Wednesday, 3 Jan 1883:
Mr. Beecher, an old and well-known citizen, died at his residence on Thirteenth Street yesterday morning about 3 o’clock.  He was about fifty years old.  He had been in feeble health for a long time and been confined to his bed for some weeks.  The time of his funeral had not been announced last night.
 

Thursday, 4 Jan 1883: 
Yesterday morning a railroad laborer, stopping at the Sherman House on Commercial Avenue, died after an illness of a week or longer with pneumonia.  He was a stranger in these parts and it is not known if he has relatives.  His name was Richard James.  He had been employed as section boss on the Texas & St. Louis railroad.
 

Friday, 5 Jan 1883:
DEATH OF WILLIAM WOLFE

This community was startled yesterday afternoon by the announcement that Mr. William Wolfe, of the old firm of C. O. Patier & Co., was dead, and the news was for some hours the absorbing topic of conversation on the streets everywhere in the city.  The event occurred a few minutes after two o’clock in the afternoon, and was not at all expected even by those who immediately surrounded Mr. Wolfe.  Though Mr. Wolfe had not been in robust health for some time and had of late been confined to his room and bed periodically for a day or two at a time, he was yet supposed to have years before him and was always very active in his business when able to be up at all.  His last illness, which resulted in his death yesterday, came upon him in the form of chills about ten days ago, but the immediate cause of death was pneumonia.

Mr. Wolfe was born in Williamsport, Pa., and was over fifty years old.  He came west sometime during the war, served in the army with credit, and just after the war he came to Cairo, settled here in business with Mr. C. O. Patier and has been with him under the firm name of C. O. Patier & Co. ever since, for seventeen years now.  Mr. Wolfe was a man of rare good qualities; he was active, conscientious and possessed the best judgment in all matters pertaining to the internal management of his business, and for these reasons his death is a severe blow not only to the large establishment with which he has been so long connected and which owes its great success largely to his efforts, but also the community of which he has been a valuable member.

Funeral will take place tomorrow.  Two sisters and a brother living some distance away have been telegraphed to and may be here.
 

Saturday, 6 Jan 1883:
FUNERAL NOTICE.

The funeral services of the late Major William Wolfe will be held at his residence on Poplar Street between 20th and Division streets tomorrow (Sunday) Jan 7th, at 2 o’clock p.m.  The funeral cortege will leave the house at half past two, and at 3 o’clock a special funeral train will leave foot of Eighth Street for Beech Grove Cemetery where the remains will be interred.  Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend.
 
MORE ABOUT MAJOR WOLFE.

Yesterday’s Bulletin gave a brief general sketch of the life of Major Wolfe, of the firm of C. O. Patier & Co., whose death occurred Thursday afternoon, but though correct so far as it went, it was necessarily incomplete and lacked that detail of statement which is desirable when speaking of the career of a man of Major Wolfe’s status in a community.

The Major was born on January 24th, 1832, near Williamsport, Penn., and was therefore nearly fifty-one years old at the time of his death.  When yet a boy, his parents took him to reside in Williamsport, where he remained until he became of age and where the friendship between him and Mr. Patier, which grew into a strong attachment in after years and continued to the end, was first formed.  In 1855 Major Wolfe went to St. Louis where he became general manager in the house of Baker, Mills & Co.  This position he held until 1861 when the Civil War broke out.  Then, with the assistance of Mr. Patier, he raised a company for the Sixth Missouri Volunteers, in which he was Second and Mr. Patier First Lieutenant.  With this command he served with credit for three years, when he was mustered out on the march to Atlanta, just after the fight of Resaca.  He remained with the army, however and was detailed as aide de camp to Gen. Jones, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 15th Army Corps, and went though to the sea.

After the war he returned to St. Louis and was there appointed Major in the adjutant general’s office by then Governor Thomas C. Fletcher.  After this he was engaged as clerk in the courthouse at St. Louis until 1866, when he came to Cairo at the solicitation of Mr. Patier and accepted the position of bookkeeper in the general business house of Messrs. G. H. Greeley & Co., whose house was then known as the New York Store and was situated on Poplar Street, in the neighborhood of where Mr. H. Schultze’s place now is.  A year later this firm changed to Greeley & Patier, and in 1872, two years latter still, Mr. Greeley retired from the firm and Maj. Wolfe took his place, the firm standing then as now, C. O. Patier & Co., and growing steadily, until now it is one of the strongest and most respected in this part of the country.

In 1872 also, Mr. Wolfe married Miss Dulcina Osborne, daughter of Justice O. A. Osborne, who, together with three sisters and a brother, survives him.  One sister lives in Pennsylvania, one in California, and the third, Mrs. Fisher, wife of Mr. Harman Fisher, formerly cashier of a Carondelet bank, but who died in St. Louis some time ago, lives in Iowa.  The brother lives in Williamsport, Pa.
Major Wolfe was a director of the Alexander County Bank and an honorary member of the Delta Fire Company.

As appears from a notice elsewhere the funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon, when all that remains of one of Cairo’s most successful businessmen and most respected citizens will be interred at Beech Grove.
 

Sunday, 7 Jan 1883:
FUNERAL NOTICE.

The funeral services of the late Major William Wolfe will be held at his residence on Poplar Street between 20th and Division streets, today (Sunday) Jan. 7th, at 2 o’clock p.m.  The funeral cortege will leave the house at half past two, and at 3 o’clock a special train will leave foot of Eighth Street for Beech Grove Cemetery where the remains will be interred.  Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend.
 

Tuesday, 9 Jan 1883:
As predicted several days ago, old Bill Gray died Sunday, having lived but a few days after his case had been brought to the notice of the city authorities who did all they could for him.
 
At the marine hospital station Sunday, Jesse Ridgeway, second mate of the steamer Charles Morgan, died of pneumonia after an illness of but a short time.  Mrs. Ridgeway arrived Sunday and will take her husband’s remains home for burial.
 
Mrs. John Cheek died Sunday at Carbondale after having been in poor health for some months.  Her remains were interred at Villa Ridge last evening.  Deceased was a relative of the late Dr. Arter and she and her family have many friends here, some of whom went to attend the funeral.
 
AT REST
Burial of Major William Wolfe

            At two o’clock, Sunday afternoon, a large concourse of sad-faced and sadder-hearted people gathered on the streets and at the residence of their late fellow-citizen and friend, Major William Wolfe, to pay a tribute to his memory, the last on this side of the grave.  It needed but a look at the number who gathered at the house and lined the streets along which the funeral cortege was to pass, to understand in how high an estimation the dead was held in the community.

            The family of the deceased and his closest friends having all they could bear under their load of grief, the details of the sad occasion were carried out by friends.  These were under the direction of Judge Bross, president of the Alexander County Bank, wherein Major Wolfe was a director, assisted by Mr. P. W. Barclay.

            The Pall Bearers

numbered eighteen, six from the Delta Fire Company, six from among the directors of the bank and six of the employees of the New York Store.  Those from the bank were Messrs. Henry Wells, Thomas J. Kerthe, E. A. Buder, William Kluge, C. M. Osterloh, and Peter Neff; from the members of Delta Fire Company, Thomas W. Halliday, Charles Lancaster, John Hodges, Charles F. Nellis, J. S. McGahey and E. A. Burnett; from the New York Store employees, Elmer Comings, M. Cullinan, M. F. Leftcovich, Ed Cotter and David O’Connel.

            The casket was a handsome metal one with massive silver handles on the sides and ends and silver ornaments on the lid; on a heavy silver plate was engraved the name and age of the deceased.  At the house after the beautiful ceremony of the Episcopal Church had been read by Rector Davenport of the Church of the Redeemer, the bereaved relatives took their last heart-breaking farewell look at all that remained of their once warm-hearted husband, brother and friend and the coffin was close forever.

            The Procession

formed on the street with the Cornet Band at the head, followed in order by the Delta Fire Company, the New York Store employees to the number of twenty-five or more, the pallbearers, the hearse containing the casket, the family in carriages, followed by hundreds of friends and acquaintances, and to the slow time of the dirge played by the band whose mournful notes found an echo in every heart, the sad cortege marched to the railroad where a special train of seven coaches was in waiting to convey it to the beautiful Beech Grove Cemetery.  The same order was observed in the march from the train to the grave in the cemetery.

            Arrived at the grave the casket was lowered, and while the band played softly, in the minor chords, the clerks of the New York Store gathered in a circle around the open grave.  Mr. Ernest Pettit, as their leader, from them delivered the following sorrowful, short farewell address to him who during the life had endeared himself to them by his many acts of kindness:

            “We, your past employees, sadly gather around your grave to strew these evergreens in commemoration of our departed and loved superior, Major William Wolfe;

            Green may be the turf above him,

                        Friend of our better days,

            None knew him but loved him,

                        None named him but with praise;

            May God bless him.”

            With these appropriate words each clerk dropped a branch of evergreen upon the coffin as an emblem that remembrances of their employer and friend would ever remains green in their hearts.

            There was probably no more pleasant or unassuming gentleman in our city than Major Wolfe, and certainly none more widely known or universally respected, as was evidenced by the numbers at home who desired to show their grief for the dead and respect for the living by being present at his burial, and the numbers abroad who sent mementos of affection and words of sympathy.

            The Funeral Train

was the largest that ever left Cairo, and yet hundred of friends were compelled to remain at home for lack of room.  The floral decorations, notwithstanding this is not the season for flowers, were profuse and elegant.  A large pillow of camellias and tea roses, with the word “Rest” in blue forget-me-nots and minionettes in center, was sent by Messrs. Crow, Hargadise & Co., from St. Louis.  A cross and anchor, emblems of hope, made of camellia and tuberoses was the gift of the Bryan, Brown Shoe Company, also of St. Louis.  The wreaths, bouquets, etc. were of flowers from Ullin and other places, and the initial “W,” made of appropriate flowers, was the work of Mr. M. F. Leftcovich.

            The following resolutions which were passed by the society to which Major Wolfe belonged and those associated with him  in business, are not words only, of empty sound, but are full of deep feeling and express the sympathy and sentiments of each and all his large circle of friends;—sympathy for his family and affection for his memory.

Resolutions of Respect

By Delta Fire Company

            WHEREAS the Great Ruler of the universe has in His infinite wisdom removed from our midst our worthy and esteemed brother fireman Maj. William Wolfe, and

            WHEREAS the active interest and hearty cooperation manifested by him during his long period of his connection with the Delta Fire Company, makes it fitting that we record our appreciation of him; therefore,

            RESOLVED, That the sudden removal of such a man from this company leaves a vacancy that will be deeply realized by all the members of this organization and its friends, and will prove a grievous loss to this city and the public.

            RESOLVED, That to the wife of the deceased who has been suddenly deprived of a loving and provident husband, and an affectionate and indulgent helpmate this company extends an expression of sincere sympathy and condolence.

            RESOLVED, That a page of our journal be set aside in memory of our departed brother, and a copy of these resolutions be furnished the widow of the deceased.

            Delta City Fire Company by

Frank Spencer,

Samuel J. Humm,

Charles Lancaster, Committee.

Resolutions of Respect

By directors of the Alexander County Bank

            Whereas, death has taken from our midst, one of our directors Major William Wolfe, in the years of his most efficient usefulness, one who has always been faithful to his responsible duties, with a generous feeling towards everybody and who carefully watching the interests of this institution and also those of our patrons, through the few years of our association together, had acquired the unlimited confidence of the officers and directors of the bank, as well as that of the public at large, and

            Whereas we feel deeply the loss that has fallen upon us, his family and this community and know that his place cannot easily be filled by another,

            Resolved, that we express our most sincere regret for our departed member Major William Wolfe and that we tender our deepest sympathy to the widow and relatives of the deceased, and,

            Resolved, that a page of our minutes be inscribed to the memory of our esteemed friend and co-laborer and that a copy of these resolutions of respect be sent to his widow and also printed in the city papers.

F. Bross, Pres’t.

H. Wells, Sec’y.
 

Wednesday, 10 Jan 1883:
The late Mrs. John Cheek was not related to the late Dr. D. Arter, as previously stated.  She was the niece of Messrs. B. S., M. B., William and I. L. Harrell, and had no relations here excepting members of these families.  Mrs. Cheek came here as a bride from her home near Cincinnati, and resided here a number of years, during which she made many friends, for she was an excellent woman in every way.
 
FUNERAL NOTICE.

Died, yesterday at 8:15 p.m., George A., oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. DeBaun, aged two years and fourteen months.  Funeral service will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at 2 o’clock p.m., today, and remains will be taken by special train from foot of Tenth Street at 2:30 o’clock to Villa Ridge for interment.  Friends of the family are invited.

Deceased was a bright little boy.  He had been sick hardly twenty-four hours with pneumonia, when he died.

(A marker in Cairo City Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads:  George A. son of A. T. and M. L. DeBaun Born Dec. 26, 1880 Died Jan. 9, 1883—Darrel Dexter)
 

Thursday, 11 Jan 1883:
The funeral of Mr. A. T. DeBaun’s little son took pace yesterday afternoon.  His age was two years and fourteen days, not months as previously stated.  Services were held at St. Patrick’s Church and a special train took the remains and a number of friends of the family from Tenth Street to Villa Ridge.

 

Tuesday, 16 Jan 1883:
Mr. John McCune, one of the pilots of the Evansville and Paducah packet line, died suddenly at Paducah last Saturday morning.  Mr. McCune had been in the employee of the above company for about 15 years and was highly respected by all who were acquainted with him.  His death was quite sudden and unexpected.  He leaves a wife and small family of children, besides a brother and other relatives who reside in Paducah.  Among them Mayor Charles Reed is a relative.  Mr. McCune was born and raised in Paducah and buried there with Masonic honors Monday morning, 14th inst.
 
The funeral of Mr. Ed Haire took place yesterday.  His death occurred Sunday at St. Mary’s Infirmary where he had been for a week or two seriously sick.  He was about fifty years of age, came here soon or immediately after the war and has lived here ever since.  He kept what is known as the “Dew Drop Inn,” on Ohio Levee below Fourth Street, and succeeded in acquiring some property and money which he leaves to his daughter, a young girl of probably fifteen years, who, with a brother in New York City, is his only living relative known of here.
 
 
Saturday, 20 Jan 1883:
A special from DuQuoin under date of the 18th says:  “The body of an unknown stranger with his skull crushed in was discovered today under a partially burned pile of wood near Pinckneyville.  He was 35 years old, had a mustache and chin whiskers, dark complexion and evidently a laborer of the better class.  He was seen in the neighborhood about January 1st, says Coroner Ogborn.”
 
The total number of persons killed by railroad accidents within the state during the past year was 407, against 337 last year.  Of the total number killed, 13 were passengers, 147 were employees and 247 were neither passengers nor employees. 
 

Sunday, 21 Jan 1883:
A dispatch from Buena Vista, Ohio, yesterday brought Deputy Collector William Murphy the unpleasant news that his mother was not expected to live; it asked him to come immediately and he left by the Illinois Central afternoon train yesterday.  Mrs. Murphy is seventy-four years of age; about ten weeks ago she was prostrated by a severe stroke of paralysis from which it was thought she was gradually recovering, but for several days back she began to grow worse, until yesterday when her life was despaired of.
 
The death of the Hon. John Dement, father of Secretary of State Dement, took place at his home at Dixon at an early hour Wednesday, after a protracted illness.  The deceased was one of the most prominent citizens of the state, having held the office of state treasurer and been a member of both the state constitutional conventions of 1848 and 1870.
 
Last Wednesday about a week ago occurred the death of Mrs. Morris, the venerable mother of William H. Morris, deceased, whose memory will be always green in the minds of the citizens of Cairo.  The sad event occurred at Quincy, Ills., and the burial took place the Friday following, at Joliet.
 
Readers of The Bulletin will remember the Williamson County vendetta, which reigned in 1873 and from which and the tragedies causing and resulting from it, that county received the appellation “Bloody Williamson.”  The last act of this affair is now about to be presented in the trial of the man who was believed to be at the bottom of the whole disturbance.  The Chester Valley Clarion gives the following interesting item with reference to this man:

“The mystery which has always surrounded the assassination of George Bulliner, near the county line between Williamson and Jackson counties, away back in December, 1873, is apparently about to be explained.  It was this murder which was the origin of the vendetta in Williamson County and no one has ever been brought to account to the law for its commission.  A few months after it occurred an indictment for murder was found by the grand jury of Jackson County against one David Pleasant, who at once quietly left the country.  He was then a lusty, hearty, young man.  The memory of the terrible deed and its awful consequences had almost faded from men’s memories, and Pleasant was like a dead man, out of mind.  A few months ago a gray-headed, broken-down, careworn man , apparently on the down grade of life, was noticed about the neighborhood of Pleasant’s old residence and considerable idle curiosity was manifested as to who he might be.  Last week, Tuesday, the 9th inst., he went to Murphysboro in company with a friend and weary of life of a wandering refugee, gave himself up to the authorities as David Pleasant, the man indicted for the killing of Bulliner.  Ever since that melancholy event there has been a standing reward of $1,000 for his capture, and it is thought that his confidential friend will claim it to be applied toward his defense.  Messrs. Albright & Harbin have been employed to extricate him from the meshes of the law, and should the case ever come to trial it will doubtless be one of the most interesting in the history of the county.”
 

Tuesday, 23 Jan 1883:
Jim Williams and family, colored, were deck passengers on the Henry A. Tyler Friday last, bound for Columbus, Ky. When the boat was but a short distance below Columbus, Williams was taken with a mild cough and in a few minutes was dead.  His remains and his family were put off at Columbus.
 
News came here yesterday, brought here by a man direct from Texas, that William Howe, formerly an employee in the Illinois Central railroad office here and brother-in-law to Mr. Joseph Lufkin, was shot dead in Texas a few days ago by Pink Mayfield, who killed Capt. James Biggs here.  The cause of this second killing is said to be an old quarrel, which began in this city, when both were in the employ of the Illinois Central Company.
 
The quarrel, which is reported to have resulted in the death of young William Howe, took place in the Illinois Central officer here while Howe and Mayfield were clerks there.  Howe was about to strike Mayfield when the latter drew a revolver and Howe withdrew, saying that he would thrash Mayfield at some future time.  Howe went to Texas and Mayfield is supposed to have met with the result as stated elsewhere.  What lends a color of truth to the report is that Howe has not been heard from for sometime either by Mr. Lufkin or any of his friends here, and none know where he went.  Mr. Lufkin has been in the city making inquiries, but without reward.
 

Wednesday, 24 Jan 1883:
Near a small schoolhouse in the vicinity of Mounds Junction the body of a white man was found by a number of school children last Saturday.  Decomposition had set in to such an extent that recognition by his features would have been impossible even by those who might have known him.  From his clothing, however, which was neat and comparatively new, the body was recognized by some who lived in the vicinity, as that of a German peddler who had come through there about a week or ten days before.  A leather memorandum book was found in one pocket in which the address of a Cincinnati firm was written; and the firm was written to for information concerning the dead man, but whether a reply has been obtained we failed to learn.  The impression among the people of Mounds Junction is that the man was murdered, and they are confirmed in the belief by the fact that the peddler, when he passed through the place, was followed by another stranger.  But owing to the advanced stage of decomposition, it was impossible to discover any marks of violence on the body.  The first evidence of the presence of decomposing matter had by residents of the place was the strong smell which was wafted in their faces when passing the schoolhouse, but this was thought to arise from a dead hog or other animal and no investigation was made.  But just after the late snow, children began to slide down the hill near the school and they accidentally came upon the body at the foot of the hill.
 

Thursday, 25 Jan 1883:
Capt. Bobo Wise of the James W. Gaff took the train here last evening for Cincinnati to attend the funeral of his mother, who died near Cincinnati Tuesday morning.
 
Hattie Owens, a notorious woman and long residenter on Thirteenth Street, died during Tuesday night and will be buried today.
 
The four-month-old daughter of Mr. James Summerwell died yesterday morning after a short illness.  The remains will be taken to Jonesboro for burial in the family cemetery there.  The funeral will take place Friday, tomorrow.

(James Summerwell married Mary Ann Kennedy on 31 Aug 1858, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
 
The steamer Gaff brought up six hundred bales of cotton and a quantity of lumber for the Wabash road yesterday.  Her captain, Robert Wise, started from here by rail for Cincinnati, called there in haste by a telegram announcing the death of his mother.
 
Mr. John F. Mitchell, city marshal of Centralia, was in the city yesterday on his way to Poplar Bluff to take charge of a man who killed his brother-in-law at Centralia some time ago and eluded officers.  The man surrendered himself to the officers at Poplar Bluff.
 
The man Doss, who is in the city jail here serving a term of days for failure to pay a fine assessed against him for carrying concealed weapons, killed a boy in Marion County some years ago and on a change of venue was sent to the penitentiary from Williamson County.  He served out his term and is now in trouble here.
 
FUNERAL NOTICE.

            The funeral services of the infant daughter of James and Mary Summerwell will be held at the residence of the parents, corner Holbrook and 22nd Street this afternoon at 2 o’clock.  Services by Rev. B. Y. George.  The remains will be taken to Jonesboro tomorrow morning on the 8:15 train for burial.

(James Summerwell married Mary Ann Kennedy on 31 Aug 1858, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
 
There has been some serious doubt as to whether the insurance on the life of the late William Alba, held in the order of the Knights of the Golden Rule, would be paid, as a clause in each policy expressly declares that the insurance shall not be paid in case of suicide of the holders.
 

Friday, 26 Jan 1883:
The death of Mr. David Thistlewood was announced in a dispatch received here from Pulaski yesterday.  The event was not unexpected as Mr. T. had been suffering for some years and seriously for several months.  Deceased was forty-two years old, was born in Delaware, came to Illinois nearly twenty years ago, resided in the central portion of the state for about fifteen years, came to Cairo something over two years ago and left but recently to reside in Pulaski.  He leaves a wife and two children.   His remains will be interred tomorrow at Mason, Ills., where Mrs. T.’s relatives reside.  Mayor Thistlewood left the city yesterday to attend the funeral.
 

Saturday, 27 Jan 1883:
FUNERAL NOTICE.

DIED.—Yesterday morning at half past seven o’clock, of erysipelas complicated with teething troubles, Bruno Isadore, infant son of Mr. E. B. and Mrs. M. A. Pettit, aged ten months and twenty days.

The funeral will be held today at St. Joseph’s Church, at one o’clock p.m.  The funeral train will leave Twentieth Street for Villa Ridge at 2 o’clock.  Friends of the family are invited.
 
Mayor Thistlewood returned yesterday from Pulaski, but left against last night to attend the funeral of his brother, David, which takes place at Mason, Ills., today.
 
Captain William M. Murphy returned yesterday from Buena Vista, Ohio, where he had been called several days before by a dispatch announcing the serious illness of his mother.  When he arrived there he found his mother much better, and he left her in a fair way to recover entirely.
 

Sunday, 28 Jan 1883:
News from the bedside of Captain Hambleton of Mound City yesterday was not encouraging.  Dr. Dunning returned late Friday night and went up again last night.  A St. Louis physician has been telegraphed for. Captain Hambleton’s ailment appears to be a complicated one.
 
FUNERAL NOTICE.

DIED.—At Hodges Park, January 26th, 1883, James McGriffin, aged fifty-eight years.  The funeral will take place from the residence of his sister, Mrs. B. McManus, corner of Fourteenth Street and Commercial Avenue in this city on Sunday, January 28th, leaving the house at half past one o’clock p.m. and proceeding to St. Patrick’s Church and from thence to special train at Fourteenth Street for Villa Ridge.
 

Tuesday, 30 Jan 1883:
Capt. William Hambleton, of Mound City, died last evening at ten minutes past 2 o’clock.  He had been confined to his bed about three weeks.  We deeply sympathize with his family in their irreparable loss, for he certainly was one of nature’s noblemen.  None knew him but to love him, and he was never known to refuse to favor or lend a helping hand to a friend or those in distress.  He was a very prominent man in steamboat circles and was proprietor of the marine ways at Mound City up to the time of his death.  His friends and acquaintances, who were legion, will all deeply deplore his loss.  May his noble soul forever rest in peace and happiness.
 
Captain W. L. Hambleton died yesterday afternoon at 1:50 o’clock in the presence of his relatives and a number of friends.  His death was expected, even by himself, and he faced it calmly.  He was fifty-eight years of age.  His funeral takes place tomorrow.  A special train bearing the remains will back down to this city for the accommodation of those of his Cairo friends who may desire to attend the funeral, and will go from here to Beech Grove Cemetery where services will be held.
 
The report was current on the streets yesterday that young Johnny Mahanny had died at the infirmary during the forenoon, but it was not true.  It is true however, that the young man has been in the hospital for over a week and was seriously sick Sunday and yesterday.
 
At or near Foreman in Johnson County, one young negro shot and killed another Saturday night.  The shootist was at work in Mound City, went to spend Sunday at the place named, found another negro in the house with his wife, he said, and promptly shot him dead.  He was arrested and taken before a justice of the peace for a hearing, but was discharged even before the coroner’s jury had found a verdict.  Subsequent developments proved that the woman was not the shootist wife and he was rearrested.  At latest accounts he was being again examined, which seems at first sight as a violation of the federal constitution, which says that no person shall be twice put in jeopardy of life, limb or property for the same offense, or words to that effect.

            (The Jonesboro Gazette of 10 Feb 1883, reported that Milton Thomas, of Foreman, was killed by Leonard Armstrong, who was arrested in Mound City, Pulaski Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Wednesday, 31 Jan 1883:
Capt. William Hambleton, who died Monday evening at his home in Mound City, will be buried today at Beech Ridge.  His funeral will be largely attended.
 
This afternoon about 1 o’clock a special train bearing the remains of the late Captain Hambleton of Mound City, will arrive from Mound City on the Wabash Road at the Union Depot.  From the Union Depot the remains and the Mound City friends of the deceased, who may attend them, will be transferred to a special train at the Illinois Central passenger depot for conveyance to Beech Grove Cemetery.  Ample accommodations will be afforded to those of Captain Hambleton’s Cairo friends who may wish to attend the funeral.
 
The death of Mrs. John Beecher occurred at her residence on Thirteenth Street Monday night.  Mrs. Beecher had been sick for about a month, but was up and about again about two weeks ago.  She was prostrated again however and having been completely exhausted before, was unable to withstand the second attack.  She was about fifty years old.  The funeral takes place today.  The procession will leave the residence at about 10 o’clock this morning and the remains will be taken to Villa Ridge by the 11 o’clock train for interment.
 
DIED—Monday evening, Jan. 29th, Mrs. C. A. Beecher, widow of the late John H. Beecher, aged about 46 years.  Her funeral will take place today, Jan. 31st.  Services will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at quarter past ten and remains taken to Villa Ridge by the 11 o’clock train for interment.

            (Catharine A. Beecher and her husband, John H. Beecher are in the 1880 census of Cairo, Alexander Co., Ill.  She was born about 1840 in Scotland, and he was born about 1837 in Ohio.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Thursday, 1 Feb 1883:
With two or three exceptions, all the steamers at this port yesterday carried flags at half-mast in respect to the memory of Captain Hambleton.
 
The floral decorations for the casket in which the remains of Captain Hambleton were laid were furnished by Mr. Joseph McCullough, of St. Louis, and were probably the richest and most beautiful used for any like occasion.  The chief features of them were the floral scythe and a sheath of wheat at the foot of the coffin, a cross and crown at the center, and the column and harp mentioned elsewhere.  The harp was mounted on a pedestal, which bore a suggestive inscription of pansies.  There were a number of St. Louisians in the cortege.
 
Many citizens will probably remember Fuller R. Smith, a brother of Messrs. James and Egbert Smith, of the firm of Smith Bros.  Fuller R. was raised in this city but left here about 1868 or ‘9 for the West,  located at Omaha and was doing a good business there.  But those who knew him here will learn with regret that he died about two weeks ago, which sad news was imparted to his brothers here only yesterday by a letter received from Omaha.
 
The late Captain Hambleton’s funeral yesterday was one of the most imposing that has ever occurred here.  The remains arrived here from Mound City a few minutes before 1 o’clock by special train of three coaches, all crowded with the Mound City friends of deceased.  The train drew slowly up to the Union Depot, where Cairo Lodge, No. 237 A. F. and A. M. in uniform and a large number of other citizens, awaited it.  After a few moments’ delay the coffin was brought forth, in charge of Cairo Lodge No. 237.  It was an elegant metallic casket, with heavy silver handles along the sides and at the ends, and the lid was covered with floral ornaments.  It was carried by eight pallbearers, preceded by several members of Mound City lodge, who carried some beautiful devices of greens and flowers.  One of these was a column of evergreens and flowers, surmounted by a white dove, another a harp composed of the same.  Immediately after the casket came the members of Cairo Lodge and these were followed by the Mound City friends of deceased, and several hundred Cairo friends brought up the rear.  The procession moved up Fourth Street to the Illinois Central Depot, where five coaches and two baggage cars waited to convey them to Beech Grove Cemetery.  The casket and pallbearers occupied one of the baggage cars by themselves and the five coaches were all filled with people.  The train left about 1:15 o’clock.  At Mound City services had been held over the remains in the Methodist church, and at the cemetery the service was conducted by Cairo Blue Lodge, according to the impressive forms of that organization.  The train returned about 6:30 o’clock and the Mound City people left for their homes on the regular evening Wabash train.
 

Sunday, 4 Feb 1883:
Young John Mahanny, who was reported to have died at St. Mary’s Infirmary several days ago, was out on the street looking well yesterday.


Tuesday, 6 Feb 1883:
CAPT. HAMBLETON’S ST. LOUIS FRIENDS.
St. Louis Republican.

Apropos to the death of William L. Hambleton, the largest steamboat builder on the Ohio River, who died at Mound City, Pulaski County, Ill., six miles up from Cairo, a number of gentlemen members of the “Glenn Valley Church,” a local St. Louis organization, met Saturday at their “retreat” in St. Louis and passed eulogistic resolutions to the memory of their late lamented, “Uncle Ways.” Many touching remarks were made and heartfelt regrets expressed and the condolence of the “Glenn” extended to the family and friends of the deceased for their irreparable loss. Capt. Bill Hambleton was one of the best men ever the breath of life was breathed into.

Capt. Hambleton left insurance on his life to the amount of over ten thousand dollars, for the benefit of his wife.

Officers Martin and Mahanny yesterday arrested a man named Stell, who came here some time ago from Blandville, Ky., and turned him over to several gentlemen from that town, who came to take him back. Stell was one of the men who had charge of the telegraph operator who shot and killed a man named Henderson at Blandville some time ago, and who made his escape from the guardhouse. Stell was charged with assisting the murderer to escape and was bound over in a heavy bond to answer to a higher court. He got bondsmen and was at large, and when court sat at Blandville recently, he left the county and came here. His bondsmen followed him and took him back yesterday evening.

 

Wednesday, 7 Feb 1883:
Officers Martin and Mahanny had a lively time with the man Thomas Stell, Monday night. They accompanied him and the Kentucky gentlemen, Stell’s bondsmen, who were here to take him back to Blandville to the ferryboat. They arrived a little late, as the boat was just about to shove out from the landing, but the prisoner and his keepers started to climb over the boat’s railing, in which the latter succeeded but the former did not. Stell either accidentally or purposely or both fell from the railing into the river and might have drowned but for the prompt action of the officers named, who, with great risk to themselves, fished him out. He was taken back to police headquarters, given dry clothes, and sent yesterday morning by rail to Wickliffe.

A man living near Schoharie, N. Y., a few days ago buried a child, aged 14 years, that weighed only 14 pounds. In a family of eight or nine children, four have been extraordinary unnatural production. One that is still living is 16 years old and weighs but 20 pounds. The enormous size of their heads, hands and feet was a marvel. Food was placed in their mouths when necessary. They seemed destitute of that intuition to seek for it even by signs.


 

Friday, 9 Feb 1883:
The father and mother of the late Theophalus Hall, who resided in Kentucky and was killed in the bad accident on the Texas and St. Louis Railroad some time ago, have brought suit against the road for five thousand dollars damages. The suit is brought in the circuit court here by Mr. Angus Leek, complainant’s attorney. It is brought under a law guaranteeing to the survivors of a person killed in a railroad accident resulting from neglect or carelessness of the company or its agents, five thousand dollars, payable by such company.

 

Saturday, 10 Feb 1883:
Fatal Explosion

PANA, ILL., February 9.—Reliable news just received states that Peter New, a former resident of Pana, was killed, together with five other men, at 7 o’clock this morning by a boiler explosion in a tile factory at Taylorsville, Ill. Henry New, a nephew of Peter, is in a dying condition.

A BOILER EXPLOSION.
Five Men Killed Instantly and Two Fatally Injured.

TAYLORSVILLE, ILL., February 9.—The boiler of the extensive tile factory in this city, exploded this morning at 7:15. The yard is located a mile southeast of the business portion of the city. The men, together with P. New, the proprietor, had just commenced work when the accident occurred. Five men were killed instantly.
THE KILLED.

John Jones, engineer, was completely disemboweled, both his legs broken and he was otherwise mutilated.

Samuel Lensm was torn into fragments, his body only being recognized by his rubber boots, which were still on his feet.

Peter Neu, the proprietor, had both legs broken and his head scalded and fractured.

John McCullom was horribly mutilated.

William Dishel had the top of his head blown off.
FATALLY INJURED.

The son of Chris Neu was fatally injured and Tandy Vandeveer fatally injured.

The explosion shook the buildings in the city as if it were shocked by an earthquake. The machinery was thrown several hundred yards and the yard is a total wreck, the whole vicinity being strewn with the debris of heavy timbers, and still heavier pieces of iron machinery bent and twisted into every conceivable shape. The bodies have been removed to the City Hall, where the inquest will be held at 1 o’clock. This great calamity has plunged our little city into the deepest gloom.

NOT DEAD.

The rumor circulated here some time ago, that Mr. W. H. Howe, formerly of the Illinois Central offices here, was killed in Southern Texas by Mink Mayfield, created considerable excitement here, as Mr. Howe was generally and favorably known. The report was brought here by a railroad man who came directly from Texas and claimed to have heard it direct down there. But yesterday, Mr. H. C. DePew, of the Illinois Central road here, received a letter from Mr. Howe, dated February 4th, 1883, at San Marcial, New Mexico, a station on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, in which the writer refers as follows to the report in question:

“Coming down the S. P. R. R. from Frisco, I came onto a Globe-Democrat of the 24th, at Tucson, and the first thing I saw was the enclosed article. I am very happy to be able to contradict this statement. Please inform my friends.”

The Globe-Democrat referred to was the special sent to that paper from this city, stating that intelligence of Mr. Howe’s violent death had been received here. Mr. Howe says he is going to work for the A. T. & S. F. road at the place from which the letter is dated, will remain there until June, and will then take a trip to Cairo—all of which will be good news to Mr. Howe’s friends and relatives in this part of the country.


 

Wednesday, 14 Feb 1883:
Yesterday Richard Owens, a notorious river man, was buried. He was brought here in a sick condition last week and died at the marine hospital a day or two ago. His wife came yesterday and took charge of his remains. She hired a carriage from Mr. P. Fitzgerald and had the remains taken to the Seven-mile graveyard for interment. On their way back and when near Mr. Porter’s farm, the carriage was broken down, and the occupants had to mount the horses and ride into town.


 

Thursday, 15 Feb 1883:
DOUBLE TRAGEDY NEAR AVA, ILL.

AVA, ILL., February 15.—A double tragedy occurred Tuesday morning about three miles southeast of here. Two brothers, James S. and John Wallace, were shot and killed by David Holliday, whom they attacked on the highway, threatening to beat him to death. The difficulty was caused by Holliday reporting to the marshal of this place some months ago that James S. Wallace was carrying a concealed pistol, which he had drawn and pointed at him. The coroner’s jury rendered a verdict of justifiable homicide.

(The 24 Feb 1883, Jonesboro Gazette places the homicide at Gillsburg in Jackson Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)

THE LATE CAPTAIN HAMBLETON
An Humble Tribute to His Memory by One Who Knew Him Long and Always as a Friend.
Correspondence of the Cairo Bulletin.

Although a full fortnight has passed since the big-souled Capt. Bill Hambleton was laid away to his eternal rest, who that knew him as the writer knew him and as all of you of Cairo and Mound City knew him, yet feels the pangs of his deep regrets assuaged, or has found words fittingly expressive of the sorrow that possessed his soul when the announcement went forth that the true-hearted friend, the good citizen and genial companion had joined the silent majority. You and I and all of us felt as true a heart as ever throbbed in a human breast had been stilled, and that in the going out of the light of his genial and generous soul a shadow had fallen upon us that time and change might never fully dispel. Southern Illinois is not lacking in men learned in the law, in pulpit orators of distinction, in educators of ability nor in businessmen of great shrewdness, energy and integrity, but can you, or any of you, lay your hands upon the man among them over whose loss your hearts would swell with a greater sorrow than which is felt for the lamented Hambleton? Men of finer and more thorough mental culture you have, men who, in the accumulation of worldly goods, were more successful, men who from pulpit or rostrum kept themselves more prominently before the public, but not once, in any pursuit or profession, who held a warmer place in the hearts of the people than did Captain Hambleton. As a steamboat man and boat builder he became universally known among the thousands who people the banks of your great rivers between Cincinnati, St. Louis and New Orleans, and had he been known in no other than these relations in life, he would still have deserved the tribute to his memory that was shown in the half-mast flags that sorrowfully floated above the shipping at your wharves when the sad tidings of his death reached you. But although just, upright and conscientious in business, it was in the social relations of life that Captain Hambleton “shone resplendent.” His friendships were strong and enduring, his generous nature ignoring causes for estrangement that would have moved others to quick resentment, and the broad mantle of his charity covering acts and omissions that would quickly have moved the less forgiving to hatred and enmity. He knew everybody, for everybody he had a ready recognition and a kind and friendly word, and for those whom he made his companions he had an exhaustless fund of sterling wit and humor that quickly responded to every draft that was made open it. Racy anecdotes, pointed jokes, original retorts were always at his command, and his faculty of adopting them to the demands of the moments, rendered him one in a thousand for “setting the tabs in a roar.”

Of the lamented Captain’s quarter of a century among you, of the great industrial enterprise he so skillfully prosecuted, of his unimpeachable personal integrity, of the generosity of his nature and of his worth as a citizen that so endeared him to all who knew him, you have already spoken in terms of deserved praise and eulogy. Warmly endorsing all that has been written in that regard, and numbering myself among the great multitude who are now proud to hold him in memory as a friend, I am very truly and sincerely,
M.B.H.


Friday, 2 Mar 1883:
Young R. W. Willis, to whose violent act at Metropolis reference is made elsewhere, was arrested immediately after the shooting, placed under a bond and released. Subsequent to this, his victim died and search was made for him to put him in jail or increase his bond, but he could not be found. There is said to be considerable excitement among the people of Metropolis.

Richard Willis, son of Col. J. C. Willis, while under the influence of liquor and engaged in a dispute with a young boy named Whiteman, shot and killed the latter at Metropolis yesterday. Young Willis claims that the shot was accidental. Whiteman was only sixteen years of age.

(Later accounts in the newspaper identify the deceased as Whitman.—Darrel Dexter)

FUNERAL NOTICE.

DIED.—Yesterday at noon, at the residence of his brother-in-law, Samuel J. Humm, Esq., in this city, John Evans Price Wright, in the twentieth year of his age.

Funeral services will be held at Mr. Humm’s residence on Eighteenth Street, between Commercial Avenue and Poplar Street, Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock. A special funeral train will leave foot of Eighteenth Street for Beech Grove Cemetery.

Mr. Wright was a young man of excellent qualities. He had lived in the city for about four years, during which he gained the acquaintances of most of our citizens. He was employed as clerk in the Illinois Central yards.

(Samuel J. Humm married Emma F. Wright on 27 Jan 1879, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)


 

Saturday, 3 Mar 1883:
KILLED BY A FALL.

ALTON, ILL., March 2.—Wednesday afternoon, Kirby Haskins, a son of Rev. T. W. Haskins, fell off the slanting roof of the barn at his father’s residence. He fell, face foremost, and was badly bruised. His injuries were not considered dangerous, however, until yesterday afternoon, when internal hemorrhage was developed. The unfortunate boy died last night.

JEALOUSY CAUSES A COLORED MAN TO KILL HIS NEIGHBOR.

BELLEVILLE, ILL March 2.—Albert Honesty shot and instantly killed George Washington, between Berkner Station and French Village, on the Louisville and Nashville Road, at 6 o’clock this morning. Both men are colored farmers, and were engaged in clearing forty acres of woodland, which they had just leased. Jealousy led to an open rupture between the two friends, which terminated in this morning’s tragedy. Washington was married to a white woman and suspected Honesty of trying to alternate the affections of his wife.

(Albert Honesty is in the 1880 census of St. Clair Co., Ill.  He was born about 1817 in Virginia, and was married, but lived alone.  The 17 Mar 1883, Jonesboro Gazette reported that Albert Honesty, aged 70 years, killed George Washington in self defense.—Darrel Dexter)

About eight o’clock last night a white man in a skiff was drawn by the current under a barge lying at the wharboat No. 2 and drowned.  His cries for help were heard and as soon as possible lines were thrown to him, but too late to save him.  Who he was is not known and nothing to identify him was found. 

(The 6 Mar 1883, issue speculates that the drowned man was James Edwards.—Darrel Dexter)

Two years ago, Dr. Alonzo Hull of Berlin, in this state, was found dead in his bed. He had been a hard drinker for a long time and the result of the coroner’s inquest was the decision that he had died of alcoholism, and the verdict held Wadsworth, a saloonkeeper, responsible for his death. The wife of the deceased had repeatedly begged Wadsworth not to sell her husband liquor, and she has now brought suit against the saloonkeeper for five thousand dollars damages. The case is before the circuit court now in session at Troy.

By a writ of habeas corpus the case of young R. W. Willis, of Metropolis, for killing a young boy named Whitman, was brought into this county and the preliminary examination was held before Judge Baker who convened circuit court in the office of County Clerk Humm yesterday afternoon. The party consisted of defendant and his father, Col. I. C. Willis, Judge R. W. McCartney, Mr. Courtney, Judge W. H. Green, State’s Attorney B. O. Jones, of Massac County and about a half dozen witnesses. Besides these a number of spectators were present and the room was nearly full. Defendant is a young man of about twenty years, rather heavy set and somewhat dissipated in appearance, though he showed some traces of mental suffering, presumably because of the terrible deed which he had committed while in a state of intoxication. He was brought here under a charge of murder for which he had been placed under a bond by the coroner of Massac County. Mr. Courtney, of Metropolis and Judge W. H. Green, of this city, appeared in his defense while State’s Attorney B. O. Jones appeared for the People. The witnesses, who were all young men, were examined briefly. Their testimony agreed on the main points and these were in substance, that young Willis, in a drunken condition, came into a small store room, talking boisterous and flourishing a pistol, that the young boy, Whitman, came in afterwards and stood near Willis, that no words passed between Willis and the boy, that the pistol was discharged while Willis was turned away from the boy, that the ball passed through the boy’s head under one eye, that Willis was the last to leave the room after the shot and made no effort to escape. The court was of the opinion that the charge of murder was not justified in view of the facts in the case, that the worst that could be made of it was manslaughter, and he held the defendant to bail in the sum of two thousand dollars. The bond was immediately given and the whole party left town again on the steamer Fowler for home.

 

Sunday, 4 Mar 1883:
The mystery surrounding the drowning of a white man at the upper wharf boat Friday night was not cleared yesterday. No one missed anyone and no trace of the man or of the skiff in which he sunk were discovered. His cries for help were heard several squares away, but when Messrs. James Law and Minnie Vincent came to his rescue and threw a rope almost into his hands, he seemed to have neither strength nor presence of mind enough to grasp it, and went down to die a watery death.

 

Tuesday, 6 Mar 1883:
CONFESSED THE MURDER.

ELGIN, ILL., March 5.—Panton, who brutally murdered his tenant George Smith, was arrested by Deputy Schoonhaven, at his brother’s residence in South Elgin. He does not deny the crime, but refuses to disclose the motive prompting the horrible deed. The coroner’s jury recommended that he be held without bail.

MANGLED TO DEATH.

PEORIA, Ill., March 5.—A meeting of three hundred citizens of Glasford, in this county, was held Sunday night, at which the recent acquittal of the two Nobles, defendants in the suit for the murder of Jonathan Wolgamott, was severely condemned, as was the conduct of John Comstock, of this city, and a resolution was also passed that hereafter the citizens of that vicinity would attend to the business of punishing murders committed in their midst. A resolution was also passed which was carried out after the meeting, that the body of Comstock be burned in effigy and that the two Nobles be hanged in effigy. The feeling against the Nobles, father and son, is very bitter and the condemnation of the verdict of the jury is almost universal. The case of Herald, who was brought back from Canada, comes up today and sensational developments are expected.

The man drowned at the upper wharfboat Friday night is believed to have been a ship carpenter named James Edwards, well known here. He was employed on the towboat John Dippold, which lay here Friday. He went ashore for his tool chest and it seems he was caught in the current on his way back to the boat and lost control of the skiff. The Dippold went away without him and he is not at his boarding house in this city; two oars belonging to Edwards were found Sunday in the drift near the St. Louis and Cairo depot—all of which seems to confirm the opinion that Edwards was the victim. He was a member of Cairo Lodge No. 237, and it is likely that some effort will be made to prove the truth of falsity of the theory of his death.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

DIED—yesterday afternoon at the residence of her son, Patrick Clancy, near the corner of 14th and Ohio Levee, after a lingering illness, Mrs. Jane Clancy, the mother of Patrick and John Clancy.
She was a lady of many fine qualities, always ready to lend a helping hand to those with whom she came in contact, a faithful mother, a beloved friend and ever-helpful neighbor. The funeral cortege will leave the house at one p.m. today, for St. Patrick’s Church where services will be held. A special train will leave foot of 14th Street at two o’clock for Villa Ridge. Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend.

(Jane Clancy was in the 1860 and 1880 census of Cairo, Alexander Co., Ill., living in the household with her son, Patrick Clancy.  She was born about 1805 in Ireland and was a widow.—Darrel Dexter)

 

Wednesday, 7 Mar 1883:
The remains of Mrs. Jane Clancy were interred at Villa Ridge yesterday afternoon. Services in St. Patrick’s Church were largely attended.

A REWARD!

$50 is offered by Cairo Lodge No. 237, A. F. & A. M., for the recovery and delivery here of the body of James M. Edwards, who was drowned at this place Friday evening, March 2nd. Had a large scar on right cheek, effect of scalds.
Apply to M. Foss, W. M.

 

Thursday, 8 Mar 1883:
“SURVIVES THE TOMB.”

The current number of the Illinois School Journal contains the following well-deserved tribute to the memory of Mr. A. B. Safford:

One of the best men Cairo ever had was Mr. A. B. Safford. His death, which took place some five years ago, was in the nature of a public calamity. As a member of the board of education, he exhibited an inexhaustible zeal for the welfare of the public schools. His influence survives the tomb. His name is often on the lips of the school children. His picture is seen everywhere in the schools, and on all sides we meet with signs of admiration, gratitude and affection for the name of Mr. Safford. As a most fitting memorial of this honored and valued citizen, a beautiful building is about to arise, dedicated forever to culture, taste and the diffusions of knowledge. It will contain an art hall, a library and a reading room; the city will have the care of it, and see to the warming and lighting of the building and the management of the library and reading rooms. This magnificent gift is presented by Mrs. Safford to commemorate the worth of her lamented husband.

 

Saturday, 10 Mar 1883:
Capt. James F. Irvin died at Louisville, Ky., on Monday the 5th inst. He was seventy years of age and previous to the war commanded and owned several boats in the Louisville and Florence, Alabama, trade on Tennessee River, which, before the war, was a fine trade. The Capt. died leaving his family a large fortune.

Yesterday morning Mr. Oliver Edwards, of Galena, Ill., arrived in the city to look after the affairs of his brother, the late James M. Edwards.

 

Sunday, 11 Mar 1883:
The pistol which was thrown away by Richard Willis after the shooting of young Whitman, was found in the mud in the rear of the building in which the tragedy occurred.  It is a large sized Smith & Wesson six-shooter and when found had the hammer down on the only empty cartridge in the weapon, all the balance of the barrels being loaded.

Pulaski Patriot: “A very distressing affair occurred near Villa Ridge on Tuesday last, which resulted in the death of Mr. Peter Lentz, aged 25 years. Deceased was preparing to clean a gun and to find out whether it was loaded, he placed his foot on the hammer and blew into the muzzle, his foot slipped and the gun was discharged; the whole charge entered his head killing him instantly. At the time the accident happened he was in the same room with his wife, who was sick in bed and unable to rise, and could give no alarm. Someone entering the room shortly afterward was the first to discover that anything was wrong. Mr. Lentz was a son-in-law of James Curry, and leaves a wife and two children to mourn his death.

            (Peter Lentz married Nancy A. Curry on 28 Jan 1880, in Pulaski Co., Ill.  He is in the 1880 census of Ohio Precinct, Pulaski County, age 22, born in Illinois.  His wife was Alice Lentz, age 19, born in Illinois.  Also in the 1880 census of Pulaski County is James Curry, age 49, born in Tennessee—parents born in New York—a farmer.  His wife was Martha Curry, 37, born in Kentucky.  Children living at home were George, Laura, Martha, Charles, Minnie, Lillie, and Essie, all born in Illinois.—Darrel Dexter)

 

Tuesday, 13 Mar 1883:
A colored woman named Reed died yesterday on Twenty-first Street, and will be buried today. Her husband was out yesterday taking up a collection to meet the expense of the funeral.

 

Wednesday, 14 Mar 1883:
Mr. W. W. Wooton, formerly of this city, but for some years a citizen of Marlow City, Ky., died suddenly last Sunday of heart disease.
 

Thursday, 15 Mar 1883:
BRAINED WITH A SHOVEL.

MT. VERNON, ILL., March 14.—John Crenshaw, a section hand, will have a preliminary examination at 1 o’clock this afternoon for striking Samuel Ferguson on the head with a shovel. Ferguson is expected to die; his assailant escaped but was captured last evening in the woods.

A colored girl of about sixteen years, a daughter of John Holland, for some time employed on the wharfboats, died yesterday in the second story of the brick next to the council chamber, on Commercial Ave.
 

Friday, 16 Mar 1883:
The death of Mrs. Hinkle, announced elsewhere, will excite general sympathy in this community for the bereaved family. The sad event was not unexpected, for it was known that Mrs. Hinkle had suffered long and patiently with a disease that is implacable, consumption, and she had been at the point of death several times during the last year. She had traveled to different parts of the country in search of health, but without avail. She returned but recently from one of her visits south and failed steadily until her death. During her comparatively short stay here, she gained the friendship and esteem of many who will regret her untimely demise.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

DIED.—At 5:30 a.m. yesterday, Mrs. Kate C. Hinkle, wife of Major Jesse Hinkle, age 26 years. Father Murphy, of St. Patrick’s Church, will bless the corpse at the residence on 7th Street at 1:30 p.m. today. A special funeral train will leave the foot of Eighth Street at 2 p.m. for Villa Ridge. Friends of the family are invited to attend.

(Katie C. Moylan married Jesse Hinkle on 14 Dec 1879, in Alexander Co., Ill.  A marker in Cairo City Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads:  Katie C. Wife of Jesse Hinkle Died March 15, 1883 Aged 26 Yrs., 2 Mos., 5 Dys.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Saturday, 17 Mar 1883:
A large procession of friends accompanied the remains of the late Mrs. Hinkle to their last resting place at Villa Ridge yesterday afternoon. A short solemn service was held at the residence about 1 o’clock and at 2:20 o’clock the funeral train of two coaches filled with citizens left the foot of Eighth Street. The Order of Knights and Ladies of Honor, of which deceased was a member in good standing, attended in a body. At the cemetery, the service was conducted by the order, Mrs. W. R. Smith and Mrs. Powell, officiating, and the cemetery was very impressive.

Yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock, Mrs. Frank Shafter died at her home on Seventh Street, between Walnut and Cedar streets. A husband and four little children survive her. Funeral will take place tomorrow. Mr. Shafter is engineer on the Illinois Central railroad.

(Frank Shafter married Annie Murphy on 18 Jul 1876, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)

A telegram received yesterday by Chief Myers, from Chicago reads as follows: “Telegraph description of two boys drowned this morning, when found. Think one of them is my son. Mrs. C. Lyman, 162 West Madison Street, Chicago.”

A MAN KILLED.

About 9 o’clock last night a man was run over and killed by a car and engine on the track of the Wabash Road, on Commercial Avenue, just above Second Street. The news spread rapidly and a crowd of eager sightseers soon gathered around the mangled remains. The sight was a shocking one. The poor victim was a gray-haired, gray-whiskered, sharp-featured man of not less than sixty years old. He was dressed in a black suit of cheap quality and well-worn, brogan shoes, white woolen socks, checked shirt, black felt hat. Both legs and the left arm were cut in two and badly torn, and blood ran from his mouth.

Coroner Fitzgerald was notified of the occurrence and he arrived in due time, summoned a jury, who examined the remains and the clothing, took what papers and other articles the pockets contained and repaired to the Arab engine house to where the remains were also conveyed by a flat car and engine, and where the inquest was concluded. Among the articles taken from the man’s pockets were several letters addressed to “Joshua Smith, Vienna, Johnson county, Ills.” several invoices to “Joshua Smith” from “Torrence, Walker & Co., of Shawneetown, Cape Girardeau county, Mo.”, manufacturers of woolen goods and an agreement showing that Joshua Smith had been a member of said firm and had withdrawn only a few days ago, having sold out his interest to the other members for about fourteen hundred dollars, payable in merchandise during this and next years. There was also a railroad ticket for Vienna, a small bag of coins, a notebook containing three ten-dollar notes, one two-dollar note and a paper dime (in all about forty dollars in money), a common silver watch, a pocket knife, some fancy advertising cards and linen handkerchief—all of which seemed to prove that deceased was Joshua Smith, of Vienna, Ill., a member of the firm of Torrence, Walker & Co., Shawneetown, Mo., that he had gone to Shawneetown, to sell out his interest in this firm and was on his way back home.

The testimony of the principal witness before the coroner’s jury, Mr. Alex Milburn, a switchman in the Wabash yards, was that deceased had wandered about over the tracks and among the cars on the lower end of Commercial Avenue for over an hour last evening in a state of intoxication, that at about 9 o’clock an engine, flatcar and one box car were backing down the avenue, the engine shoving the cars, that he was standing at a switch about thee car lengths ahead of the advancing car, when he saw a man come toward the track from the west side of the avenue and step right in front of the advancing car. He signaled the engineer to stop, which the latter succeeded in doing before the engine had passed over the man. The man had asked him several times during the evening at what time a train would go to Vienna.

Four or five other witnesses were examined, but no other facts of importance were elicited, and the jury’s verdict was in accordance with the above statement. A telegram was sent to the coroner to the station agent at Vienna for information concerning deceased or instructions as to the disposal of the remains.


Sunday, 18 Mar 1883:
The verdict of the jury in the case of the death of Joshua Smith Friday night, was accidental death. No blame could be attached to any of the employees of the railroad company.

Yesterday morning Mr. R. M. Kinsey, a young man of Vienna, Johnson County, arrived in the city. Mr. Kinsey is a son-in-law of the late Joshua Smith, killed on the Wabash tracks Friday night and he came down for the purpose of preparing the remains of the old man for burial at Vienna. The remains lay in the Arab engine house during Friday night; yesterday morning they were dressed and placed in a neat coffin, and were taken to Vienna on the evening train. Mr. Kinsey says the old man went to Shawneetown, Mo., yesterday a week ago, for the purpose of selling out his share in a small woolen manufacturing establishment there, and that he was on his way back home on a farm near Vienna, where he has lived for some time. A wife and three daughters survive him, the latter all grown and married.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

DIED—At her residence on Seventh Street, Saturday at 4:30, Mrs. Annie Shafter, aged thirty-two years. Funeral service will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, at 1:30 o’clock p.m., today, and special train will leave foot of Eighth at 2 o’clock for Villa Ridge. Friends are invited.
 

Wednesday, 21 Mar 1883:
Mrs. Meath, of Memphis, who came here some days ago to attend the funeral of her sister, Mrs. Katie C. Hinkle, returned home yesterday.


Thursday, 22 Mar 1883:
A MURDERER RETURNS HOME AND SURRENDERS.

TAYLORSVILLE, ILL., March 21.—John W. Leigh, who shot and killed James Rigby at Palmer, in this county last October, came to this city at an early hour this morning, and was driven to the residence of Judge McAskill, his attorney. While there a warrant was served on him by W. R. Eltzroth. Leigh said he came for the purpose of surrendering himself to the authorities. The murder at the time of his commission created great excitement here and the woods around Palmer were searched and guarded for weeks. Leigh says he has been in the Michigan prairies since the murder.


Friday, 23 Mar 1883:
Inquiry about the two boys or young men who it is believed were drowned at this point about ten days ago continues to come to the officers here from different parts of the country. The latest is a letter to Constables Hogan and Sheehan, from Mr. A. B. Pickett, secretary of the police department at Memphis, enclosing a telegram of the drowning of the two boys, published in a Cincinnati paper, and writing as follows:

“Last Monday, the 12th of March, Eddie Saltmarsh, a youth of 15 years was enticed away from his home here by a boy some years older named Harry Langree, and it is supposed they left on the Ste. Genevieve. Saltmarsh is tall for his age, awkward, large feet, black hair, large expressive eyes, and a very noticeable scar on his neck directly under his right jaw, wore suit of dark cassimere mixed with blue. Langree is tall and slim, small head and “knowing” face, dark hair and eyes, wore new suit of dark goods mingled with white. He worked about the theatre here, and was a pool player and generally rapid youth. I enclose a clipping from the Cincinnati Times-Star. Please investigate it and write to me at your earliest convenience if it is probable the boys are the same I allude to.”


Saturday, 24 Mar 1883:
In order that there may be no misapprehension as to the reason why the officers of the Gen. Fowler did not take charge of the human body found at Terrell’s Landing on Thursday, it is necessary to state that before the boat left there, men came to take charge of it.
 

Wednesday, 28 Mar 1883:
A telegram was received by Mrs. Stites yesterday about noon, announcing the death of her mother, Mrs. V. A. Casey, at Mt. Vernon, Ills., and Mrs. Stites left in the evening to attend the funeral. Mrs. Casey was in her eighty-second year. For about two years she had resided in Centralia, and had but recently gone to Mt. Vernon on a visit to her son-in-law, Mr. Morris, at whose house she died. Old age, more than anything else, is assigned as the cause of her death.

A little child of a colored family named Green, keeping a little business on Commercial Avenue below Sixth Street, died night before last, and the husband was reported to be at the point of death yesterday morning.

Some Cairoites of today will probably remember among the names of the many prominent military men who held commands in this city and vicinity during the last war, the name of Col. Charles Houghtaling, who entered the service as commander of the First Illinois Battery at the beginning of the war, being stationed at Cairo and Bird’s Point for several months in 1861. Col. Houghtaling was chief of artillery under Gen. Palmer and was raised to the rank of colonel by Gen. Sherman and honored with a brigadier generalship by brevet, at the close of the war. He was also a soldier of the Mexican War under Gen. John J. Hardin. He was appointed postmaster at Carmi, in this state, a year ago, where he died suddenly from heart disease on Thursday night last, at the age of 65 years.


Thursday, 29 Mar 1883:
Mrs. James Biggs went to Paducah Tuesday and telegraphed here yesterday morning that she would arrived on the steamer Fowler in the afternoon, having in charge the remains of her late lamented husband, but for some reasons not known, she failed to arrive. The remains were temporarily interred at Paducah about a year ago and it is the intention now to take them to Villa Ridge for final disposition. Probably Mrs. Biggs will arrive with them this afternoon.

It is reported by a young man who recently returned from a three months’ visit to Carlinville, his home, that Mink Mayfield, the slayer of Captain James Biggs, is living in that city and has been there for several months. An indictment is pending against him here, but it is doubtful if he would be convicted if tried, and as he is not a desirable citizen it may be as well to let him remain away.


Friday, 30 Mar 1883:
BRUTAL MURDER OF TWO COLORED MEN.

ALTON, ILL., March 29.—Wednesday afternoon the bodies of two colored men, recognized as those of Henry Depugh and Henry Ross, were discovered in a hut on rocky fork, a colored settlement near here. The head of Depugh was almost entirely blown off, evidently with a shotgun, and his body was lying on the floor, while Ross lay in the bed stabbed through the body near the heart. Such consternation seized upon the rural and simple people of the neighborhood that no steps were taken to notify the officers of the law until nearly dark, when Coroner Youree was summoned from Venice. He arrived at Godfrey the nearest railroad station, on the Chicago express at 9:30. He was taken at once to the scene of the tragedy, about four miles distant, and held an inquest, but nothing could be learned of the mystery more than the discovery of the bodies. All the jury could do was to return a verdict of murder at the hands of an unknown person. The two dead men were farmers and occupied the house in common. Depugh was the son of Rev. Isaac Depugh, the well-known colored Baptist preacher. The motive of the crime, as well as the perpetrators of it are unknown. There is not the slightest clue to the identity of the criminal as yet.

As anticipated, Mrs. Biggs arrived yesterday afternoon on the steamer Gus Fowler from Paducah, having in charge the remains of her husband, Captain James Biggs. It is understood that the remains, which are enclosed in a fine metallic casket, will be taken to Villa Ridge today.


Saturday, 31 Mar 1883:
Yesterday forenoon Office Haz Martin received a telegram conveying to him the sad intelligence of the death of his mother in Austin, Texas, yesterday morning. Deceased was over fifty years old and was living in Austin with a fifteen-year-old daughter. Mr. Martin left yesterday afternoon to be present at the funeral if possible and to attend to the affairs of the deceased.

 
Sunday 1 Apr 1883:
Last evening about 3 o’clock a telegram was received here stating that the Polar Star exploded her boilers just opposite Columbus, Ky., killing and wounding several of her crew.

STEAMBOAT DISASTER.

At Columbus yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock the towboat Polar Star blew up and was totally wrecked and sank out of sight right after.

Five men were killed, all colored, three of whom were rousters and two firemen. Captain Atkinson was said to have been blown three hundred feet into the air and came down on the river five hundred feet away from the wreck, but was only slightly injured. The pilot, “Kit” Hazley, was badly scalded.  The boat was coming upstream with three barges loaded with lumber.  Pilot John White reported among the killed.
 

Tuesday, 3 Apr 1883:
The report brought up by the steamer Tyler Saturday evening that in the wreck of the Polar Star about twenty lives had been lost, was incorrect. Only five men were lost as stated in the body of Saturday’s report, and they were deck hands and firemen. The remainder of the crew, about fifteen, came up on the steamer Florence Sunday, all well. Captain John White reported by the Tyler to have been killed, was not on the boat.
 

Friday, 6 Apr 1883:
Today, at 1 o’clock, a negro named Howard will be hanged at Charleston, Mo., for the murder of Belle Lucas in Mississippi County, about two years ago. He will be executed upon the same scaffold that Alf Sanders paid the death penalty on last December. Everything is in readiness. None but those with proper credentials will be admitted in the jail yard.


Sunday, 8 Apr 1883:
The colored grocery keeper on Commercial Avenue near Fifth Street, named Green, died yesterday morning and will be buried today.
 

 
Tuesday, 10 Apr 1883:
ANOTHER HOTEL FIRE.
One Man Burned to Death and Others Narrowly Escape.

MURPHYSBORO, Ill., April 9.—The Logan House, the oldest hotel in the city, owned by Mrs. Rogers, sister to General Logan, was burned to the ground Sunday night, Mrs. Rogers and two girls narrowly escaping with their lives.  R. W. Snape, agent for Adams & Wathene, rubber stamp manufacturers of St. Louis, was burned till his corpse was a charred, unrecognizable mass.  The fire commenced in the second story; cause unknown.  The furniture in the third story was all lost.  All the furniture of the lower story and part of that of the second story was saved.  The building is a total wreck.

Mr. Snape, who was burned to death, went to St. Louis from Chicago about three weeks ago.  Mr. Adams says he was an intelligent, gentlemanly young man.  He has friends and relatives in Chicago.
 
Mr. Moses Foss left Sunday for New Hampshire in response to a telegram announcing the dangerous illness of his mother there.
 

Thursday, 12 Apr 1883:
DIED.

At the residence of her sister, in Mississippi County, Mo., at 3:30 a.m., April 7th, 1883, Fannie E. Barringer, aged sixteen years, two months and twenty-four days.  Cause of death spinal meningitis.  Deceased was a very charming young lady known by a number of citizens here. 

Louisville and St. Louis papers please copy.

(There is a Fannie E. Barringer, age 13, born in Tennessee, in the 1880 census of Arlington, Ballard Co., Ky., living with her father, J. T. Barringer, 50, born in Indiana.  Older sisters also living in the household were Juliet, Harriet, and Georgiana.—Darrel Dexter) 
 

Wednesday, 18 Apr 1883:
KILLED BY AN OFFICER.

CATLETTSBURG, Ky., April 17.—The sheriff of this county Monday evening, while attempting to quell a disturbance among a lot of raftsmen, was attacked by one of them named Dempsey, with a knife.  The sheriff fired and instantly killed Dempsey.
 

Thursday, 19 Apr 1883:
There are now only eight prisoners in the county jail, several of whom are from other counties, brought here for safe keeping.  One, Leonard Armstrong, is from Johnson County and is charged with murder.

(The 10 Feb 1883, Jonesboro Gazette reported that Leonard Armstrong was accused of killing Milton Thomas at Foreman in Johnson County.—Darrel Dexter)
 
 
Wednesday, 25 Apr 1883:
Nothing to Live For.

LOOMIS, Ill., April 24.—Monday night, Alex Katnitz, a German music teacher, committed suicide by taking morphine.  It is said that he grieved over the ruin of his sister a month or two ago, that he declared that he had nothing to live for and would take his own life rather than live through the disgrace.
 
Maurice Clancy, son of Patrick Clancy, died at his father’s home near the corner of Fourteenth Street and Ohio Levee, Monday night.  He had been sick with consumption for a long time and been confined to his bed for several weeks.  He was about twenty-three years old and well known in the city having been raised here.  His funeral will probably take place today from the home of his parents.
 
FUNERAL NOTICE.

DIED.—After a long protracted illness at 1:05 Tuesday morning, April 24, Maurice Clancy, son of Patrick Clancy, aged 20 years, two months and 12 days.  He leaves a host of friends and relatives to mourn the loss of him.

The funeral will be held today, April 25th, and will leave residence for St. Patrick’s Church at one o’clock p.m.  A special train will leave the foot of 14th St. for Villa Ridge.  Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend.

(Patrick Clancy married Mary Burk on 31 Jan 1854, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Thursday, 26 Apr 1883:
Killed by a Horse.

FREEMAN, Ill., April 25.—Hon. W. M. Smith, a well known politician of Illinois and ex-member of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, is lying in a very dangerous condition at his home at Lexington, Illinois.  His death is hourly expected.
 
Maurice Clancy was buried yesterday at Villa Ridge.  The remains were conveyed from the house on Ohio Levee to St. Patrick’s Church, where a large number of friends had gathered, who after the impressive service of Father Murphy, followed them to the special train at foot of Fourteenth Street, which conveyed them to their last resting place.
 

Saturday, 28 Apr 1883:
Death of a Politician.

MORRISTON, Ill., April 27.—Hon. J. H. Williard, one of the oldest and most prominent politicians in this section of Illinois, died at a late hour last night, after a very sudden illness.  He leaves a large fortune and numerous children and grandchildren.
 
A Sudden Death.

PERU, Ill., April 27.—Dr. James Willford, an old resident of this place, fell dead this morning while in the act of getting into his buggy.  He formerly resided in Urbana, Ohio.
 
It is reported here that a negro named Al Gossett, well known here as a thug of the roughest type, was killed in New Orleans a few days ago after having shot and killed an officer there.  Gossett was one of a brace of fellows who robbed a young countryman here and who, when Officers Martin and Mahanny captured him and his partner, snapped a loaded pistol twice at the latter’s stomach, while his partner struck the former a terrible blow in the face.  If the report is true, the world is rid of a bad man only too late.
 

Sunday, 29 Apr 1883:
Concerning the indictment and trial of young Robert Willis for killing young Whitman at Metropolis, some time ago, the murdered boy’s father says to a Paducah News reporter that “Willis was indicted by the grand jury for willful murder, and then released on $2,000 bail, the case being continued until the circuit court in November next.  That a number of the officers of the court seem to be trying to obstruct the court of justice rather than do their duty in assisting its progress.  He had to attend to summoning of witnesses before the grand jury himself, and it was with difficulty that he could get them into the grand jury room.  Mr. Whitman brings also a more serious charge yet.  He states that the grand jury list was given to Willis’ friends, who scoured the county and talked with each member of that body, before the court met.  Mr. W. seems to be doubtful as to whether the trial will result in Willis’ conviction, his friends being too powerful and wealthy.”
 

Tuesday, 1 May 1883:
Carbondale has had another murder, “the foulest, most brutal that has been perpetrated in Carbondale,” says the Free Press.  In Carbondale, where moral influences are supposed to be much stronger than here, murders are rapidly getting to be monotonous.  Cairo, which is very generally and very unjustly denounced as a place where vicious influences hold full sway, has not been startled by any crime greater than a burglary or a robbery for these three or four years back, and in these cases the guilty parties were most always brought to speedy and just punishment.
 
 
Saturday, 5 May 1883:
The infant child of Mr. P. D. Driscoll was buried yesterday.  It died the day before of convulsions.
 
Young Patrick Carmody died last evening about five o’clock.  He fell into a stupor shortly after he arrived at the Infirmary and did not recover.  This is about the saddest case that has occurred here for some years.  Carmody came here from Ireland about five years ago, went to work, and by steady employment and economy soon saved enough money to send for his mother, sister, brothers and a friend in Ireland, who arrived here in due time, occupied a house which the young man rented and comfortably furnished beforehand, and depended upon him principally for support.  He was a stout, healthy young man, of steady habits, a hard worker, an affectionate son and brother, an exemplary citizen in every way.  He has several uncles living here who have charge of his remains.
 
A young man named Patrick Carmody, employed in the Illinois Central freight yards here, got both legs cut off at the thighs, by the wheels of the tenders of an engine, yesterday shortly after noon.  Carmody was standing in a coal car shoveling coal from the car into the box near the round house.  A switch engine backed down on the same track to get water from the tank, which was several car lengths above.  Carmody, thinking that the engine would stop at the tank, paid no attention to her; but the fireman had charge of the engine and he could not stop her in time.  The engine struck the car in which Carmody was at work, and he was knocked over, falling with his legs across the track right in front of the tender, the wheels of which passed over him, nearly severing both legs near the body.  Help was near at hand; the injured man was conveyed to St. Mary’s Infirmary and Drs. Parker notified of the occurrence.  The doctors arrived promptly but the patient was not in a condition to bear amputation and only medical attention was given him.  The poor fellow is a young man about twenty years of age, came here only a few years ago from Ireland; brothers and sisters living in this city on Eighth Street.
 

Sunday, 6 May 1883:
Joseph F. Seay died in St. Louis last week.  He was, during the war, at first newsboy and afterwards passenger agent on the Illinois Central road at this point and a brother of his is now baggageman on the same road.
 
An inquest was held yesterday over the remains of Patrick Carmody.  The examination of witnesses, etc., took up the greater part of the day and the jury concluded its work by finding the following verdict:

“That he came to his death by being run over by the wheels and tender of engine No. 80, belonging to the Illinois Central railroad company, in the City of Cairo, County of Alexander, and State of Illinois, on the 4th day of Mary, A. D. 1883, and we are of the opinion that the engineer is much to blame for not moving his engine with more care.”—But the engineer who had charge of the engine at the time of the accident is one of the most reliable in the yards.  The circumstances of the occurrence as developed by the inquest were not exactly as reported in yesterday’s paper, but were in the main the same.
 
A negro named Ralph Martin, living on Park Avenue, uptown, died yesterday morning of consumption and will be buried today with Masonic honors.
 
Wednesday afternoon the body of a white man was found in the Ohio River near Cache Creek. Coroner Fitzgerald gave it his official attention and found nothing to identify the body, but a ticket calling for one deck passage for Mr. “Anserge” or “Ansoge” from Memphis to Evansville, trip 48, steamer Golden Crown.  From the name it is reasonable to suppose that deceased was a German.
 
 
Saturday, 12 May 1883:
Thursday the headless body of a man floated by the Illinois Central wharfboat, and was lost sight of before anyone could pick it up.  The mutilation of the body was supposed to have been the result of coming in contact with some steamboat wheel.
 
 
Wednesday, 16 May 1883:
Through the Heart.

CAIRO, Ill., May 15.—This morning about 6 o’clock George R. Lentz, late bookkeeper for Gallagher & Son, committed suicide by shooting himself through the heart.  He made a will yesterday leaving his property to his family.  The deceased has been in low spirits for some time.
 
FUNERAL NOTICE.

The funeral services over the remains of George R. Lentz, will be held at his late residence tomorrow (Thursday) May 17th at 1:45 p.m.  A special funeral train will leave the foot of Fourteenth Street at 2:45 for Beech Grove.  Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend.
 
GEORGE R. LENTZ DEAD.

The community was startled yesterday morning by the report that Mr. George R. Lentz had committed suicide by shooting himself through the heart.  Inquiry proved the report to be only too true.  The tragedy occurred at Mr. Lentz’s handsome residence on Fifteenth Street, back of Cedar, which he bought only within the last year or two.  Mr. Lentz arose a little earlier yesterday morning than usual, in order, he said to his wife, that he might not delay her in preparing the children for school.  He shaved himself upstairs and then went down to the kitchen to set a fire.  Almost immediately after he reached the kitchen, Mrs. Lentz, who was still upstairs, heard what she believed at the time to be the slamming of a door, but going right down into the kitchen, she found her husband lying on the floor dead, and a pistol several feet away from him.

The alarm was given and the terrible news spread quickly over the city, calling forth expressions of deep regret from every heart, for Mr. Lentz was known by everybody and everybody was his friend.  Coroner Fitzgerald was notified and an inquest was held over the remains about 9 o’clock.  Not much investigation was necessary in the premises; the circumstances were all very simple and clear.  The instrument used by deceased was a 32-calibre Colt’s revolver.  The wound made by the ball was about half an inch below the left breast, the ball penetrating the heart and lodging somewhere in the back.  From the fact that the outershirt was not penetrated by the ball and was not even scorched, it was concluded that deceased drew back this garment, placed the muzzle of the pistol close to his body and fired and that the explosion under such circumstances knocked the pistol from his hand.  The jury’s verdict was suicide.

The causes which led Mr. Lentz to commit the act are matters of which very little is known and can only be conjectured.  His family relations were uniformly of the happiest.  His wife was devoted to him, and he to her, and his children, a son grown and married and a daughter of fourteen years who is a member of the high school graduating class, were sources of pleasure to him.  About two months ago he resigned an important position in the flourmills of Messrs. Charles Galigher & Son, which he had held for a number of years, and made the race for city clerk, in which as is known, he was defeated.  The fact that Mr. Galigher had agreed to take him back into the mills in case of his defeat precludes the idea that the result of the election, or unfavorable pecuniary prospects, had any influence on his determination to destroy himself.  The evening before, he was at the courthouse to have a paper making disposition of his property acknowledged and recorded, and he requested County Clerk Humm, who was to acknowledge the paper, not to read it.  This circumstance might be construed into an indication of a purpose to commit the deed of the following morning.  But, while there, he was in his usual good spirits and spoke of going on a hunt for squirrels up in the county next Sunday.  The same evening as late as five o’clock he wrote the following in red ink on a postal card to Chief Myers, which was probably his last epistle and which proves almost beyond a doubt that then he had no suicidal intent:
May 14th, 1883.
DEAR SIR—As you are so energetic in cleaning up the city, I would with other neighbors, request if your duties will allow to investigate the slaughter houses.  They emit loud, long and continued bad smells.  Your attention will oblige yours, &c.
George R. Lentz.

Yesterday morning when he arose he was also, apparently, in his usual good humor.  Mrs. Lentz noticing nothing peculiar about him—all of which would seem to prove that the resolution to destroy himself was formed and executed on the spur of the moment.

Mr. Lentz was about fifty years of age.  He came here soon after the war, from Zanesville, Ohio, where he was born and where he married a sister of Mrs. Charles Galigher.  He took an active part in the late war, as First Lieutenant of Company K, 19th Ohio Volunteers.  At the time of his death he was a member in good standing of the Knights of Honor, holding a policy on his life for $2,000; he also held two policies in the Equitable, one for one thousand dollars payable immediately, the other for two thousand dollars, payable in February next.  His property consists, we believe, only of the home, a two-story brick house, commodiously arranged, surrounded by roomy grounds, and pleasantly situated.

His sad taking off is made the more sad by the fact that all his surroundings were only the pleasantest and his prospects, so far as known, of the brightest.  His large circle of relatives here and elsewhere will have the deepest sympathy of this community.  The funeral, as will be seen from a notice elsewhere, occurs tomorrow.

(George R. Lentz married Rose A. Lippett on 4 Sep 1855, in Zanesville, Muskingum Co., Ohio.  Charles A. Galigher married Adelia A. Lippett on 16 Sep 1851, in Muskingum Co., Ohio.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Thursday, 17 May 1883:
FUNERAL NOTICE.

The funeral services over the remains of George R. Lentz will be held at his late residence today (Thursday) May 17th at 1:45 p.m.  A special funeral train will leave the foot of Fourteenth Street at 2:45 for Beech Grove.  Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend.
 
MEETING OF THE K. of H.

Knights of Honor are requested to meet at the hall today, at 12:30 p.m. for the purpose of attending in a body the funeral of their late brother, George R. Lentz.
By order of committee,
Charles Cunningham
Thomas D. Holmes
George R. Ramsey.
 

Friday, 18 May 1883:
A reward of fifty dollars is offered for the body of young James L. Slack, drowned at Paducah on Tuesday.
 
The funeral of the late George R. Lentz yesterday was one of the most imposing there has been in the city.  A short service was held over the remains at the residence, where many friends had gathered, and then the cortege moved toward the train at the foot of Fourteenth Street.  The Knights of Honor attended in a body and besides hundreds of people on foot, fifteen buggies and carriages followed the hearse to the train.  Three coaches took the remains and followers to Villa Ridge, where the last rites were solemnly preformed and all that was visible of a man who left not an enemy behind to put to rest.
 

Saturday, 19 May 1883:
A Supposed Murderer Arrested.

ALTON, Ill., May 18.—A colored man named Wesley Welsh was arrested at Godfrey this morning on suspicion of being the murderer of Ross and Depugh at Rocky Fork, a short time ago.  The two men were murdered at their homes during the night, and there has not been the slightest clue as to the murderers.  Welsh is arrested on a chain of suspicious circumstances, which will be developed at the preliminary examination.
 
Mr. J. K. Greer, an officer of Smithland, Ky., was in the city yesterday in search of a white man named Green Stewart, alias Hugh Moore, charged with killing a man in the neighborhood of Smithland a short time ago.  Officer Greer tracked his man to Dexter, Mo., where he was under arrest, but released before the officer got there.  Officer Greer left a description of the fugitive with Chief Myers who will keep a lookout for him.
 

Sunday, 20 May 1883:
RUM AND SUICIDE.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., May 19.—Philip O’Neil, an old resident of Bloomington, committed suicide this morning by blowing his brains out with a revolver.  For some months past O’Neil has been rather dissipated in his habits, and this is the reason attributed for his self-destruction.  He was a brother of John O’Neil, who was mysteriously murdered in this city five years ago.
 
A FATAL DISASTER.

HILLSBORO, Ill., May 19.—The Indianapolis and St. Louis train met with a very serious accident about 10 o’clock last night, when nearing this place.  But a short distance west of here, the road crosses a small stream on a new iron bridge that had just been put up.  The storm blew the bridge down, completely demolished it, just before the ill-fated train was due.  The night was so dark and the rain falling in such torrents that, although the train was running very slowly, nothing could be seen any distance ahead, and the engine rushed headlong into the gap where the bridge had stood, but a moment before.  The engineer, Pat Welch, was instantly killed and his fireman, Dan Howington, very seriously injured.  Only the baggage car followed the engine into the stream, the remainder of the train staying on the track.  So far as learned the fireman and engineer were the only ones hurt.
 
Yesterday the steamer Silver Cloud ran over the body of a negro near Joppa.  The supposition is that it was the body of the deck hand who fell from the steamer Raven near Paducah some days ago.
 
IN MEMORIAM.

Mr. George R. Lentz whose sad death occurred Tuesday morning, May 15th, at six o’clock was born 20th March 1833, in Zanesville, Ohio.

He was a man beloved by all who knew him; his relations to his family were of the kindest and most pleasant character.  He was an affectionate and true husband, a loving and indulgent father, always planning for the happiness and welfare of his loved ones.

Two years ago he celebrated his silver wedding and from that time up to his death, was joyous and happy, always ready with a smile and kind word for everyone, indeed, he was a friend to everyone but himself.

Three months ago, he resigned an important position in the flourmills of Mr. Charles Galigher, with the expectation of receiving an appointment to a certain office.  He then made the race for city, clerk; at this time he was treasurer of the Knights of Honor; previous to the city election he resigned his office as treasurer with a clear record on their books, therefore was a member in good standing at the time of his decease.

In the past month or two it has been noticed by his friends that frequently, while in conversation, he would suddenly cease talking and seem to be thinking, then recollect himself and continue the conversation.  His sudden taking off was not occasioned by pecuniary matters, as it was in his power to draw a considerable amount from a paid-up policy, if he had so desired.  Three weeks ago he visited the grave of his grandchild at Beech Grove and had it fixed up and the lot attended to and pointing out the spot to the sexton in which he wished to rest, in case of his death.

On Monday, he visited his son’s residence several times, playing with his little grandchild to whom he was devotedly attached, taking her out walking and then at six o’clock bidding her an affectionate and tender farewell.  He returned in the evening and spent two or three hours with his son and his wife, talking of old times and his past life; at ten and half o’clock he bid them a loving goodbye and went home, sat down and wrote his wife a long and affectionate letter; when he went up to his room, his wife did not notice anything peculiar or wrong about him.

His mind was morbid, his brain was weary, let us judge him kindly, for the tired brain and loving heart are at rest.  We will miss that quick step and cheerful voice calling:  “Where is my baby?”  We feel he had no enemy for he was everybody’s friend.  We never met his superior in kindness and nobleness of heart; may the dear Lord comfort his wife and children who are bowed to the earth with such terrible sorrow.  The body was followed to his chosen resting place by the Knights of Honor in a body and a large concourse of friends.  The Knights laid him to rest with their beautiful ceremony.  The casket was covered with beautiful floral decorations, bestowed by the hand of affection.  May he rest in peace.
M. K. F.

Tuesday, 22 May 1883:
Further details of the terrible work of Saturday’s cyclone, on the homestead of Mrs. Van Norstrand, sister-in-law of Mr. Thomas Lewis, near Springfield, Ills., is given in Sunday’s Register as follows:

“The young man Hulett was the only one who succeeded in getting into the cellar.  The foundation was brick and the cyclone seemed to descend from above and crush it out of semblance.  William Van Norstrand, who died yesterday morning, at 10 o’clock, was pinned to the floor of the ruined house by two heavy timbers falling on top of his head, crushing in head and face.  He was chopped out with an ax.  Maggie Van Norstrand was doing very well at last accounts, although grave fears are expressed for her life.  At this point the cyclone looked like a cloud of black smoke, and sounded like three locomotives pulling a heavy train up a grade.  It was first noticed near the Sugar Creek bridge, and did not look to be more than twenty or thirty feet high.  Almost all the stock were killed or are missing from this place.  The loss is very heavy, but was insured for $3,200.  The casualties would not have been any here, but William, in his attempts to induce his mother, who is an old lady, to go into the cellar, delayed too long. The earth trembled as if with an earthquake.
 
In the storm of Saturday near Springfield, Ills., a house belonging to Mr. Thomas Lewis, of this city, and occupied by a nephew, niece, and sister-in-law of Mr. Lewis was demolished, and all the inmates were injured and Mr. Van Norstrand, the nephew, a young man about thirty years of age, died from the injuries he received and was buried Sunday.  A Springfield Register reporter, who was on the scene of the catastrophe soon after the storm, spoke of the terrible work of the wind on his premises as follows:

“This house was struck just as the family were preparing to seek safety in the cellar, and was completely demolished.  The destruction to the house was by far the lightest feature of the disaster, as all, or nearly all, of the inmates were wounded, one of them fatally.  They were soon after taken by the neighbors to the residence of Mr. McVeight and Drs. Matthews and Morgan were summoned from the city to attend them.  They found William Van Norstrand with his head crushed and in a dying condition.  His mother, Mrs. Jane Van Norstrand, had a shoulder broken; his sister, Maggie, had a thigh badly broken by a falling timber; and younger sister had her hand injured; Miss Ann Van Norstrand, late of the city, was quite badly injured on the head and face.  Henry Hulett, another inmate of the house, had his back hurt, not badly.”

Mr. Lewis estimates the loss on house and barn to be between $1,500 and $2,000.  He will go to Springfield tomorrow to arrange matters for the future comfort of the sufferers.
 

Wednesday, 23 May 1883:
Some excitement was created in the neighborhood of Eleventh and Walnut streets yesterday evening, by the report that a young negro named Dennis Cotton had willfully shot his mother through the head and fatally wounded her.  A visit to the scene of the alleged tragedy, a small cottage just back of the residence of Mr. S. P. Wheeler, proved that, while the young man was fooling with a little twenty-two caliber five-shooter, containing one ball, the thing was accidentally discharged and the ball struck Mrs. Cotton in the right temple, but glanced off and made only a slight skin wound.
 

Thursday, 24 May 1883:
A BLOODY AFFRAY.

Last evening about 4:30 o’clock, when the steamer Three States made her last trip to Missouri, a white man named James Healy, who lives at Bird’s Point, got aboard to come to Cairo.  The boat went as usual from Missouri to Kentucky and at the latter landing another white man, named “Dug” Dietrich, came aboard with his partner, a young man, and asked the fare for a round trip “just for the fun of the thing.”  Being told, he paid the fare for himself and the young man and the boat shoved out.  Before the boat had left the landing Dietrich met Healy, called him to account for an old offense, and attacked him.  A fight with fists ensued which was soon stopped however by Captain Hacker, and the two men parted for the time.  The boat shoved out for Cairo, but had gone only a short distance when the two men were again engaged in a fight, this time with knives and they cut each other so severely that both were thought to be mortally wounded when they were parted.  Healy had three deep cuts, one across the muscle of the left arm, nearly to the bone, and two in the small of the back, in each of which several fingers could be laid.  Dietrich had one ugly cut in the left breast and a stab in the abdomen in which a knife blade was broken off.

Both men were bleeding profusely and when conveyed each back to his home, were barely able to stand up.

By eye witnesses of the whole affair, the blame is laid principally upon Dietrich, who is said to be a no-account sort of fellow, having no particular place of residence.  During the late flood Dietrich made up a party of men of as little scruple as himself, and in skiffs raided some of the flooded houses in the Missouri bottoms.  Healy, with another party of men, met Dietrich and gave him a good threshing.  Since then Dietrich has held a grudge against Healy and threatened to get even.  It is understood by those who witnessed last evening’s bloody affair, that he came aboard the boat and sought out Healy for the express purpose of carrying out this threat.

The young fellow who was with Dietrich and supposed to have been invited by him to come along and see the glorious manner in which he would chastise Healy, came over from East Cairo after dark to inquire how Healy was and to get a surgeon, saying that Dietrich was in a very bad condition.
 

Friday, 25 May 1883:
Capt. Joseph Seager, of Louisville, Ky., aged 91 years, died last Monday at Louisville, where he had resided for nearly 70 years.  He was the oldest steamboatman living on western rivers.
 
The body of young James Slack, drowned at Paducah, was found by a fisher caught on his line, near Brooklyn, and taken to Paducah by the friends for burial.
 
Mrs. Healy, mother of the man who was so badly cut in an affray on the ferryboat Wednesday evening, came over to this city yesterday afternoon about 2 o’clock to take back a minister to attend to the bedside of her son, who, she said, was expected to die any moment.  Dietrich is said to have fled the country, or, more probably, secreted himself somewhere in the neighborhood as he was himself too badly wounded to bear much movement.  Chief Myers dispatched from Officer J. D. Wyer, of Bird’s Point, Wednesday night, asking that Dietrich be arrested in case he were there.  But Dietrich did not come to Cairo and is still at liberty.
 
An affray at Hodges Park yesterday, between two prominent white citizens on one side and a negro on the other, in which the latter was shot and so badly wounded, that it was thought yesterday he would not live.  The quarrel arose over a broken agreement between the parties.  No particulars could be obtained.

(The black man who was killed was not identified in the newspaper, but the white men were identified as George Hodges and Edward Hodges, brother of Alexander County Sheriff John Hodges, in the 26 May 1883, issue.—Darrel Dexter)
 
Wednesday about 5:30 p.m., Mr. Green Fogy, who runs a skiff ferry between this city and East Cairo, picked up the body of a boy or man floating in the Ohio River near the shore, just below the wharf boats.  The body had apparently been in the water about a week and the features could not be recognized.  Coroner Fitzgerald was notified and he took charge of the remains and had them interred at the Seven-mile graveyard after taking what papers, etc., were found on them.
 
FUNERAL NOTICE.

DIED—Yesterday morning, at 7 o’clock at the residence of R. J. and Eliza Hosler, on Eighth Street between Walnut and Cedar streets, John R. Hosler, aged twenty-one years.  Funeral services will be held at the M. E. church at 1 o’clock p.m. today, and a special train will leave the foot of Eighth Street at 2 o’clock, conveying the remains to Villa Ridge for interment.

(John R. Hosler, age 18, born in Ohio, is in the 1880 census of DeSoto, Jackson Co., Ill., with his parents:  Reuben Hosler, 46, born in Ohio, and Eliza Hosler, 47, born in Ohio.—Darrel Dexter)
 
FUNERAL NOTICE.

Mrs. Mary Clavin died yesterday at 9:30 a.m., at her late residence on Third Street, between Commercial and Washington avenues, at the age of forty-one years.  Funeral service will be held at 10 o’clock a.m. today, at St. Patrick’s Church, and the remains will be taken to Villa Ridge for burial, on the Illinois train, leaving the depot at Second Street at 11 o’clock.
 

Saturday, 26 May 1883:
The particulars of the tragedy at Hodges Park Thursday forenoon, of which brief mention was made in yesterday’s paper, are about as follows:  The negro had agreed to do a job of work for Messrs. George and Edward Hodges, brother of Sheriff Hodges, in consideration of which he was to receive a steer.  But he obtained a loan of the steer before he had commenced the work and then paid no attention to his agreement.  The work remained undone and on Thursday Messrs. Hodges and a third white man went to the negro, to either insist upon the performance of the work agreed upon or to take back the steer.  The negro talked saucily at first, but finally consented to give up the steer.  The steer was in the negro’s yard and one of the white men opened the gate while the other went in to drive the animal out, but was met by the negro with a club, who, with the remark, “I’ve got you just where I want you now and I guess I’ll settle you right here,” came toward him with uplifted club to strike.  Hodges retreated, but was followed up, when he drew his revolver and fired.  Immediately after the shot was fired, the negro, who is a great stout fellow, dropped his club and made a rush at Hodges, grappled with him, wrenched the pistol from his hand as from a child’s, and was making desperate efforts to discharge it at Hodges’ head, when the latter’s brother came to his assistance and shot the negro once with such effort that he released his hold upon Hodges and is believed to be in danger of death.  These are the facts as given by eyewitnesses and they proved the action of Messrs. Hodges to have been so clearly a case of self-defense that no arrests were made.  The negro has the reputation of being a desperate fellow, and the neighborhood in which he has lived would consider itself blessed in his removal.
 

Sunday, 27  May 1883:
The Negro who was shot in a quarrel at Hodges’ Park Thursday died Friday night and yesterday Coroner Fitzgerald was called to hold an inquest over the remains.  At this writing he has not returned and no news of the verdict has reached here.
 
The coroner’s jury in the case of the negro shot at Hodges Park on Friday by Mr. George Hodges brought in a verdict of justifiable homicide.  The details of the affair as developed before the jury differed only from those given in yesterday’s Bulletin in that they made the shot which killed the negro much more justifiable.
 

Tuesday, 29 May 1883:
Mrs. Sarah Higgins, an old lady living on Fifteenth Street back of Walnut, died very suddenly Sunday night.  She had been out as well as usual during the day and nothing wrong was suspected when she retired for the night.  The cause of her sudden demise we could not learn.
 
There were several sudden deaths in the city during Saturday night and Sunday, the most noteworthy of which was that of Mrs. Patrick Burke, on Fourth Street, who, without previous illness, died about 11 o’clock Saturday night.  She had attended to her usual duties during the day and was in apparent good health.  It is though that the cause of her death was heart disease.  Services were held over her remains at St. Patrick’s Church yesterday and they were conveyed to Villa Ridge in the afternoon for interment.

            (A marker in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads:  Hanorah Beloved Wife of Patrick C. Burke Born Nov. 14, 1839, Bridestown, County Cork, Ireland, Died May 20, 1883, Aged 44 Years.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Wednesday, 30 May 1883:
A CARD.
Cairo, Ill., May 29th, 1883
Editor Cairo Bulletin:

DEAR SIR:—Please return my sincere thanks to the citizens of Cairo who attended in large number, the funeral to Villa Ridge yesterday of my beloved wife.  It was great comfort to me to witness the respect shown my faithful and upright companions.  May God have mercy upon her soul.
Patrick Burke.
[The funeral of Mrs. Burke, although there was no notice given, was one among the largest that has ever left Cairo, showing how highly esteemed was the deceased for her numberless good qualities.  Four passenger coaches were filled full of sorrowing friends.]

Saturday, 2 Jun 1883:
DIED—Yesterday, June 1, at 9 o’clock a.m., Mrs. Eliza Ogden, wife of F. H. Ogden, at her husband’s residence, near Ogden’s Landing, Ballard County, Ky., aged 22 years.
 

Tuesday, 5 Jun 1883:
About 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon the man Watkins, injured on the southern division of the Illinois Central at East Cairo Saturday morning, died from the effects of his injuries at St. Mary’s Infirmary in this city.  His remains were taken to Bardwell for interment.
 
The news of the death of Mrs. J. C. LaHue will be painful to many in the city.  Mrs. LaHue had been sick for several weeks and died Saturday night about 11 o’clock.  Besides many friends she leaves her mother, husband, three young children, the oldest about seven years and the youngest hardly a year, and a grown stepdaughter, Mrs. John Stewart, to mourn her death.  Her mother came down from Vincennes about two weeks ago to nurse her through her sickness.  The remains were taken to Vincennes yesterday morning for interment, accompanied by Mr. LaHue and deceased’s mother.
 
 
Wednesday, 6 Jun 1883:
HUNTING MURDERERS.

ALTON, Ill., June 5.—Wesler Welch, colored, who was arrested on a charge of murdering Ross and DePugh in Rocky Fork, has been released, the evidence being too slight to hold him.  Two white men, who live between this city and Godfrey, are under suspicion, and if the clue develops they may be arrested in a few days.  Nearly $1,000 in rewards are now offered for the arrest and convictions of the murderers and interest in the case does not flag.
 
MISS EMMA BOND WORSE.

TAYLORSVILLE, Ill., June 5.—Miss Emma Bond is in worse condition than ever.  It is probable her death will result in the four men being freed, who are under indictment for the terrible assault on her.  One of them, Lee Pettis, is awaiting on Miss Alice Hill, whose father (John Hill) committed suicide on some months ago on account of her intimacy with Pettis, as alleged by Mrs. Hill in her testimony at the coroner’s inquest.
 
The remains of the late Richard Hurd will be taken to Villa Ridge for interment on the regular train leaving the Illinois Central passenger depot at 11 o’clock this morning.

(There is a marriage for one Richard Hurd to Bridget Mingo on 16 May 1864, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
 
Postmaster Murphy returned yesterday from Buena Vista, Indiana, to where he had been called a week before to attend the bedside of his invalid mother.  But he arrived there a day after the old lady died and only in time to attend the funeral, which occurred on Wednesday.
 
After an illness of two weeks, J. T. Thomas died yesterday evening about 3 o’clock, at his home on Twenty-first Street. He had been ailing in various ways for a long time, but was able to be about until recently.  He was about forty-seven years of age, and leaves a wife and two or three children.  He was an old citizen of Cairo and well known to nearly everybody, being engaged at different items in various occupations, which brought him in contact with the public.  His remains will probably be interred today.
 
Yesterday forenoon about 11 o’clock Richard Hurd died at his home on Walnut Street, after an illness of only a few hours.  For some time back he had been driving the delivery wagon of the ice manufacturing company and was at his post of duty as usual Monday morning in apparent good health.  But before noon he went home and to bed with congestion, and grew steadily worse.  His remains will be interred at Villa Ridge today.
 
The readers of The Bulletin will remember the killing of one Kilgore in Missouri, by Officer John Bryant, of Columbus, Ky., some time ago.  The affair is again brought to public notice now by the appearance of a brother of Kilgore, who came to Columbus a few days ago with three or four roughs, for the express purpose of avenging the death of his brother upon Officer Bryant.  But the fellow had made himself known and had boasted of his purpose while passing through Belmont, saying that he was a brother of the man Bryant had killed and had come all the way from Mexico to get revenge.  Officer Bryant was notified of this fact before the braggart arrived at Columbus, and when he did come, the officer promptly arrested him for carrying concealed weapons and the magistrate chucked him in jail under a fifty-dollar fine while his three or four ruffian companions fled the town.

 
FUNERAL NOTICE.

DIED—Yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock, at his home on 22d Street, between Washington Avenue and Walnut Street, after a short illness, James T. Thomas, aged fifty years.  Funeral service will be held at residence by Rev. Scarritt at 1 o’clock this afternoon, and special train will leave foot of 20th Street at 2 o’clock, conveying the remains to Villa Ridge for interment.  Friends are invited.
 

Thursday, 7 Jun 1883:

The funerals of the late Richard Hurd and James T. Thomas occurred yesterday at 11 o’clock a.m. and 2 o’clock p.m. respectively.

Sunday, 10 Jun 1883:

Fulton, Ky., was the scene of a bloody fight Friday evening in which a negro and white man were killed.  Fulton is on the line dividing Tennessee and Kentucky, and the difficulty is said to have grown out of an attempt of a sheriff in one state to arrest a fugitive from justice from his jurisdiction, in the other state.  Two sheriff’s posses came together and a hundred or more shots were exchanged with the result as stated.

Tuesday, 12 Jun 1883:

Capt. H. E. Taylor, of the Gus Fowler, has not been on duty for the last two trips of the packet owing to the dangerous illness of his brother who was lying at the point of death yesterday.

The aged mother of Mrs. Sanders died Sunday after a short illness and was buried yesterday.  A special train of two coaches were well filled with friends of the family, and conveyed the remains from the foot of Eighth Street to Villa Ridge for interment.

A fourteen-year-old boy named Charley Brashear was killed on the Wabash road in the vicinity of Thirty-fourth Street Sunday evening.  In company with several other boys he climbed up the side of one of a train of freight cars that were moving at an ordinary rate down the track.  But he lost his hold upon the iron ladder, fell with his head in front of an approaching wheel, which crushed his skull and scattered his brains over the track.  After Coroner Fitzgerald and a jury had held an inquest in the case, the remains were taken to the house of the boy’s parents, on Ninth Street, near Commercial Avenue, where many friends and acquaintances viewed them yesterday.  The jury found a verdict according to the facts as above stated.

Thursday, 14 Jun 1883:

Capt. Henry Taylor is still at home with his brother, who was reported dying yesterday.

Friday, 15 Jun 1883:

BERNARD SMYTH DEAD.

            About 10 o’clock last night Mr. Bernard Smyth breathed his last at his rooms on Ohio Levee over the clothing house of A. Marx.  He had been ailing in various ways for several years, and for two months immediately preceding his death he had not left his room.  He died in the presence of his brother Robert and several friends.

Bernard Smyth was about forty-five years of age.  He came to this city in 1858, was until 1870 a member of the wholesale liquor firm of R. Smyth & Bro., and a man universally beloved for his pleasant disposition.  Of his immediate family he leaves only his brother Robert, who has conducted the business on the levee since 1870.  His demise was looked forward to for some time because of his ailing condition and will cause general sorrow in the community.  The funeral will probably take place tomorrow.

Saturday, 16 Jun 1883:

The following facts concerning the late Bernard Smyth, in addition to those given in yesterday’s Bulletin, are from last evening’s paper and will be read with interest by the friends of deceased:

            “The deceased was a native of Ireland and was forty-six years of age.  For some time previous to coming to Cairo, he was engaged in the dry goods business in St. Louis as salesman.  He came here a quite young man, in 1858, and joined an older brother, Thomas, in the grocery and liquor trade.  In 1859 they removed from the corner of Sixth and Levee to the present location of R. Smyth & Co., where the firm name was Smyth & Bro., until the senior member died, which occurred in 1862.  The firm then became B. Smyth & Co., and remained such until 1870, since which time it has been R. Smyth & Co.  The house has always enjoyed a large trade, but during the war and for a few years following, when the city was very prosperous, it was immense and far-reaching.  The deceased was a fine businessman and popular among his customers, and his efforts and influence contributed much to the building up of the profitable trade of the house.  His expenditures were lavish in proportion to his large income, and his friends shared with him, unusually with but little opportunity to reciprocate favors.  He was generous and liberal to a fault.  He never married.  He was fond of music and played several instruments well.  He was a leading member of the Silver Cornet Band, an organization not yet dissolved.  He was a natural and cultivated gentleman, the friend of everybody and, so far so we know, everybody was his friend; and knowing his goodness of heart, hundreds will heave a sigh of regret upon learning of his death, who were not intimately acquainted with him.  Of an unusually brilliant and accomplished family of several brothers and sisters, Mr. R. Smyth, the head of the house or R. Smyth & Co., is now the only one remaining.  He has several nieces and nephews, however, who bear a striking resemblance to their presents and are an honor to the family name.”

Sunday, 17 Jun 1883:

A man named Bashears, father of the little fellow killed on the Wabash road a few days ago, came to town from St. Louis just after the death and burial of his son and forthwith proceeded to follow his old habits of getting drunk and abusing his family.  Yesterday Chief Meyers arrested him and Magistrate Comings gave him a stay of execution on condition that he leave town.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

            The funeral of the late Mr. Benard Smyth will take place this afternoon.  The procession will leave the residence on Ohio Levee at 1:30 and the church, corner Ninth and Washington Avenue, at 2 p.m.  Remains will be taken to Villa Ridge by special train from the foot of Eighth Street.  The friends of the family are invited to attend.

Tuesday, 19 Jun 1883:

FATHER O’HARA DEAD.

            About 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Rev. Father O’Hara died at St. Mary’s Infirmary after a long prostration with consumption.  This announcement will excite general regret in the community, but no surprise, as the event had been expected for some time.  A sister attended him during his long prostration.

Deceased was a young man, aged only twenty-eight years, and possessed considerable ability as well as many good qualities of heart.  He came here about three years ago and had been in charge of Petersburg Parish, this state, before that.  His charge of St. Joseph’s Church here, so far as he was able to give it his attention, was very satisfactory to his parishioners with whom he was much beloved.  His remains will be interred at Villa Ridge tomorrow.

            (A marker in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads:  Rev. Eugene O’Hare Died June 18, 1883.  Rest in Peace.—Darrel Dexter)

Saturday morning a young man named Hessian Harnett died at St. Mary’s Infirmary.  He had been admitted but about a week before and kept at the city’s expense.  His father came here a few days ago and was at his bedside during his last hours.

Wednesday, 20 Jun 1883:

A child of Mr. Simpson, at Metropolis, was drowned in that town yesterday by falling into a cistern.

A dispatch to Mrs. R. Royse, at Mound City, from H. A. Benjamin, of Roxbury, New York, announced the death yesterday of the father of Captain Patterson of the steamer William Stone, which is due here today.

Services will be held at St. Joseph’s Church this morning for the deceased pastor Rev. Father O’Hara.  The remains will be carried in procession from the hospital to the church at 9 o’clock where services will begin.  The corpse will be left in church till 1 ½ o’clock when it will be taken to the cars at 14th Street for interment at Villa Ridge.  His friends are invited.

Saturday, 23 Jun 1883:

Thursday evening about 6 o’clock, as the steamer Morgan was rounding up the Mississippi for Bird’s Point, a floater was seen a short distance ahead, but before anything could be done to prevent it, the body was struck by one of the wheels of the boat and sent out of sight.  One who saw it says that the body had the appearance of having been in the water about ten days.

Tuesday, 26 Jun 1883:

The Thomas Sherlock arrived here Sunday night at 10 o’clock.  She only stopped long enough to get coal and during her short stay two negro roustabouts got into a cutting scrape in which one of the party was frightfully stabbed, and the man who did the cutting, it is reported, jumped overboard and was drowned, but some parties who were eye witnesses to the scene said that he escaped.  The wounded man was taken to the hospital and died last evening, so we’re informed, and just as the Sherlock was landing at Paducah the captain of the night watch stated that his partner was killed while down in the hold of the boat.  He reported the facts to the police of Paducah, but failed to find the man who did the cutting.  This makes three men who are reported as killed on the up trip of the Sherlock from New Orleans, one was killed at Vicksburg.

            (The 28 Jun 1883, issue stated that Charles Johnson was not dead as was reported.  The drowned man was identified as Burnside in another column of the 26 Jun 1883, issue.—Darrel Dexter)

The negro Charles Johnson cut in a fracas on the steamer Sherlock Sunday, died at the marine hospital yesterday morning, as did also another patient, a white river man, who had been there several days.  Both were buried at Villa Ridge yesterday forenoon.

            (The 28 Jun 1883, issue stated that Johnson was not dead as was reported.—Darrel Dexter)

When the steamer Thomas Sherlock was between Hickman and Columbus, Ky., on her way up Sunday night, two negro deck hands, named Johnson and Burnside, quarreled and the latter cut the former’s throat with a razor.  When the boat landed at the Cairo wharf, Burnside, fearing arrest, jumped overboard and in spite of efforts to save him, was drowned.  Johnson was taken to the marine hospital station for care, where he was yesterday in precarious condition.  Johnson is a Cincinnati negro.

Wash Turner, the negro who was badly cut in a fracas that began in Catfish Johnny’s palace Saturday night, was still alive yesterday and in a fair way to recover.  He has a stab in the breast that exposes the heart to view and a slight cut in the right arm.  It seems that he was employed in the Illinois Central railroad company’s yards at the time he was cut and is considered a hard worker, at any rate the company has employed Dr. Parker to attend him.

Thursday, 28 Jun 1883:

Yesterday forenoon the body of a negro was picked out of the Ohio River near shore below the warehouses.  It is believed to be the body of the negro who jumped from the steamer Sherlock and who, in a fight on the steamer cut another negro, now lying at the marine hospital very badly, but it seems, not fatally as was at first believed.

            (The 26 Jun 1883, issue identifies the man as Burnside.  The other man, Charles Johnson, was incorrectly reported in the same issue as dying at the marine hospital.—Darrel Dexter)

Friday, 29 Jun 1883:

GRIEF DRIVES TO SUICIDE.

            PADUCAH, Ky., June 28.—D. C. Culley, son of Prof. Culley, superintendent of our public schools, blew his brains out in a potato patch, yesterday, that had been planted by his wife, who died last Sunday.

Saturday, 30 Jun 1883:

A DETERMINED SUICIDE

            BELLEVILLE, Ill., Jun 29.—George Hertel hanged himself in Stolberg’s pasture Thursday evening, just west of the fairgrounds.  He made a loop-knot of a cotton string and tied it to the top plank of the fence.  Then, placing his neck in it, he stepped off of the bottom plank, where he was found this morning, cold and stiff with his tongue protruding and a three-inch gash visible just below his heart.  It appeared that he had at first tried to strangle himself with a bandana handkerchief, which gave way at the start.  Hertel, who was seventy-five years of age and a butcher by trade, lived on Seventh and Frieburg streets.  About 6 o’clock he had a dispute with his wife, striking her with a spade.  He then ran out of the stable and attempted suicide by cutting himself in the left breast.  As he did not succeed, it is supposed he waited a while and then went to the pasture.  At 9 o’clock this morning news of his act brought out a throng to look at the body, for the coroner had not arrived.  The string, when double, was only about three feet in length, and would hardly have borne another pound of weight.  The suicide had lived here a few months, and was the father-in-law of Michael Isselhardt.

D. C. Cully, who was reported in the dispatches of yesterday’s Bulletin to have committed suicide in Ballard County, Ky., was not the Cully who was at one time compositor and river editor in The Bulletin office, but a brother of that eccentric individual.  The Bulletin office Cully was M. F. Cully and he is probably still alive and slinging type in some country printing office, or gospel from some camp meeting pulpit or temperance from some backwoods rostrum.

Tuesday, 3 Jul 1883:

The funeral of a colored man for some time employed in the Cairo City Mills, took place Sunday afternoon.  For a colored funeral it was very largely attended; Sunday funerals are always largely attended; many people, without regard to color or age, go to a funeral just to kill time and often come back home with the consciousness of having had “just a splendid time, and such a delightful ride.”

Thursday, 5 Jul 1883:

Tuesday a man employed with others, at Laketon, on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, getting out and loading piles for Major Halliday of this city, was killed by a log rolling over him.  He was warned to get out of the way of a log descending a skid, but ran in the wrong direction and was overtaken by the log and crushed to death.

Report reached here late last night that a man named King, bridgemaster on the Wabash road, was fatally shot during a fight in a freight car at Mound City.  No particulars could be obtained.

            (The killed man was John Kane.—Darrel Dexter)

A boy named Early, a relative of Mr. Moses Foss, aged about ten years, was shot in the head by the accidental discharge of a rifle used at a shooting gallery in the park yesterday afternoon.  The boy was standing about twenty-five feet from a table upon which the gun lay, loaded and cocked.  A man picked up the gun to look at it or use it, and in so doing touched the trigger and discharged the gun just when it was in range of the boy’s head.  The ball, a very small one, struck the boy directly in the forehead, but fortunately glanced off and made only a skin wound.

Friday, 6 Jun 1883:

Considerable feeling was aroused among railroad men here yesterday by the news of the killing of Kane by the negro Howard at Mound City Wednesday.  The killing is said by them to have been entirely uncalled for, as Kane begged piteously that the negro would not shoot him, but without avail.  It is reported that about forty railroaders went from here to Mound City about 9 o’clock last night, the purpose of taking Howard from jail and hanging him.  A disturbance of a serious character was anticipated, but up to this hour, 11 o’clock, no news has reached here and the telephone station at Mound City is asleep.

News reached here yesterday afternoon that two Cairo negroes who had been sent from here to Cobden to work for the Illinois Central railroad company, got into a fight on the train and one named Sy Johnson stabbed and killed the other named Fred Louden.  Further particulars could not be learned.  Johnson lived on Twenty-fifth Street.  The dead negro will probably be brought down here for burial.

Stories as to the particulars of the killing of Mr. John Kane, carpenter on the Wabash road, by a negro section hand of the same road, at Mound City, on the 4th instant, are conflicting.  It is certain, however, that the two men engaged in a heated quarrel on the way up and came to physical violence.  Kane drew a pistol and the negro had a knife, but which drew his weapon first is not known.  But the negro succeeded in wrenching the pistol out of Kane’s hands and then turned it upon him, shooting him twice, once in the forehead, which caused only a skin wound, and once through the chest.  The fact that Kane had a gash in his back leads to the belief that the negro drew his knife before the former drew his pistol.  The fight occurred in the car when near Mound City and when the train arrived at the depot the wounded man was taken into the waiting room and Dr. Casey was summoned.  But nothing could be done for him and he died about an hour afterwards.  The negro jumped from the train and sought to escape, but was captured yesterday morning and is now confined in jail at Mound City.  His name is Howard and he lives at Grand Chain.  The murdered man is well known here as a quiet man and a good workman.  He boarded for some time at Mr. Joseph Steagala’s and worked in different parts of the city at odd jobs of carpentering.  He was on his way to Carmi to do some work on the Wabash road there.

Saturday, 7 Jul 1883:

A Murderer Lynched.

            CAIRO, Ill., July 6.—Nelson Howard, colored, who killed John Kane, on the Fourth at Mound City, was taken out of jail by a mob and hung at 2 o’clock this morning.

A MURDERER CAPTURED AFTER TWELVE YEARS.

            SYCAMORE, Ill., July 6.—Word has been received here of the capture at Sharpless Mills, Minn., last Monday evening, of John Reed, a man who has been wanted here for a murder committed just twelve years ago.  At that time Reed was a day laborer, twenty-two years of age, working on a farm belonging to Mrs. McCormick, a widow with one daughter, named Joan.  Of this girl Reed became enamored, and when she declined to accept his attentions, he determined on vengeance.  July 3, 1871, he borrowed a shotgun from a friend named Merritt, saying he wanted to kill a wolf, and about dusk that evening, while the McCormick family were taking supper, he fired into their midst.  The contents of the first barrel entered Joan McCormick’s head, killing her instantly.  Reed, who was suspected of the murder, returned the gun to Merritt, stating that he had killed one wolf with it, and wanted to borrow it again in order to kill another one.  This was refused and shortly afterwards Reed disappeared.  A posse to arrest him was formed, and, when he was caught, excitement was so intense that he narrowly escaped lynching.  He made a written confession after being lodged in jail from which he escaped in March 1872.  Since then nothing has been heard from him until the day of his arrest.  There is some talk of lynching him when he gets back to DeKalb County, as there are many who would like to engage in such an enterprise.

John Kane’s remains were sent to Wheedlen, Ind., a small town near Vincennes, where his father resides and where the funeral took place yesterday.

Sheriff Crane, of Pulaski County, was in the city a great part of yesterday looking for the men connected with the lynching of Howard.  While there is no doubt that a portion of the men went up from here, it is equally certain that other parties came from elsewhere—from Mounds Junction and from Kentucky.  Kane was very popular among the laboring railroad and rivermen, a class of men who are, as a rule, more apt to commit violence than some others.  They are a roaming set of men moving constantly from point to point and it will be difficult to learn how many among them here, if any, took part in the affair.  There is not much excitement in Mound City, the white people especially, with some exceptions, are not loud in denunciation of the affair, many believing it to have been to a great extent justifiable.  But the colored people in the county are said to be much excited and are flocking to the city demanding that the guilty parties be brought to justice.  It is likely that, in case any white man should be arrested and jailed within the next day or two, and a reasonable ground be found for believing him to have been one of the lynchers, he would be violently dealt with by the colored people of the county—if any opportunity were offered them.  But as yet only a faint suspicion exists as to who the guilty parties were, and it is extremely doubtful that they will ever be brought to justice.

THE MOUND CITY LYNCHING.

            As was anticipated in an item in yesterday’s Bulletin, the negro, Howard, who killed John Kane on the Wabash train near Mound City Thursday, was lynched near the jail yard by an unknown mob yesterday morning at about 2 o’clock.

            A party of probably thirty men wearing masks hanging down to their bosoms, came to the jailor and the spokesman demanded the keys to the jail.  Being told that the sheriff had the keys, the man requested the jailor to stand aside, saying, “We have come for business, and we won’t stand any foolishness.”  Mrs. Painter, the jailor’s wife, started to run and give the alarm, but was caught and told that no injury was intended her or her husband, but that they must stay in the house and keep quiet.  While several men remained to keep watch over Mr. and Mrs. Painter, the remainder of the party proceeded to burst the jail door open with a sledgehammer.  This was the signal for a vigorous yelling by the doomed prisoner who continued his cries until the mob had beaten down the front door, broken the lock from the iron cell-door and overpowered the prisoner who offered desperate resistance to the last.  The school bell was rung a few taps to arouse the people, but very few got up and probably no one but the actors in the terrible affair saw just what occurred.  But from the circumstances, it is concluded that the prisoner was first struck in the head with the sledge, then shot several times through the body, the shots being located in nearly the same portions of the body as those that killed Kane; then he was stripped of all his clothing and dragged from the jail yard by means of ropes tied to his head and feet, and hung to a tree nearby.

            This bloody work done, the men who had charge of Jailer Painter and his wife, released their prisoners and the mob departed no one knew, how, or where to.  Reports that the jailor and his wife were mistreated are not corroborated.  On the contrary, they were treated with the greatest consideration and no physical violence was attempted to either, except that the captors held their hands over the mouths of the prisoners when they attempted to cry out for help.  Upon leaving, the one who had watched over Mrs. Painter raised his hat politely, bowed gracefully, and, with the remark, “Madam, you are a brave woman,” withdrew.  The work had been done with comparatively little noise and in a very few minutes so that when people began finally to come forth from their homes and to gather about the jailyard, the lynchers were all out of sight.  Sheriff Crane cut the body of the negro down as soon as he arrived and summoned a jury to inquire into the circumstances, but the jury had not reached a verdict last evening; it intended to await developments and the results of searches for evidence leading to the identity of some of the lynchers, instituted by Sheriff Crane and other officers.

            Reports as to where the mob came from conflict.  One man, a citizen of Mound City, who was not well and therefore up and out just before the time of the lynching took place, says that he saw three or four skiffs land at the river bank, each containing four to six men, who came ashore and marched in double file along the levee toward the railroad.  Another says that he saw several hand cars loaded with men come over the Mounds Junction branch of the Illinois Central road, while others still profess to have heard an engine come up the Wabash road to a point just above the trestle, stop there, and leave from there again for Cairo after the lynching.  But however this may be, it is understood, that several hand cars loaded with railroad men and river men left here the night before, and that yesterday the hand cars were missing from their usual place and hidden at various points about the round house.  Kane’s work car was also found broken open and several sledges were missing.

            In view of these facts the reasonable impression prevails generally among people at Mound City, that the lynchers came from this end of the road, and were railroad laborers, and also river men with whom he was also very popular, he having for years been employed as ship carpenter at different points along the river and making friends of all with whom he came in contact.

            The crime, which provoked the lynching, was undoubtedly entirely uncalled for, and it is believed to have been premeditated by the negro who bore an old grudge against Kane, which arose in this wise:

About a year ago Howard became drunk at Grand Chain and with pistol in hand and threats to kill anyone who interfered with him he terrorized the community.  The officers were afraid of him, as was nearly everybody else.  But there was a gang of telegraph repairers in the town at the time and one of them, a physical giant, offered to arrest the bulldozing negro if the sheriff would deputize him to do so.  The sheriff had the man authorized and in a little while Howard lay on the ground with hands and feet tied.  Howard swore he would see his captor another time under different circumstances and would then get even with him.  The telegraph man bore a strong resemblance to Kane and when Howard met Kane some time ago he accused Kane of being the man who had “downed” him that time. Kane denied the charge and said he knew nothing about it, but the negro persisted and repeated his threat to “get even” with him.  The testimony taken before the jury that held an inquest over Kane’s remains, shows that the negro provoked the quarrel which led to Kane’s killing, was the aggressor at every stage and shot his victim down after having deprived him of an only weapon which he had not attempted to use and in spite of his earnest pleadings for mercy and for his life.

            Howard deserved hanging, there is no question about this at all, but he was in the hands of the law and ought to have been hung by the sheriff of Pulaski County after a trial and conviction by jury.  The fact that the many long delays in trials by law and the frequent escapes of the greatest criminals has very naturally bred a contempt in the public mind for juries and courts of justice, may be an extenuating circumstance in this case, but it is not a justification.  In fact nothing could be tortured into a justification for a crime so revolting in its details as that of which this mob was guilty.  As a prominent citizen of Mound City remarked to us yesterday, “had the mob come there and taken the man out and simply hung him to a tree, there would, of course have been some effort to prevent it, but it would have been looked upon in a philosophical way as retributive justice.”  But to maltreat the miserable wretch before sending him suddenly into the dark future, and horribly mutilating his body afterwards is what makes fiends out the self-constituted avengers.  Prominent men of Mound City have expressed a determination to ferret out the men who composed the lawless gang and to bring them to justice, and all who love law and order will sustain them in their efforts.

Sunday, 8 Jul 1883:

“Came to his death at the hands of persons unknown,” was, in substance, the verdict of the coroner’s jury sworn to inquire into the cause of the death of the negro murderer Nelson Howard.

DIED.

            LEMPCKE—Yesterday evening at 5:25 o’clock, at the residence of Mr. F. Korsmeyer, on the corner of Walnut and Eleventh streets Mrs. E. Lempcke, mother of Mrs. Korsmeyer, died at the advanced age of eighty-four years.

            Funeral services will be held at the house today at 2:30 p.m., and remains will be conveyed to Evansville, Ind., for interment, by the 4 o’clock Illinois Central train.  Friends of the family are invited to attend.

            Mr. Lempecke has been living at the home of Mr. Korsmeyer for over three years and was known to many of our citizens.  She has been in feeble health for some time, with periods of serious illness of late.  Her latest prostration that resulted in death was of but short duration.  Her remains will be interred in the family cemetery at Evansville, in which city five or six children survive her.  The public here will sympathize with Mr. Korsmeyer and family here in their bereavement.

The excitement among the colored people at Mound City, spoken of in yesterday’s Bulletin, did not manifest itself in any pluvial violence, but threats were very freely made and the whites were in fear of a momentary outbreak of some kind.  The negroes flocked into the city to the number of about three hundred and moved about the streets and public places in squads until dark when they all suddenly disappeared which was taken as proof of an intended outbreak.  But all remained quiet.  Threats were freely made against Jailor Painter, Marshal Ross, a young man named Kittle, an employee of the Wabash road; a man named Marsh, section boss on the road; and A. B. Gibson, conductor on the train on which Kane was killed, and who chased Howard about a half mile on the night of the tragedy.  Jailor Painter and Marshall Ross are unjustly accused of not using all possible precautions to protect Howard; young Kittle and the section boss, Marsh, are suspected of complicity with the lynching, because two sledge hammers used by the mob were claimed the next day by Marsh and had been taken from the station tool house, of which Marsh and Kittle had charge, while Conductor Gibson is suspected of connection with the mob because someone testified before the coroner’s jury that sat upon Howard’s remains, that he had seen the features of one of the lynchers who favored Gibson.  Jailor Painter and Marshal Ross argued with the negroes and sought to appease them, protesting that they had done all they could to prevent the lynching and would do all they could to bring the perpetrators to justice; young Kittle left the city and came down here to get out of the mob’s way, and the city council met, passed resolutions deploring the occurrence and denouncing the actors therein, and authorized the mayor to offer $200 for the apprehension of the guilty parties.  In this way it was thought that all cause of an outbreak by the angry negroes had been removed as far as possible, and this was evidently the case, for there were no further signs of such a contingency.  Yesterday Sheriff Crane was in the city with a hand full of blank warrants, in search of the lynchers, but up to this hour, 11:30 o’clock p.m., he has not made any warrants.  In fact it would be dangerous to make any arrest now and confine the prisoner anywhere near Pulaski County.  The mental state of the colored citizens there is such that they would tear the prisoner limb from limb within twenty-four hours after his confinement.  A Mound City official warned Conductor Gibson yesterday, that he ought not, out of regard for his personal safety, go out on his usual run on the accommodation last evening and he remained, not, however because he was afraid, for he has proven himself to be a brave little fellow, but because he wished to attend the regular meeting of the Railroad Conductor’s Association, which occurs today.  Trains on the Wabash road are running very cautiously through Pulaski County, for fear that the angry negroes moved by a blind thirst for revenge, will tamper with the tracks of the road.  Last evening all seemed to be quiet.

Tuesday, 10 Jul 1883:

The funeral of Mrs. Lempcke took place Sunday from the residence of Mr. F. Korsmeyer, at the corner of Eleventh and Walnut streets, where services had previously been held by Rev. George in the presence of many friends.

Wednesday, 11 Jul 1883:

The Argus, or anyone, could find ample evidence that the negro, Howard, was a dangerous character and an undesirable citizen on general principles.  The circumstance related by The Bulletin, which occurred at Grand Chain, his home, is first in point of importance.  Howard had taken possession of a saloon and held the proprietor and the officers and people at bay with a cocked revolver, which he flourished in the air about him that was heavy with his curses and threats.  A telegraph man offered to arrest the desperado if the officers would give him authority to do so.  The authority was given and Howard was downed and turned over to the authorities, while he vowed that he would at some future time in some way get even with the man who had “downed” him.  Howard accused Kane of being the man who had overcome him at Grand Chain, and he persisted in accusing Kane of being the man, in spite of the latter’s equally emphatic denials.  There is evidence even that he went so far as to say that he would kill Kane, on the very day that he committed the crime.  But this is not all.  When Pulaski County’s office-seeking politicians were sending up a hypocritical wail for the rations from the government during the drouth, and a few honest white men protested against the outrage, Howard was among the leaders of a mob of negroes who went over the county threatening violence against the men who set up the protest, and at Villa Ridge, threatened to take possession of the goods in the stores there, unless they were furnished rations, at the same time refusing an offer of steady work at $1 per day, made by the owner of a saw mill only a few miles away.  And again, less than a year ago, Howard made his mark in this city and introduced himself to the police officers, by attempting to repeat his Grand Chain maneuver in the store then of Mr. Ernest Pettit, we believe, up town, but the Cairo officers were not Grand Chain officers, as he learned pretty quick to his sorrow.  His weapon was taken away from him and he was made to pay for his fun.  We are of the opinion that upon the “Golden Star” they sing about how Howard stands several good long flights below the man who was the unwarned and inoffensive victim of his bloodthirsty nature, and that he will have to go through an eternity of probation before he will stand on the same step with him.  However, this is only our belief, we don’t profess to know much about the arrangements and the regulations governing the future state.  If Howard had been duly found guilty by a jury of his peers and hung by Sheriff Crane with all the ceremony usual to such occasions, he would, of course have dropped through the trap door directly into everlasting bliss, while his victims might be suffering the torments of the unrepentant.  But even as it is, we will admit, for the sake of peace, that Howard is now after all an angel of some kind.

Thursday, 12 Jul 1883:

A little child of Officer Boughnor, living on Seventeenth Street, died yesterday morning after a short illness.

Several citizens of Cairo have been subpoenaed to appear before the coroner’s jury sworn to inquire into the cause of death in the case of Nelson Howard, at Mound City, and state what they may know of the matter.  The jury is to meet next Saturday morning.  We were under the impression that the jury had found a verdict and adjourned, but it seems we were mistaken.

The seventeen-year-old son of Mr. Cobler, living with his parents on Commercial Avenue between Seventeenth and Eighteenth street, died yesterday afternoon after a severe illness of several weeks.  He had been in the employ of Mr. Samuel Burger for some months and was a bright young fellow.  Funeral will take place tomorrow.

            (The 13 Jul 1883, and 14 Jul 1883, issues identify the deceased as Fred Kohler.—Darrel Dexter)

Friday, 13 Jul 1883:

A colored woman named Green died at the corner of Fifth Street and Commercial Avenue yesterday morning.  She died of consumption, of which her husband had also died but a few weeks before.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

The funeral services over the remains of Fred Kohler, son of George and Eva Kohler, will be held at the residence of the parents on Commercial Avenue, corner 18th St., this (Friday) afternoon at 2 o’clock.  A special train will leave foot of Fourteenth Street at half past two for Villa Ridge, where the burial will take place.  Friends of the deceased and of his parents are invited to attend the funeral.

            (The 12 Jul 1883, issue identified the deceased as the son of Mr. Cobler.—Darrel Dexter)

Saturday, 14 Jul 1883:
FOUR MEN KILLED BY FALLING DERRICK.

LEMONT, Ill., July 13.—The Eureka stone quarry, four miles south of this city, was the scene of another tragedy yesterday afternoon, caused by the falling of a heavy derrick.  While raising a block of stone weighing three tons one of the supporting guy rods snapped, causing the derrick to fall among a crowd of fifty men, four of whom were caught directly under the heavy timber and were instantly killed.  Their names are John Cash, Andrew Hansen, John Kohlman, and Thomas Ward.  This is the second occurrence of the same character within a week.
 
A little child of a family living on Railroad Street near Eighth Street, died sometime during Thursday or Thursday night.  The little corpse was refused conveyance to Villa Ridge by the railroad company, because of the absence of a certificate from the attending physician that death had not resulted from a contagious disease.  The remains were therefore conveyed to Beech Grove by wagon yesterday afternoon.
 
On Wednesday, the little child of Mr. John Mitchel, postmaster at Bird’s Point, died on the steamer Three States, just after she had shoved out from this shore.  Mr. and Mrs. Mitchel had come over here to obtain medical treatment for the child and were on their way back home when the child died.
 
The funeral of the young Fred Kohler, yesterday afternoon was attended by many friends, of the family.  Three coaches were necessary to carry the cortege to Villa Ridge.  Deceased was a very promising youth and well liked by all who knew him.
 
Golconda Herald:  “As a party of colored folks were returning to Anna, from celebrating the Fourth at Cairo, a young mulatto named Perry, was playfully slapped in the face while he slept, by an old colored man.  He woke in anger and swore he would kill the old man before night.  Later the old man fell asleep, and taking a dirk from his pocket, Perry kissed the blade and plunged it to the heart of the old man as he slept, and jumping from the track escaped.  His victim died almost instantly.”
 

Sunday, 15 Jul 1883:
The coroner’s jury in the case of Nelson Howard convened again at Mound City yesterday morning.  Several witnesses from Cairo were examined as to the nature of the reports current here on the night of the lynching and with a view to ascertaining who the authors were, but nothing definite was elicited and the jury adjourned again until next Tuesday, when five or six more witnesses will be examined.  As yet the jury has not obtained one iota of proof upon which it could base even a recommendation for an indictment, and the investigation is rapidly dwindling down to a mere farce, in which a half dozen ignorant negroes are  “assertin’ their rights” as free American citizens, in draggin their white fellow citizens before them from distant parts of their own and adjoining counties, putting them to expense and inconvenience, merely to subject them to a series of silly cross questions put in an offensively overbearing and dictatorial manner.  The Howard jury is rapidly developing into a rival for the star route trial or the Thirty-third General Assembly, and with these will form a trinity of “Republican institutions” that will hold a prominent place in history, but only to procure a severe attack of nausea whenever a reader shall venture to “tackle” it.
 

Tuesday, 17 Jul 1883:
Died at Farmerville, La., Alice, daughter of Professor Henry and Leonide Floyd, on the 13th inst., at 3:15 p.m. of typhomalarial fever, aged three years and 11 months.
 
A colored bootblack, aged about seventeen years, was run over and killed on the St. Louis & Cairo tracks Sunday morning.  He was a stranger here and his name was not known.  The coroner’s jury came to the conclusion that he lay down on the sidetrack to sleep and was run over by a freight car that was being shoved back on the track.
 
The remains of William Frank were taken to Villa Ridge by the 11 o’clock a.m. Illinois Central train yesterday, accompanied by many friends.  Deceased was a German, well known in the city, being mostly employed about the markets on Eighth Street.  He had been sickly for along time and died Sunday.  He leaves a wife and four or five children in straightened circumstances, which live at the corner of Tenth Street and Jefferson Avenue.

 

Thursday, 19 Jul 1883:
The three-year-old child of Officer Patrick Mahanny died yesterday morning after a short illness and will be buried today.
 

Friday, 20 Jul 1883:
The funeral of the little son of Officer P. Mahanny took place yesterday afternoon.  The remains were taken from the house to St. Joseph’s Church, where services were conducted by Father Murphy.  A special train conveyed the remains from the foot of Fourteenth Street to Villa Ridge for interment.
 
Wednesday afternoon, a son of Mr. Howell, a farmer living near Vienna, Johnson County, stepped in front of a mower to hand his father, who was driving, a drink of water, when the team suddenly started forward and the knife caught his foot cutting it entirely off above and near the ankle.
 
 
Sunday, 22 Jul 1883:
James Price, late of Scott County, Illinois, deceased, left property in said county, by will, to the heirs of Levi Price, who is said to reside in some part of Southern Illinois.  Any information in regard to the post office address of Levi Price or any of his heirs, will be thankfully received by Thomas Owings, Jr., Chapin, Illinois.
 
 
Wednesday, 25 Jul 1883:
A man named Haly, who is a resident of Bird’s Point, Mo., and who “got his name up” some time ago in a bloody fight with another tough on the steamer Three States is again in trouble and in jail in this city.

(The 24 May 1883, and 25 May 1883, issues gave his name as James Healy and reported he was near death.  He apparently survived his injuries.—Darrel Dexter)
 
 
Friday, 27 Jul 1883:
Wednesday, a colored man was wandering about in the woods along the track of the southern division of the Illinois Central road, at a point a short distance above Hickman, Ky., called “Camel Back” and in his wanderings suddenly and accidentally came upon a small, new-made grave.  He opened it and found a small box, iron-bound and tightly nailed.  Upon opening the box the body of a child was revealed, neatly dressed, imbedded in clean clothes and a little pillow under its head.  Taking the little body out, the negro saw that the back of its head was crushed in, which aroused his suspicions and he carried the box and contents to Hickman.  There the body was viewed by a number of citizens and was finally recognized as that of the two-year-old child of a family living near the city.  Officers went to arrest the family and found the house where they had lived deserted, but diligent search resulted in their discovery and they were jailed at Hickman.  They were to have been examined yesterday.
 
 
Sunday, 29 Jul 1883:
While the City of Helena was lying at the wharf Friday night, two men were caught in the act of stealing flour by the watchman of the boat, and he crowded pretty closely, which caused one of them to jump overboard and was drowned.  The other in making his escape was shot in the knee and was not so fortunate as his companion as he was captured.

(The 3 Aug 1883, issue identified the drowned man as Michael McKane.—Darrel Dexter)
 
Friday night about 10:30 o’clock, while the steamer City of Helena was lying at one of the wharfboats, three men in a skiff came around from the rear, two of whom boarded her while one held the skiff close under her guards.  The two captured a barrel of flour and were rolling it toward the skiff when they were discovered by the watchman who gave chase.  But the thieves had also seen the watchman and they dropped their plunder and made for the skiff.  The watchman fired at them as they ran, but one of them jumped overboard into the river while the other gained the skiff and went ashore.  The one who jumped into the river was heard by the watchman to call for help, but before aid could be given him he went under and drowned.  Who he was is not yet known.

            (The 3 Aug 1883, issue identified the drowned man as Michael McKane.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Tuesday, 31 Jul 1883:
Sunday evening the body of a white man was pulled out of the river near the foot of Fourth Street.  Coroner Fitzgerald was notified and an inquest resulted in the verdict that deceased came to his death by drowning and that his identify was a mystery to the jury.  The body was buried in the Seven-mile graveyard yesterday morning at the county’s expense.  The supposition is that the body was that of the man who jumped overboard from the steamer Vicksburg Friday night, when caught in the act of stealing by the watchman.  The body had been very evidently in the water but a short time.  It was attired in dark pants and vest, overshirt with figures of dogs upon it, one shoe, and socks, of uncertain color.  In one of his pockets were found several meal tickets from the Sherman House and less than a dollar in money.  No one who saw the body recognized it, but it is believed by some, among them several of the officers, that it was that of a river man named Kennard, nicknamed “Skinny.”

            (The 3 Aug 1883, issue reported that the man had been identified as Michael McKane.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Wednesday, 1 Aug 1883:
A colored man died in the barracks night before last, and yesterday his friends were taking up a collection to meet the expense of his interment.
 
 
Friday, 3 Aug 1883:
Peter Stolman, an old German brickmaker, who had lived here for many years and was well known, died Wednesday in his home above Mr. Jacob Kline’s brickyard. He lived alone, being a widower.

(The 25 Aug 1883, issue gives his name as Henry Stoltenberg and states he used the name Stolman for business purposes.—Darrel Dexter)
 
The man Hollowell who is still at the infirmary under treatment for the wound received while with another party trying to steal flour from the steamer Vicksburg, has identified the body found in the river at Fourth Street several days ago, from the description given him by Coroner Fitzgerald, as that of Michael McKane, who was with him in the skiff, but fell overboard.  Chief Myers has a satchel, found in the empty skiff, which contains a quantity of clothing and a pass book bearing the name of Gus Coleman who was drowned from a tug at Memphis some weeks ago.  The owner’s name had also been printed inside the satchel, but was erased, evidently with a pocket knife.
 

Sunday, 5 Aug 1883:
A FATAL ACCIDENT.

Staunton, Ill., August 4.—Mr. W. Macants, aged 18, was instantly killed this afternoon by a barrel of apples falling upon his head.  He was the sole support of his widowed mother.
 
The first dispatch announcing the dangerous illness of Captain R. K. Riley, at New York, did not arrive here until Friday morning, or about fifteen hours after it had been left at the New York office.  The result was that Miss Emma Riley, who left here in response to the telegram to attend her father, could not get away until Friday afternoon, and she will not arrive in New York until this morning sometime. 

Yesterday’s message announcing the Captain’s death was delayed in like manner about three hours.  The strike is responsible for this, no doubt, from the standpoint of the telegraph company.
 
DEATH CLAIMS A NOTED VICTIM.
Captain R. K. Riley, the Veteran Steamboat Commander, Dies in New York City.
A Brief Sketch of His Eventful Career.

About 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon a dispatch was received by Captain Thomas W. Shields here, announcing the death of Captain R. K. Riley, at New York, at 12 o’clock noon.  The sad news was conveyed to the captain’s family at their home on Walnut Street, who, although they had been led to expect such a result by former dispatches, were entirely overcome with grief.  The announcement spread rapidly through the streets and was the subject of expressions of regret from every lip, as it will be in every city or town of any importance on the western rivers.

For the following brief sketch of Captain Riley’s life we are indebted to Captain Laning, a distant relative of deceased:

OBITUARY.

“Captain Robert Kimber Riley, the subject of this sketch, was born at Bridgeport, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, October 11^th, A. D. 1830, and died in New York, Saturday, August 4^th, 1883, whither he had gone on his way to the seashore in search of health.

“Capt. Riley had been prominently connected with steamboating and river interests on the western waters for the past thirty-five years and has been known extensively as one of our most popular and successful river commanders.  His warm-hearted, open-handed, unselfish, social qualities made him hosts of friends.  Whilst his natural abilities, indefatigable industry and large experience made him a most valuable officer.  His honesty and fidelity for the interests of his employers was unquestioned and whilst he made large gains for them he added but little to his own store.

“He began his boating career when quite a youth, in the capacity of second clerk on a Monongahela River packet plying between Pittsburgh and Brownsville, Pa.  He was soon transferred to the Ohio River as second clerk of the steamer Editor, where he was afterwards promoted to first clerk and finally appointed as her captain.  He afterwards commanded the Skylark, Platte Valley, and other noted steamers and in later years was in the constant employ of the Anchor Line Company, the City of Vicksburg being his latest command.

“During the war Capt. Riley rendered valuable and efficient services in defense of the Union.  When Camp Jackson was instituted and the safety of the government arms stored in the St. Louis arsenal was in jeopardy, Gen. Lyon decided to remove them to a place of safety in Illinois.  The steamer Alex Scott was procured and the arms loaded on board, but such was the general sympathy existing among St. Louis boatmen for the Southern cause, that it was difficult to secure the services of a competent riverman to assume command of the boat and her valuable cargo.  Capt. Riley, upon learning this, promptly tendered his services to Gen. Lyon and took command of the boat and safely delivered the cargo on the Illinois shore.  Soon after a call was made for volunteer officers to man the gunboats then building for the Western Flotilla, Capt. Riley was again the first man to offer and received from Commodore Porter the first commission issued at St. Louis, as 1^st master in the Western Flotilla, and was at once assigned to duty as executive officer of the gunboat New Era, which had been hastily prepared to go to the relief of Lexington.  The New Era was afterwards rebuilt under the supervision of Capt. Riley and called the Essex and took a prominent part in the capture of Fort Henry.  When her boiler was exploded, and Commodore Porter severely and almost fatally wounded, Capt. Riley promptly assumed command and showed that his executive ability was fully supported by his cool courage and heroism.  He afterwards had charge of the Essex, when she, alone, ran the gauntlet of all the Vicksburg batteries and destroyed the Confederate ram Arkansas.  But his most distinguished service, perhaps, was in command of the Anglo American, a small wooden gunboat loaded with supplies for the Essex, then between the Confederate forts, Vicksburg and Port Hudson.  In attempting to pass the batteries of Port Hudson, his grate bars were shot away and the fires under the boilers dumped into the ash pan.  Capt. Riley, nothing daunted, jumped into the hold of his vessel and passed up some iron bars fortunately stored there, replaced the missing bars in the furnace, shoveled in his fires, kept up steam, and in defiance of the enemy passed the batteries and delivered his supplies to the Essex.  Soon after this Commodore Porter was ordered to report in New York and his trusty executive officer, Riley, went with him, where he remained a short time and then returned to Cairo and reported for duty in the upper squadron.  During his absence in the lower squadron many changes had occurred in the organization at Cairo and he found those in charge who did not properly appreciate his services.  He was finally assigned to the command of the Silver Cloud, not all suited to his abilities or his merits; added to his mortification the small pox broke out on board his vessel and he was ordered to quarantine above Mound City.  This so disgusted him with naval matters that he determined to resign and finally succeeded in doing so, and the Mississippi squadron thus lost one of its most valuable officers.  His services were at once secured by the Anchor Line steamboat company and he has ever since been one of its most trusted and efficient officers.  His untimely death will leave an aching void in the hearts of his thousand friends from St. Louis to New Orleans, and in fact on all our western rivers, and his  many acts of kindness and courtesy will long be remembered.  He leaves a wife and four grown daughters, besides a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss.  His remains will be conveyed from New York to Bridgeport, Pa., and interred in his native town.”

Tuesday, 7 Aug 1883:
Report reached here Sunday that Mr. Moses Walder had died on his farm up in the county during the forenoon of that day, but it was reliably contradicted yesterday.
 
Captain Riley had his life insured for about $5,000 in the Knights of Honor, Merchant’s Exchange and Elks of St. Louis.
 
Friday, a negro named Lud Fitzpatrick, living at Columbus, Ky., left his house to go on a hunt.  Not having returned Saturday search was made for him and his body was found lying in a fence corner near the city, with the gun lying by his side, minus one charge.  It is believed that in climbing over the fence he accidentally discharged the gun, the load passing through his head.
 
Mrs. R. K. Riley and her daughters, Misses Mollie, Annie and Lizzie, left Sunday afternoon by Illinois Central train, en route for Pittsburg, where they will meet Miss Emma and the remains of Captain Riley in charge of Mr. King of New York, at whose house the captain was visiting when he died.  The remains arrived at Pittsburg yesterday morning; Mrs. Riley and daughters arrived there last evening.  The funeral takes place today at Bridgeport.
 
DEATH OF CAPT. R. K. RILEY.
(Missouri Republican)

A telegram from C. W. King, son of the one-time mayor King, of this city, who is a resident of New York, brought the sad news yesterday afternoon that Captain Robert K. Riley had died suddenly at 12 o’clock noon at Mr. King’s house.  The cause of death was apoplexy, and there had been premonitions.  Capt. Riley was one of the best known and most universally liked river men that ever rode the western waters.  Way back in the ‘50s he ran the Missouri River on some of the finest boats in that trade, notably the Southwestern.  His home was then in St. Louis, and he made such hosts of friends in the trade that when the old Memphis and St. Louis packet company (now the Anchor Line) was organized in 1860, the managers were glad to secure his services.  From that date till the time of his death—twenty-three years—he was in the employ of the company, always giving fine service and always in charge of one of the best crafts of the fleet.  He was captain in his day of a score of steamers, the principle ones being the City of Cairo, City of Greenville and each of the boats which bore the name City of Vicksburg.  The Vicksburg was his boat at the time of his death.  He was always immensely popular with the employees and sometimes ran a boat for seven or eight years with hardly a change among his subordinates.  He was a very portly man and good natured and generous to correspond.  On the 12th of July, while on a down trip, he had a slight stroke which prostrated him, and he came direct to St. Louis and remained a few days under treatment in the hope of recuperating.  As the result was not satisfactory, he went to New York intending to make a protracted fishing trip to Barnegat.  It was while in the preparation for this trip yesterday that he received his fatal stroke.  He was about 57 years of age and was born and reared in Brownsville, Pa, whither his body will be taken for burial.  His home has been for over 20 years at Cairo, where his wife and a family, consisting of four daughters now are.  They were promptly notified of the sad event, and will meet the remains at the old home in Brownsville.

Capt. Riley owned a moderate property in Cairo, and held some company insurance besides being a member of the Elks, the Knights of Honor, and the Merchants’ Exchange Benevolent Society.
 
 
Friday, 10 Aug 1883:
An infant child of Mr. Miscal died Wednesday night.  The funeral occurred yesterday from Mr. Miscal’s home on Commercial Avenue between Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth streets.
 
 
Sunday, 12 Aug 1883:
FUNERAL NOTICE.

Funeral services over the remains of Jacob Baur will be held at the residence of his parents, Jacob and Adelle Baur, 9th and Cedar streets, at one p.m. today (Sunday).  A special train will leave foot of 8th Street at 2 o’clock for Villa Ridge, where the burial will take place.  Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend.
 
A little child of John Broderick died yesterday morning at the family home on Fourth Street.  Mr. Broderick is in Denver and was notified by telegraph of the serious illness of the child, but could not reach here in time.  The funeral will probably occur today.
 
Governor Hamilton has offered a reward of $200 for the apprehension of the mob or any of the persons engaged in the lynching of Nelson Howard, the murderer of John Kane, who was killed on the night of July 6 last, after being taken from the Pulaski County jail.  This makes $400 offered in all for the capture of the men guilty of lynching Howard, or any of them.  If this amount were multiplied by ten there would be some probability that someone would run the risk of “working up” the case, or that someone connected with the affair would risk his neck by giving it away, but under the circumstance, $400 is not temptation at all for either an officer or anyone else.
 
The nine-year-old son of Jacob Baur, living on corner of 9th and Cedar streets, died yesterday morning and will be buried at Villa Ridge this afternoon.
 

Tuesday, 14 Aug 1883:
Yesterday morning when the steamer Vint Shinkle landed here on her way up, her second clerk, Mr. Harry Best, was dangerously sick.  But instead of stopping off here for treatment in the marine hospital, the sick man persisted in going up on the boat and it is believed that he would not live until he reached home.
 

Wednesday, 15 Aug 1883:
The man Mayfield, who killed Capt. James Biggs, here, has been arrested in Kansas City, Mo., and word was sent to Chief Myers here yesterday, asking if he was wanted here.  Mayfield has long ago signified his willingness to come here at any time and stand trial for the act which has made him so unfavorably notorious here; but the whilom state’s attorney, the immaculate Damron, was never ready for trial.  Mayfield has engaged Mr. D. T. Linegar to defend him in the trial.  He is confident that he will be acquitted, claiming that he was entirely justified in shooting Capt. Biggs, but he does not wish to surrender himself to the officers here until he can be tried, in order that he may not have to lay in the county jail for a term of weeks or months.  In view of this state of the case there seems to be no need of going to the expense of bringing him here at public expense now, and he will probably be released by the Kansas City officers.
 
 
Saturday, 18 Aug 1883:
MURDER AT A DANCE.

STAUNTON, Ill., August 17.—Reports from Worden, six miles south, say that at a house warming given by Wiley Robinson Thursday night to celebrate opening a new hotel, Ed. Walker, of West Prairie, shot and instantly killed Wiley Robinson, because he asked Walker and his crew to make a little less noise.  When Robinson turned away Walker drew his revolver and shot him.
 
Hon. W. T. Scott and Senator Daniel Hogan are now contending for the credit of having induced the governor to offer a reward of $200 for the capture of the Nelson Howard lynchers.  The Mound City Patriot is Mr. Hogan’s mouthpiece in the contest and Mr. Scott makes good use of the columns of his Gazette to prove his own right and title.  Here is a good opportunity for the Argus to step in as mediator.
 
 
Thursday, 23 Aug 1883:
Tuesday night a white man named Louis Mitchel fell from the steamer A. J. Baker into the river at Bird’s Point, Mo., and was drowned.
 
Sometime during Monday evening the Argus gave its readers the important information that Judge Black had died the morning the day before, and that the president had an attack of the belly ache.
 
Mr. Henry Breihan died yesterday morning about 6 o’clock of hemorrhage of the stomach, at his residence on the corner of Fourth Street and Commercial Avenue.  He had been ailing for some time and was leading a very temperate life; his last prostration, which resulted in his death, occurred only last Monday.  Deceased was one of Cairo’s old citizens and successful businessmen.  He came here in 1866, was employed in the brewery by Mr. Charles Schoenenmeyer, subsequently for Mr. A. Lohr in the soda water factory and then went into business for himself.  He started in a small way, but succeeded by industry and close attention to business in building up a good business and putting up a soda factory of his own.  For some weeks back his business has been under the management of Mr. Breihan’s nephew and the other relatives in order that he might rest and regain his former robust health.  He leaves a wife and four children, who will have the deep sympathy of the community.  He was a member of the Rough and Ready Fire Company and of the Casino Club, which will conduct the funeral this afternoon at 2 o’clock.
 

Friday, 24 Aug 1883:
The funeral of the late Henry Breihan will take place this afternoon.  The Rough and Ready Fire Company will turn out in uniform and they are called to meet at the engine house at 12:20 o’clock this afternoon.
 
Paducah News:  “The following tale comes to us from Shawneetown, or rather from the government quarries near the place.  The pilot on the Emma Ethridge says that on the last trip of the boat up the Ohio at an early hour in the morning he discovered a skiff containing four persons—a young woman and three men—immediately under the steamers bow.  He signaled to the engineer to stop and reverse their engine, but it was impossible to stay the headway of the steamer, which ran over and swamped the small boat, drowning the girl.  Ropes were thrown out and the men were rescued.  When they were hauled on board they told a remarkable story to the effect that one of them was a brother, the other the father and the third the betrothed husband of the young woman.  The latter had gotten into some trouble and had been sent to Joliet, Ill., penitentiary, from whence he had managed to escape.  Subsequently he had communicated with the girl, who remained faithful to him and persuaded her father and brother to cross the river with her for the purpose of bringing the lover to their home in Kentucky.  The lady’s name was Smith and she resided with her family in Union County.  It is a pitiful story at the best.  The poor girl’s faith in her worthless lover sacrificed her life.  It is to be regretted that if anybody had to be drowned, it had not been the escaped convict, who jumped overboard and abandoned his affianced to her fate when he saw that a collision was inevitable.
 
KILLED BY AN ENGINE.

Shortly after eight o’clock last night a white man was run over by an engine on the Illinois Central track on Ohio Levee just above Eighth Street.  The man’s name was Ned McGuire.  He was evidently about thirty years of age.  He had been in the city but a few days, he was employed on a railroad in Missouri, at Bird’s Point, to where he came from Memphis, Tenn., where he had been a turnkey.  During yesterday he had wandered about town.  Last night about half an hour before he was killed he sat in the door of Mr. Sackberger’s place of business on Ohio Levee, in a partially intoxicated condition.  Mr. S. requested him to come inside so that he could close the door, but McGuire got up and went away toward the river  When the engine backed down a switchman with a lantern was seated upon the tender; he saw a dark object lying lengthwise on the plank nailed to the ties along the outer side of the rail, but before he could distinguish what it was, the first truck of the tender was crunching the bones of the man’s left leg, so that it could be heard a square away.  Before the engine could be stopped, the unfortunate man had been carried about thirty feet and when it moved forward a little, the cruel wheels left the man lying in a heap between the rails.  Ready hands picked him up and stretched him out upon a pile of timber near by examination showed that his left leg was but a confusion of flesh, bones and rags steeped in blood, while his face and forehead were crushed and covered with dust and blood, showing that he had struck the ground violently with his head face downward.  Occasional twitches of his head, a slight heaving of the chest and a faint beating of the heart proved that he was still above, but all this ceased in a few minutes and he was dead.  He leaves no family so far as known.  His remains were taken in charge by those in authority.
 

Saturday, 25 Aug 1883:
The body of a white man was picked up out of the water yesterday morning just below the Illinois Central warehouse, below Fourth Street.  The face was so far decomposed and disfigured that the features could not be distinguished and there was nothing found on the body that indicated the identity.  Coroner Fitzgerald held an inquest over it, and it was interred at the Seven-mile graveyard.
 
Coroner Fitzgerald held an inquest Thursday night over the mangled body of Ned McGuire, killed on the Illinois Central track, and the verdict of the jury was that death resulted from being run over by an engine.  No fault attaches to those who had charge of the engine at the time.  The body was turned over to the county authorities for burial at Seven-mile graveyard.  McGuire has several children living in Memphis who are now orphans, the mother having died in 1878 during the prevalence of the yellow fever.
 
A brother and two sons of the late Henry Stoltenberg, better known as Stolman, were in the city Thursday to look after deceased’s estate.  They came her from Davenport, Iowa, where they reside and from whence Henry came here, assuming the name of Stolman on account of business entanglements.  What Henry left behind in personal property only, of which about 340,000 brick is the principal.  The whole personal effects are valued at about $3,000.  Alderman Swoboda has been appointed administrator.
 
The funeral of the late Henry Breihan took place yesterday afternoon.  It was a more than usually imposing one.  The Rough and Ready Fire Company, of which deceased has been a member in good standing, turned out to the number of an even fifty, in uniforms and headed by the Cairo City Band marched to the residence of deceased’s family where a large concourse of citizens, friends of deceased had already gathered.  From the residence the procession moved shortly after to the special train at the foot of Eight Street.  Four coaches were filled and left shortly after 2 o’clock for Villa Ridge where the remains were interred.
 

Sunday, 26 Aug 1883:
WALKER, THE MURDERER.

ALTON, Ill., August 26.—The excitement at Worden over the capture of Ed Walker, who murdered Robinson there, last week, is greater than ever.  There are fears that a mob will be organized in Worden and an attempt made to take Walker from the jail in Edwardsville.  The guards have been doubled at the jail, which is in the center of the town, and Sheriff Hotz says he can hold it against an army.  The people of Worden are almost frenzied with rage and Walker would not live fifteen minutes if once in their hands.

(The 18 Aug 1883, issue stated that Ed Walker shot and instantly killed Wiley Robinson on 16 Aug 1883.—Darrel Dexter)
 
Two negroes named Washington Warner and John Phillips quarreled and fought last night in a little shanty on Thirteenth Street back of Cedar, and the former was stabbed four or five times with a knife in the hands of the other, from the effects of which he died in a few moments.  Phillips was Warner’s son-in-law.  He abused his wife yesterday and threatened to kill her.  Warner took up for his daughter and attacked Phillips with an axe, inflicting a bad cut in his head.  Phillips then used his knife, he claims in self-defense.  Report of the affray reached police headquarters almost immediately after and Chief Myers started out in his buggy and was at the scene shortly after.  But Phillips had run away and while the chief was searching for him along the Mississippi Levee, in which direction the fugitive had flown, the latter made a detour and came to police headquarters, where he surrendered himself to Officers Mahanny and McTigue and was taken to the county jail for safekeeping.

(John Phillips married Henrietta Warner on 2 May 1882, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Tuesday, 28 Aug 1883:
The coroner’s inquest over the remains of the negro Washington Warner killed by his son-in-law, John Phillips, in a fight, it was developed that the latter had inflicted the fatal wound in self-defense.  At noon Saturday, Phillips had struck his wife with a stick; she complained to her father; the latter and a young negro named George Washington went to Phillips’ house at night with the avowed purpose of beating him; the old man attacked him as soon as he entered the house, but was himself receiving severe punishment from Phillips, when young George struck Phillips over the head with a club, which caused the bad gash in that individual’s head.  Phillips then ran across the street, followed by old Warner; there the quarrel was continued for a few minutes; then the old man returned to the house, got an axe and attacked Phillips with it.  But Phillips clinched the old man and was thrown to the ground, and while the old man was using his teeth and his fists as best he could, Phillips used his knife cutting several deep gashes in his antagonist’s chest and abdomen, from the effects of which he died.  Phillips gave himself up to Constable Schutter and Officer Mahanny and had his wounds dressed.  These facts indicate that Phillips was justified in doing what he did, but the coroner’s jury did not state this in its verdict.  Phillips ought therefore to have been examined with regard to this matter and either sent to the county jail under a bond or discharged.  But instead of this he was yesterday brought before Magistrate Comings, simply charged with disorderly conduct in that he quarreled with his wife, and fined $10 and costs.  Phillips may be entirely innocent, we believe that he is and so does everybody that knows the circumstance of the trouble in which he was one of the principal actors.  But the killing of a man is a matter of which some judicial notice ought to be taken, is a matter that ought not to be buried out of sight in a charge of “disorderly conduct;” and the “probable guilt or innocence” of a man who inflicts a fatal wound upon a fellow being is always a subject of sufficient importance to require a judicial declaration of some kind.  There must not be any looseness in a matter of such gravity as this is.
 

Wednesday, 29 Aug 1883:
A white man named James Jones died at St. Mary’s Infirmary Monday.  He was found about a week ago by Chief Myers, lying on the floor of the Wabash freight depot in a very sick condition and by him sent to the infirmary.  He was about seventy years old and a tramp, having no relatives and no home anywhere, he said.
 
A negro named George Williams died yesterday afternoon at the house of Pleas. Goodman on lower Commercial Avenue.  He came here in July on the steamer Aleck Swift and has been sick several weeks.  Efforts were being made yesterday afternoon to have him conveyed to the marine hospital; a wagon was on its way to take him to the hospital, but when it got there he was dead.
 

Thursday, 30 Aug 1883:
SUICIDE AT STAUNTON, ILL.

STAUNTON, Ill., August 29.—Further particulars regarding the suicide of Schwalb on the 27th are that he was missed from his boarding place at noon, but no search was made until night.  Then his body was found astride a fence.  A short rifle with the butt on the ground supported his head, through which was a bullet hole.  He was about forty-five years old, and was married five weeks ago to Mrs. James of this place.
 

Friday, 31 Aug 1883:
Murder and Suicide

ELGIN, Ill., August 30.—There was a horrible murder and suicide at 2:45 o’clock this morning, in the Notting House.  Edward F. Josyln, widower, a son of Cole J. Josyln, an honored citizen, shot and killed Etta Buckingham, a lady of pleasing address, but whose reputation was not of the best.  Josyln’s wife died about five years ago, and for the past year he has been attentive to Miss Buckingham.  He became exceedingly jealous of late and has treated her badly.  Josyln made his way to the girl’s room in the hotel this morning, taking off his boots to avoid making a noise.  He was denied admission.  Then he quickly forced the door open.  A scuffle ensued and he drew his revolver, shot her twice, the second ball piercing her heart, and she fell dead.  He stooped for a minute over her and then evidently realizing the work he had done, placed the revolver to his own head and sent a ball through his brain’s, falling dead beside his victim.
 

Saturday, 1 Sep 1883:
Mr. Thomas Conlan, of Charleston, Mo., who was in the city yesterday, stated that Pat Kelly came into Charleston Wednesday, and while on a spree, beat another man up pretty badly.  This man, by way of revenge, gathered up a posse of pals, followed Pat on his way home, attacked him and inflicted the injuries which caused him to lie nearly dead by the roadside until accidentally found.  The attending physician has pronounced the wounds fatal.
 
FUNERAL NOTICE.

Died, last evening between 7 and 8 o’clock, after a lingering illness with consumption, Alie (sp?) Lonergan, aged eighteen years, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Lonergan.  Funeral service will be held at St. Patrick’s Church after 1 o’clock p.m. today and a special train will convey the remains from the foot of Eighth Street to Villa Ridge for interment.  Friends of the family are invited.

(A marker in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads:  Alice E. Lonergan Died Aug. 31, 1883, Aged 19 Years and 30 Days.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Sunday, 2 Sep 1883:
The late Henry Breihan’s business goes on the same as before his death.  Mr. Christ Young, cousin of Mrs. Breihan, is managing it.  The agency of the Best Brewing Company is retained by the new management.
 
A negro fireman on the steamer Fowler, named George McClellan, fell dead Friday just after he had entered his home in Paducah,  Cause unknown.
 

Tuesday, 4 Sep 1883:
Mrs. Jane Putney died yesterday morning at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. George Van Brocklin, on Thirty-second Street.  Funeral this afternoon.
 
Pat Kelly died at his home on the farm of Mr. Joe Clark in Missouri Saturday night.
 

Wednesday 5 Sep 1883:
Mortally Wounded His Wife.

MENDOTA, Ill., Sept. 4—Dr. J. K. Ritchey of this place shot and mortally wounded his wife last evening and then fled.  Officers are now in search of him.
 
An old and well-known farmer of Mississippi County, Mo., named Burns died Saturday evening.  He occupied a farm near Rodney’s switch.
 

Thursday, 6 Sep 1883:
Yesterday, Deputy Sheriff J. L. Prunett, of Alexandria, Ky., came up to take charge of the negro, Elise Thompson, whom Chief Myers and Constable Martin arrested here on Tuesday, and who is charged with shooting a man at Alexandria.  A reward of one hundred dollars was offered for the capture of the negro, which the officers received.

 

Friday, 7 Sep 1883:
Murdered His Wife.

STANFORD, Ky., Sept. 6.—A coroner’s inquest was held yesterday on the body of Christopher Columbus Monday’s wife, who was found in bed at her home with her throat laid wide open from ear to ear, and the testimony showed that the cut could not have been made with a lighter implement than a hatchet, and that Mr. Monday had often threatened to take her life.  Monday is in jail under a strong guard to prevent lynching.  Mrs. Monday procured a divorce from her husband several years since and they were married again a year ago.

 
Saturday, 8 Sep 1883:
A Horrible Death.

MORTON, Ill., Sept. 7.—Mrs. Hayland, sixty-five years of age, and her two grandchildren, aged three and six months respectively, were burned to a crisp in the flames of their own house, which took fire while the parents of the children were away.  The house was dry and burned like paper, while the spectators were compelled to witness the incineration of the unfortunate woman and children without being able to succor them.
 
A white man named John H. Grant came up from Plum Point Thursday night, in a seriously sick condition, and took lodgings at Mr. Joseph Steagala’s.  During the night he got worse, groaned fearfully and called continuously for water which he drank by the quart.  He refused to permit a doctor to be called.  Yesterday morning he was found dead in his bed.  Coroner Fitzgerald held an inquest over the remains and they were buried yesterday at the Seven-mile graveyard.  He was from Rose Clare, Ill.
 

Sunday, 9 Sep 1883:
Suicide.

DECATUR, Ill., Sept. 10.—While suffering from delirium tremens, last night, John V. Wallace, a wealthy dentist, belonging to one of the oldest families of Clinton County, threw himself under a Midland passenger express and was ground to pieces.
 

Wednesday, 12 Sep 1883:
Forty Tons Fall on a Miner.

STAUNTON, Ill., Sept. 11.—About five o’clock last evening a piece of rock, ten feet square and two feet thick, weighing some forty tons, fell from the roof in mine No. 6, catching under one corner, a miner named Martin Scholsser, a foreman, was instantly killed.  It was necessary to get jackscrews to raise the rock from his body.  He has been married about six months.
 
A traveling man named A. Boren died mysteriously at the European Hotel during Monday night.  He was salesman of the wholesale boot and shoe house of Alter, Pinkard & Co., West Pearl Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.  He came here Monday afternoon and put up at the hotel named.  He retired at a reasonable hour, leaving orders to be awakened at 3 o’clock for the Illinois Central train.  When the porter went to wake him as ordered, he found the door locked and could get no response to his calls.  No attention was paid to the man until 9 o’clock in the morning, when another effort was made to arouse him, with like result as before.  Suspicion was then aroused and looking over the transom showed the man lying in bed on his back in a quite natural way, but apparently not breathing.  Chief Myers was sent for and the door was forced open, when it was discovered that Boren was dead.  Corner Fitzgerald was notified and he summoned a jury and held an inquest which revealed nothing that indicated a violent death, and the verdict of the jury was that death resulted from natural causes.  It is believed that apoplexy was the cause, as the man was of heavy build though apparently in fine health and about fifty-five years of age.  Chief Myers telegraphed to Alter, Pinkard & Co., for instructions and received answer to hold the remains on ice until further instructions.  It is believed that deceased was a single man.
 
Monday night about 9 o’clock great excitement was created in the neighborhood of Fifteenth and Walnut streets, by the report that a colored family named Thompson had been poisoned, and that the head of the family, Jerry, had died.  Yesterday’s developments proved the report entirely true.  The family consisted of an old negro named Jerry Thompson, his wife, Mary, and a child, and there were two colored men boarding with them—all but the child were poisoned; but the old man only died.  The poisoning was very evidently the act of a colored woman named Kate Cotton, who lived nearby.  She came to the house in the evening and asked for a cup of coffee, and being told that there wasn’t any she offered to make some.  This she was permitted to do, but by the time she had finished it was supper time, and the men all came home.  She refused to drink and left, saying she had not time then, but would return shortly.  But she did not return, the family and boarders proceeded to take supper, one by one who partook of coffee were attacked by violent cramps in the stomachs, fits of vomiting, and convulsions, and were compelled to go to bed.  Dr. Sullivan and other physicians were called.  The cause of the ailments was at once discovered, and strong antidotes administered.  But in spite of every effort to save him, Jerry Thompson died about midnight.  The others, Mary Thompson, Al Miller, and Louis McMurry, were still alive last evening, Miller was nearly all right, but the others were in a dangerous condition.  Kate Cotton was arrested immediately after the discovery of the poisoning and jailed, and there was attacked with a severe hysterical fit.  Yesterday an inquest was held over the remains of Jerry Thompson, and the evidence plainly pointed to Kate’s guilt.  Kate is now in the county jail.
 

Thursday, 13 Sep 1883:
A brother-in-law of Engineer Frank Cassidy, died at New Madrid yesterday, and Frank left to attend the funeral.  Mr. James Johnson is engineer on the Three States until his return.
 
A man named King, who used to live in Cairo, Tuesday night beat an old man named J. T. Conner, at Ashport, Tenn., 75 miles below here on the Mississippi River, so that it was thought one time he would not live.  The constable in trying to arrest King, found it necessary to shoot the whole top of his head off with a shot gun, after which his arrest was comparatively easy, the man dying instantly.  King is said to have lived in Cairo, and to have lately moved to Ashport.  Capt. Lem Hill, of H. J. Tyler, brought this information late last night.
 
The remains of the man A. Boren, who died so suddenly in his room at the European Hotel Monday night, were conveyed to the Hibernian engine house to be preserved until further instruction from the firm for which he had traveled.  After this had been done, a telegram was received stated that deceased was a Mason, and that a relative would arrive to take charge of the remains.  The Masonic order here at once took charge of the remains and gave them all due attention.  Yesterday the relative, Mr. O. N. Frelagot, arrived from New Harmony, the remains were placed in a handsome coffin and were taken home by last night’s Illinois Central train.  Deceased was a widower and had three grown children and one of about twelve years living.
 

Friday, 14 Sep 1883:
The negroes who were poisoned by the woman Kate Cotton several days ago are recovering, and will probably be alright again in a few days—excepting, of course, Jerry Thompson, who died.  Jerry’s stomach was taken out and sent to Dr. Walton, the lately arrived colored doctor, for examination, but he refuses to make the examination unless paid for it.  The jury in the case was still engaged in the examination of witnesses yesterday, and had not arrived at a verdict last night.  Kate Cotton is in the county jail, having recovered from her severe fit of hysterics.  She was cited before the jury Wednesday but gave not testimony.
 

Saturday, 15 Sep 1883:
The jury in the case of Jerry Thompson did find a verdict without awaiting the result of a scientific analysis of deceased’s stomach, as they well could in view of all the evidence.  The verdict was to the effect that Jerry came to his death by drinking coffee that had been poisoned with arsenic by Kate Cotton.
 

Sunday, 16 Sep 1883:
Anna is somewhat excited over a row that occurred there Friday afternoon, in which John Lord, an officer of the city, was beaten nearly, if not quite, to death.  A party of Johnson County fellows attended the fair near Anna, and while there some bad words were passed between one of these and an Anna man, and Officer Lord took up the quarrel for the latter.  The parties separated, however and went to Anna.  There they met again, and having heard that the officers had boasted that he could whip any of the Johnson County gang, one of these named Jim Arnout went toward the officer with a club and unceremoniously knocked him down, striking him several severe blows on the head after he lay unconscious on the ground.  This done Arnout rejoined his gang and bidding defiance to the crowds that had gathered around them, road out of town.  A few minutes later a posse of armed citizens of Anna went in pursuit, but whether they captured the fugitives or were captured by them we have not learned.
 

Tuesday, 18 Sep 1883:
Gen. Ewing’s Wife Dead.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill., Sept., 17.—Mrs. Caroline S. Ewing, widow of the late Gen. W. L. D. Ewing, died this morning, aged _3.

(William Lee D. Ewing married Caroline L. Berry on 3 May 1827, in Fayette Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
 
A man named Schutz, a German, who had been at work for the government at Plum Point, was taken sick there with malarial fever and put aboard the steamer City of New Orleans to be taken home to St. Louis, where he had relatives living.  But soon after the boat left he died, and when she arrived here yesterday forenoon, his remains were taken off, coffined and buried at the Seven-Mile graveyard.
 
Another accident on the lower end of the Texas & St. Louis road Saturday was the cause of the non-arrival of the train Sunday.  The train that ought to have arrived here at 12:30 p.m. Sunday did not come until about 1:30 yesterday afternoon.  A conductor is said to have been killed in the smashup, but who he was, or any further particulars of the accident could not be learned.
 

Wednesday, 19 Sep 1883:
A FATAL ACCIDENT.

RUSHVILLE, Ill., Sept.18.—The annual fair of Schuyler County is in progress here.  While Hudson Desserron was running a horseback race with another man he was thrown violently against a tree and rebounded twelve feet in the air.  His skull and one hip were broken and he died an hour later.  He leaves a young widow, a daughter of Ephraim Hill, who is frantic with grief.
 
FUNERAL NOTICE.

DIED—Last night about 10:30 o’clock at his home on Twentieth Street, between Poplar Street and Commercial Avenue, after an illness of about ten days, James Malone, aged about fifty-five years.
Funeral will take place Thursday afternoon; remains will be conveyed from the residence to St. Joseph’s Church at 1 o’clock and leaving the church will be conveyed by special train from foot of Twentieth Street, at 2:30 o’clock, to Villa Ridge for interment.

Deceased was one of the oldest citizens in Cairo, having lived here for over 25 years.  He leaves a wife and two sons.
 

Thursday, 20 Sep 1883:
In the evening the case of Kate Cotton, for poisoning Jerry Thompson and his family was taken up and pending this court adjourned until this morning.
 

 

Saturday, 22 Sep 1883:
SHOT ON A FARM.

NEW BURNSIDE, Ill., Sept. 21.—A difficulty occurred on the farm of George Boyer, in the northern part of Johnson County, yesterday evening, resulting in the shooting of Frank Smith by John and Rankin Howerton.  Several shots were fired on both sides.  Smith was struck in the right arm and side, and it is thought he will die.  No arrests have been made.
 
SWALLOWED BY A THRESHER.

CARMI, Ill., Sept., 21.—Green Graham, while threshing at Big Prairie, this county, yesterday, slipped and fell into the mouth of the machine, and before he could be extricated, his leg was torn from his body.  He still survives, but is in a hopeless condition.
 
The case of Kate Cotton was continued by mutual consent to await the result of an analysis of Jerry Thompson’s stomach.
 
A man named Isaiah Evans went with two men into a mine near Carrier Mills, about nine miles up the Wabash road, Thursday morning.  While there they noticed small particles of stone, etc., falling from the ceiling and two of the men, fearing a caving in of the roof, hurried out, but the third, Evans, wouldn’t go and had proceeded but a short distance further when he was buried beneath a huge boulder that broke from the roof and instantly killed.
 

Sunday, 23 Sep 1883:
A negro named Alex Starks died last night on Fourteenth Street.
 

Tuesday, 25 Sep 1883:
L. W. Robertson, cashier box factory this city, received a telegram bringing sad intelligence of the death of his aged grandmother, his mother’s mother, Mrs. A. M. Byers, which occurred the 19th inst., in Opelika, Ala., at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Capt. Frank Watkins.  Mrs. Byers was the eldest sister of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston—the last of the family.  She was born in Mason Co., Ky., May 25th, 1799, and was, therefore, in the 85th year.  Her father, Dr. John S. Johnston, a pioneer resident of Kentucky, moved there in 1793, from Connecticut, bringing with him three sons, older than Mrs. Byers.  One of whom was the illustrious statesman, Josiah Stoddard Johnston, who represented Louisiana in the U. S. Senate so many years.  Mrs. Byers has witnessed many eras in our country’s history, the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War, the War for Texas Independence, and the last of civil strife, in all of which she has seen her nearest of kin sacrificed to the God of War.  Mrs. Byers retained her faculties to a remarkable degree up to her death—which was quiet and peaceful.  “Having reached on life’s highway that stone which marked her highest point and being weary for a moment, she lay down by the wayside for a moment and fell into that dreamless sleep that kisses down her eyelids still.”
 

Wednesday, 26 Sep 1883:
In the September term of the circuit court, which was adjourned late Saturday evening, all the cases against parties in jail, except the single case of the People vs. Kate Williams, alias Kate Cotton, indicted for the murder of Jerry Thompson, were finally disposed of.  The case remaining on docket is the poisoning case, and was continued by agreement in order to five time for an analysis to be made of the stomach of Jerry Thompson. Nine cases in all were tried and disposed of, there being seven convictions and two acquittals.
 

Friday, 28 Sep1 883:
CAIRO, Sept. 27.—The colored people who were poisoned by drinking coffee prepared by Kate Cotton recently are likely to bear the effects all of their lives.  An analysis of the stomach of the man who died will be followed by Kate Cotton’s trial.
 
DECATUR, Sept. 27.—A section of a wagon bridge fell yesterday into the Sangamon River.  John Henry was drowned and William Grass had his leg broken.
 
CLINTON, Sept. 27.—John Hubble, son of a wealthy farmer, was killed in a runaway last evening.
 
The wife of John Parker, who lives near Beech Ridge and is an old citizen of the county, died last Monday and was buried Wednesday.  Mr. Parker is a relative of County Assessor Parker.
 
 
Saturday, 29 Sep 1883:
Killed an Inoffensive Old Man.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill., Sept. 28.--A terrible murder was committed here last Monday night.  A crowd had collected in a barroom of the suburbs to drink and carouse.  Among the number were the two Roechig brothers and two brothers by the name of McCambridge.  It was about 10 o’clock when the trouble began.  They had taken a drink all around and the barkeeper called for money, but nobody wanted to pay.  Each tried to put the treat on the other, and what was first a joke became a quarrel and finally a fight.  Firsts were freely used and several knives were called into requisition.  Patrick McCambridge, father of the McCambridge boys, came into the saloon at this juncture, and seeing his boys were engaged in the fracas sought to take them away.  Then it was that one of the Roechig boys drew his revolver and fired at old man McCambridge, who dropped to the floor and died without a struggle.  The revolver was a forty-four caliber and the ball pierced his heart.  The coroner’s inquest was held Wednesday and the jury returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death from a pistol in the hands of the Roechig brothers.  There is some dispute as to which one fired the fatal shot.  Both have been locked up.  McCambridge was an inoffensive, hard-working old man.  The Roechigs have a rather bad reputation.
 
The little child of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Lentz died last night at 8:20 o’clock of cholera infantum.  Notice of funeral will be duly given.

(The child was the granddaughter of Mrs. George R. Lentz and a daughter of Harry C. and Lillian F. Lentz.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Sunday, 30 Sep 1883:
DIED—Little Rosa Lentz, daughter of Harry C. and Lillian F. Lentz, and granddaughter of E. C. Ford, died Friday evening at half past eight o’clock of cholera infantum, aged 1 year and eight months.  The funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock this (Sunday) afternoon at the parents’ residence.  The body will be taken to Beech Grove for burial.  This little rose bud, the child of many hopes, was apparently in good health three days before her death.
 
 
Wednesday, 10 Oct 1883:
Begged Piteously to be Killed.

BELLEVILLE, Ill., Oct. 9.—A horrible and fatal accident occurred yesterday noon, on the Cairo Short line road, near Centreville Station.  John Sanderson, the conductor of a construction train, fell while running in front of it to make a switching.  He was bruised badly about the head and the lower portion of his body was frightfully mangled.  He begged piteously to be killed in order to be relieved of his sufferings, which, from the nature of the injuries could only be borne for a short time.  He was brought to his home in Belleville at 3 o’clock and died about ten minutes thereafter.  Mr. Sanderson was a native of St. Louis, aged 37, and had been in the employ of the company for 12 years.  He will be buried at 4 this afternoon with Masonic honors, he having been a member of Tancred commandery, Knights Templar.  Mr. Sanderson leaves a wife and four small children.
 
Telegraphic news was received here yesterday evening that Mrs. Kent, mother of Mr. F. S. Kent, formerly of this city, now of Chicago, died in the latter city at 12:45 p.m. yesterday.
 
Paducah News:  “Saturday night last, while the steamer Fowler was enroute from Cairo to this point, a deck passenger named Stone, a gentleman aged about forty years, was mysteriously drowned from the boat when near Chador’s Landing, just below Lower Caledonia.  There are two accounts as to how the man got into the water, one given by two men who were traveling in company with Mr. Stone, and the other by the deckhands of the boat.  The first story is that the man, while leaning on the guards, of the boat, vomiting, he being sick at the time, lost his balance and fell in the water, and the latter is, that the man was shoved or knocked overboard, as there was no place where he could have easily fallen over.  The officers of the boat did not learn that the man was overboard until he had been in the water some time, and it was the only through the talk of the deckhand that they heard of it at all.  The men who were traveling with Stone never spoke about his being overboard and when questioned about it seemed to care but little about his death.  Their silence and little interest would indicate that the intimations of the deckhands of the boat, that Stone was foully dealt with is most likely correct.  It is understood from the officers of the boat, that as soon as the fact became known to them that a man was overboard they turned back searched for him, but to no purpose, he had undoubtedly drowned ere the fact of his falling overboard was made known.  It was also learned that Stone was on his way to Grand Chain, Ill., where he said he lived, but no one on the boat knew anything about him.”

(The 22 Nov 1883, issue states that his name was Strohm and that he did not drown, but only pretended to in order to receive payment on his life insurance policies.—Darrel Dexter)

 
Friday, 12 Oct 1883:
A telegram received Wednesday from Cincinnati, by Mrs. Frank Gazzola, announced the serious illness of Mrs. Gazzola’s mother in that city.  Mrs. G. and her sister, Mrs. Smedly, left the same day at attend their mother’s bedside.
 
A colored man named William Davis was brought into the city on the Texas and St. Louis road last evening and taken to St. Mary’s Infirmary to be cared for, having been horribly wounded, on the road named at Malden, Mo.  He, with a number of other men, was sitting upon a flat car going to or coming from work when the engine gave a sudden start, jerked the car away from under him causing him to fall between the cars upon the track.  One of his feet was cut off and the other leg was cut off close to the body.  He died at the Infirmary a few hours after he had been brought there.  He was a young man, a resident of Pulaski County.  His brother accompanied him here and was last night trying to collect enough money to take the remains home for burial.
 
 
Sunday, 14 Oct 1883:
Suicide at Alton

ALTON, Ill., Oct. 13.—Joseph Murphy, a prominent butcher of Alton, hung himself last night at his residence in North Alton.  He had been sick for several days and while left alone, arose from the bed, went to the barn, took a halter from the rack, tied one end over a beam and the other around his neck, and was dead when his body was found by his wife some time later.  Mental aberration is supposed to have caused the suicide.
 
A young boy of Mr. Harry Kennedy, an engineer, living on Fifth Street near Washington Avenue, died Friday night of brain fever.  The remains will be interred today.  Mr. Kennedy’s whole family, all but himself, has been sick for some time.
 
Friday night a man at Norfolk, Mo., named William O’Bryant, shot and killed another man named Lucas.  O’Bryant’s dog had killed one of Lucas’ hogs.  The latter took a shot gun and was about to kill the dog when O’Bryant shot him.

(The 21 Oct 1883, issue gives his name as Billy O’Brien.—Darrel Dexter)
 
 
Sunday, 21 Oct 1883:
Billy O’Brien, who shot the old negro Lucas, in Mississippi County, Mo., some time ago, is out on bail, having given bond in the sum of $5,000 for his appearance before an examining court on Monday the 22d inst.

(The 14 Oct 1883, issue gives his name as William O’Bryant.—Darrel Dexter)
 
A white man named Frank Russell, who was found by the officers lying in the street sick, was sent to the marine hospital yesterday. Tuesday Chief Myers found a white man lying back of the Illinois Central round house so sick that he could hardly speak.  As near as the chief could understand the faint utterances of the man, his name was Sherbert, and he was from Chicago.  The man was taken to St. Mary’s Infirmary, where he died the same night.
 

Friday, 26 Oct 1883:
DIED—Yesterday afternoon at three o’clock Gustave George, son of Jacob and Wilhelmine Walter, aged 8 months and 1 day.  Funeral services will take place at residence at half past two this afternoon.  A special train will leave foot of 8th Street at 3 o’clock for Beech Grove Cemetery.  Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited.

            (Jacob Walter married Wilhelmine Lem on 30 Nov 1868, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)
 

Saturday, 3 Nov 1883:

Detective Browning, of St. Louis, left here last p.m. with his wounded prisoner, Louis French, who stands accused with murder.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

            DIED—Yesterday at noon, Daniel, the youngest child of Peter and Mary Caraher, after a brief illness of congestion of the lung, aged three years and seven months.

            Funeral will take place today, remains will be conveyed from the residence to St. Patrick’s Church, at 1 p.m. and leaving the church, will then be conveyed by special train, from the foot of Eighth Street to Villa Ridge for interment.  Friends of the family are invited.

Sunday, 4 Nov 1883:

AN ALTON COWARD.

            ALTON, Ill., Nov. 3.—John W. Hoil, an engineer of Ground’s Mill, committed suicide at an early hour this morning by taking laudanum.  He lingered until about 8 o’clock when death came.  He left several letters, two or three addressed to his children, and one to his employers.  He leaves a wife and three or four children.  The reason for the act, as given in the letters mentioned is melancholy and poor health.

Tuesday, 6 Nov 1883:

A four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Resch, on 8^th street, died yesterday morning of croup and will be buried today.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

            Died, yesterday, at 6 o’clock a.m., Lizzie, four-year-old daughter of Lizzie and Valentine Resch.

Funeral will occur this afternoon.  Remains will be taken from residence on Eighth Street to St. Patrick’s Church, at 1:30 o’clock.  Special funeral train will leave foot of Eighth Street for Villa Ridge at 2 o’clock.

            (Valentine Resch married Elizabeth Klein on 26 Dec 1870, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)

Willis Littrel, a prominent farmer of Hardin County, accidentally shot himself last week, dying in a few hours from the wound.  Speaking of the accident, the Hardin Independent says: 

            “The tragic death of Willis Littrel Sunday evening near Cave-in-Rock, furnishes the third link of coincidences in that locality.  On Sunday night before the fourth Monday in October, 1881, Nancy Roland, living with Dr. Hill, retired at night apparently as healthful as ever, but was a corpse the next morning.  On the same night, before the same, Monday of the same months, just a year later, Dr. Grace, Cave-in-Rock’s popular doctor, retired feeling as well as ever, but was a corpse the next morning.  And now comes the sad fate of Mr. Littrel, on the same night of the same Monday of the same month.  This furnishes plenty of food for the superstitious in that section, who are fearfully awaiting the next year to roll around.

Saturday, 10 Nov 1883:

Coroner Fitzgerald last evening summoned a jury of six to inquire into the circumstances of the death of John Lally.  The jury met at police headquarters last night and examined a number of witnesses who testified to facts as given in an account elsewhere.  Dr. G. G. Parker testified that the man’s hips were crushed and that the immediate cause of death was nervous shock and internal hemorrhage.  The jury was in until after 9 o’clock and finally returned a verdict in accordance with the facts as elsewhere detailed, blaming no one for the accident.  The jury was composed of Mr. John G. Turner, foreman; Mr. William White, Mr. Samuel Burger, Mr. E. Spencer, and Mrs. W. H. Schutter.

A white man named John Lally was injured in the Illinois Central yards, near the incline yesterday morning in a manner that caused his death about two hours afterward.  He was one of the car repairers employed in the yards and was engaged in repairing a car, working at some part of the running gear, but had failed to place a red flag in the ground ahead of the car as is customary in order to warn switchmen and engineers not to shove other cars onto the track.  An engine was engaged in switching cars in the yards and shoved another car onto this side track, which struck the flat car with considerable force before Lally was aware that it was coming.  Lally was standing behind the car holding onto an iron bar that Mr. Welsh who was under the car, was driving out with a sledge.  When the car struck the end of the bar struck him in the stomach and knocked him down.  He fell with his hips across the rail and was caught by the advancing wheel and shoved along just about six feet, when the car stopped and moved forward again nearly a foot.  His hips were crushed horribly.  The wounded man was taken up, placed on a flat car and bought down to the stone depot.  Though he must have been in great pain, he was very quiet and answered questions almost as deliberately as though he were not hurt.  He protested against being sent to St. Mary’s Infirmary and requested to be taken to his home on Eighth Street, near Cedar, which request was complied with.  Arrived at home, Drs. Parker were called, and they did all in their power for the wounded man, but he was beyond the saving power of surgery and medicine, and died about an hour afterward.  He was about thirty years of age; he leaves a wife and two or three children; he has lived in this city for six or eight years and been an excellent citizen and universally liked neighbor.  His remains will probably be interred today.

Sunday 11 Nov 1883:

Mr. Michael Hoar, an old citizen of Cairo and for many years connected with the Illinois Central Railroad Company here, died yesterday morning about 7 o’clock at St. Mary’s Infirmary, where he had been for but a few days.  He was about fifty-five years of age.  He leaves a wife and several more distant relatives.  He was a most faithful employee and an exemplary citizen, whose sudden demise will be generally regretted.

The funeral of the late John Lally occurred yesterday afternoon.  The remains were taken from the residence on Eighth Street to St. Patrick’s Church, where services were held, and from thence to the special train at the foot of Eighth Street, which conveyed them to Villa Ridge for interment.  A large number of friends accompanied them to the grave.

Tuesday, 13 Nov 1883:

The remains of the late Michael Hoar were interred at Villa Ridge yesterday afternoon.  The funeral was largely attend by friends of deceased, principally railroad men.

            (A marker in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge reads:  In Memory of Michael Hoar Who Died Nov. 10, 1883 Also His Wife Ellen Hoar Native of County Rosscommon, Ireland, Aged 56 Years.—Darrel Dexter)

The five-year-old son of Mrs. Belle Laycock, on Fifth Street, died early Sunday morning.

DIED—yesterday morning, at 4 o’clock, at her residence on Fifth Street, Mrs. Mary Maddock, aged 75 years.  Funeral services will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at 2 p.m. today.  A special train will leave foot of Eighth Street at half past two for Villa Ridge.  Friends of the family are invited to attend.

A telegram was receive Sunday by Mr. W. E. Gholson in this city, from his brother, Mr. F. F. Gholson, in Louisville, Ky., announcing the death of the latter’s wife, at Louisville Sunday forenoon.  The remains of deceased will be interred at Louisville.  Mrs. Gholson was afflicted with consumption and her death from this disease was assured some time before she left here, though it was hoped that by removing from here her life would be prolonged longer than it was.

Another accident occurred Sunday morning in the Illinois Central Railroad Company’s yards in this city, in which a young man named Thomas Walsh, a switchman in the yards, was almost instantly killed.  Walsh was standing near a car that stood close to a switch, where two tracks ran so close to a switch that a car coming down the other track must have nearly struck the end of the stationary car.  He did not notice a train coming down the other track and before he did notice it he was caught between the stationary and the moving cars and shoved or twisted along to where the cars nearly met, crushing the shoulders hips and head all out of shape.  He was dead before he fell.  His remains were conveyed to his house on Twenty-seventh Street where a horrified and grief-stricken wife received them.  The pressure of his body between the cars was so great that the sides of the cars were cracked.

Wednesday, 14 Nov 1883:

Several days ago a man named Lambert Borden came down the Ohio River in a little old covered flat boat and anchored in front of the box factory.  He was not well and probably stopped before proceeding further down the river.  Very little was known of him, as he remained on his boat nearly all the time.  But yesterday morning it was found that his boat had sunk the night before and it is thought that he went down with it and was drowned; though his body could not be found.  Where he came from is not known.  His boat and effects are still lying where he anchored when he came.

            (The 18 Nov 1883, issue reported that he was not dead.—Darrel Dexter)

The funeral of Mrs. Mary Maddock occurred yesterday afternoon.

FUNERAL NOTICE

            DIED—Tuesday, November 13^th, at 4:30 o’clock p.m., at the residence of Mrs. Nugent, corner Twenty-seventh and Poplar streets, Timothy Hessian, aged fifty-three years.

            Remains will be conveyed from residence at 1 o’clock p.m., today, to St. Joseph’s Church, where services will be held, and from there they will be conveyed to special train at foot of Fourteenth Street to be taken to Villa Ridge for interment.  Friends are invited to attend.

            Deceased had lived in Cairo for upwards of twenty years, during which time he proved himself to be an honest, industrious man and a good citizen in very respect.  A son and daughter survive him, the former being employed in the New York Store.

Friday, 16 Nov 1883:

An old citizen of this county named Hudson, died yesterday at his home near Hodges Park.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

            ONETTO—Died Nov. 15^th, at 1 a.m. in her 65^th year, the beloved mother of Mrs. Frank Gazzolo and Mrs. Bud Smedley.

            Funeral from the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Gazzolo, corner of Eighth Street and Ohio Levee, Nov. 17^th, at 2 p.m.  Special train will convey the remains to Villa Ridge for interment.  Friends are invited.

            (Louisa Magdelin Onetto married William Smidley on 5 Apr 1874, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)

Sunday, 18 Nov 1883:

The funeral of Mrs. Onetto, mother of Ms Frank Gazzolo and Mrs. Bud Smedley, occurred yesterday afternoon.  The remains were taken from the residence at the corner of Eighth Street and Ohio levee at St. Patrick’s Church where services were held.  A special train conveyed them from Eighth Street to Villa Ridge for interment.  Many friends attended the funeral.

The man Borden who it was reported had drowned in his sunken flatboat near the box factory, Monday, is alive and well stopping at the house of Mr. Robert Bibbs, on Commercial Avenue near Carle’s livery stable.  He had left the boat before it went down and made his home with Mr. Bibbs in order to have some care and get well.  He is much amused at the positive reports of his death, which were telegraphed to all parts of the country.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

            DIED—yesterday afternoon at 1 o’clock, Mrs. M. K. Sanders, wife of Herman Sanders, in the 39^th year of her age.

            Funeral services will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at half past two o’clock this (Sunday) afternoon.  The funeral cortege will leave the house at 2 p.m.  A special train will leave foot of Eight Street for Villa Ridge at 3 o’clock.  Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend.

Wednesday, 21 Nov 1883:

A man named Henry Brinkman, well known in this city, was found dead near one of the lakes in Kentucky last evening.  The cause of the death was evidently exposure.  The last time he was seen in this city was about two days ago and he was not well then.  Some time ago he was barkeeper for Mr. Louis Herbert of the European Hotel on the levee.  Since that time he has occupied himself in hunting and fishing, and disposing of the products of his work in this city.  He was about thirty-five years old and without a family.

Thursday, 22 Nov 1883:

Jonathon Haskell, the evangelist who created somewhat of a stir here several years ago by a new religious departure, died Monday morning at Louisville.

Our readers will remember a notice in these columns some time ago, of the reported drowning off the steamer Fowler on her way up, of a man named Strohm, living near Grand Chain.  There were some circumstances connected with the affair which looked very suspicious and convinced nearly everybody that there was something crooked about the drowning.  Strohm’s body was not recovered, but some day afterwards he “turned up” alive and well, saying that he saw ashore and wandered around the woods for about a week before going home, in the meantime permitting the public and his family to believe he was drowned.  His story was very improbable, and the case attracted considerable attention.  It now transpires that he was a party with two young men, also citizens of Grand Chain, named respectively Yohkum and Ellenswood, to a conspiracy to defraud various insurance companies out of the insurance on Strohm’s life.  Strohm was a member of the K & L of H, insured for $3,000, and it is said, was insured in other organizations for about $7,000, making in all about $10,000.  He was to remain away until the insurance was paid to his mourning wife, who was unconscious of the scheme, then return and share the money with his pals.  But the K & L of H hesitated about paying and threatened an investigation; Strohm became scared and impatient at the delay and returned home telling his lame story in explanation of his absence.  But the investigation was made nevertheless, and last Monday all three men were arrested at Grand Chain and jailed.  An examination was to have been had the same day and Judge R. S. Yocum, of this city, who was there then, was solicited by the defendants to appear for them, but he declined, and the examination was perhaps deferred.  It is understood now that Strohm has made a full confession of the whole scheme, giving the facts above detailed.

            (The 10 Oct 1883, issue reported his falling overboard and reportedly drowning, but gives his name as Stone.—Darrel Dexter)

Saturday, 24 Nov 1883:

Small pox has become epidemic in Stone Fort, Saline County, and the state board of health has been applied to for relief.  Dr. Ranch, secretary of the board, is there to crush out the disease.  Two deaths have occurred in all.  Cairo is entirely free from the disease or any contagious disease, and her pest house is closed.

Tuesday, 27 Nov 1883:

Report reached here last night that in a quarrel at Hodge’s Park yesterday afternoon, a white man, whose name we could not learn, was shot and mortally wounded by the saloon keeper there named French Jones.  The wounded man had a bullet hole in the abdomen and through the left thigh.  When the St. Louis and Cairo train passed through the place, he was lying on the porch of a house in a dying condition.  No further particulars could be had here.

            (The 28 Nov 1883, issue gives the wounded man’s name as Norman High, while the 29 Dec 1883, issue states the man’s name was Hite, and the 2 Dec 1883, issue gives his name as Noah High.—Darrel Dexter)

Wednesday, 28 Nov 1883:

The name of the man shot at Hodges Park Monday was Norman High, and the shootist was a son of Jones, the saloon keeper.  The former was said to be a desperado and made some dangerous demonstrations toward young Jones, which it is believed, justified the latter in shooting.  No news as to High’s condition yesterday reached this city.

            (The 29 Dec 1883, issue states his name was Hite, and the 2 Dec 1883, issue gives his name as Noah High.—Darrel Dexter)

Thursday, 29 Nov 1883:

A BULLY SHOT BY A BOY

            CAIRO, Ill., Nov. 28.—A bad shooting affray took place at Hodge’s Park Monday night.  A desperado named Hite, a late arrival in the community, whom the citizens had learned to fear and despise, entered the saloon of French Jones, and began to destroy the furniture, and maltreated the inmates.  At last he threw a spittoon in the bar keeper’s son, a mere boy, who at once opened fire with a revolver, firing five shots, one taking effect in Hite’s right side, passing the lungs and another through the leg.  The first shot will probably cause his death.

            (The 28 Nov 1883, issue gives the wounded man’s name as Norman High, and the 2 Dec 1883, issue as Noah High.—Darrel Dexter)

Friday, 30 Nov 1883:

The report that Paddy Hughes, the steamboatman, well known here, was drowned in Lake Michigan off a craft that was caught in a storm is untrue.  City Clerk Foley received a letter from Paddy a day or two ago in which the latter says he is in Michigan City, Ind., and all right.

The man, Noah High, shot by young Jones at Hodges Park several days ago, died Tuesday night from the effects of the wounds.  Sheriff Hodges, who was there at the time, arrested young Jones, and brought him down here for safekeeping.  Wednesday he took his prisoner back to attend a coroner’s inquest conducted by Coroner Fitzgerald.  The inquest was in progress all day Wednesday until noon, when the jury retired to find a verdict.  Dr. Nowotney performed the surgical work for the jury, on its inquest for the cause of death.  The body of deceased was turned over to his brother for interment at Commercial Point.  What the verdict of the jury was had not been conveyed here last night, but the general impression of those who attended the inquest and who knew the circumstances is that no blame can be attached to young Jones.

Sunday, 2 Dec 1883:

Another Coward Dies.

            BELLEVILLE, Ill., Dec. 1.—A pistol shot startled the both keepers and late purchasers in the market house about nine o’clock yesterday and the man who fired it dropped to the pavement dead, with a bullet hole through the brain. Bystanders rushed to the spot and raising the head of the suicide, were amazed to recognize the features of Charles Stark, the market weighmaster.  He was talking to Mayor Weber a few moments before he fired the shot and no one suspected his intentions of taking his life.  He was at the nailfeeders’ ball until 12 o’clock last night.  Stark leaves a widow and several small children.

The coroner’s jury in the case of Noah High, at Hodges Park, found a verdict clearing young Jones of all blame for the shooting High, and the young man was released.

Tuesday, 4 Dec 1883:

A dispatch from an officer here of Vicksburg, to Chief Myers here, asks for information concerning the death in this city about two weeks ago of one William Barton.  No such person died here so far as known.

            (The 5 Dec 1883, issue stated that William Barton was the same person identified as Lambert Borden in the 14 Nov 1883, issue.—Darrel Dexter)

Mr. William Trigg, aged father of Wilton Trigg, died yesterday morning at his residence, corner Fifth and Walnut street.  He had been sick for some time on congestion of the stomach.  He was about sixty four years of age, and had lived here about eight years.  Services were held at the residence last evening and the remains will be taken to Madison, Ind.

FUNERAL NOTICE

            DIED—On Monday morning the 3d inst., at seven o’clock, May J., wife of Marion C. Adams.

Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. J. A. Scarret at the Limbert house, corner Commercial Avenue and Seventeenth Street, at 10:30 o’clock this (Tuesday) morning Dec. 4^th.  The remains will be interred in the Cobden cemetery.  A special car will be attached to the 12:25 p.m. train, on the I. C. R.R., which will return late in the afternoon.  The presence of friends at the services will be appreciated.

            (The 8 Dec 1883, Jonesboro Gazette identified her as Mrs. C. M. Adams and stated she died Sunday, 2 Dec 1883.—Darrel Dexter)

Wednesday 5 Dec 1883:

Found Dead While Seeking Pension

            CHARLESTON, Mo., Dec. 4.—A train on the Texas & Cairo branch of the I. M. Road ran over and killed an old soldier at this place yesterday.  From papers found on the body, the name of the unfortunate man was Augustus Curtis.  He resided in Arkansas and had been on a journey into Illinois in search of proof to make good his claim for a pension.  He was a private in Company A, 110^th Illinois Volunteers; the number of his application for pension is 288,490.  He was on his way back to Arkansas where it is evident he had a family.

The man Barton, referred to in a dispatch to Chief Myers Monday, is the man who was reported drowned in a little shanty boat sunk at the box factory some time ago, but was subsequently turned up alive and well.  It seems that he is as persistent to remain among the living as the press and telegraph have been to send him into the blue beyond by way of the rolling Ohio.  He will conquer if he but hold out a little while longer.

            (The man is same person identified as Lambert Borden in the 14 Nov 1883, issue.—Darrel Dexter)

Tuesday, 6 Dec 1883:

Acquitted for One Murder and Fitted Up got Another

            BELLEVILLE, Ill., Dec. 5.—The trial of William Melleville, for the murder of Walter Smythe, at the public schools picnic, in East St. Louis, on June 30, resulted in acquittal.  The jury returned a verdict of not guilty at 5 o’clock yesterday after an hour’s deliberation.  There was great conflict in the evidence, that of the prosecution going to show that Melleville was crazed with drink and was shooting at his supposed enemies when Smythe dropped dead.  Melleville had been stabbed shortly before this, and was covered with blood, and the jury probably sympathized with the row, and was peacefully walking along the street he was shot dead, supposedly by Melleville.  After the trial Melleville was freely treated by hi friends, one presenting him with a well-filled bottle.

KILLED IN A DESPERATE COMBAT.

            VANDALIA, Ill., Dec. 5.—News has just reached here of a desperate fight in Kinmundy that evening in which James Harmon, a well-to-do farmer residing at Lexington this county, was killed.

FOUGHT UNDER BONAPARTE.

            BELLEVILLE, Ill., Dec. 5.—The funeral of Christian Ganet occurred this afternoon.  He was the oldest man in the county, being over 90 years and it is claimed he fought under Bonaparte

Friday, 7 Dec 1883:

A FARMER FATALLY WOUNDED.

            QUINCY, Ill., Dec. 6.—Martin Hoage, the Marion County (Mo.) farmer whose gun exploded Saturday and drove the breach pin into the head and brain, and who came alone over fifteen miles to Quincy and had it taken out, is still alive, but his son, who was here yesterday, said he was growing worse.

Saturday, 8 Dec 1883:

ZORA BURNS’ BODY

            CORNLAND, Ill., Dec. 7.—Coroner Rayden and R. Miller arrived yesterday to exhume the remains of Zora Burns, take a plaster cast of the wound and make a more complete examination of the body.  The Board of Supervisors of Lincoln County, Wednesday, voted $1,000 to aid in the prosecution.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

            DIED.—Thursday night, 11:30, at her home in this city, Mrs. Catharine Cheney, wife of James Cheney, aged twenty-eight years.

            Funeral will leave residence, corner 15^th and Cedar streets at 2 o’clock p.m., today, for special train at foot of 14^th street which will convey the remains to Villa Ridge for interment.  Friends are invited.

            (James Cheney married Katie Schmitt on 15 May 1878, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)

Mrs. Catharine Cheney nee Smith, died at 11:30 o’clock Thursday night, after an illness of about six months.  She was the last of the family of Smiths who were among the first settlers in Cairo.  She was only twenty-eight years of age and seemed to be destined to live many years, yet, but consumption, which had taken away several members of the family before her also brought her to an untimely grave.  Three children, all boys, and husband, survive her.

Sunday, 9 Dec 1883:

FUNERAL NOTICE.

            DIED.—Friday evening at 5:30 o’clock at the residence of her father, Chesley Haynes, corner of 20^th and Poplar streets, Mrs. Edmonia Minihan, aged 19 years.

Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph’s Church at 1:30 o’clock p.m., today.  Special train will leave foot of Fourteenth Street at 2:30 o’clock to convey remains to Villa ridge for interment.  Friends are invited.

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT.

            At a meeting of the Woman's Club and Library Association, held at the library room December 5^th, 1883, the following resolutions of respected were adopted.

            Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father in his infinite mercy to remove from our midst our friend and co-worker Mary J. Adams, we, the members desire to testify respect for her memory and express earnest sympathy with the household in their bereavement.  Therefore be it

            Resolved, That in her death the Association has lost an efficient member and a true-hearted friend,

            Resolved, That we hereby extend to the bereaved husband, mother, sister and brothers, the sincere sympathy of each member of the Association in this mournful dispensation which has fallen upon them.

            Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family, also published in each of the daily papers and placed on file.

Mrs. W. R. Smith,

Mrs. P. E Powell,

Mrs. H. E. Spaulding

Mrs. M. Easterday, Committee

Thursday, 13 Dec 1883:

Old “Lucky Bill,” who was reported drowned off a boat going down river some time ago, is hard at work picking cotton at Osceola.  While here he spent most of his time on the city shovel brigade, commanded and drilled by Constable Haz. Martin.

Saturday, 16 Dec 1883:

HANGED HIMSELF.

            CLINTON, Ill., Dec. 15—Lincoln Gardiner, a much respected young man 21 years of age, Thursday evening ended his life by hanging himself.  He was the son of a prominent farmer, and always bright and cheerful.  Why he should commit suicide is unknown.

Thursday, 20 Dec 1883:

DEATH BEFORE THE PEN.

            STERLING, Ill., Dec. 19.—John Booth was convicted of burglary at the repent term of court and his punishment was assessed at one year’s imprisonment.  The verdict had a very depressing effect on the prisoner, who has been morose and uncommunicative ever since.  He seemed to dread removal to the penitentiary.  This morning he was found dead in his cell by the jailor.  Both had improvised a rope and during the night succeeded in strengthening himself.  The surroundings showed that the desperate man only accomplished his object with great difficulty.

Saturday, 22 Dec 1883:

An old lady named Mrs. Harrington died at her home up town Friday morning at the advanced age of eighty-five years.  She will be remembered by many citizens who may have seen her every day for some years carrying a large can full of milk about the city, retailing it out to her customers.  She was a remarkable woman, as strong and agile as a well-conditioned man of thirty-five and apparently less than fifty years old.  Her husband and several children survive her, the former being a year and a half older than deceased.  A daughter fifty-four years of age was expected to arrive yesterday from Texas, and the funeral will probably take place today.

State Register:  “Hon. Sidney Grear, whose serious illness was told in a recent number of the Register, died on the 18^th instant at his home in Jonesboro, Union County.  Mr. Grear was one of the two Democratic members of the Thirty-third General Assembly from the Fiftieth senatorial district, and was a rising young lawyer, a member of the firm of Crawford & Grear.  He was born at Jonesboro, March 28, 1854, and therefore in this thirtieth year, at the time of his death.  Mr. Grear graduated from the Southern Illinois Normal University and then became principal of the public schools of his native town.  During his service in that capacity he read law with Gov. John Dougherty and was admitted to the bar in 1878.  He was elected to the last legislature by a plurality of 6,000 votes over Thomas M. Logan, a brother of John A. Logan.  He attracted considerable attention during the session as one of the nine Democrats who stood by the Harper high license bill.  Sidney Grear was a young man of good parts, whose early death has cut short a promising career.  He leaves a wife and one child.

            (The 22 Dec 1883, Jonesboro Gazette stated that Sidney Grear died 18 Dec 1883, of congestion of the bowels, aged 32 years, 1 month, 11 days.  His marker in Jonesboro Cemetery gives his age as 31 Yrs., 1 Mo., 11 Dys.—Darrel Dexter)

Friday, 28 Dec 1883:

Henry Renfro, a farmer living about five miles above the city in this county, while going home from here in his wagon last Saturday night, fell from his wagon when near his home and received injuries from which he died very soon after.  He was found lying in the road soon after he had fallen and was carried to a house nearby, where he died.

Saturday, 29 Dec 1883:

MRS. PITCHER DEAD.

            Last night about 6:45 Mrs. W. F. Pitcher died at her house uptown, surrounded by members of her family and a few friends.  Her sickness had been a protracted one, but up to a day or two ago, she was thought to be improving.  She was much improved just previous to the wedding of Miss Annie, but grew gradually worse after that until death relieved her from her sufferings.  The funeral will probably not take place until tomorrow.

News reached here yesterday of the death of Mr. M. M. Yourd, a former Cairoite and well known here now.  He moved from here to McKinney, Tex., where he followed his trade of painter and had been doing well for some time before his death, which occurred last Christmas.  His wife survives him.

The cause of Mrs. Pitcher’s death was heart disease, which she had been prostrated for several months.  Mrs. Clark was telegraphed to before leaving St. Louis, and she returned home in time to attend her mother’s deathbed.

            (Annie P. Pitcher married Edward S. Clark on 25 Dec 1883, in Alexander Co., Ill.—Darrel Dexter)

DIED.

            At 6:45Friday evening, Mrs. W. F. Pitcher, in the 58^th year of her age.  Services at residence on 25^th Street at 2 o’clock this (Sunday) afternoon.  Remains will be conveyed to Beech Grove Cemetery for interment.  Friends of the family are invited.

The Cairo Argus and Mound City Journal

(The Argus-Journal)

Saturday, 7 Jul 1883:
Joseph Horn, a watchman on the government survey boat moored here, died last night from the effect of congestive chill.

D. C. Culley, son of Prof. Culley, superintendent of the Paducah public schools, committed suicide, by blowing his brains out with a pistol, last Wednesday. He was a young married man, and on Sunday last his wife died. This calamity appears to have induced his deed of self destruction. Young Culley resided in this city for some time and for a while was employed as local or river editor on the Bulletin. He was also prominent in temperance and religious meetings here for a time.

The Bulletin says the D. C. Cully who suicided, is brother to the Cully who formerly was connected with that office, whose name was M. F. Cully.

MURDER ON THE WABASH ACCOMODATION LAST NIGHT AT MOUND CITY

The Murderer and His Victim Both Wabash Employees

A Section Hand Kills Bridge Carpenter John Kane

            Last evening about 8 o’clock, on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific accommodation train which left here late about 7 o’clock, as it approached the Mound City depot, a white man named John Kane was shot and killed by a colored man named Nelson Howard.

            Both men were in the employ of the Wabash road.  Mr. Kane was a fine mechanic, who was employed in building new cradles for the incline of the road here, and boarded at Mr. Joe Steagala’s  He was a quiet, peaceable man, unmarried and much respected by his associates and all who knew him.  He had been called to Carmi by his superior, Mr. Bradley, master bridge builder of this division of the Wabash, and was on his way there last night.  Nelson Howard is a section hand on the Wabash road, and lives at New Grand Chain.  He is a good hand, being quiet and industrious.

            The nature of the trouble between the men is not known.  Both had probably been drinking some during the day, and this is supposed to have led to the tragedy.  The story appearing most reliable is that the men got into a wordy quarrel and about the first thing known was than Kane had drawn his pistol, which Howard took away from him and with which he shot Kane twice.  The first shot took effect on his forehead, but glanced off and is thought by some to have been fired while the men were struggling for the pistol.  The second shot took effect in his chest, from which wound he died about 10 o’clock.  After the shooting he was found to be stabbed also, in the back, and the supposition is that Howard first stabbed him, and that this caused Kane to draw his revolver.

            When the train stopped, pursued by officers and others, but he escaped in the darkness.  This morning he was arrested and he is in jail at Mound City.

            Kane was carried into the waiting room of the depot at Mound City, and Dr. N. R. Casey was called, but nothing could be done for the wounded man.  He became unconscious soon after the shooting and remained so until he died.  The coroner’s inquest was held at Mound City this morning.

THE MURDER ON THE TRAIN
John Kane Killed by Nelson Howard
The Murderer Hanged by a Mob.
The True Story and the Whole Story.
Daily of Friday (6 Jul 1883)

            The coroner’s inquest over the remains of John Kane at Mound City yesterday occupied nearly all day, the verdict being that the deceased was murdered by Nelson Howard, colored.

            The most important witness examined was Mr. John Lane of Mounds Junction.  He and Kane sat together on the right hand steps of the forward end of the car upon which the tragedy was performed.  As the engine whistled for Mound City, Howard came out of the car, placed a hand on each rail of the steps over Kane and Lane swung out over them looking ahead and hit each of them with his feet.  Lane spoke and said, “Don’t wait on us,” not seeing who the person was or looking back.  Howard gave some impudent answer.  Kane asked him where he was going.  He said he was going to Grand Chain.  Kane told him he had better get back into the car then, and stay until the train reached Grand Chain.  Howard said he had a message to deliver at Mound City and would step off there if he had “to walk over you fellows.”  Lane then told Howard to wait until the train stopped, when he was going to get off and Howard could get off at the same time.  Howard then asked Kane where he was going.  Kane replied, to Carmi.  Then Howard told him in a quite provoking manner that he should be back in the Carmi car and not sitting there.  With that Kane rose to his feet and told the Negro to get back in the car and stay there until the train reached Grand Chain, or he would make him, at the same time pulling a revolver and holding it down as though to intimidate but not to use it.  Howard grasped the revolver and a struggle commenced for the possession of it, during which it went off the first time, the shot flying between them and doing no damage.  Then they had reached the door and fell into the car, Kane underneath.  While they were lying on the floor Kane’s feet sticking out of the door, Lane heard two more shots fired, and then he jumped off the car.  Lane and Kane were not acquainted, but the train being crowded with passengers had accidentally taken the seat further on the steps, as stated.  Lane says Kane talked very pleasantly and intelligently on the way up and though apparently slightly under the influence of liquor was not much intoxicated.  He says the Negro was evidently under the influence of liquor somewhat.  He is certain that Kane had not the most remote intention of using his pistol, except to frighten the Negro away from them.

            The car is an old baggage, mail and express car.  The end in which the tragedy was finished was hammed full of colored people, no whites being among them.  A small passageway runs from the express and past the mail apartment to the baggage room.  The mail car was crowed with ladies and gentleman among them being Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Higgins, of Olmsted, and the conductor Mr. A. B. Gibson was in there.  When the firing commenced he looked forward through a grated window just in time to witness the fourth and last shot fired.  Kane had raised up nearly erect, with his hands up and open in imploring attitude and head thrown, around partly over his right shoulder as if to see whether no help was coming, when Howard raised his pistol to Kane’s temple, exclaimed “Take that, you d----d s—of a b---c” and fired.  Kane fell again to rise no more.  About this time the train came to a stand at the depot.  Conductor Gibson pushed through towards the murderer, who jumped off the train and ran.  Gibson chased him to the woods, sending several shots after him, but without effect.  Some boys also followed.

            Dr. B. C. Taber made an examination of the wounds for the coroner’s jury, and found the deceased was hit by three shots, either one of two inflicting fatal wounds.  Another was a glancing shot on the ribs making only an unimportant flesh wound.  One fatal shot was in the left side below the heart, the other was the shot in the temple.  Neither of these shots went through.

            Soon after the train had left the wounded man at the station and proceeded on its way, Deputy Sheriff Painter and City Marshal Rose took a buggy and proceeded to Grand Chain, anticipating that the murderer would go home.  He lived in a shanty about a quarter of a mile south of the New Grand Chain station.  They arrived there soon after daylight, found Howard had got there about an hour before and was in bed.  They called him to the door, covered him with their pistols and dragged him out, probably before he had recovered from his surprise, not anticipating that the officers could reach there so soon, or even that they had identified him as the murderer.  Under the head of his bed were found two revolvers, from one of which two shots had been fired and from the other three.  The former is supposed to have been Kane’s pistol, although Howard said his brother, who was on the train with him, had Kane’s pistol.  Howard admitted to the officers that he took Kane’s pistol, but said he shot him with his own.  He was brought down on the morning accommodation, Conductor Gibson’s train, to Mound City yesterday.  On the way down he threatened Gibson, by saying he would remember him fore shooting at him on the chase, after he was out of the scrape that was then holding him.  At Mound City he was lodged in jail.  He would make no statement in regard to killing Kane before the coroner’s jury.

            On the up accommodation train last evening John Kane’s body was shipped home to his parents who reside near Vincennes, Ind.

The Lynching

            This morning about 2 o’clock Nelson Howard was taken from the Pulaski County jail at Mound City, by a party of twenty-five or thirty men, dragged about fifty yards south of the jail and there suspended by a cord to the limb of a tree.  Previously he had been shot with pistols two or three times and perhaps was dead when strung up.  His body was entirely stripped of clothing, and the mob left it there swinging.  Who the mob was composed of or where they came from is unknown.  It is certain that it was not raised in Mound City, but that it came from some other point.  Nobody was identified.  Some of the colored people in town evidently apprehended that the lynching might occur and were on watch.  One of them says the lynchers came by locomotive and car from the direction of Cairo, and that they stopped and unloaded just above the trestle bridge over Trinity Slough below the shipyard.  The lynchers were masked.

            The tool house of the Wabash Road near the depot, was broken into and a heavy spike hammer taken therefrom.  As the mob gathered around the jail, the victim of the lynchers, the only prisoner, set up a fearful howl, evidently understanding the meaning of the noise he heard, but simultaneously the crowed rushed in at the lower door, into the jailer’s residence, making Constable Dille, of Villa Ridge, who was passing the night at jail, and the family of Mr. Painter, the deputy sheriff and jailer, prisoners, while a portion rushed upstairs as Mr. Painter was starting down, from an ante room of the jail where he had been sleeping.

            They covered him with pistols and told him to deliver up the keys of the jail.  He said Sheriff Crain had the keys and he could not produce them.  They told him to stand aside then, for they were on business and would have no trifling, and some took care of him while others broke down the jail door.  When inside they found the prisoner in a strong iron cage, and they broke the lock off from that, thus getting at their victim finally.  He fought desperately, but it was of no use.  Soon the city fire bell commenced ringing.  This made the lynchers expedite their work, and then is probably when they shot Howard.  A colored man with an ear open for trouble had gone to the schoolhouse and rung the bell.  It did not ring long however, and comparatively few people turned out to see what the matter was.  There perhaps was some apprehension of the trouble and people generally did not care to mix in it.  Those who turned out saw nothing of the mob however, for it was already away.  It came and went so quickly and quietly, it is not probable that a reliable witness can be found to say from whence it came, how, or where it went to.

            Sheriff Crain had the body cut down as soon as possible after he got there, but life was extinct.

            There is a feeling of general regret in Mound City over the fact that the town was made the scene of such a visitation by lynch law, but at the same time of gratification over the fact that citizens of the town were not participating in it.

            The Negro man Howard bore the reputation of being a desperate character in the neighborhood where he lived and people were afraid of him.  The closing days of his life well bore out his reputation.  The man he killed, on the other hand, was generally esteemed among his railroad associates and acquaintances and had many friends.

MASHED.

On the third inst., a most shocking accident occurred on the Mobile road twelve miles south of Cairo, in which a young man named Harry McPherson was instantly killed.  He was engaged with a gang of men in loading piles upon flat cars at Laketon, and when an unusually large pile had been drawn upon the skids, almost on board the car, the hoisting rope broke and let it run back towards the river. McPherson was behind the log and instead of dropping down and letting it pass over him, he ran down the hill ahead of it. He had not run far when it overtook him. As it struck his heels he fell forward on his face and the log rolled over him from his heels to his head, flattening his body, and crushing it into the sand and gravel. He resided near where the accident occurred.

The account of the murder on a Wabash train, at Mound City, last Wednesday night, given on first page, was the first report. The later, fuller and more accurate details are in the account on this page.

It is well remembered that the lynching of Vaughn at Mound City in 1859 struck terror into the hearts of evil-doers and desperadoes, and was felt throughout the country for some years afterwards, to the advantage and comfort of all well meaning people.

Mound City has had hangings by lynch law before that of yesterday morning. In 1859 a man named Vaughn was strung up on a tree not far from where Howard was hanged. He was a desperate character of whom the community had stood in fear for a considerable period. The immediate cause of his lynching was the killing of a man by him and fear that the law would not reach the case properly. He was taken by the mob out of the city calaboose, where he had been confined. In 1862 Col. Mike Lawler’s regiment of Illinois Volunteers was stationed at Mound City, and it contained some desperately lawless characters. The Colonel thought a summary example of one of them, who had killed a fellow soldier, was necessary, and a drumhead court martial was hastily instituted. It was only the work of a few moments to try and hang the fellow, and his body adorned a tree not far from those which furnished places for the suspension of Vaughn and Howard.

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