles east in St. Joseph
Township. Mr. Alexander was drawing a load of brick, when a tramp
came out of the woods and asked to ride. When on the wagon he demanded
Alexander’s money, and in the resulting contest shot at Alexander
twice. The second shot pierced Alexander’s bowels, and he will die.
The tramp fled into the woods and has escaped. Sheriff Oldham, of
this city, has started for the scene of the murder in pursuit of the fiend.
Alexander is an old man. No other particulars obtainable tonight.
Ed. Reeves, the scoundrel who attempted to violate the person of Miss
Dora Langston, in Graves County, Kentucky, about a week ago, was
captured in Ballard County, at the house of a man named Ford by
Messrs. A. J. Cuinn and William Harper, who shortly after
turned him over to a party of men who came by there in search of the negro.
It is believed that the men hung the wretch to a tree before they left
Ballard County.
Saturday, 20 Aug 1881:
Paducah News: We learn the following particulars of a shocking death
yesterday, in the Black Bottom neighborhood of Massac County, Illinois: A
young negro man by the name of Tanner, who lives about three miles
beyond Stringtown, had been out hunting and in meeting an acquaintances took
a seat upon a fence, resting his chin upon the muzzle of his gun. While
holding the gun in the position named, he afterwards began to slip from the
fence to the ground, when in some unknown manner the gun was discharged.
The gun had been heavily loaded with buckshot and the entire load passed up
through Tanner’s head from the chin to the top, making a frightful
wound. The man, notwithstanding his wound, started to walk to his home, a
distance of fifty yards, and after reaching there spoke a few words and even
lifted water from a pan and with it bathed his injury. He shortly afterward,
however began sinking rapidly and was soon dead. Tanner was not
quite of age, but was an industrious and worthy colored man.
Wednesday, 24 Aug
1881:
Eddie Peterson, a 13-year-old lad of Galva, attempted to get on a
moving freight train and a mangled mass of humanity was the result.
Thursday, 25 Aug
1881:
Word was telephoned to Anna Tuesday afternoon from the county seat,
Jonesboro, that Nick Wilford, a young man aged about 22, son of Mr.
Jesse Wilford, of Anna, had committed suicide by shooting himself in
the head. He was a young man of good qualities and had a host of friends
who were shocked to hear of his horrible death. The young man, in
committing the deed, stood in front of a large mirror behind the counter of
the store where he was employed, in order, it is supposed, to see how to
place the muzzle of the Smith & Wesson revolver he had taken from the show
case for the purpose. He lingered several hours after he was shot.
(The 27 Aug
1881, Jonesboro Gazette reported that J. Nick Williford
committed suicide at Anna and died at the residence of his uncle, C. H.
Williford in Jonesboro on 23 Aug 1881.—Darrel Dexter)
Friday, 26 Aug
1881:
During Wednesday night the little eight-year-old boy of Mr. Phillip
McCarty, who lives on Twentieth Street, between Washington Avenue and
Poplar Street, died after an illness of a few days. His remains were
conveyed by special train to Villa Ridge yesterday and there interred.
Wednesday, 31 Aug 1881:
Mr. John Welsh, who has been engineer at the Illinois Central car
hoist for some time, died suddenly at his home on Twenty-seventh Street
yesterday morning, at 6:20 o’clock. He had not been sick at all, but had not
been well enough to work for a day or two. Yesterday he arose from his bed,
sat up a short time and smoked his pipe, but suddenly he arose and started
for the door, when his brother, seeing that he was not all right, stepped
forward and caught him just as he was about to fall to the floor. He
expired in his brother’s arms. He was about forty years of age and had many
friends who will mourn his unexpected demise. He will probably be buried
today.
A NEGRO STABBED.
About nine o’clock last
night a negro named John Harris was cut twice in the abdomen by
another negro named Verge Hays. The cutting was the result of an
altercation which began by Hays accusing Harris of having
passed him without speaking to him. Harris denied this, saying that
he had not seen Hays, whereupon Hays called Harris a
d---d liar. All this took place on Commercial Avenue, near Eleventh Street,
while they were walking down towards Tenth Street, and when they reached a
point in front of Mr. Zimmerman’s tailor shop, Hays drew his
knife, and inflicted the wounds upon Harris. Harris managed
to reach Dr. Gordon’s office and laid down on the sidewalk, there
until the doctor came and dressed his wounds, from one of which the
intestines were protruding. Dr. Gordon pronounced one of the cuts a
very serious one, which may prove fatal in a very short time.
Harris
is a young man, has been employed for some years as teamster by Mr. James
Ross and later by Messrs. Halliday Bros. He was in their employ
as teamster at the time he was cut. He is said to be a good natured enough
at times, but generally a rather quarrelsome fellow, though in this case he
seems to have given no evidence of his mean nature.
Verge Hays, the negro
who did the cutting, is a steamboat roustabout, well known among the negroes
generally as not much if any better or worse than Harris. He is also
a young man and lives over the tailor shop aforesaid. He made his escape
right after the cutting and though all the officers were out in search of
him until a late hour last night, he had not been caught at the time of
going to press.
Thursday, 1 Sep
1881:
Officer Taylor captured the negro Verge Hays who stabbed John
Harris on Monday night and lodged him in jail. Hays
surrendered himself to the officer when he found himself closely pursued.
He will have a preliminary examination as soon as the result of his bloody
deed is apparent.
The funeral of Mr. John Welsh took place yesterday afternoon and was
largely attended. The remains were taken to Villa Ridge for interment.
Friday, 2 Sep 1881:
Mr. John Campbell, father of Mrs. S. Y. Perce, died yesterday
morning at the age of eighty-eight years. He leaves a large family of
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in this city to mourn his
departure for the other world. Many friends of the family, here as well as
elsewhere, will join in sympathy for the bereaved.
Saturday, 3 Sep
1881:
Near Dongola, nine miles south of Anna, a child was whipped to death on
Tuesday. The murderer fled, but it is said, he was caught and an infuriated
crowd hung him up.
(The report of the lynching
was incorrect.—Darrel Dexter)
John Harris, the man who was cut by the negro Verge Hays,
Wednesday night, has been lying at his home on Seventeenth Street in much
agony since he received his wounds. He is a man of family, having a wife
and six or seven children alive, whom he barely supported by constant hard
labor. He is not a desperate character, but is quarrelsome and, when drunk,
is a hard case. Yet it appears that on the night of the cutting he was not
intoxicated and gave no reason whatever for assaulting him. Officer Wims,
who visited him late last night, reported him to be apparently at the point
of death, his hands and feet having become quite cold and general condition
giving strong evidence of near dissolution.
The wife of Mr. Jessie Newsome, formerly principal of the Cairo
colored schools, but now in charge of the Hodges Park station in the colored
Methodist mission, died suddenly at Hodges Park on Wednesday and was buried
at Villa Ridge yesterday.
(A marker in Cairo City
Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Jane B. wife of Jesse Newsome Born
Dec. 11, 1834, Died Aug. 31, 1881.—Darrel Dexter)
WHIPPED TO DEATH.
(Special to the
Cairo Bulletin)
DONGOLA, August 31.—Samuel
Hazel, beat to death with a cowhide, a little six-year-old daughter
of Elizabeth Dalton. The murder was committed six miles east of
Dongola in Union County. The only provocation the child gave the brute was
to cry to go to bed. The murderer has skipped, but steps are being taken to
hunt him down. For brutality the murder is unparalleled, and should the
brute be caught, he will or should be brought to punishment. But then it is
in Union County, and whoever heard of a murderer being convicted in Union
County?
"Old Trim"
(The Jonesboro Gazette
of 3 Sep 1881, and 10 Sep 1881, reported the girl’s name as Mollie Dalton.—Darrel
Dexter)
Sunday, 4 Sep 1881:
A MYSTERIOUS DEATH.
Coroner Richard
Fitzgerald was notified yesterday afternoon that the body of a man had
been found in the woods above Cairo, not far from the farm of Mr. John
Porter. Three little boys who were out in the woods looking for paw
paws, found it and reported the fact. The body is very much decomposed and
seems to have lain there for nearly if not quite a week. The features could
not be recognized and the clothing had been torn into shreds, probably by
hogs. A hole in the forehead and a large revolver—a seven shooter with the
cartridge, against which the trigger lay empty found near by the body,
showed the manner of the man's death, and gives ground for the suspicion
that he committed suicide. There were found also lying around the body in a
disordered state a number of letters and other papers all written and
printed in the German language, which prove the poor man to have been one of
education, honest and industrious. From these papers it appears that the
man's name was Ottomar Maximillian Regel, of Verdau, Germany; that he
came to this country some time in the month of May, 1879, that he has a
father, mother and two sisters living in Verdau, who are in moderate
circumstances financially, and that he was indebted to twelve different
parties in Germany to the amount of about one thousand dollars. Among the
papers are three recommendations from hardware dealers in Wicca and
Chemists, which give him an excellent character; a certificate of
vaccination, dated some time in May 1879 at Wicca; two school certificates
which show that he stood high in the ordinary branches of learning; a piece
of paper written and signed by himself in a good clear hand, in which he
binds himself before leaving Germany for this country to return at any time
if the German army were called out for service and report for duty at
military headquarters in his town. This paper is dated at Verdau, May 19th,
1879. There is also a letter from his sister, Ernestine Regel, dated
at Verdau, February 23d, 1880. Besides these papers there were found a
number of leaves from a German almanac, each neatly folded to a triangle and
containing a specimen of butterfly, some of them very handsome; an old
pocket and memorandum book combined, in which a few now unintelligible notes
have been made. There were also four photographs of as many different
persons. One is that of a young man apparently about twenty-two years old;
another was a man about thirty years old, with a short cut but thick
mustache and dressed in a long, black frock coat; and having a decidedly
German appearance. This is supposed to be the picture of the dead man. The
other two pictures were likenesses of two young ladies, probably his two
sisters, Ernestine and Flora.
Coroner Fitzgerald will hold an inquest over the remains this
morning, but it is not likely that the manner of the man's death will be
positively ascertained.
Tuesday, 6 Sep
1881:
DROWNED.
Sunday evening a young man
was drowned while bathing in the Ohio River near the Iron Mountain
wharfboat. His name was Joseph Breton, and had been in the employ of
Mr. B. F. Blake, as painter for nearly five months. He was a Swiss,
coming here from Baden, Switzerland, about eight years ago. He was
twenty-six years of age and leaves a mother and two sisters in Baden.
He went into the water to
bathe and, being unable to swim, he took hold of the chain which holds the
wharfboat to the shore and drew himself out into deep water hand over hand.
What made him release his hold upon the chain is not known, but he did, and
he immediately went under and had not yet been found late last night. A
friend of his named Christian Einstein, who has been a partner to
Breton ever since he came here, and who is also in the employ of Mr.
Blake, made an attempt to find the body. Like his friend he could not
swim, but he tied a rope round his body and another around his wrist, with
which he could signal to draw him up, and then made a dive for the bottom of
the river. After groping around in the water as long as he could stand it,
without finding the body of his friend, he was drawn up only to find that
some scoundrel had stolen a pair of three-dollar cuff buttons out of his
shirt, which he had left lying on the shore.
MURDERER WANTED.
The following postal card
was received yesterday by Circuit Clerk A. H. Irvin from Sheriff
Randleman, of Union County.
A liberal reward will be
given by citizens and doubtless $200.00 by the governor, for the arrest of
Samuel Hazel, for the murder of Mollie
Dalton,
a child six years old, on the 31st day of August, 1881.
Samuel Hazel, is about 26 years old, 5 feet 9 inches high, auburn
hair, hazel eyes, high cheekbones, prominent Roman nose, sloping forehead
and chin smooth shaved, short light moustache, bad countenance and brutal
face. Wears small black hat, black coat and vest, black broadcloth or black
cotton pants, two shirts (one hickory and one white) boots a little run
down, with horse shoe on leg and steel plate on the heel.
HENRY RENDLEMAN,
Sheriff of Union County.
Jonesboro, Ill., Sept. 5th, 1881.
Wednesday, 7 Sep
1881:
Several men were employed the greater part of yesterday in fishing for the
body of young Joseph Berton, the painter, who drowned near the Iron
Mountain wharfboat, in the Ohio River, on Sunday night, but without finding
him.
Coroner R. Fitzgerald went on Sunday morning to view the remains of
the man Max Regel, found near Mr. Thomas Porter's farm by
several boys on Saturday last. He found only the skeleton and some scraps
of the man's clothing. Apparently he came there before the high water and
has lain there ever since it went away. The clothing was torn into shreds,
and flesh entirely eaten off the bones by vultures and hogs. The bones were
scattered in all directions for quite a space around, and there was no
evidence anywhere which could have furnished grounds for an intelligent
verdict of a coroner's jury; therefore no inquest was held. The papers
found strewn around about the skeleton furnish the only information that
could be obtained and this was very fully given in Sunday's Bulletin.
However, the fact that there is a hole in the forehead of the skull and that
one of the chambers of the pistol found nearby was empty, gives strong
ground for the belief that he committed suicide by shooting himself.
Thursday, 8 Sep
1881:
The body of a colored child in a cigar box was found by a negro named George
Washington under the sidewalk on Twelfth Street, near Railroad
Street.
Washington was
assisting City Engineer Charles Thrupp in making a survey and while
clearing the ground to drive a stake the box was discovered. Apparently the
child had been dead about three days and was therefore in a state of
decomposition. The body bore no marks of having been foully dealt with yet
there is some ground for the belief that an investigation by the officers
will reveal some ugly facts.
Friday, 9 Sep
1881:
The body of Joseph Berton, the Swiss, who drowned in the Ohio River,
on Sunday night, came to the surface yesterday morning near to the spot
where it went down. It presented a horrible appearance, being swollen and
discolored almost beyond recognition. It was secured to the shore and
Coroner Fitzgerald notified. The coroner responded promptly and
summoned a jury consisting of Messrs. S. M. Orr, Nicholas Feith,
James Sullivan, John P. Feith, Fred Whitcamp, and
Officer Olmstead, the latter acting as foreman. The verdict of the
jury after examining a number of witnesses was that death resulted from
accidental drowning. The remains were taken in charge by Mr. N. Feith
and properly interred at the Seven-mile graveyard.
Sunday, 11 Sep
1881:
The body of a negro was found floating in the Ohio River at the foot of
Tenth Street yesterday forenoon. It was caught when it reached Fourth
Street, and the coroner notified. He arrived promptly and summoned a jury
to enquire into the circumstances of the case. The jury consisted of
Messrs. N. Feith, J. W. Morehead, Patrick Corcoran,
Patrick Sweeney, J. McCauligg, and Patrick Collins. No
particulars concerning the death of the man could be obtained and the
verdict of the jury was that death resulted from drowning; cause unknown.
The body, which was much decomposed and almost nude, was taken care of by
Mr. N. Feith, and buried decently at the Seven-Mile graveyard.
The following account of the brutal murder of little Mollie
Dalton
near Dongola some days ago, of which a short notice appeared in these
columns at the time, is taken from the last number of the Jonesboro
Gazette:
"The scene of this crime was
in that rugged portion of Union County six miles east of Dongola, at the
house of a woman named Nancy Keller. The parties to the transaction
were a woman by the name of
Dalton,
mother of the murdered child, the woman Keller, William Hazel,
a brother of the murderer, and Samuel Hazel, the brute described
above, who is said to be a former inmate of the penitentiary. None of the
parties mentioned bear the best of reputation. William Hazel lived
with the Keller woman, and on the night of the murder, August 31, was
there with his brother and the
Dalton
woman and her child. After 8 o'clock the two men went to the premises of a
neighbor, a widow, and stole four chickens. The woman came out, objected,
and was shot at by one of the men, the ball grazing her face. They took the
chickens to the house where the women were, and had some of them prepared
for supper. Sam Hazel had ordered little Mollie
Dalton
not to go to sleep and she replied, "Me won't." After supper the child
began to nod, and the brute would slap her face to keep her awake. His
rough treatment at last made the little girl cry, when he seized a cowhide
and commenced beating her. This he kept up for an hour and a half, and the
effect on a tender child of six years may well be imagined. He then sent
her out to gather kindling wood for the fire, and after a short time
shouted, "Mollie, G-d d--n you, where are you?" The child out in the dark
replied, "Here me." Hazel then went into the yard and commenced
kicking her. He brought her into the house and kicked her from one side of
the room to the other like a ball. He stamped the little form, until no
sign of life was apparent, and one of the women said, "Mollie is gone."
"Yes," replied the fiend, "to hell head foremost." After a while, as if
realizing the enormity of his crime, he brought some water and tried to
restore the little one to life. Finding that this failed, he took a burning
brand and held it to her foot, saying with an oath that he would "see
whether she was dead or not." This brutal expedient also failed to restore
consciousness and at about five o'clock on Thursday morning, Sept. 1, Mollie
Dalton
died. Samuel Hazel, the perpetrator of this, the most cruel and
cowardly murder ever committed in Southern Illinois, was allowed to escape
in broad daylight, a fact which does not speak well for the citizens of that
portion of the county. Tardy information was furnished to the officers in
this city, and all they could do was to strike the trail, but every effort
will be made to capture this demon. William Hazel, the brother, who
stood by and saw the life beat out of the child, is in jail in this city."
Tuesday, 13 Sep
1881:
At about noon yesterday, John Harris, the negro who was stabbed in
the abdomen sometime ago by another negro named Hays, breathed his
last at his home, on Seventeenth Street, between Commercial Avenue and
Poplar Street. He died from the effects of the wounds Hays inflicted
upon him. His murderer will probably have a preliminary examination today.
Friday, 16 Sep
1881:
The murderer Hays was tried in the court of Justice Robinson
Tuesday afternoon. State's Attorney Damron was conducting the
malicious prosecution against Mrs. Walker at the time and left the
Hays case in the hands of City Attorney William Hendricks. Four
witnesses were examined for the defense and one for the prosecution. There
were one or two more witnesses for the prosecution in the courtroom, but the
prosecuting attorney failed to call them; the result was that Hays
was released on the ground of self-defense. He was rearrested, however,
upon a state warrant, sworn out by Officer Dunker and will have
another examination today.
Saturday, 17 Sep
1881:
Virgil Hays, the negro who stabbed John Harris to death, was
again brought into court by Officers Dunker and Wims yesterday
afternoon. Messrs. Mulkey and Leek for the defense, and
Messrs. Hendricks and Damron, for the prosecution, were on
hand and prepared to engage in a fierce war of words. But they were both
disappointed, for the court (Magistrate Comings) ruled that, as the
case had already been decided by a competent court of law, he had no further
jurisdiction. The officers threatened to take the case to the Court of
Esquire Osborn today, but it is not likely that they will succeed in
having the case reopened, and Hays will probably be free tomorrow to
carve some more.
Sunday, 18 Sep
1881:
DIED.
(Communicated)
Died—July 7th, 1881, near
Norfork, Mo., Abner Shaw, youngest son of Capt. Henry W. and Mary E.
Hampton, aged 6 years and seven months. Sweet little Abner rests in the
arms of his Savior.
Died—September 14th, on
board steamer Silver Thorn, William Henry, eldest son of Henry M. and
Fannie Hampton, aged 15 months. "Oh, how we miss our darling little
Ludie."
Memphis
Appeal and Avalanche please copy.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
Died, yesterday evening, of
membranous croup, at the age of two years, ten months and nine days, Mary
Josephine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Stuart. The funeral starts
from the residence on Washington Avenue, near Seventh Street, at 1:30
o'clock and the train leaves at 2:00 o'clock p.m., today. The remains will
be taken to Villa Ridge by special Illinois Central train from the foot of
Eighth Street.
(Charles R. Stuart
married Mary Cavanagh on 11 Feb 1871, in Alexander Co., Ill. A
marker in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: Annie and May Stuart
Children of C. R. & Mary Stuart.—Darrel Dexter)
Tuesday, 20 Sep
1881:
(A poem, "In Memory of Little May Stuart," by Prof. Will Emry,
was published.)
The funeral of little Josephine Stuart took place Sunday afternoon
but the remains were not taken to Villa Ridge by train in accordance with
previous arrangements, because the company refused to receive them without a
certificate from the attending physician, who had unfortunately been called
away from the city and could therefore not furnish it in time. A
number of buggies were therefore procured and the funeral started for Villa
Ridge accompanied by a large number of friends
Wednesday, 21 Sep
1881:
Mrs. Peter Carraher, wife of a drayman in this city, living on Fourth
Street and not in opulent circumstances, received a letter from a St. Louis
lawyer, yesterday informing her that her uncle died in St. Louis a few days
ago and left her five thousand dollars by his last will and testament. Mrs.
Carraher and her friends are naturally very much elated over her good
fortune.
Marshal Myers received a dispatch from Officer J. M. Ridgway,
of Martin, Tenn., a place about fifty miles below here, asking him to look
out for and arrest two men, named respectively John Barbee and
Charles Clemens, who are charged with killing one John Price,
Jr., in Martin a few days ago. Officer Ridgway makes the same error
that most other officers of small towns do. He fails to give any
description of the fugitive men, but is content with stating their crime and
their names, neither of which are worth shucks to an officer not acquainted
with the appearance of the men he is to track.
Thursday, 22 Sep
1881:
A man named Edward Lindley was found dead yesterday morning in his
bed in a room in the Vicksburg House. He was an old man, between fifty and
fifty-five years of age and he was from Chicago, where he has a wife and
four or five children living. He came here several months ago and was in
the employ of Mr. John T. Rennie as blacksmith. Up to Saturday he
was in the employ of Mr. J. B. Reed. He quit work and told his
friends that he intended leaving town. He went to his room as usual Tuesday
night and went to bed. During the night several of his roommates heard him
moan and, thinking that he was dreaming, they turned him over in bed and
then left him. In the morning he was found as stated with two three-ounce
bottles, partially filled one with laudanum and sweet spirits of nitre by
the side of his bed. Coroner Richard Fitzgerald was notified, who
viewed the remains and summoned a jury, consisting of Messrs. John Clancy,
foreman; Jack
Towers, Charles
Gayer, Thomas Loyd, D. J. Foley and ---- -----. From
the witnesses that were examined it was learned that he had, upon several
occasions, threatened to commit suicide because of family troubles. It
seems that he or his wife had sued for a divorce and he expected every day
to hear of the decision of the court. The verdict of the jury was in
accordance with the foregoing circumstances.
Wednesday, 28 Sep 1881:
A youth of about fifteen, named Marion Kelly, was arrested by Marshal
Myers on Monday, in accordance with a dispatch received from
Columbus, Ky., charging him with having shot and killed a negro while in a
dispute at the town named. He was held until yesterday morning, when
Constable Spaulding, of Columbus, arrived and took him back to the
scene of his rash act.
DEAD.
Mr. John B. Phillis,
who had been so seriously sick for several days last week, died at 2:15
o'clock on Sunday morning. His remains were taken from the home of the
family on Walnut Street to the funeral train at the foot of Fourteenth
Street Monday afternoon, about two o'clock and conveyed to Villa Ridge for
burial, Rev. B. Y. George officiating.
Mr. Phillis was
fifty-eight years old when he died and leaves a wife, a son and three
married daughters. The latter being Mrs. B. F. Blake, and Mrs.
Robert Hinkle, of this city, and Mrs. S. S. Foster, of St.
Louis, Mo. He was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania; he came to this
city in the year 1858 or '59 and lived here until death. During his
residence here he proved a valuable citizen. Not only did he by continuous
hard labor, become one of the substantial businessmen of the city and retain
that position for many years until his health failed him; he took an active
part in the public affairs and held many offices of honor and profit under
the people. He attracted considerable attention during the first candidacy
of Abraham Lincoln by his enthusiastic advocacy of Mr. Lincoln's
election; he was for a number of years a member of the board of education of
Cairo; then a useful representative of the Third Ward in the city council;
was subsequently elected to the office of city clerk, and at the time of his
death had served the community for some time in the capacity of health
officer. In all his manifold occupations and his many leadings with his
fellow men, Mr. Phillis was always gentlemanly and honorable to the
last degree, therefore, he enjoyed until his death the highest regard, and
those he leaves behind have now the sincere sympathy of this entire
community.
His remains were followed to
their last resting place by a large procession, composed principally of old
Cairoites, who were Mr. Phillis' fast friends through all his
eventful career in this city.
(A marker in Cairo City
Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads: John B. Phillis Died Sept. 25, 1881,
Aged 58 Years. Anna E. Phillis married Byron F. Blake on 29
Jun 1876, in Alexander Co., Ill. Jessie B. Phillis married Robert
Hinkle on 21 Apr 1881, in Alexander Co., Ill. Josephine A. Phillis
married Samuel S. Foster on 27 Dec 1877, in Alexander Co.,
Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
John F. Cauble, who as stated in the Bulletin some days ago
was admitted to bail by Judge Baker in the sum of five thousand
dollars to answer the charge of murdering Francis Heater in this
county, has succeeded in securing bail and was released last Monday.
It may interest some to know that the late Mr. J. B. Phillis' life
was insured in the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company for five
thousand dollars.
The aged father of Messrs. Thistlewood in this city died at
Harrington, Del., on last Sunday afternoon. A dispatch to that effect
arrived here soon after, asking the relations of the family in this city to
come and attend the funeral, but as it was impossible to get there in time
for the funeral it was not complied with. The deceased, Mr. Benjamin
Thistlewood, was seventy-five years old at the time of his demise and
left behind him, besides a numerous family of children, a wife of nearly the
same age with himself. The old man was sick but a short time before death
ensued. The many friends of Messrs Thistlewood here will sympathize
with them in their bereavement.
Saturday, 1 Oct
1881:
Hazel, the murderer of the little girl at Dongola, crossed the river,
it is supposed, above here into Kentucky this week. The governor has
offered a reward of $250 for his arrest.
Sunday, 2 Oct 1881:
Alonzo Wilson, another victim of Saturday's tornado at Quincy, died
Thursday.
Charles Wilson, influential man of Winchester, was thrown from his
buggy by a runaway and so hurt that recovery is very doubtful.
A little child of R. Jones, an employee of the Illinois Central
railroad, was buried at Villa Ridge yesterday.
On Saturday night, about seven o’clock, while Henry Franks, the
jailer at Bloomington, was removing the prisoners to their proper cells, he
was attacked by one named Charles Pierce alias Howlett,
who grasped a revolver from the hip pocket of the jailer, and before proper
resistance could be made by that official, the latter was shot at three
times. One bullet passed through his heart, death instantly occurring.
News of the murder, in a few moments, spread like wildfire throughout the
city, and soon a mob numbering fifteen hundred to two thousand people
gathered at the jail demanding vengeance on the prisoner. Sheriff Atler
and other officials attempted to keep the mob, and did all possible to quell
the excitement, which every moment was becoming greater. In their fury the
mob broke down the iron grating of the windows, and doors, and the officers
found that it was useless to resist it. The crowd soon filled the jail, and
the cell door in which the murder was confined was broken down. A rope was
produced, and it was soon placed around Pierce's neck. He was taken
from the jail accompanied by the exultant yells of the mob, to a tree across
the street and hanged life becoming extinct in a few moments. The execution
was witnessed by at least 3,000 people.
SAD ENDING OF A YOUNG
LIFE.
A Noble Young Girl Destroys Herself Because of a Mother's Shameful
Persecutions.
At 9:15 o'clock yesterday
morning, in a neatly furnished room upstairs in Mr. Charles Pfifferling's
residence on the south side of Seventh Street near Commercial Avenue, Mary
Baugh, a good-looking young girl of seventeen, shot herself with an
old, rusty, four-barreled, revolving pistol, of about 32 caliber, the ball
entering the right temple, lodging in the left side of the face and causing
immediate death. A little six-year-old sister was the only eye-witness to
the rash act, but the report was heard by others in the house, who rushed
upstairs under various impressions, and found the poor victim lying in her
bed, still, cold and covered with blood, her hands crossed over her breast,
and the revolver, with one barrel empty, lying across her knees.
She was a niece to Mr.
Charles Pfifferling, to whom she came about a year and a half ago in
order to escape from the bad influence of her mother, who, she said, was
seeking to induce her to depart from the path of virtue. Ever since she
came to her uncle's home she proved herself to be a noble, industrious young
girl, whose only aim in life seemed to be to care for and educate her little
sister, and to make for herself a comfortable living by honest and constant
toil with the needle and sewing machine. She was constantly employed and
highly respected for her gentle disposition, intelligence and industry, by
nearly all the families in the immediate neighborhood in which she lived and
was also very popular among the young people. But she was not permitted to
lead her life in peace. Her mother, who occupies apartments in a
disreputable house on Ohio Levee, refused to part with her so easily.
Herself wallowing in the deepest ooze of moral degradation for years she is,
like many other people of both sexes, incapable of conceiving of a character
against which the poisoned darts of wicked cunning are powerless. She still
believed that she could drag her daughter into the same cesspool with
herself if she tried the right expedients. Hence she was persistent in her
efforts to induce Mary to come back to her. She wrote letters, persuading
at first then threatening; she sought and found opportunities to see the
young girl in the street, or at Mr. Pfifferling's home, when the
latter was out, knowing that she dared not come when he was in. Those
interviews, vainly sought to be avoided by the young girl, always ended in a
positive, indignant refusal on the part of Mary to leave the home of her
kind uncle. At last, on the 3d of May, this year, the scheming mother tried
another, and, what she believed to be an irresistible, expedient to
accomplish her vile purpose. The castle of chastity which she had in vain
besieged with prayers and threats was now attacked with a more formidable
weapon. She took ninety dollars of the money which the girl had herself
earned and given to her, and deposited it in the Enterprise Savings Bank to
Mary's credit. She then gave the bankbook to Mary on condition that she
(Mary) would come home and live with her. Mary took the book, determined to
use the money in supporting and educating her little sister Emma, who was
still living with her mother, but still refused to return to her mother's
house. Mrs. Baugh now became angry. Seeing that her last and her
best effort had failed in its purpose, she was willing to give up, but she
wanted the money back, and, with the view of obtaining it she continued her
visits to her daughter. During these visits she would scold her daughter
and maltreat her, threatening to kill her, and only a few weeks ago she met
her on the street and struck her in the face. Poor Mary bore these outrages
as best she could without complaining, but that she suffered intense mental
agony from the mere fact that the woman who subjected her to these many
indignities was her mother, was evident from some of her utterances, for she
threatened upon several occasions to end her own life. A few days ago she
was taken down with a fever and since then she has had the almost constant
attention of some member of Mr. Pfifferling's family. Though she
gave no evidence of any mental aberration, it is probable that her hot brain
was busy with the thought that had occupied it during saner moments.
Yesterday morning her little sister, Emma, visited her as she had done often
before. Little Emma went to her sister's room and found her lying quietly
in bed. After some minutes spent in flippant conversation Mary arose and
left the room. Little Emma followed her out in the hallway, saw her enter
the front bed chamber where Mr. Pfifferling was still sound asleep,
saw her take a revolver from a small bureau drawer, silently return to her
own room, lie down upon her bed and cock the pistol. Little Emma had, until
now, watched this proceeding with apparent unconcern. She now became
alarmed and asked her sister what she was going to do. Mary only replied:
"Sit down and be a good little girl, and I'll give you some candy." Emma
obeyed, but watched her sister closely and suspiciously. She saw her
stretch herself straight upon her back, drawn the cover partially over her
lower limbs, raise the cocked revolver to her right temple, heard the loud
report and saw the weapon thrown violently upon the lap, while the blood
spurted from nose and mouth over the bed and gown of her sister, the hand
that had wrought this terrible work sank quietly to rest upon the breast
that had known no evil, and therefore assumed that expression of perfect
innocence which characterized the tortured soul, which had but a moments
before been present there. Thus she was found a moment after by other
members of the household, and it was thus she lay when the coroner’s jury
and newspaper men saw her a few hours afterwards.
The coroner’s jury found a verdict in accordance with the circumstances as
above related and the remains were turned over to Mr. Pfifferling for
burial. Further details will appear tomorrow.
Wednesday, 5 Oct
1881:
Monday night the little eleven-month-old daughter of Mr. Phil Brown,
living near Twenty-fifth Street, died of cholera infantum. The remains were
taken to Villa Ridge for interment yesterday afternoon.
THE CORONER'S INQEST.
The Testimony of Witnesses in the Case of Young Mary Baugh.
Soon after the discovery of
the body of poor Mary Baugh, Monday morning, and when the first pain
of the excited household was somewhat abated, Coroner R. Fitzgerald
was notified of the occurrence, who, with Messrs. Frank Metcalf,
George Hendricks, George Olmsted, William Downs, Guy
Morse, and William White, as the jury, arrived on the scene about
eleven o'clock, and after viewing the remains and being sworn, retired to
another room to examine witnesses, as to the cause of death.
MRS. CHARLES PFIFFERLING
was first examined and testified substantially as follows:
“The name of deceased is
Mary Baugh. She is seventeen years of age. Has been sick lately,
but do not think that he sickness had anything to do with the act. Her
mother sent little Emma for the bankbook last night. Know that Mary worked
hard for the money that the bankbook calls for. She is a good seamstress.
Her mother gave her the money back in order to induce her to come and live
with her. Mary wanted the money to educate her little sister with. A short
time ago she told me, 'Aunt Mary, I've told you all my troubles, but this
(meaning the money matter), and I'll keep her out of it (the money) if I
can.' When I waited on her this morning, she repeated that she would keep
her mother out of the money if she could. That she did not want little Emma
to stay with her mother, but wanted to take her away and send her to
school. Her mother bothered her very much for the money. I was downstairs
when the shot was fired, heard the report, but thought it was next door,
someone shooting a dog. The pistol was always kept in the drawer in the
front room. Didn't take notice of time when I heard the shot, about three
weeks ago her mother struck her in the face in the street. Don't know what
caused her to shoot herself, but am satisfied that she did it because she
was ashamed of her mother. She threatened to drown herself about a year and
a half ago. She didn’t visit her mother except when little Emma was sick."
MR. CHARLES PFIFFERLING
being sworn testified: "One evening about a year and a half ago, deceased
came to me and while crying bitterly, begged me to protect her. She said:
‘Uncle Charles, I wish you would protect me. Mother made a bad proposition
to me and I told her I would jump into the river before I would do that.' I
told her to come, that as long as I and my family had a home she should have
one with us, that if I had room for ten I could easily make room for one
more. Accordingly she came to my house and was treated always as a member
of my family and had all the privileges of the house. She was a good,
hard-working girl, sewed for Mrs. Holmes, Mrs. Broderick and
others all the time, kept herself and little sister with what she earned.
Her mother visited her often during my absence. I would not let her mother
come into my house while I was there; a short time ago when on a visit to
her, her mother threatened to cut her if she did not give up the money.
Last night little Emma came for the bankbook, but did not get it, this
morning she came again on a visit. I was lying in bed, sound asleep,
because I had been up late at night; did not hear the shot fired; my wife
burst into my room and cried, 'Come, Charley, Mary has shot herself!' Went
out and saw Mary as you saw her. Her mother was the only cause of her
death; she was well satisfied with her life here. She was a good, kind,
hard-working girl."
The next and by far the most
important witness was
LITTLE EMMA BAUGH,
sister of the deceased and a bright little girl of about six years. Unlike
the other witnesses of her sex, she told her story fluently, without a sob,
but with evident excitement, which proved that she was aware of the terrible
solemnity of the occasion. Little Emma said: "Mary is my sister. I live
at my ma; came down this morning to go to school; I was playing alone in the
room, where my sister was in bed; sister was in bed when I came; she got up
a little while after and went into this room (meaning the room in which the
jury sat); took a pistol from that drawer (pointing to a small drawer in the
right end of a bureau); she came back and laid down in her bed again. She
told me sit down and she would give me some candy. I sat down, and then she
shot herself. I came to the banister in the hallway and watched her take
the pistol out of the drawer; Mr. Pfifferling was laying in his bed
asleep with his back toward the door. I could see all that Mary did in this
room; I stood right here (going out into the hall and standing near the
stairway in sight of the jury) and looked into the room."
MARY HALE TESTIFIED:
”Am twenty-two years of age, live in Cairo. Was down stairs when shot was
fired, but heard the report and knew that it was upstairs. Immediately ran
upstairs to Mary's room and came to the head of the stairs just in time to
see Mary take the pistol away from her head and lay it on her lap and cross
her hands over her breast; smoke from the pistol enveloped her head. There
was no one in the room with Mary but little Emma. Deceased told Laura (Mr.
Pfifferling's daughter) that she would take morphine. Know the
report was upstairs, but thought a broom fell down and handle stuck the
floor."
LAURA PFIFFERLING
was next sworn and testified: "Went to Mary’s bed this morning and we
talked pleasantly together for a few minutes; she told me not to sit over a
sewing machine and work all day as she had done; don't remember of Mary
telling me that she would take morphine."
This concluded the testimony
and the jury took the case in hand. But it was suggested by some of the
jury who knew that May was engaged to be married to a certain young man in
this city, that probably her letters, if she had any, would throw further
light upon the subject, and that it might be that some hidden trouble,
arising out of this engagement might have prompted the desperate act.
Accordingly, Mrs. Pfifferling was recalled, but her answers to
questions from coroner and a subsequent examination of the effects of the
deceased, dispelled all doubts and flatly contradicted the doubts raised.
After some further deliberations the foreman, Office George Olmsted,
offered the following verdict:
"We, the jury, sworn to
inquire into the death of Mary Baugh, find that death resulted from a
pistol shot fired by her own hand with suicidal intent."
The jury unanimously agreed
to this verdict and all signed it.
The remains of the girl,
attired in a gown of pure white, a befitting garment for one who had died
rather than stain her life with sin, were laid gently into a handsome walnut
casket, there to remain with the quiet face, the pale beauty of which was
marred only by the horrible wound, exposed to the view of many weeping
friends, until yesterday afternoon, when they were conveyed by special train
to Villa Ridge and interred with solemn ceremonies and within sight of many
who had followed them there.
The propriety and wisdom of the method which this young girl chose to defeat
the villainous aims of a shameless parents, may be questioned, but the
motives which prompted it, never. There is an exalted heroism about the
act, which challenges the admiration of every true man and woman, and there
is a sorrowful phase to the whole affair, which should effectually close the
mouths of the hypocritical in every stage of life.
The funeral of Mrs. Mary Mahony, the aged mother of our city clerk,
D. J. Foley, Esq., will start from her late residence, corner
Nineteenth and Poplar streets, at one o'clock p.m., today. A special train
will leave Ohio Levee and Fourteenth Street at two p.m. Services at St.
Joseph’s Church.
CARD OF THANKS.
Editor Bulletin:—Please
express the heartfelt thanks of myself and family to our many friends for
their manifestations of sympathy toward ourselves and our unfortunate
relatives. Especially do we desire to thank Rev. B. Y. George for
this kind and cheering words at a time when they were most needed and when
others, of the same faith in which our niece died, refused to speak to them.
Charles Pfifferling
FUNERAL NOTICE.
Died at her residence on the
corner of Nineteenth and Poplar streets, yesterday morning, after a long
illness, Mrs. Mary Mahony, aged about sixty years. Funeral starts
from the residence at one o'clock this p.m., services will be held at St.
Joseph's Church at 1:30 and train starts from foot of Fourteenth Street at
2:00 o'clock. Friends are invited.
Friday, 7 Oct
1881:
The funeral of City Clerk Foley's mother was held yesterday afternoon
and was largely attended by the friends of the family.
John Clare has been sentenced to 15 years in the pen for killing Dan
Conners at Lincoln last fall.
At Peoria, Saturday night, Michael McNamara, an old man of 60, fell
into a distillery vat of hot slop and was terribly burned, but he died
Sunday forenoon.
Thomas Pierce, who was lynched at Bloomington Saturday night, was a
Jacksonville character, crazy, and believing himself to be Charley Christ, a
son of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, 8 Oct
1881:
FUNERAL NOTICE
Died, yesterday (Friday)
morning, at __ o'clock after a long and varied illness, Mrs. H. C.
Thielecke, aged fifty-eight years and eleven months. The funeral will
leave her late home on the corner of Seventh and Locust streets for the
German Lutheran church on Thirteenth Street at one o'clock, and a special
funeral train will convey the remains to Villa Ridge for interment, leaving
the foot of Fourteenth Street at two o'clock this afternoon. Friends of the
family are invited.
THE MURDERER OF ZIMMERMAN.
In the Pulaski County
circuit court yesterday, the murder, Redden, was granted a change of
venue to Massac County. The change of venue is usually the first step taken
by attorneys for the defense toward wearing out the case—the course that
saves nearly every murderer from punishment suited to the crime, and that
will eventually lead to the same result in Southern Illinois that it did in
McLean County, where a murderer, last week, was hung by the people within
half an hour after his crime was committed. In the case just cited, the
people, when appealed to let the law take its course, cried, "D--n the law,
we want justice; no murderer is every punished in McLean County."
Investigation showed that for twenty-five murders committed in as many
years, not one of the assassins had been punished, and so we find it in
every county in the state. The safest place for the man who commits murder
is at the bar of justice. The crime of Redden was a particularly
atrocious one. We clip from the Argus a correct account of it in
substance the same as it appeared in The Bulletin at the time the
crime was committed:
"The crime of Redden
is one of the blackest on record. Witnesses identify him as the man who did
it. It was understood immediately after the crime was committed that he did
it, and he was searched for high and low, but he fled the country, and the
rewards offered for this apprehension secured his capture in Tennessee more
than two years after the crime was committed. The simple details of the
murder were these: Redden went into the store of Zimmerman
with an old army revolver, and asked Mr. Zimmerman for caps to cap it
with. Zimmerman took down from the shelf a box of caps and gave
Redden enough to cap his pistol with. Redden put on the caps
then coolly drew up the pistol and shot Zimmerman, afterwards
completing the work of murder by striking him on the head with it. Then the
murderer rifled the dead man's pockets of a large sum of money which
Zimmerman had incautiously exposed when making change for Redden
some time previously. A little daughter of the murdered man saw the whole
affair and identifies the prisoner. Mrs. Zimmerman saw the back of
the man as he was rifling her husband's pockets and others identify him as
having been there about that time."
OBITUARY.
Captain Benjamin
Thistlewood died at his residence two miles from Harrington on Sunday,
September 25th, 1881, of apoplexy. He was born in Murderkill Hundred on
March 7th, 1807, and continued to reside there until he nearly reached
manhood. The work on a farm soon failed to be satisfactory to him and he
forsook it to follow the more exciting life of a sailor. He finally quit
the water and went into merchandising at Fork Landing. At this place he
married his wife, Miss Eliza Marvel, daughter of Nutter Marvel,
and shortly afterwards purchased a farm and moved upon it. He continued the
avocation of a farmer until an opportunity offered for to purchase the mill
known at this time as the "Thistlewood Mill." For years he operated
the mill and amassed considerable property from the profits accruing
therefrom, but advancing years compelled him to lead a less stirring life,
and he again returned to the farm. Yet, his ever-restless nature kept his
hands busy, and he undertook the construction of a boat especially designed
to transport watermelons to market out of the shallow creeks. Mr.
Thistlewood had been a member of Laws' Chapel for many years. He was
converted at Spring Branch Camp in his early days, but was never a loud
professing man. His was one of those quiet Christian characters, that loves
to do the calling of their Lord with humility and without ostentation, and
just in his dealings with men so living up to the command, "Do unto others
as ye would that they should do unto you." No political office ever fell to
his lot and his interest in political affairs was but slight. He leaves ten
children to mourn his decease, four of whom are living in Cairo, Ill., one
in New York State and the others are in Delaware. His remains were lad to
rest on Tuesday morning last on the Warrington farm, near Laws' Chapel,
where the bones of his ancestors are deposited.—(Milford
(Del.) Chronicle.
The death of Uriah Shelby Hodge, an old pioneer, is announced from
Bloomington.
Sunday, 9 Oct
1881:
The murderers, James C. Atkinson and Appleton Atkinson,
confined in the jail at Gayoso, Mo., under sentence of death, broke jail
Friday night and escaped. Chief Myers received a description of them
yesterday. A reward of two hundred dollars will be paid for their
apprehension. They were to hang on the 28th for the murder of a woman and
little girl.
Monday, 10 Oct
1881:
It is gratifying to note that there seems to be no abatement in the zeal
with which the people of Johnson County are pursuing the fiend Samuel
Hazel, the murderer of little Mollie
Dalton.
Only a few days ago a posse of men from Vienna, in the vicinity of which it
had been rumored that he was roaming, went out to capture him, but failed to
do so. The sheriff of Johnson County came face to face with him several
days ago, but Hazel, being known as a very desperate man, failed to
arrest him for fear of losing his own life in the attempt. Hazel has
many relatives among the hills of Pope County, who would of course lend the
scoundrel every assistance in his endeavors to elude the officers of the
law. He is supposed now to be roaming along the road between Vienna in
Johnson County, and Golconda in Pope County.
Wednesday, 12 Oct 1881:
The following is a description of the two men who broke jail in Missouri, on
last Friday night: Appleton Atkinson, aged sixty-eight years, five
feet several inches tall, with light or partly gray hair and slightly bald,
left ear partly cut off; and his son, James C. Atkinson, twenty-five
years, and weighing one hundred and sixty pounds, complexion dark, both
sentenced to hang, October 28, for murder of the wife and child of the
latter, escaped from jail in Gayoso, Mo.
Saturday, 15 Oct
1881:
A terrible tragedy which resulted in the death of William Edmunds was
enacted at the Enders farm, two miles back from the Illinois shore,
Wednesday afternoon. Pete Burgess, another negro, had been accused
by Edwards of poisoning a cow, which he had to die recently, and on
the two meetings yesterday a quarrel resulted from the accusation. The two
men were going to same way, and when they reached the Enders farm, on
which the murderer lives, he told Edwards to go, or he would kill
him. Burgess then went into the house, procured a gun and returning
to the road, called Edwards. Upon the latter turning around,
Burgess fired at him, the load of buckshot striking him in the breast
and killing him instantly. After committing the deed, Burgess
returned his gun to the house and started through the woods, he said, to
give himself up. He was met by Mr. Wiggins, of this city, who was
out hunting and to the latter's inquiry if there was any game about, he
replied, yes, plenty of it; I just killed a damned nigger down here.
Burgess is said to be a desperate sort of negro while his victim, who is
an old man, is very inoffensive. Both have families. We didn't hear if
Burgess had given himself up or not. The murder was a cowardly one and
the fiend who committed it should meet a just and speedy punishment.—(Paducah
Enterprise).
Friday, 21 Oct 1881:
Report reached here yesterday that a young man named John McAuliff,
familiarly known here as "Johnnie Mack," whose mother keeps an eating house
on Ohio Levee, near the Illinois Central passenger depot, was shot and
killed in a row with the captain of the tug, C. F. Neagle, upon which
he was fireman. The affair is said to have occurred at Greenville,
Mississippi. John started from here on the tug aforesaid, about four weeks
ago, the tug having in tow three surveying boats with a government surveying
party on board. He is known among river men here as not a quarrelsome young
fellow. His mother telegraphed to Greenville yesterday afternoon for
reliable information, but up to a late hour yesterday evening had received
no reply.
Saturday, 22 Oct
1881:
The Bloomington Bulletin, speaking of the sad death of Mary Baugh,
in this city, after speaking of the temptations surrounding her and
describing the manner of her death, as given in these columns at the time of
its occurrence, says: "But in Mary Baugh's frail body beat the heart
of a moral heroine. Pure in mind and heart, all her instincts rebelled
against the bad influences of her mother, and living in the atmosphere of a
saloon, with the surroundings that temperance people tell us are tainted
with all moral impurities, Mary Baugh lived a life as pure as
unsunned snow. The pains of death were brief. She died almost immediately
and was forever removed, by her own election, from the sorrow and the shame
that had environed her young life. Mary Baugh deserves a saint's
robe in the New Jerusalem, and on earth a monument to commemorate her
trials, her sorrows and her triumph."
Sunday, 23 Oct 1881:
The following account of the Fannie Tatum tragedy at Metropolis, is
taken from the Metropolis Democrat: "Last Monday night while the
steamer Fannie Tatum was lying at the factory of Yost,
Bigelow & Co., a colored roustabout named Tom Jennings was shot
through the heart and instantly killed by a deck hand, supposed to be one
Albert King. The difficulty arose between the second mate, J. K.
Huet, and a yellow rouster named Tom Davis, who had shipped at
Paducah off the Ariadne. The night was dark and rainy, and Davis
tried to persuade the crew not to work, shirking and hiding himself from the
mate, who reproved him and struck down (as the mate testified) with a piece
of skiff oar, on the load of plow handles Davis was carrying aboard
the boat, to hurry him up. About this time the deck hand previously
mentioned and said to be a brother to the mate, Huet, came out and
kicked Davis,
threatening to shoot him. With this
Davis
laid down his load and clinched the mate (Huet) cutting him with a
knife. The deck hand drew a pistol and began firing one of the shots
piercing the heart of
Jennings,
killing him instantly. In the melee
Davis
let go of the mate and cut a deckhand King, it is not known how
seriously, as he (King) escaped to the Kentucky shore in the morning
and has not since been heard of. The rouster Tom Davis also escaped,
supposing as we imagine, that he had killed both of his antagonists, when in
fact no one was seriously hurt, except poor
Jennings,
a wholly innocent man. Some of our citizens have been very angry with the
officers of the boat about this unfortunate affair, but we cannot find from
any evidence that the matter was anything more than a riot among the crew
which, the officers being asleep, could not prevent. The killing of
Jennings
was certainly without cause and the guilty man King, or whoever he
may be, ought to be made to suffer an extreme penalty if he can be found.
But in our anxiety to avenge so foul a murder, we ought to be careful not to
cause the innocent to suffer a second time for the sins of the guilty."
Tuesday, 25 Oct
1881:
Billy Phillips, the canvas man of the Saturday show, who was killed
by the unexpected fall of a center pole, was from Bowling Green, Ky., where
he has relatives living and where his remains were sent for burial at the
expense of the circus.
Thursday, 27 Oct
1881:
SUDDEN DEATH.
A man named James Kyser
suddenly fell dead on Ohio Levee, near the narrow gauge freight depot,
yesterday afternoon, about 2 o'clock. He was found soon after by Captain
Williams, who notified Marshal Myers of the circumstances. The
marshal went down there and, together with the captain, took the body of the
man to the depot, where it was laid out to be viewed by Coroner
Fitzgerald, who had also been notified. It was learned that deceased
had been a man of family and that a wife and infant child were awaiting his
return in Kentucky opposite the city. Mrs. Kyser was informed of her
husband's death and she arrived in the evening, while Coroner Fitzgerald
and Dr. Wood were investigating the case. It was elicited from her
that deceased was about forty-seven years old, that they had been married
about three years, that they came to Kentucky from Virginia about two years
ago, that they were near relatives to Mrs. Weaver, who is well-to-do
and lives in the white frame building near the Kentucky shore, must above
East Cairo; that they reside in East Cairo, but that deceased has been,
since last February, in the employ of the Cairo & St. Louis Railroad.
Several weeks ago Kyser was compelled to stop work and go home
because of sickness. At the time he left he company was indebted to him an
amount that would leave him about seventeen dollars after having paid his
board bill. Yesterday he came over to get the money due him, but it was
observed that he was far from being a well man. In fact he was seen to
totter several times and was very pale. Mrs. Kyser says that he was
also subject to some kind of heart trouble.
It being a plain case of
death from natural causes the coroner did not hold an inquest and the
remains were turned over to Dr. Wood, who will bury them at the
seven-mile graveyard today, using a portion of the money due the dead man
from the railroad company to defray the funeral expenses.
The wife of deceased left yesterday evening for her home in Kentucky to
attend her child. She will now have to battle alone with the hardships
attending a life of poverty and ill health.
Sunday, 27 Oct
1881:
Mrs. Castor, a widow lady, died yesterday morning at her residence on
Tenth Street. Funeral will take place this morning at ten o'clock from the
Baptist church.
After mentioning the death of Mrs. Eliza Craig on the 19th inst., at
the age of seventy-seven years, the Pulaski Patriot continues: "Mrs.
Craig was the mother of Mrs. James B. Crandall, of this city.
She arrived here on the 4th of this month in company with Mr. Asiel
Crandall, Esq., father of Mr. James B. Crandall, who had gone
east for the purpose of accompanying the old lady on her trip west to visit
her daughter and daughter's children. Mrs. Craig was taken sick on
the 14th and from the first it was evident to her attending and consulting
physicians that she could not recover. The event is certainly said, Mrs.
Craig resided at Chester, Pa., and on Monday morning last Mr. James B.
Crandall started by the Wabash line with her remains to that place,
arriving there on Wednesday morning at eight o'clock. Mrs. Crandall
was so feeble that she was unable to accompany the sad cortege. The
bereaved family have the sympathy of this entire community."
Tuesday, 29 Nov
1881:
Mr. Weston Rudolph, an old and highly respected citizen of
Lovelaceville, Ballard county, died at noon Thursday last, after a several
years illness of dropsy. The deceased leaves seven children, three grown
and a very large connection of relatives and an extensive acquaintance to
mourn his death. He was a son of Mr. Andy Rudolph, who lives in this
county near New Hope Church and the eldest child we believe. His remains
were buried yesterday forenoon in the Lovelaceville burying grounds, the
services being conducted by Rev. Ward and in the midst of a large
concourse of sorrowing friends.
The negro, Alfred Sanders, who killed another negro named Moses
King, at Bird's Point last Sunday evening a week ago, has been captured
and lodged in jail at Charleston, Mo. He was found by Mr. Stephen Bird,
last Saturday evening, hiding in the bushes on a sort of island not far from
the Mississippi River shore. He was captured by Mr. Bird and turned
over to a number of negroes who bound his arms behind him, armed themselves
with pistols and guns and marched him off to Charleston.
Thursday, 1 Dec
1881:
Sister Rosalie, well known throughout the West, died of consumption at
Leavenworth. Fifty sisters of charity participated in the requiem mass, and
six of the number accompanied the body to the grave in the capacity of
pallbearers.
Sunday, 4 Dec1881:
A dispatch received from Miss Belle Gaffney at Kansas City by Mr. P.
Cullinan, in this city, states that Mrs. Gaffney is dead, and
that Miss Belle will be here with the remains today to convey them to Villa
Ridge for burial. Mrs. Gaffney and her family are well known in this
city having been for a number of years citizens of Cairo. Two girls and two
boys survive Mrs. Gaffney, of whom Miss Belle is the oldest.
Tuesday, 6 Dec
1881:
The Massac Journal of Metropolis thus coolly records a case of misery
and shame—of human weakness and perfidy—which calls for both pity and
condemnation: "Marshal Musgrove noticed a young lady on the streets
last Tuesday night, carrying a dead baby in her arms. The coroner was
notified and she was taken to the courthouse, a fire built and the woman
warmed, as she was nearly naked and consequently very cold. She was then
taken to the calaboose and locked up until Wednesday morning when the
coroner summoned a jury and held an inquest over the dead child. The
verdict of the jury was that the child came to its death in a manner unknown
to the jury. The supposition is, however, that the child died from
starvation. It seems the mother is a lady about seventeen years of age and
good looking. She came over to Stringtown last Saturday and from Stringtown
to this on Sunday. She says the child is illegitimate, and that one George
Smith, a resident of Kentucky, is its father, and that he gave her
nine dollars to leave the country. Wednesday last, she was sent to the poor
house."
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The remains of Mrs. T. N.
Gaffney arrived on the Illinois Central train yesterday afternoon at
four o'clock. They were taken to the residence of Mr. P. Cullinan,
her relative, on Twenty-seventh Street, from which they will be taken to St.
Joseph's Church at two o'clock this afternoon, and thence to the Illinois
Central train, at the foot of Fourteenth Street, which will convey them to
Villa Ridge for burial. Friends of the family are invited.
(Adjacent markers in Calvary
Cemetery at Villa Ridge read: Mary Gaffney, Mother, 1830-1881 and
Timothy N. Gaffney, Father, 1823-1866.—Darrel Dexter)
On Sunday Sheriff T. J. Taylor of Massac County passed through here
with nine prisoners for the Chester penitentiary. One named Beecher
Harris, for sixteen years for murder.
Wednesday, 7 Dec
1881:
A young man named A. J. Griggs died of pneumonia at the house of Mr.
Whitaker during Sunday night.
The funeral of Mrs. T. N. Gaffney took place from the residence of
Mr. P. Cullinan yesterday afternoon, and was very largely attended by
friends of the family.
Alfred Sanders, the negro murderer of Moses King, at Bird's
Point, has been committed to jail without bail, at Charleston, Mo., to await
the action of the grand jury.
Mrs. Sarah A. Shelton (colored) died last Sunday at her residence,
between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, on Walnut Street, at the age of
sixty-nine years and after a long illness.
The Paducah News gives the following details of the death in that
city of a little boy from the effects of a goose quill which he was sucking
upon while playing with his mates, and which accidentally got into his
lungs. It is strange that more serious cases of this kind do not result
from the very common habit of sucking upon pins, sticks of wood, buttons,
etc. "A little son of Mr. August Brahic, who lives on Broadway
contiguous to the track of the C. O. & S. W. road, died at an early hour
this morning from a painful mishap, which occurred yesterday afternoon. The
lad, who was aged about eight years, was playing with some playmates, and at
the time has in his mouth a part of a goose quill. In running in the game,
which he was engaged, he, by running against a playmate, either had the
quill knocked or sucked it down his throat, drawing it almost into his
lungs. The suffering of the little fellow was great indeed, and though
every effort but cutting, which was thought impossible, was made to relieve
him. He died this morning as stated, literally strangling to death. The sad
blow falls heavily upon the parents and the brothers and sisters of the
little deceased, and the sympathy of all acquaintances will be with them in
their bereavements."
Sunday, 11 Dec
1881:
Henry Harris, colored, one of the old watchmen in the M. V. T. Co.,
was drowned Friday night. Harris was watching on the valley fleet at
the foot of Twenty-eighth Street. The last seen of him was about 10 o'clock
when he took the coal bucket and lantern to go below after some coal. The
mate heard a splash and on going below he found the watchman missing.
Sunday, 18 Dec
1881:
The many friends of Mr. T. W. Fitch will regret to learn that when he
arrived home in Oneida, New York, a few days ago, he found his aged father
dead and buried. The old gentleman was a minister of the gospel and much
beloved in the community in which he lived. He had been ill but a short
time and so little did those around him believe that his ailment would end
fatally, that they did not inform Mr. Fitch of his fathers' illness
at all, hence the latters' painful surprise upon his arrival home.
Tuesday, 20 Dec
1881:
Captain William H. Blake, one of the oldest and best known steamboat
men in the West, died at his home in Coto Brillitnate, yesterday evening at
half past six o'clock. He had been sick sometime, having been stricken down
with Vicksburg fever about two years ago. Captain Blake was for many
years captain and owner of the John B. Maude, he also was captain of
the Southwestern when the boat sunk below Memphis, and several boats
in early steamboat days.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
Miss Emma Rearden,
daughter of Col. James S. Rearden, died of malarial fever at 9:00
o'clock Monday night. Funeral services will be held at the residence of her
father on Fifteenth Street, between Cedar and Locust streets, at 1:00
o'clock this afternoon. A special funeral train will leave the foot of
Fourteenth Street at 2:00 o'clock this afternoon, conveying the remains to
Villa Ridge for interment.
Miss Emma had suffered much within the last few days of her illness, yet it
was hoped, even until the day before her death, that she would survive. She
was about seventeen years of age and was one of Cairo's most popular young
ladies. Her untimely death will cause deep sorrow among her many friends
and the surviving members of the family have the sympathy of the community.
The news of the death and burial in St. Louis of Mr. O. P. Lyon,
formerly a well-known citizen of Cairo, reached here yesterday. Mr. Lyon
died Saturday and was buried Sunday.
Wednesday, 21 Dec
1881:
FUNERAL NOTICE.
Died of typhoid malarial
fever, yesterday morning, at six o'clock, John, youngest son of Robert and
Frances Ann Beard, aged eighteen years. Funeral services at
residence, corner Walnut and Ninth streets, at 1 p.m. today. A special
train will leave foot of Eighth Street at 2 o'clock p.m. for Villa ridge.
Friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral.
A very large number of the friends of Miss Emma Rearden accompanied
her remains to Beech Grove yesterday afternoon. Rev. B. Y. George
conducted funeral services at the residence at one o'clock and also at the
grave.
A negro died in the Clark building on Ohio Levee, near Fourteenth Street,
yesterday. It is somewhat of a surprise that someone does not die every day
in the overcrowded, pestilential hole.
Young "Jack" Beard, whose funeral takes place today, was a member of
the Halliday Guards, and this organization, in full uniform, will attend the
funeral this afternoon.
Thursday, 22 Dec
1881:
The funeral of John Beard took place according to announcement
yesterday afternoon. It was largely attended by friends of the deceased.
The Halliday Guards, of which he was a member in good standing, turned out
in full uniform and accompanied the remains to the grave.
The ceremony observed at the funeral of young Beard was very
interesting and impressive. Rev. B. Y. George conducted religious
services at the home of deceased, on Ninth Street, before funeral started.
The remains were conducted from the house to the train, and from the train
to the grave, and buried with military honors. The procession left the
house in the following order: Martial Band, and escort of eight members of
the company, commanded by Corporal Dugan; six pallbearers, commanded
by Sergeant W. McEwen; Rev. B. Y. George and Dr. Gordon;
the deceased's relatives; then the remainder of the company, followed by the
citizens. At the cemetery, after the remains had been lowered into the
grave with impressive religious services conducted by Rev. George,
the military escort of eight men fired three rounds over the open grave,
which concluded the ceremony.
Friday, 23 Dec
1881:
The many sincere friends in this city of Rev. Whitaker, presiding
elder for this district, will learn with sorrow of the very serious illness
of that gentleman at his present home in Belleville, Ill. He is suffering
from a certain form of consumption, and is so low that his recovery is
despaired of. Mr. Whitaker has been one of the most active and
effective workers in the Methodist Church, whose loss could not be
repaired. During his stay here, he made fast friends of all with whom he
came in contact, and who hope that he may safely pass over the danger which
now threatens him. Miss Eva Sheppard, Mrs. Whitaker's sister,
will leave today for her brother-in-law's bedside.
A very worthy young man named David Fitzgerald, who was some years
ago employed in the iron establishment of Mr. J. B. Reed, but who has
been engaged as master mechanic on a Texas railroad for some time past, was
run over and killed about a week ago by an engine while engaged in
superintending the work of repairing it. His remains were taken to St.
Mary’s, Kansas, where his family now resides. He made a large number of
friends in this city during his stay here, who will be pained to learn of
his violent death.
Saturday, 24 Dec
1881:
MR. O. P. LYON.
The death of Mr. O. P.
Lyon has been already announced in The Bulletin. We have now
received further intelligence concerning his last days, which we believe his
many friends here will be glad to see in print. Mr. Lyon died at
home in Webster Groves, St. Louis County, Mo., December 16th, of heart
disease. A few months ago, his oldest daughter, Sophia, the wife of J. B.
Sheldon, well known in Cairo, died, leaving a large family of young
children. Her death was a terrible blow to her family and friends, and
especially to her father. He never seemed to recover from the shock, but
gradually broke down under it, until the lamp of life was put out as stated
above. He leaves a widow, one or two children, and several young
grandchildren to mourn his loss.
Mr. Lyon lived in
Cairo from 1864 to 1874, and was well known here. He was a genial,
kind-hearted man—a man who made many friends and very few enemies.
About the year 1868, his
house in this city burned with all its contents, his family escaping from
the burning building in the night without a charge of clothing. From that
time to his death, a period of thirteen years, his life was one constant
struggle with poverty.
His many friends in Cairo
will deeply sympathize with his widow and children in their great loss.
Wednesday, 28 Dec
1881:
At Mt. Carmel, several death from small pox having occurred, the mayor
ordered that services in all the churches be stopped. One church refused to
recognize the order and held a festival. The mayor thereupon telegraphed
for advice to the State Board of Health, which instructed him to compel
obedience to his order by force if necessary, and to call for state militia
to aid him in case of ordinary officers were powerless. They also
instructed him to have every person who attended the festival vaccinated.
This incident illustrates the activity of the state board in stopping the
scourge, and also their apprehensions that it will become epidemic.
The Weekly Cairo Bulletin
Monday, 18 Apr
1881:
At Shawneetown, Ills., Friday, Pickering, father and son, were each
sentenced to 99 years in the pen, for murder of
Dawson,
10 years ago.
Yesterday morning, Mr. M. P. Fulton received a telegram from
St. Louis
stating that Mrs. J. B. Snyder was dead, but giving no further
particulars. No notice of Mrs. Snyder’s illness had been given to her
relatives here, and therefore, the news of her death was the more painful to
them. Mrs. Snyder was about fifty-six years of age, a sister to Judge
D. J. Baker, and aunt to W. B. and M. F. Gilbert, and mother
of Mrs. M. P. Fulton. Judge Baker and Mrs. Fulton left
yesterday for St. Louis to attend the funeral.
About eleven o’clock,
yesterday forenoon, the little child of Mr. Henderson, who resides
near the convent, up town died. The funeral takes place this afternoon; the
remains will be taken to Villa Ridge for interment.
Mrs. Mary Taylor, of
El Paso, an old lady of 70,
attempted suicide by cutting her throat. She will probably die.
Judge John W. Taylor, of Boone County, died at his home near
Wheatfield, the thirteenth instant. He was a prominent citizen of the
county.
A young lady of
Keokuk,
Iowa, named Miss Minnie
Rail, died of heart disease in her lover’s arms a few days ago. She had
just, in compliance with her lover’s urgent request, named their wedding
day.
A BLOODY AFFRAY.
Before the story of the down
town stabbing scrape had become generally known in the city last evening,
the news of another bloody affair came from up in the correll—In the upper
part of the Fifth Ward—and was wafted over the city. About half past nine
o’clock, a messenger came from that portion of the city in search of a
physician to attend a man, who had been seriously cut by another in a
quarrel, but as he had been to all the doctor’s offices and had found all
empty we do not know whether he succeeded in his errand or not. Several
police officers started for the scene of the affray, but up to this writing
the red handed perpetrator of the crime had not been captured.
The men engaged in the
affair were two negroes named
Anderson Trotter and
one Mansfield. They had an old grudge between them and got into a
quarrel over it last night, when the latter drew his pocket knife and
commenced cutting the former, not stopping until his victim fell to the
ground. We did not learn how badly Trotter was cut, but the general
report was that he would not survive his wounds.
Mansfield
made himself scarce, but as he is well known, his capture is only a question
of a little time.
(Anderson Trotter
survived the wound and married Sarah Cross on 2 Mar 1883, in
Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
ACCIDENTAL MURDER, PERHAPS.
Yesterday afternoon, about
three o’clock two
colored boys, about sixteen and eighteen years of age respectively, were
fooling with one another in Mr. Harry Walker’s kitchen on Sixth
Street. One of them had a loaded pistol and while they were “skylarkin” as
they called it, the pistol went off and the ball struck the other young
fellow in the side, passing though the rib close to the stomach and
inflicting a wound from which he may not recover. Dr. Parker was
immediately called, who made the poor victim, whose name is Mike Hilmes,
as comfortable as possible, but expressed it as his opinion that the wound
is a dangerous one, which may prove fatal. This is only another argument in
favor of the passage of a law making it a crime for minors to possess fire
arms of any description under any circumstances.
Monday 3 Oct 1881:
Hazel, the murderer of the little girl at Dongola, crossed the river,
it is supposed, above here into
Kentucky this week. The
governor has offered a reward of $250 for his arrest.
(Sam Hazel whipped
and kicked to death 6-year-old Mollie
Dalton
at the residence of Nancy Keller six miles east of Dongola on 31 Aug
1881, according to the 3 Sep 1881, Jonesboro Gazette. He was
captured at Poplar Bluff, Mo., in April 1882, tried, and sentenced to 99
years in prison.—Darrel Dexter)
The aged father of Messrs. Thistlewood in this city died at
Harrington, Del., on last Sunday afternoon. A dispatch to that effect
arrived here soon after, asking the relations of the family in this city to
come and attend the funeral, but as it was impossible to get there in time
for the funeral it was not complied with. The deceased, Mr. Benjamin
Thistlewood, was seventy-five years old at the time of his demise and
left behind him, besides a numerous family of children, a wife of nearly the
same age with himself. The old man was sick but a short time before death
ensued. The many friends of Messrs. Thistlewood here will sympathize
with them in their bereavement.
DEAD.
Mr. John B. Phillis,
who had been so seriously sick for several days last week, died at
2:15 o’clock on Sunday
morning. His remains were taken from the home of the family on Walnut Street
to the funeral train at the foot of Fourteenth Street Monday afternoon,
about two o’clock and conveyed to Villa Ridge for burial, Rev. B. Y.
George officiating.
Mr. Phillis was
fifty-eight years old when he died and leaves a wife, a son and three
married daughters. The latter being Mrs. B. F. Blake and Mrs. Robert
Hinkle, of this city and Mrs. S. S. Foster, of
St. Louis, Mo. He was born
in Washington County, Pennsylvania; he came to this city in the year 1858 or
‘59 and lived here until his death. During his residence here he proved a
valuable citizen. Not only did he, by continuous hard labor, become one of
the substantial business men of the city and retain that position for many
years, until his health failed him, but he took an active part in the public
affairs and held many offices of honor, and profit under the people. He
attracted considerable attention during the first candidacy of Abraham
Lincoln by this enthusiastic advocacy of Mr. Lincoln’s election;
he was for a number of years a member of the board of education of Cairo;
then a useful representative of the third ward in the city council; was
subsequently elected to the office of city clerk, and at the time of his
death had served the community for some time in the capacity of health
officer. In all his manifold occupations and his many leadings with his
fellow man, Mr. Phillis was always gentlemanly and honorable to the
last degree, therefore, he enjoyed until his death, the highest regard, and
those he leaves behind have now the sincere sympathy of this entire
community. |