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Cairo Index Page |
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Obituaries and Death Notices
Cairo Daily Times and
Cairo Daily Democrat
1 Jan 1866-28 Dec 1866
Cairo, Alexander County, Illinois
Transcribed by Darrel Dexter
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Cairo Daily Times
Monday 1, Jan 1866: We are sorry to have to record a most distressing accident, which proved fatal to Mr. Hardin, on his leaving Jonesboro last Monday evening. The deceased was a farmer, well known to us, and was living on one of Mr. Willard's farms at what is known as the “Big Barn.” On the day mentioned above, he came with his wagon to town, and getting through with his business, about three o'clock left for home, starting down the road alone. At the “Gum Spring” a half-mile below the corporation limits, his horses were discovered tearing down the road at a fearful speed, dragging only part of the wagon after them. Some men tried to stop the horses, but did not succeed; and after they had passed the men proceeded up the road to a rise just above the spring, where they found the body of Mr. Hardin, in a gully, where he had been thrown from the wagon. It is not known in what manner he was thrown out or in what way his horses became unmanageable. On finding him at first, his body showed signs of life, but very soon the messenger of death put an end to his earthly existence. Upon medical examination his neck was found to be broken and we believe no bruises or cuts were discovered.
The deceased was an elderly
man, a farmer by occupation, and enjoyed the reputation of being an honest,
estimable citizen, and his death will be lamented. He leaves a large family
to mourn over the loss of one whom they little thought would be so suddenly
cut down by the merciless band of death. What a vindication of the proverb,
“In the midst of life, we are in death.”—Jonesboro
Gazette. From the Evansville, Ind., Courier, Dec. 20.
On last Monday night a
German named Belckner, a cistern builder, residing in Sullivantown,
returned home under the influence of liquor, and raving with anger. His
wife had prepared supper and when he entered and found the comfortable, cozy
little table awaiting him, his first act was to dash the dishes into the
street and then abuse, curse, and beat his wife. He then loaded a pistol
and fired three shots at her, two shots taking effect, one in the breast and
the other in the arm, severely if not mortally wounding her. The demon then
fired two shots at himself, one taking effect in his forehead, and the other
in his wrist; we have not heard the effect. The monster is, and has for
some time, been under bond to keep the peace.
Mrs. Gorden was the oldest daughter of Mr. James Berry, one of the early settlers, and during his life one of the principal citizens of Alexander County. She was born in Pittsburg, Pa., on the 4th day of January, 1814; but in her early childhood, with her father's family, came to Illinois and settled at the junction of these rivers. Ever since that period, with the exception of brief intervals, she has resided here. At the age of 17, or in the month of August 1831, she was united in marriage with Mr. George D. Gorden, and eight children blessed this union. Two of these children are with her in the other world, while six of them survive her, and will pay to her the last sad earthly tribute. During about forty years of her life Mrs. Gorden was a resident of this point, and under her eye all the great changes wrought by our people were made. She saw the country in a state of unmarred nature, and with the details of its progress and failures, as well as with its recent great triumph, she was necessarily familiar. But her mission here seems to have been performed, and she has gone home to “that reward prepared for her from the foundation of the world.”
She was a Christian woman
whose works of charity and unostentatious piety will long be remembered in
the circle in which she moved. Her warm heart went out in strong sympathy
for the sick, the poor and the fallen, and all that one person could do to
succor, relieve and restore she did with a willingness, which showed how
deeply her better feelings were enlisted. Many, very many not connected
with her by any ties of relationship, will deeply mourn her as a mother
lost—one who came like a gentler ministering angel to soothe away pain and
to dispel despair and anguish. Deeply and lastingly will all such feel her
loss; but who can portray or even conceive the great load of unutterable
grief which weighs down and almost overwhelms the gray-haired husband and
the son and daughters who survive her?
Today (Friday) at 9 a.m.,
funeral services conducted by our Baptist minister will be held at Mr.
Gorden's residence on Fourth street. The remains will be interred at
Jonesboro, to which place they will be moved by the noon train on Sunday.
The friends and relatives of the family are invited to attend without
further notice.
A late number of the Memphis Appeal comes to us clothed in mourning for the death of Benjamin Franklin Dill, Esq., its proprietor, and containing a feeling, truthful and elegantly written tribute to the memory of the deceased, from the pen of his friend, the editor of the Appeal, Col. J. H. McMahon. Truly, Death hovers near the Appeal in these latter days. When war was working destruction, the Appeal, passing through many vicissitudes and dangers by field and flood, escaped the notice of the “insatiate archer,” but since the return of peace, he has sent his fatal arrows into the ranks of the Appeal, and has laid low, first its founder, the good-hearted McClahan, and now, its proprietor and regenerator, the lamented Dill. We knew Mr. Dill, not intimately, but well enough to appreciate the good and strong points of his character. Possessed of great energy, he was a quiet laborer and accomplished much work with little noise. As a newspaper conductor he had few superiors. His tact made the Appeal a paying establishment and gave it the great influence it had over the public mind of Tennessee and other States of the South.
We chronicle the news of Mr.
Dill’s death with the deepest sorrow. Of old we were of the printing
fraternity of Memphis—in the office of the present editor of the Appeal—and
we have educated ourself to watch the old time editors, printers and
publishers with something like fraternal solicitude and we feel something
akin to fraternal regret when he learn that death has laid his terrible hand
upon any of them. Peace to the ashes of Benjamin Franklin Dill. We learn from Capts. Packard of the McPorter and Jones of the Louisa, of a dreadful accident which occurred on the railroad between Johnsonville and Nashville on Sunday last, by which it is feared that the entire train, with its human freight, was lost. As the train was passing over a trestlework at Livingston Spring, thirty miles from Johnsonville, the trestlework gave way, precipitating the entire train into the ravine below, through which a stream of water, which had been greatly swollen by recent rains, was flowing. A freight train was near by at the time, and ran up to the scene of the disaster, hoping to be able to render some assistance. Being unable to do so, however, it immediately proceeded to Johnsonville with tidings of the accident. Assistance was promptly sent out, but had not returned, nor had any additional tidings been received when our informants left.
It was feared that all or
nearly all on board the train were lost, though, we hope, when details are
received, this fear may prove groundless, or at least exaggerated.
Additional particulars will be laid before our readers as soon as received.
By the
Carbondale New Era, of the 13th inst., we are informed of the death
of Major Thomas Hightower, of that place. The major died on the
afternoon of the 14th inst., of injuries received while in the army. The
deceased entered the service as Captain of Company B, 81st regiment, and was
promoted to Major for gallant conduct. At the late election, he was elected
one of the Associate Judges of Jackson County. We don’t wish it understood that we are anxious to create an excitement among our citizens in regard to this loathsome disease, or that we wish to throw blame upon anyone, but as a public journalist, we deem it a duty to call the attention of our citizens and the authorities to plain facts—facts that all are interested in—and which demand prompt and decided action. We are certain that every good citizen will thank us for ventilating this subject and urging upon the authorities the necessity of prompt action in the matter. Esquire Shannessy informs us that to his knowledge there are about thirty cases of small pox among the colored portion of our population. These poor unfortunates are obliged to seek shelter in sheds, as there is no provision made for them by the city or county, and are dying at the rate of two or three per day like so many cattle of cold and starvation. Yesterday afternoon, a Negro, said to have been put off a steamboat at this port, and suffering from this terrible disease, applied to the military hospital for admission. He was driven off, and wandered about our streets, at a loss what to do. Of course the sidewalk was freely tendered him, ladies and gentlemen wading through the mud rather than interfere with him. A colored man brought him to Esq. Shannessy’s office, but he could do nothing for him. He finally took refuge in one of the deserted shanties in the neighborhood of Lake Edwards, where, without fire, goof, or proper attention, he will, in all probability die. Mr. Shannessy informs us that there are about sixty cases of small pos in this city and that the present building used for a pest house is not at all adapted for the purpose.
Something should be done
immediately to prevent persons from roaming about the streets, who are
afflicted with this loathsome disease, and the only way to prevent them is
to provide some place for them, and this should be attended to at once, not
only for the accommodation of those so afflicted, but as protection to the
rest of our citizens. We understand that the Government have doctors to
attend the Government pest boat, in the river, but that they wish to make a
private speculation by charging a certain amount per week for all cases from
the city. We are also informed that Mayor Wilson advocates the
buying of this boat—which is well fitted for the purpose—for the use of the
city, and that he is doing all in his power to prevent the spreading of the
disease.
Hutchinson
was arrested and taken before Esq. Bross, but as the witnesses were
not on hand, the examination was postponed until this morning at 9 o'clock.
We forbear comment until after the examination. [Note by the Webmaster: For a full account of Hutchinson’s arraignment on January 24 and his trial for murder at the January Special Term of the Alexander County Court, see the Daily Times issues of January 25 and February 9 & 10, 1866. He was acquitted.]
ALEXANDER CIRCUIT COURT January Special Term Judge William H. Green Presiding Wednesday, Jan. 24. The Jury in the case of the People vs. Charles Wilson, for larceny, being unable to agree upon a verdict, were discharged. The People vs. Jennie Rose—charge murder. The forenoon was consumed in obtaining Jury, the case having obtained such notoriety at the former trial, that a large portion of the community were familiar with the details and had formed an opinion. At 2 p.m. the prisoner was brought to the bar, and the trial commenced. The witnesses were not so numerous wither for the prosecution or defense, as upon the former trial, some of them having been called away and necessarily absent in the course of their several pursuits. Not is it deemed requisite to furnish the evidence with the same particularity and fullness as on the former trial, when it was very voluminously reported in the columns of this paper. The witnesses for the prosecution, Alex Johnson, Laura Lewis, Allen Scott, James Pierce, Mehner and others testified to the killing and threats to that effect previously, on the 26th of May, 1865, about 8 o’clock in the morning. They identified Alex Rose, who was killed by a pistol shot from the hands of Jennie Rose, whom they likewise identified. They were not near enough to hear what Rose said to him, but saw him warn her off and heard her say: “You will, will you!” and immediately thereafter they saw the smoke, heard the reports and he fell, when she nodded to him, put the pistol in her pocket and walked away. To one of the witnesses, a short time before the shooting, she remarked that she would have to kill the Indian son of a b---h though she hated to do it. She had made a similar remark to others; and also she did not want to do it. He had kicked and abused her, and he should never do it again. She was not afraid, for the white people were down on Alex, and would not punish her. The officers were also down on him and would get clear. On the morning of the 26th May, she appeared excited and ordered a drink. Just before the shooting she was observed on the opposite side of the street to pass from the drug store to the gunsmith’s shop and thence walked across the street where was standing. A very brief colloquy took place and only the words: “You will, will you” were heard when she fired. Dr. Petit described the nature of the wound made by a small ball, not larger than a small buck shot, but in a region that rendered it necessarily fatal. They had lived together as man and wife several years and sometimes not very amicably. She was a passionate woman, of quick temper, and their quarrels might not all have originated with him. The shooting occurred on the day named about the hour mentioned, opposite Scott’s saloon on Commercial avenue. Rose evidently did not apprehend any thing of the kind, although warned of her threats and excited appearance. Such spells had on former occasions been rather spasmodic and passed off with reflection. The wounded man lingered in pain until the next morning and before his death had a brief interview at his own request with his slayer. For the defense, which was very much restricted from testimony introduced on the former trial, but the legal ruling of the court, it was shown that Rose had been heard to say that morning and before he would kill the d----d b---h. Only half an hour a witness heard him say he would have to go down and kill the d----d nigger, or niggers, he could not say which. Another witness, about the same time and place, was conversing with Rose, when he saw Jennie across the avenue. He immediately said, “Here comes Jennie, now we have had h-ll; and I expect to have to go and kill the d----d b---h.” It did not appear in evidence that these threats had reached the ears of the other party. Rose was a short, heavyset, muscular man, with broad shoulders and very stout. It was not permitted to be shown that he was a dangerous character. It was attempted to be shown that Rose had shockingly maltreated, kicked, and beat Jennie the evening previous to the shooting at Scott’s, following her up and dragging her down stairs, but it was overruled as not pertinent to the case. It was shown that she had remained over night at Mrs. Greenwood’s where she said she had a miscarriage, but the witness was sick in bed at the time and could not testify that Jennie’s clothes looked bad and not natural. She was waited on by a hired woman in the house, who was now ill with small pox or pneumonia; she did not know which. This woman had attended on Jennie. The prosecution was opened by D. W. Munn, Esq., who had been employed by the friends of the deceased, in an eloquent and effective address to the jury, in which he dwelt with emphasis upon the strong points of evidence, and the duty of the jury not to be led away by appeals to their sympathy, from the exercise of strict justice. If the accused were not guilty of murder in the first degree, she was certainly amenable to the law for the second degree, although he thought the evidence sufficient to indicate the higher crime. Mr. Clemenson appeared for the defense and referred to the unfortunate condition of the accused, who, in the opening speech for the prosecution had been treated with unusual and unmerited severity. At the former trial she had for counsel gentlemen of the highest legal learning and ability. She had trusted to them to prepare all the necessary preliminaries. They had, however, withdrawn from the case, and she, incarcerated and without money, had no means of procuring counsel. The Court had devolved the duty upon Col. Olney and himself, and kindly postponed the trial from the previous morning, when it was to come up until the present. If they had gone to trial at that time they would have been without a witness. As it was, the strict ruling of the Court excluded much testimony on which counsel greatly relied. He spoke of a mother’s love of her offspring and adverted to the cruel manner in which the quickening child had been crushed in the mother’s womb. He spoke strongly in behalf of the right of self-defense, and urged that this was a case that should be regarded as strictly within that line. The mother had a right to protect the offspring and her own person. The brutal conduct of Rose, his constant ill treatment, experience of the past and fears for the future had stimulated that weak arm to defend her person from threatened violence, which had been too often repeated. He wanted no such sympathy as the opening prosecutor had ___fed. He regretted the restrictions that had been put upon testimony; but trusted to the judgment and discernment to the evidence and doubtless were familiar with it. Col. Olney would follow, and read the law bearing on the case, which he respectfully submitted to the jury.
Delivering the jury to the
charge of an officer, with proper instructions, the Court adjourned until 9
o'clock tomorrow.
Political excitement ran very high in Williamson county for some time past, and finally resulted in a startling tragedy, in which two Republicans and one Democrat lost their lives, and four Republicans and one Democrat were wounded. It appears that a number of Republicans of the county were banded together to “clean out” Copperheads and never lost an opportunity to insult Democrats by calling them “Traitors,” “Copperheads,” “Rebels” and all the other epithets found in the billingsgate vocabulary of the Republicans. The Democrats of Williamson are made of rather excitable material, and did not see proper to bear the insults of the Republican enemies with the same kind of patience, which gave Job his celebrity. In short, they sent back insult for insult and placed their persecutors a pretty even game. In Marion, on last Christmas, the excitement became intense and the brawlers exchanged several shots. Bloody work would, doubtless, have occurred then, had not the mayor of the town acted with great promptness and cleared the town of the belligerent factions. The quarrel became more fierce with little progress of time, and on the 25th instant resulted in the fatal affray referred to above. From a letter written in Marion on the 27th inst., and directed to the editor of this paper, we are enabled to give a statement of the unfortunate tragedy. On Jan. 25th, a number of Republicans and Democrats met at a little village in Williamson known as Sulphur Springs. After drinking at a grocery, the Republicans approached the place where the Democrats were standing not expecting any difficulty whatever. After a few words had passed between the parties, a Republican said, “Let us clean out the damned Copperheads.” This remark brought on a general engagement, which resulted as we have said above, in the death of three men and the wounding of five others. William Burton and Peter McMahon (Republicans) and Bud Dallison (Democrat) were killed. Four Republicans and one Democrat, named D. B. Ward were wounded. Twenty shots were fired.
Our correspondent promises a
detailed account of the affair after an investigation of the affair is had.
Jennie Rose, manslaughter, 20 years Charles Smith, larceny, 1 year Charles Wilson, larceny, 1 year James Riley, alias Clem Reed, larceny, 1 year James Sullivan, larceny, 1 year James Johnson, larceny, 1 year Donnel McDonald, larceny, 1 year John Holland, larceny, 1 year Joseph Carter, assault to murder, 10 years William Bradford, larceny, 3 years James Smith, larceny, 1 year George Smiley, robbery, 1 year Timothy Murphy, larceny, 2 years George Moon, larceny, 1 year William Wilson, larceny, 2 years John McGowan, larceny, 2 years Henry Riggs, Louis Messenger and George Horichter, larceny, 2 years each Samuel Henry, larceny, 2 years
January Special TermJudge William H. Green Presiding Tuesday, Jan. 30 The motion for a new trial in the case of the People vs. Jennie Rose was taken up and argued. Col. Olney for the prisoner, and the State’s Attorney, Wall, for the People. The former read from authorities to show that in exceptional cases the character of the deceased was allowed to be introduced as evidence. He also argued in reference to a certain instruction for the defense, modified by the court, relative to threats made by deceased so as to read, “If coming to the knowledge of the deceased,” which was considered by the jury as rendering it necessary on the part of the defense to show that the threats did come to the knowledge of the prisoner. The counsels instruction for defense, modified by the insertion of “by reasonable evidence” relates to real and apparent dangers where all the facts were calculated to create good grounds for apprehension of danger.” There was no necessity for the modification, which may have misled the jury. The court was asked for a new trial on the ground that testimony was excluded that would have gone far to relieve the prisoner from the charge of guilt, or at least to mitigate the verdict. Mr. Wall said that if he understood the grounds on which counsel rested, they were that the court erred in excluding testimony to show the character of the prisoner to be that of a dangerous and violent man, and in the modification of certain instructions that went to the jury. He took up the objections to the manifestations and cited the case of Decatur Campbell to show that the Court did not err in such manifestations. He combated the position of counsel for defense relative to the ruling of the Court as to the admission of testimony as to the character of deceased. It was laid down that an altercation renewed which results in the death of the opposing party, a previous difficulty cannot be produced in evidence. He admitted that where a violent dangerous man attacked another who seen him, it was proper to introduce testimony to show the character of the deceased. But this suit did not apply to this particular case to which the general rule alone was applicable. The court must excuse discretion and discrimination in determining what should be exceptional cases. If the case before the court does not come within the class of exceptional cases, it is palpable the court did not err in its rulings. Col. Olney admitted that if he had asked to admit evidence to prove the general character of the deceased, if the meeting had been sought by the prisoners, and from malice the shooting was done, and not in consequence of apprehension of personal danger. The court was correct in its ruling, and the case did not come under the class of exceptions to the general rule. He argued further upon the facts of the case, in reply to the State’s Attorney, said he had often heard of Prosecuting Attorneys claming to be humane, but heaven preserve him from such humanity. He had heard of crocodile’s tears and the crocodile may have been serious at the time. The Court was desirous to set aside the verdict of the jury and grant a new trial, but gave its reason for its decision, reviewing the instructions excepted to by the counsel for the defense. The nature of the offering was considered. The jury had determined that it was not murder. Now was it manslaughter or justifiable homicide? At the time of the killing there was no assault to justify the taking of human life. It cooling time has intervened; it does not reduce the crime from murder to manslaughter. In this case, from 3 o’clock in the afternoon until 8 o’clock next morning, was certainly sufficient cooling time and therefore sufficient cooling time and therefore the assault the next day before could not be a part of the final meeting, which was not a culmination to a series of difficulties. The opinion of the Court was elaborate and exceedingly _ucive and conclusive. The motion for a new trial was overruled. The prisoner having been brought to the bar, the Court pronounced the sentence—”the she be confined in the penitentiary for twenty years at hard labor.” Motion for a new trial in the case of The People vs. Joseph Carter—assault to murder—was taken up and argued that there was no evidence to show that an assault on James Brown, that the pistol was not directed at James Brown and they had not previous difficulty. Also that the prosecuting attorney urged that the jury should send the defendant to the penitentiary on general principals. He admitted that there was no law for this exception, but he thought it should have weight in behalf of a new trial. The prosecuting attorney thought the motion and the speech had been made merely for form’s sake. He reviewed the facts to show that it was contemplated to injure Brown, who put the defendant out of the house. Held the verdict to be just. Here Mr. Linegar, who had been first engaged in the case, took exception to an instruction to the jury, assuming the mere fact of the party shooting at him is sufficient. Malice must be shown, and if the man were killed, it would constitute murder. If a less offense, it is insufficient to show it was an assault to murder. The court ruled that the instruction is the law. As to the question that the evidence clearly established malice, the Court is not positive, and will take some future occasion to hear counsel. In the afternoon, the case of The People vs. Philip Slack, on charge of assault to murder, came up for trial. Col. Charles B. Armstrong entered and argued a motion to have the prisoner handed over to the military for trial, and read an act of Congress to sustain the motion. Mr. Wall insisted that the State of Illinois could take cognizance of those committing offenses within the territory, and no power could legitimately withdraw them from the jurisdiction of her courts. It had been decided by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, that we were not engaged in war, and the doctrine to the contrary was absurd. The court voted that this was an indictment for assault with intent to murder and whether at peace or war, the case could not be removed from the military to the civil jurisdiction. The act read by the counsel did not cover the case. An indictment for assault with intent to murder was as different from assault with intent to kill, as murder from manslaughter. The motion to transfer the case to the military was overruled and the case went to trial. The Prosecution called its witnesses—Jennie Rose, Charles Walker and William Ward. Mr. Munn asked if Jennie Rose had not been already sentenced. Being answered in the affirmative, the Court said that manslaughter was not considered by the law an infamous crime, and did not disqualify the person convicted, as a witness. Jennie Rose—Had seen Slack. Knows Charles Walker. A man came into Charles Walker’s and refused to pay the door fee or go out. This was a little while before Christmas. Slack drew his weapon and said if there was any fighting he would have a hand in it. She pushed his arm and a man on the other side pulled it when the pistol went off and shot her through the arm. It was aimed at Walker, who was six or eight feet off. Before he shot, the accused said d---d of he wouldn’t have a hand in the shooting. Cross-examined—He fired at Walker who also had a pistol. Accused ____ he was going to shoot some soldier. Another man had a pistol at the same time; don’t know his name, know him by sight. It occurred at Harmonia Hall, Commercial Avenue. Walker was nearest to the door. Prisoner was eighteen or twenty feet off, near the stage. Witness had not been more than five or ten minutes turned from Walker at the time. Had her back turned from Walker. There was a crowd between, and quite a stir, pulling and hauling. Witness was not excited. She pushed the prisoner to prevent him from shooting. Did not tell Jim Pearce or Bill Scott that it was not the prisoner that shot; nor any one in their hearing. Witness said she knew who shot the pistol. Did not say it was not this man. She was placing him at the time. To the Prosecuting Attorney.—Did not say who shot at Walker. The shot was fired about three minutes after the fuss began. Charles Walker heard but one shot. Don’t know who fired the pistol. The ball did not strike witness. W. Ward was passing 6th street and heard somebody hallooing. Arrested Philip Slack. Prisoner denied having a pistol, searched him and found one, one barrel empty and recently discharged. Here the People’s case rested. For defense Mrs. Walker was not acquainted with the prisoner but had seen his face. She was present at the Hall. There was only one shot fired. Saw the person who fired the shot. It was George Greenley. She was standing between Greenley and her husband, the former standing near Mrs. Rose. Greenley pulled out his pistol and shot over witnesses’ head, and run out of doors.—Jennie was there, and went out of the house directly after him. It was some time before she made any fuss about being shot at all. Cross-examined.—It was George Greenley. Saw him passing the ball, was a tall yellow man, tolerably stout, with beard around his chin. Was a very large man, heavy built, would weigh 250 pounds, not very puray (pretty?), but stout and muscular. He was standing at the back of witness’ husband when he fired.—They were some distance apart when he shot at her husband, witness was there at the time the fuss began, and all the time. To Mr. Munn. As to the weight witness meant what she said. She meant 250 pounds. Her husband might have weighed that much before he was sick, but had been sick since Christmas. Mattie Scott was at Harmonia Hall, and heard one report of a pistol. There was only one. George Greenly was standing near Walker. Was looking at Greenly. Saw him discharge the pistol. Was certain the pistol when it off was in his hand. Jennie Rose was there, but witness did not see her then. At the time she was speaking of was not near Mrs. Walker. She was standing between Greenly and Walker. John Vest was at the hall about the 15th of November. Was standing on the floor. A man first ran up the stairs and hit Walker with a slat. He then fired, with his arm reached over witness’ shoulder. A lady threw up her hands between them. The prisoner was standing facing Walker with his hands in his pocket. The shot was made by another and different person. Cross-Examined. The person who fired was a yellow man. Witness calls himself a tolerably dark man. [Very black.] All were facing Walker. Witness was facing Walker. Slack was standing by side of witness. Some person said don’t draw no pistol to shoot. Don’t say positively Slack had his hands in his pockets. The pistol fired was a four shooter—a little pocket pistol. Lewis—Belongs to Company B of the same regiment; Slack to Company A. All were then together; he went a little before. They came in on the cus. They fired at a polecat on the way. Slack fired off one barrel of his pistol. Witness fired four times. Don’t know if the other barrel of Slack’s pistol were leased. The case was submitted to the jury without argument, who after deliberation returned a verdict of “not guilty.” The People vs. Jeremiah Henderson, a bright mulatto, charge larceny—Stealing a watch June 15th, 1863. James Pearce had seen defendant before. Knew Tom Narles. Both boarded at house of witness. This man came home and slept with son of witness. Didn’t know the watch was gone, or when it was taken. It was in June, two years ago last June. It was a silver watch. Had been offered $40 for it. It was worth $35 or $40. Narles wore it at the time he boarded there, for 3 or 4 months. He saw the watch next day after it was taken, about 12 or 1 o’clock with Isam Thomson. The prisoner had gone about daylight that morning and witness had not seen him since, till arrested by Mr. Carle. He was not at breakfast the morning the watch was taken. Witness’ son William was wearing it at the time. He is running on Red River now. The case was given to the jury, who were authorized to seal their verdict.
Three Drovers from the North Brutally Murdered. Mr. Asa Coffee, of Jefferson County, Ill., and Messrs. D. E. Ray and J. B. Hoskins of Louisville, Ky., went recently to Yazoo City, Miss., with mules for sale. While at Yazoo City some of their mules were stolen by an organized band of thieves, who, it is said, were formerly members of the Confederate army. The mule drovers gave chase as soon as they discovered their loss, and overtook the thieves about sunset at the house of a friend. The drovers were accompanied by two friends from Yazoo City and the party advanced to the door of the house and demanded their mules when they were fired upon and the three drovers were instantly killed. Their friends returned the fire and the thieves fled, one of them evidently badly wounded.
The murdered men were taken
back to Yazoo City and their remains properly cared for and sent to their
friends. Their bodies passed through this city yesterday en route to their
former homes.
Though the above appeared in
our paper of yesterday morning and cannot have failed to meet the eyes of
the city officials, generally, the body still remains untouched. There is
criminal negligence somewhere and we hope the guilty party may be held up to
public censure. We hope the next municipal election may affect a radical
change in this matter, particularly this not being the first time we have
been called upon to complain of similar cases.
We learned from a gentleman
just down from Tuscola, Douglas, county, than an old gentleman named
Rodgers, from Texas, who was taking his daughter to a school at Chicago,
took passage on the Illinois Central Railroad at Cairo, a short time since,
for the Garden City. He engaged a berth in a sleeping car, and retired
about the time the train reached Centralia, and was taken out and robbed by
a band of desperadoes and thrown overboard about two miles this side of
Tuscola, where he remained on the frozen ground until early next morning,
when he was found by the section hands, picked up in an insensible condition
and conveyed on a hand car to Tuscola. He was taken to a public house
there, and after being warmed up, came to, sufficiently to tell who he was,
where he was from, and how he came in the condition in which he was found.
Being a Free Mason, he was taken charge of by the members of the brotherhood
at Tuscola and well cared for by them until he breathed his last, which sad
event occurred about a week or ten days after he was found. The fall from
the train and the exposure incident to lying all night on the wide-open
prairie, super induced his death. In the meantime, his daughter proceeded
on the Chicago, and did not miss her father until the arrival of the train
at that city next morning; and did not hear of his whereabouts in time to
see him before he breathed his last. She says all of her father’s money was
in gold. She is of the opinion that he was followed by a band of
desperadoes up the Mississippi river, who finding no opportunity to commit
the dastardly outrage on board the steamer, took passage on the same train
of cars at Cairo and committed it as above stated.
A murder, which for cold bloodedness and barbarity has never been excelled, if equaled in this city, was perpetuated between three and four o'clock on Sunday morning in front of B. Smyth & Co.'s store, Ohio Levee. The particulars, which are as follows: During Saturday night, three men named John Manie or Mayny, from Lexington, Ky., William Harny, employed by Halliday Brothers, and John Bryan, a drayman in the employ of James Hughes, Esq., had been drinking at revers (?) barroom upon the Levee, and at about half past two o'clock visited the saloon of Alderman Fitzgerald, near the corner of Fourth street, where they became so noisy that officer Arnold and Washburn found it necessary to check them. No arrests, however, were made at that time, as the trio promised to keep quiet, and go to their boarding houses. Manie was very much intoxicated, and the other two, who claimed to be his cousins, took him away in the direction of Sixth street. About an hour later, the above named officers found Manie lying upon the railroad track, in front of B. Smyth's store, with both his legs terribly crushed, they having been run over by the switch engine, which had just passed. The officers took the sufferer to Fitzgerald's saloon, the nearest place open, and sent for Dr. Perkins, but when the doctor arrived, Manie was so exhausted from loss of blood, that amputation was deemed extremely dangerous, and aside from administering opiates, nothing was, or could be done for him. Dr. Holden, the County Superintendent of poor, was summoned, and on his arrival, Manie was pronounced to be dying, but about eight o'clock, a re-action took place, and he was removed to the County House, and further medical and surgical aid were called. A consultation of the surgeons was held and it was decided that the injuries must prove fatal, hence no operation was performed. John Manie was taken to Fitzgerald's saloon, the two men, Harny and Bryan and a man named Thomas O'Bryan (who also works for Halliday Brothers) were there, and suspicion was at once entertained by the officers that there had been foul play, and the three were arrested and taken to the lock-up.
About 11 o'clock on Sunday,
Manie revived so as to be able to give an account of the affair,
which was substantially as follow:
He came to the city some
three of four days since, with about $160 in money and obtained board at the
same house with the two prisoners, Harny and Bryan. He
started out on Saturday evening with them and visited several places and
especially the St. Julien Vagnio, where he became drunk. From the time of
leaving this place up to three o'clock he was unable to render any account
of himself, but remembers going away from Fitzgerald's in company
with Harny and Bryan. When in front of Smyth's Store,
Bryan
knocked him down and the two robbed him of what money he had left, about
$130, and threw him on the railroad track just as an engine was backing
down. The three prisoners were sent for, and Manie immediately identified Bryan and Harny as the two who assailed and robbed him, but stated that Bryan was entirely unknown to him. A sum of money, corresponding with the amount taken from the murdered man, was found upon them, also some other articles identified as belonging to him. The prisoners were taken to the county jail to await the result of an investigation, which will take place before His Honor, Esq. Bross, this morning. Manie lingered in great agony until about two o'clock Sunday afternoon, when death came to his relief. He stated that he had no friends in the city, but that his family, consisting of brother and sister, resided in Lexington, Ky.
The accused parties, William Harney and John Bryan, charged with the robbery and murder of John Manie, on Sunday morning last, were brought before magistrates Bross and Corcoran yesterday afternoon, and the whole afternoon consumed in partially and thoroughly examining the case. Quite a large number of witnesses were sworn for the prosecution, which was conducted with ability by H. W. Webb, Esq., and but two witnesses sworn for the defense, one only of whom, O'Brien, was examined, his evidence not being material, being for the most part that he had taken two or three drinks with the deceased and the accused at the place where they were last seen together, had himself paid for one round, had been called up to drink by one of the accused, but did not know who had paid for it. D. W. Munn conducted the defense with considerable force, mainly relying upon the fact that malice had not been proved but the contrary, and the main reliance of the prosecution was upon the dying declaration of the deceased, which considering his condition and frequent obscure intervals, must be taken with delicate trust and many doubts. The lives of no men should hang upon so slender a threat of evidence. The witnesses for the prosecution who were examined were officers Washburne and Arnold, who made the arrest, Dr. Perkins, who was first called in, Dr. Holden, who has official care of the Poor House and Hospital, Alfred Hermann, barkeeper at Fitzgerald's saloon, who was “on watch” at the time.
We preserved the notes of
the testimony, but as there was quite a full, though may be in some
particular incorrect statement appeared in our columns yesterday, and the
whole thing is to come before the Grand Jury and Circuit Court, it might be
incorrect to make further publication of the particulars. But a short time
has intervened since the almost impracticability of finding a jury was
forcibly impressed upon our community. We do not desire to contribute to a
recurrence of the same thing. The two men charged with the crime were
committed. They had gone out with deceased, who had been drinking, were
absent ten minutes, had just returned, and said they had taken him home.
Twenty minutes afterward, the man was discovered about fifty yards up the
Levee, lying on the railroad track with one leg cut off near the knee and
the other foot and ankle mashed up. He was not dead, and during the day,
when removed to the hospital, seemed to rally when the prisoners were
brought before him, and for some time seemed in doubt as to Bryan,
but after some hesitation said he “was one of them” and Harney was
the other, the recollection being almost instantaneous. This is quite as
much of the testimony as is permissible under the circumstances. Esq.
Corcoran, after a consultation, pronounced the determination of the
Court, in which Esq. Bross fully concurred, that the prisoners be
confined to jail until the next term of the Circuit Court, when their case
will go before the Grand Jury. The attendance was large, and although at
the termination of the examination there was strong protestation of
innocence on the part of the accused, we heard no murmur of sympathy in the
crowd.
In the spring time of life
death laid his unrelenting hand upon young Victor and he perished, as
sometimes, in the springtime of the year, and untimely frost falls upon and
blasts the rose bud before it unfolds its glories to the sun. Alas! for
human expectations! To the friends of Victor, his pathway in life seemed to
extend into the region of matured manhood. The hopes which were scattered
along it, like flowers, made it appear beautiful. But these bright
anticipations can never again be indulged in, as in a few days all that will
remain of Victor will be a wave of earth in the church yard, and in the
hearts of those who loved him a wave of memory that will not pass away until
it breaks upon the shore of death.
We were surprised, yesterday, to learn that Henry Mayo, of this county, had been arrested on a charge of murdering Charles McClellan, whom he violently assaulted on the 7th near Santa Fe, and so severely injured that he died on the 20th. It is said that Mayo was intoxicated at the time he assaulted McClellan. On the way to jail, while passing through the wood from Goose Island, Mayo attempted to escape, but his guard, who was armed, was reluctant to shoot him and after a short chase succeeded in recapturing him.
The following communication
furnishes the full particulars. A serious charge against Mayo is
already pending in the circuit court on which, however, he was bailed. The people of this vicinity were startled on the 20th inst., by the arrest of Henry Mayo, an old citizen, charged with the murder of Charles McClellan. The circumstances as elicited by the evidence before the coroner's jury, is as follows: On the 7th inst., as the said McClellan was getting some work done at the blacksmith shop near Santa Fe, he was ruthlessly assaulted by Mayo, and so severely injured that he expired on the 20th having been in the greatest agony up to the time of his death. A coroner's jury was convened, under the superintendence of Thomas Martain, Esq. A post-mortem examination was performed by Dr. Thomas Lawrence. The testimony for the State was very complete, all tending to make out one of the most aggravated cases ever known in the vicinity. The post-mortem examination revealed a fracture of the bones of the nose; dislocation of the collarbone from the breast bone; dislocation of the breast bone; inflammation of brain and appendages, sufficient to produce death. The corner's jury, after duly hearing the evidence, brought in the following verdict:
We, the undersigned, jurors,
being duly summoned and sworn to ascertain the cause or causes of the death
of Charles McClellan, after a post mortem examination by Dr. Thomas
Lawrence, find that the deceased came to his death by wounds
inflicted on the face, head and body of said deceased. And from the
evidence, we find further that the said wounds were inflicted by the hands
of Henry Mayo. And further, that the said wounds were inflicted on
the deceased without any provocation whatever.
The prisoner, who was
already under arrest, was then taken before A. J. McKamie and Thomas
Martain, two justices of the peace, and put on trial for murder. The
evidence here did not vary materially from that given before the coroner's
jury. The accused introduced no witnesses, and seemed to think he needed
none. He was committed to jail to answer the charge of murder, at the next
term of the circuit court.
Sunday, 1 Apr 1866: STABBED.—At a late hour last night a fatal affray occurred between a negro and a white man on Commercial avenue. During the melee the negro stabbed the white man, inflicting a wound thought to be mortal. The negro was arrested, and is now in jail. We could learn no particulars.
DEATH OF ED S. TROVER.—The very general and deep regret experienced in the death of this most estimable young gentleman, may in measure be appreciated from the expressions of the Press on receipt of the painful intelligence. We are enabled to collect a few of these mournful testimonials, which it may be a melancholy pleasure to his near relatives to preserve. There are many others, that escaped our attention until too late to recover them. There was a general response in accordance with the resolution adopted by the members of the Press of this city. Dowdall of the Peoria Democrat, who was a long and cherished friend of Ed. Trover, expressed his deep regret in touching and eloquent language. J. A. Signaigo, of the Memphis Public Ledger, of whom in connection with the deceased it may be said they were the Damon and Pythias, the Orestes and Pyiades, the Brutus and Cassius—almost the Siamese Twins, they were so nearly inseparable—he has this touching requiem: Death of Ed. S. Trover.—It becomes our mournful task to announce the death of one of our dearest friends and contemporaries. The generous, whole-souled and warm-hearted Edward S. Trover, late local editor of the Cairo Democrat, is no more. He departed this life at Cairo last week. One of the shining lights of the Western press has been untimely snatched from our midst by the unmerciful grasp of consumption. His loss will be felt by a host of friends, for truly it could be said of him, “None knew him but to love him.” He was full of the milk of human kindness, a warm friend, a generous foe, and one who never harbored a thought of malice, but judged the whole by his own kind nature. Talented, full of life, vivacious, and with a vein of that real genuine wit that made him the admired of all in company. His generous soul never knew how to do a wrong, but his over-good nature often brought on him troubles, which he suffered patiently, but never involved his friends in. As a local editor he had but few equals in the West; but, as a man is never a prophet in his own home, his reputation as a writer was more appreciated abroad than in Cairo. It will be long before the capital of Egypt will have a writer that will be the peer of Ed. S. Trover in his own peculiar style. He has left us like a favorite leaf upon a tree, when it falls in autumn and returns to mother earth to come to life again in Heaven. Peace to his ashes. “He was a man! Take him for all in all, We shall not look upon his like again.” Vincent of the Carbondale New Era will sadly miss him when he shall hereafter make his periodical visits. He thus bewails the loss of “our mutual friend.”: Death of Ed. S. Trover.—The Cairo Democrat of Saturday (received by this morning’s mail) beings the heavy and saddening news of the death of our much esteemed friend and whilom associate in the Cairo News office. At the time of his death he was the local editor of the Cairo Democrat, which position he filled, as he has all others held by him heretofore, with credit to himself and profit to his employers and readers. As a writer, Mr. Trover possessed great versatility of talent; but it was the qualities of the heart that drew to him all who had the privilege of knowing him well. But he is gone— “And his spirit with the blest Folds her weary wings in rest.” Death of an Editor.—Ed. S. Trover, local editor of the Cairo Democrat, and a young man of good literary promise, died of consumption on the 23d inst. He was but 22 years of age.—Mount Vernon Free Press. Died.—In Cairo, on the 23d inst., of consumption, Ed. S. Trover, junior editor of the Cairo Daily Democrat, aged 22 years, 7 months, and 8 days. We have lost a near and dear friend.—That word alone, coming from an aching heart whose void cannot be filled, is offered as a tribute to his memory. Endeared by the closest ties of friendship, how sad and solemn to learn that all earthly ties were forever broken; yet will we ever cherish the memory of one whom no one knowing him could do aught but love. His remains were brought to this city, and were accompanied by a large circle of friends to their last resting place.—DuQuoin Progress. Death of a Local Editor.—It is with the deepest regret that we learn of the demise of Ed. S. Trover, which took place at Cairo, Ill., last evening. The deceased was at the time of his death, special correspondent of the Cincinnati Enquirer and local editor of the Cairo Democrat, positions, which he has filled with creditable ability for some months past. As a newspaper writer he was widely known as one of the happiest and readiest of the younger journalists of the State. Our own acquaintance and familiarity with the deceased, was however, more than that of a fraternal nature—amounting to the most intimate personal friendship. IT becomes us therefore to rather speak of our friend as a man than as a writer, and in doing this we can attribute to him the finest qualities both of intellect and heart. As a companion, we never met one more genial; as a contemporary never one more courteous, and as a friend never one more generous and true. Wit the many who may mourn his death we can join our regrets, and is bereaved relatives have our heartfelt sympathy.—Illinois State Register.
Cairo Daily Times
Saturday, 7 Apr 1866:
Cairo Daily Democrat
Wednesday, 11 Apr 1866:
Since the foregoing was in
type, we have received another and slightly different version. Henry
Mayo
was not at Gunter’s
on the evening in question, nor was he supposed to have done the deed. He
had been heard to make the threat, that if anyone should attempt to disturb
the papers, which was the object of
Fox’s
mission to Cairo, he would be the death of him, or somebody else would do
it. The horse of the murdered man was found near where another person
lived, and about one hundred and fifty yards from where the body was found
in the cypress swamp, crammed between a large tree and a cypress knee, only
the lapel and one hand out of the water, but the blood upon the face where
the forehead had been smashed in by an axe was still distinctly visible. A
person living near who had considerable to do with Mayo, when examined
before the coroner's jury, betrayed great agitation, but whatever may have
been the suspicions, nothing was elicited to warrant his arrest. These are
the particular as they have reached us and we give them publicity that they
may aid in furnishing some clue to a most atrocious and diabolical murder.
Correspondence of the Cairo Democrat: Goose Island, April 23, ‘66 Mr. Editor: Your correspondent is again called upon to give the public particulars of the tragedy lately enacted near this place. After the inquest over the body (of which you were duly informed) the matter rested, apparently, until Saturday, the 21st inst., when on the complaint of O. Greenley, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Benjamin J. Mayo. He was arrested on the 22d and brought before Thomas Martin and A. J. McKemie, two justices of the peace, and put on trial for the murder of Elisha Fox. After a preliminary examination the trial was adjourned till 12 o’clock on the 23d inst. The trial was resumed at this time. The evidence for the State was very meager and wholly circumstantial. Several witnesses were introduced for the State, but nothing positive was elicited from any of them. It was sufficient, however, in the opinion of the Court, to commit the prisoner to jail, which was done.
This is another instance of
the difficulty of concealing murder. Four months the dead body lay where it
was thrown, closely compressed in the narrow space to which it was
committed, and covered entirely by water, inside a swamp rarely penetrated.
When the water partially retired, a hand and the lapel of the coat were seen
above the water by some children in the vicinity. The alarm being given,
the body was discovered and recognized, the blood being yet visible on the
face, which he oozed from the death wound. An old citizen, who was at
Gunter’s grocery the evening the murdered man was last seen, where the
deceased was also, and both had taken a drink only a brief space of time
before the deed was committed has been arrested. Of the guilt or innocence
of the accused, it does not become us to speak, as it will be left to the
arbitratement of a jury of his country.
Friday, 27 Apr 1866:
On Wednesday night last,
about 11 o'clock, when about sixty miles above Memphis, the tow boat Nick
Hughes, which had the Prima Donna in tow, burst her boiler, by
which accident, Capt. Van Dorn and wife, first engineer Frank Matz,
and several others were either killed or drowned. It is supposed that
altogether nine persons perished, the names of whom have not been reported
except those already mentioned.
We learn from the Paducah Herald of the 8th inst., that J. T. Hays, formerly a sergeant in the 15th Kentucky Cavalry, committed suicide in that city on Sunday by taking an overdose of laudanum. HE was in Cairo last Saturday and passed up to Paducah on the Silver Moon. Going to the Continental Hotel, he secured a room, and deliberately took his own life. The deceased was married in Paducah on the 1st inst. In a letter addressed to no one in particular he exonerates his wife from any blame for his death, and gives as a reason for his rash act that he was deranged and could not resist the desire to kill himself. The following notes were also found in his room, and are evidently the last he wrote. “The Silver Moon is playing me a dirge. Many thanks to her. J. T. H.” “Col. Pickett: Please see that I am decently interred. All these clothes are good enough. Don’t change any of them. J. T. H.” “The Silver Moon starts out of port. I raise the fatal cup. Oh, God, take my soul. J. T. Hays.” “I have drank the draught. I now lie down to rest in death. J. T. Hays.”
The steamer Silver Moon, upon which Hays returned
Sunday morning, remained at the wharf a short time, and was playing her
“calliope,” which the first note refers to. The body of an unknown person was found, entirely nude, at the upper floating docks. Judge Corcoran, coroner, summoned a jury whose verdict was accidental drowning of a person, name unknown. In the afternoon, while removing the ruins of the house lately occupied by J. Lederer, adjoining Bernard Smyth's, and immediately above the ruins of Miller & Stratton's store, the body of a man was discovered. The body was identified as that of Charles Mueller, a carpenter, an elderly German, without relatives here, but who has a son in the old country. He was last seen assisting in removing articles from Lederer's establishment, the morning of the late fire, and there remains no doubt that he was caught by a falling wall or chimney. He was fully identified and some $18 and fractional currency were found on his person. A jury was worn by Esq. Summerwell, who brought the following verdict.: “We the undersigned jury summoned and sworn by Justice Summerwell to inquire into the cause which induced the death of Charles Miller, found under the store of J. Lederer & Co., after hearing the sworn testimony elicited, render as our verdict that said Miller came to his death while endeavoring to rescue property from said store during the conflagration of the 7th inst. by falling of a wall or chimney upon him causing his death. W. Cuppy, foreman”
On the morning of the fire,
at the time the wall fell, it was thought a lad had been caught by the
avalanche of bricks and immediate efforts were made for his release by
removing the rubbish. It was ascertained that the boy in question had
narrowly escaped and the exertions for his release ceased, which if they had
been continued, would soon have led to the discovery of the body of
Mueller, which was in the very spot where they commenced to work, but
there was not the slightest idea such a catastrophe had happened.
It is a selfish feeling we
all experience--regretful and poignant sorrow—when the young and beautiful
are taken away from us. Yet we know it is for their good--they bloom no
more upon earth, but only to blossom in heaven. It is the cutting down of
our hope tree that was efflorescing with most brilliant anticipations. It
is sundering the softest, tenderest ties of affection that grew stronger day
by day. Still there is a sad pleasure in memory. The child is with us
always. Its infant grace, and struggling lips again lisping the first
words; the thousand artless ways to the parents' heart, are all remembered
and come back through the cares of every day life. We see the first efforts
at locomotion--how delightedly it takes the first tottering steps clasping a
finger of the outstretched hand. These are pleasing remembrances when time
has assuaged our grief, and should teach us not to repine, but submit to the
inscrutable dispensations of Providence unmurmuringly.
While the body was still
being towed to shore, the person towing it saw the body of a woman as he
supposed floating in the river, as he judged, but recently drowned. Having
the other body in tow, and no means of securing it, the floating body was
suffered to pass on.
In the name of decency, I
trust no other such ill-mannered and brutal conduct will be permitted.
Wednesday, 30 May 1866: UNION COUNTY. A Whisky Fight And Murder. A Young Man is Wounded with a Knife And Loses a Wooden Bucket Full of Blood ARREST AND ESCAPE OF THE MURDERER (From the Jonesboro Gazette, 26th inst.) On last Saturday a shooting match for one hundred dollars came off about seven miles west of this city, at John Barton’s grocery—better known as “Hell’s Half Acre.” This little spot of mother earth which bears so disreputable a name was thronged with the roughs of the Mississippi bottom, although there were some good men in the crowd. Whiskey being plenty, and the inclination to imitate the beast predominating over all sense of decency and sobriety with the majority present, it was not long until everything was ripe for a “muss” and the fight was inaugurated by some one pitching into Hugh Penrod. Sidney Penrod, son of Hugh, being present, and not wishing to see his father abused, made motions as if to aid him, when one King—with whom young Penrod had had some words that day, but which difficulty had been amicably settled—seized him by the hand, and drew a knife across his wrist, severing the radial artery. The wound was either not considered a dangerous one, or those present were too drunk to know a dangerous cut from any other, and nothing was done save the tying of a handkerchief around his wrist. Getting weak from the loss of blood, he was conducted to the house of one of his friends, where he remained Saturday night. Sunday morning came, and with it returned a little reason to those who had been bereft of it the evening before by their too frequent imbibing of bad whisky, when it was discovered that the wounded man was sinking, and for the first time it was thought best to send for a physician. A man was dispatched to Vancil’s Landing for someone pretending to be a doctor, but when he arrived and saw the wound, he declared that he had never treated a like case, and that a physician had better be sent for. A couple of men were then sent to Jonesboro, arriving about noon. Dr. Schuchard started immediately to attend to the sinking man, but got there too late—the young man had been dead an hour. It is supposed that he lost a wooden bucket full of blood. A warrant was issued for the arrest of King and he was soon in custody. When arrested, King appeared to be very lame from a stab in the thigh that he received in the fray, supposed to have been inflicted by himself, and no one suspecting that he would be able to escape, no precaution was used for his safe keeping, and he was left in charge of Esquire Gassaway, with whom he remained during Sunday night. On Monday morning the ‘Squire walked out into his garden with his prisoner, who still appeared to be very lame. The Squire had occasion to step into the house for a moment, leaving King in the garden, but was cautioned by his wife to watch the man, and returned immediately, but only to catch a glimpse of King making off at good speed for the timber. The neighborhood was aroused and search made for King, but all to no purpose; and thus, by carelessness, for it can be called nothing else, a murderer escaped justice, probably to commit as bad a deed in some other locality.
DIED in this city yesterday at 5 p.m. of inflammation of the brain, Mrs. Louisa, consort of H. C. Mills, aged 32 years. The friends are invited to attend the funeral at 10 o'clock this morning, from the residence north part of the city. The remains will be taken to Villa Ridge by the 11 1/2 o'clock train.
Thursday, 31 May 1866: ANOTHER OLD CAIROITE GONE.—One of our much respected fellow citizens, T. N. Gaffney, departed to that bourne from whence no traveler returns last night about 8 o’clock. We sympathize with his widow, for she has lost a loving and kind husband. We sympathize with his orphaned children, for they have lost a kind and indulgent father. We sympathize with the poor, for they have lost a generous friend. We sympathize with every citizen of Cairo, for we, with them, have lost a kind friend, a generous and public spirit. His funeral will take place at his late residence, from whence his body will be conveyed, on the noon train, to Villa Ridge for interment.
ATTENTION, HIBERNIANS!—All officers and members of the Hibernian Fire Co. No. 4, are requested to meet at their engine house this (Thursday) morning, at 9 o’clock, to attend the funeral of T. N. Gaffney, from his late residence on Davison street. John O’Callahan, Sec.
Friday, 1 Jun 1866: FUNERAL OF Tim Gaffney.—The mortal remains of our late fellow citizen, Mr. Timothy N. Gaffney, were followed to their last resting place yesterday by a large concourse of friends. The Hibernian Fire Company, of which Mr. Gaffney was a member, attended the funeral in full regalia. The remains were buried in the Villa Ridge Cemetery.
Saturday, 2 Jun 1866: MYSTYERIOUS AFFAIR. A Man Drowned on Wednesday Night Foul Play Probable Yesterday we heard of a very mysterious affair, which should be investigated by our police authorities without further delay. On last Wednesday night, a bright, moonlight night, at about 11 o'clock, Mr. Fisher, the watchman on the Mobile & Ohio wharf boat heard a disturbance of some kind on the wharf boat of Halliday Brothers, which lies above and next to Hendrick’s boat, the stern of which lies again the bow of the M. & O. R.R. boat. He thought he heard a voice crying, “Don't! Don't!” and the sound of scuffling feet. Thinking some one was fighting, he left his own boat and went in the direction of Hallidays'. When opposite the center of Hendrick's boat, he heard the cry of “Murder! Murder!” and immediately after a splashing sound, as if a heavy body had fallen into the river. As speedily as possible he ran around the guard of Hendrick’s boat, and looking over the side saw the form of a man disappearing under the boat. He endeavored to find a rope to throw to him, but could not do so. Mr. Fisher says that when he got around to the Kentucky side of the wharf boat, he met a youngish looking man he did not know who was apparently endeavoring to find a rope to throw to the drowning man. Mr. Yocum, of Hendrick's boat, says: I was sitting in the cabin about 11 o'clock, and heard noises of voices and moving feet, but thought they proceeded from a steamboat either just landing or going out from Hallidays' boat, so, I paid no attention to them. Shortly after, I heard a cry of “Murder!” followed by a splashing sound, as if someone had fallen into the river, and running out, I saw a man in the water, a short distance from Hallidays' boat, floating down toward ours. I then ran down stairs to give the man assistance and met Mr. Fisher, of the M. & O. R.R. boat, and a young man I had never seen before. The watchman on our boat says he heard the cry of “Murder!” These are all the particulars of the mysterious affair we could obtain. They are, however, sufficient, we think, to make it the duty of our police officers to investigate the matter, and endeavor to ascertain how the drowned man came to his death.
Sunday, 3 Jun 1866:
Frederick Haden was
shot by John Crowell, on last Friday week, and dangerously wounded.
Intimacy of Haden and Crowell's wife seem to have been the
cause (Metropolis Promulgator).
DECK HAND DROWNED—A colored deck hand on the steamer Cumberland from Nashville fell into the river yesterday at this port and was drowned.
An adopted daughter of Mr. Busher, of Springfield, Ill., 16 years of age, was killed on the 29th by the careless use of a pistol in the hands of a boy. He pointed the weapon at her not knowing it to be loaded and discharged the contents into her head.
Tuesday, 5 Jun 1866: DEAD. The last one of the many heroes that fought side by side with the immortal Washington has been swept away by the unerring angel of death. There does not breathe one living creature who bore arms under the leadership of him who now sleeps amid the green foliage of Mount Vernon. Lemuel Cook, the last of the soldiers of the Revolution, is no more; he died at Clarendon, Orleans County, New York, on the 20th ult. at the advanced age of one hundred and two years. “He was born in Plymouth, Vermont. At the age of seventeen he entered the army of the revolution first in the dragoons and then in the infantry, under Col. Sheldon. Mr. Cook was three years in the army, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, and took an honorable discharge at the close of the war, signed by General Washington. Mr. Cook removed to Western New York to reside more than thirty years ago. He has been in feeble health for a year or two past, but up to 1864 was quite active.”
CORONER'S INQUEST.—An inquest was held Sunday on the body of a negro found in the wheel of the steamer David White laying at this port. The body was recognized to be that of a negro named Johnson, and it is supposed to be the sequel to the mysterious murder affair which we chronicled having occurred last Wednesday, from the fact that marks of violence were found upon the body of the deceased, and he was missing from that time. The verdict of the jury was in accordance with these facts.
Friday, 8 Jun 1866: A Miss Hughes died at Bloomington on the 2d inst. from the effects of chloroform administered by a dentist.
A Negro was killed at Bowling Green, Ky., Sunday night last by a knife blade in the left breast by a white man who claimed he had bumped into them on a sidewalk and pulled a pistol on them.
DEAD BODY FOUND.—Coroner’s Inquest.—Esq. Summerwell acting as coroner, yesterday held an inquest on the dead body of a negro found in the Ohio River at this point on Tuesday. No papers or marks were on the body that could lead to his being identified. The verdict was that the deceased came to his death by drowning from causes unknown. The body was suitably interred.
Sunday, 10 Jun 1866: I regret to hear of the suicide of Sergeant Hayes at Paducah. Hayes was a brave soldier, and as a military policeman and afterwards as route agent on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, proved himself a competent and faithful officer. He was a true friend and his death will be regretted by all who knew him. When I last saw him (on the 24th of March) no one would have imagined that he would come to such an end. Peace be to his ashes.
Tuesday, 12 Jun 1866: DIED. In this city last evening, Eva Willetta, daughter of William D. and A. E. Murphy, aged 1 year, 9 months, 21 days. The funeral will take place from the residence of Mr. Murphy at 11 o’clock this morning. The friends are invited.
DIED—In St. Louis on the 10th inst., Lilly R., youngest daughter of J. P. and Mary F. Prather, aged 4 months.
Saturday, 15 Jun 1866: Death of a Soldier—On last Sunday a soldier of the 37th Illinois Infantry from Texas came to the city and stopped at the Louisiana Hotel quite ill and was showed to a room. Becoming worse, the services of Dr. Dunning were brought into requisition, but to no avail and on Monday he died. The remains were decently interred by the proprietors of the house, Messr. Courtway & Standing. We are requested to state that the deceased had sufficient money to pay all bills. He stated that his relatives resided in Woodstock, Ill., and a telegram was sent, but no answer was received. Any information regarding deceased and his effects will be given the relatives by Messr. Courtway & Standing.
Tuesday, 19 Jun 1866: Fatal Accident—While the steamer W. R. Arthur was lying at the wharf Sunday afternoon, an accident occurred which resulted in the death of the second mate on the boat, whose name we could not learn. A stanchion fell on him and crushed his skull. The body of the deceased was taken to St. Louis for interment.
Wednesday, 20 Jun 1866 Died on yesterday, the 19th, Minnie, daughter of W.F. and Sophia Beerworth, aged 7 months, 8 days. Funeral at 11 o’clock this morning from Ninth Street. The remains will be taken to Villa Ridge by 12 ½ o’clock train.
FUNERAL Of JAMES EGAN.—The attention of the members of Hibernian Fire Company No. 4 is called to the following notice: The members of the Hibernian Fire Company, No. 4, are requested to meet at their engine house this (Wednesday) morning the 20th inst., at half past eight o'clock in uniform (black pants) to attend the funeral of their deceased brother, James Egan. Every member in good standing is expected to attend, as the deceased was one of the founders of the company. By order of the President. John O'Callahan, Sec'y
Thursday, 21 Jun 1866: DEAD. Mr. Goodall, of the Times, yesterday received news of the death of his mother at Lunenburg, Vt. In his bereavement he has the sympathy of the Democrat.
Friday, 22 Jun 1866: At Carrollton on the 25th, John Pegler committed suicide by hanging himself. He had recently arrived from Ohio and was preparing to build a foundry and machine shop.
Saturday, 23 Jun 1866: SIX YEARS—Martin Ryan who shot his wife a few months ago was tried in the circuit court and convicted of assault with intent to kill. He was sentenced to six years imprisonment in the penitentiary.
Mr. Hampton Devel, a well-known lower pilot, died at his residence in this city yesterday morning. Mr. Devol and Mr. Louis Papin were pilots on the Lilly on her last trip to Vicksburg and both are now dead.
MURDER CASE.—The People of Illinois vs. William Harney and John Bryant, for murder.—Last March John Manie was crushed by a train of cars on the Illinois Central R. R., on the Ohio Levee, between Fourth and Sixth streets. The defendants were arrested on suspicion of having thrown the deceased upon the track. States Attorney Wall and S. P. Wheeler, Esq. appeared for the people and Judge William Allen and Louis Houck, Esq., for the defense. After great difficulty, the following jury was obtained: JURY
William Hilton, Alex.
Milford, L. H. Brockway, Milton Axley, William
Davidson, R. B. Crippen, Thomas Milford, J. H. Kelley,
Charles Fields, John H. Davis, William Parrot, E. H.
Wheeler. After Mr. Wall, Judge Allen briefly addressed the Jury. Substantially:
I need not speak of the
importance of the case. You, gentlemen are to pass upon the highest crime
known to the laws. I admit a feeling of deeply solicitude for the
defendants, being satisfied that they are innocent of the crime charged
against them. They are strangers here—young men hitherto of irreproachable
character. Hearing of the death of Manie and of the charges made
against the prisoners, I felt anxious to know the facts, and attended the
preliminary examination before Esq. Bross. At the conclusion of Judge Allen's speech the court adjourned until this morning.
25 Jun 1866: ALEXANDER CIRCUIT COURT. June Term Hon. William H. Green, Presiding The People vs. William Harney and John Bryan—charge, murder On Friday afternoon, the Jury was empanelled and the case opened for the State’s Attorney, George W. Wall, Esq., for the prosecution, and Hon W. J. Allen for the defense. Yesterday morning the witnesses for the prosecution were examined at considerable length and cross-examined closely and rigidly. Mr. Arnold’s testimony went to show that the parties, John Manie and William Harney and John Bryan with others, were in the Albatross drinking—that he saw with Manie a five dollar note, which was spent in treating, except a trifle of change. Manie was considerably intoxicated, but the others appeared at themselves. A number of persons were in the saloon, going out and coming in. At one time, no great while before the catastrophe, Manie went out of the door and was followed by the parties accused. They returned together, and remained awhile in the saloon, Manie still appearing intoxicated and rolling a good deal as he walked. At last he was lost to view of witness, a screen being so arranged that witness could not see him when he passed out of the door. In a short time the others passed out of sight same way. In about fifteen minutes, Harney and Bryan returned. Somebody asked where was the little man; when somebody else answered that he had gone home. Witness could not say whether it was the barkeeper or one of the accused who gave the answer. There were other parties in the saloon. About five minutes after Harney and Bryan came in the room the last time, the watchman of some boat came in and said a man was lying on the track who had probably been run over by the train. Witness and Washburne (another policeman since deceased) went out and found a man lying on the track as described, a short distance from the saloon. The track runs near the sidewalk. He described the position in which Manie lay. They found the left crushed by the wheels of the cars, and removed him into the saloon. Those inside gathered around the wounded man, except Harney and Bryan, who did not appear to notice much. When their attention was called, they said it was a shame a man should be run over in that way. Witness was about to describe two men who were near the body while on the track, who went away when asked to help, but was stopped, as what they said was irrelevant. Suspicion soon fastened on Harney and Bryan. The wounded man did not say that he suspected anyone. He seemed to be in great pain, and was placed on the floor in a corner of the saloon, and medical assistance sent for. Harney and Bryan stood by the counter. One asked the other about the drinks, who answered he had no stamps. A ten-dollar note was changed for drinks by one of the parties. Dr. Holden testified that the deceased had been removed to the Poor House, and seemed very low. His pulse was scarcely perceptible, and it was feared nature had received too great a shock to survive amputation. The only possible thing was, as far as possible to alleviate his suffering. He seemed averse to stimulants. Beside the crushed limb, at first did not perceive any outward marks of violence. Manie said he had received a blow in the mouth, which knocked him down. Witness then perceived he had been struck in the mouth, and the lips cut on the inside, as if against the teeth. Witness noticed that one of the pockets of the sack he wore was turn out, and had nothing in it. After deceased had called, he told witness he had been attacked by four men; he did not know them, but would recognize them, if he saw them, said they had knocked him down, and the first thing he knew, the train had passed over his legs. It was about 11 o’clock when this conversation occurred. He appeared natural. About 12 o'clock the prisoners were brought in and recognized. Witness could not say which was first brought in. When presented and told they had found the persons suspected of robbing him, he hesitated at first, but on his attention being directed a second time, said that was one of them. He readily identified the second prisoner. A third person under arrest was presented, who, he said, was there, but had no hand in it. The prisoners were in the room about six to ten minutes. There was no conversation between the deceased and prisoners. Witness was called away and was absent some time; when he returned, thought Manie was better, and had rallied enough to bear amputation. It was only in the morning he was incoherent--not after 10 o’clock. Said he would know them if he could see them. Said nothing of any prior knowledge. Could not say that the remark the prisoners suspected had been put in jail was made so loud the wounded man could hear. Could not speak as to his temperament. He was a small man, not very stout, was well made, had blue eyes and dark hair, and he believed a moustache. Could not say as to his extraction. Dr. Smith examined. Am practicing physician, was such in March last. Saw prisoners yesterday. Saw Manie in March or later part of February. Was much prostrated by his injuries. His legs were crushed, one low down and the other below the knee. There was little hope for his recovery—though it was impossible. Tried to get him to take stimulants. Found it difficult. Told him his condition—if he had friends and wished word sent to them he should lose no time, said he did not wish his friends to know how and where he died. With difficulty it was ascertained his name was Manie. He spelt it. Dr. Gordon, partner of witness, had charge of the case, and being unwell, witness attended as his partner. To the best recollection, witness saw him four times—the first time 8 or 9 o'clock, then 10 and 11. At 12 o'clock he seemed to rally, and at 2 o'clock the improving condition seemed permanent. Witness was not there when the men were brought in. Manie said he had been drinking in the saloon with four men; and started off. He was followed; a demand for his money was made. He refused to give it up, when they struck him in the mouth and threw him on the railroad track. Witness saw his lip was cut on the inside, as if from a square blow, against the teeth; from a fall the abrasion on the outside would be noticeable. On cross-examination said it was difficult to distinguish between a blow and a fall. After the prisoners were there he suffered considerably. The keeper got him to take some morphine and brandy. He appeared drowsy, with very little pulse; eyes rather restless and wild. His clothing was plain, rather near and new. He was nearly dressed for a working man. To State’s Attorney: He died of the injuries received. Here the State rested. The defense called Mr. Breese. Resides in Cairo. Was here in March. Is acquainted with the prisoners. Harney was at work with witness at Hallidays—had been working there two or three months. Heard of the accident. Harney worked there immediately before. Bryan had not been at work there for a considerable time. Hands were paid off every Saturday night. Bryan had been working there some time before. Wages were $12 per week, but with over work, sometimes made $15 or $20. Was acquainted with Harney while working there. Commenced early in December. Bryan worked there the first part of the winter, about the time Harney commenced. Was not there when the occurrence took place. Thomas Meehan was raised where they were, in Ireland. Knew them since last fall in Cairo. Was acquainted with their general character. It was pretty good. Saw them the night of the difficulty. Come to witness’ house about 9 o’clock. Did not know where they boarded. Did not know the deceased. Knew the prisoners in Ireland. Left there before they did. They were then ten or twelve years old. Saw them no more till last fall. The State’s Attorney remarked that he was anxious to go on the train, and if it met with approval, the counsel would address the Jury in behalf of the prisoners, and the argument would be concluded by S. P. Wheeler, Esq. for the people. Mr. Houck said this was a case of importance. It would decide in a sentence the destiny of two human beings. He hoped the jury would listen to the few words he had to say in behalf of the prisoners with attention. He described the position of the jury; it was of the most grave and solemn nature. They were judges of the law and the facts in this case. He was there to contrast guilt and innocence before the jury—they were there to vindicate the law and secure justice. He said: Deceased, in company with these two men, were in a saloon together. Manie was drunk and staggered five feet out of the way in the distance of ten feet, as described by witness of the prosecution. That night he had fallen back, and slept where he lay. When he waked up he drank again—he drank as many as four times. He might have stumbled on the tract; or might have gone to sleep against the store-boxes, and fallen over. The train came on immediately after, and crushed his legs. Take another hypothesis, as to the motive of the crime. What motive was there? Money or revenge? Was there any proof that Manie had money? Arnold saw but a five-dollar note with him, which he spent, and no money was found upon him. When asked to treat he said he had no money. He himself asked to be treated. He had been spreeing for two or three days. If he had started with $60 he had spent it all. What motive then for taking his life? Here is the absence of any such motive. Take the other hypothesis. What motive of revenge or vindictive feeling was there? None. They had drank with him. They knew he had no money, for he asked them to treat him. They went out together, and these men returned in fifteen minutes and took a drink. This did not look like crime. If they had been guilty of the alleged iniquity, they would have gone home, concealed themselves, certainly not have returned to the saloon, where but a few moments before they had been seen together. Men were passing this point in numbers. If two or four men had thrown him on the track, there would have been a struggle, which could not have escaped observation. The more reasonable hypothesis is, that growing sleepy and confused, he lay or fell down on the track, and was roused to consciousness only by the train passing over him and crushing his limbs. Mr. Houck reviewed the testimony at length, and taking the dying declaration of the deceased in recognizing the prisoners as uncertain and doubtful, he applied the law as found in Greenleaf and Phillips. He referred to the $10 found on the prisoners, and said it was received in payment at Halliday’s. He asked not for mercy. He dared the jury, under the circumstances bring a verdict of guilty. He withdrew that dare. He relied on their justice. They were free agents, and could send these men to the gallows in the prime of manhood. They could send unutterably grief to human hearts, across the ocean, where brothers and sisters would weep for the shame brought upon them. But they would not return such a verdict. They would return a verdict, which would enable them to sleep the sleep of conscious rectitude. Judge Allen followed also for defense in a speech of great power. We are admonished by the length of this report that we may not attempt even the most meager outline of his argument. There was not a point, great or small, in testimony that was not touched and bandied with consummate skill. It was almost impossible to doubt the verdict when he closed. The argument was closed by Mr. Wheeler for the People. He dwelt on the atrocity of the crime; that they had been together, drank together, went away together, and when the prisoners returned to the saloon, they drank; nor did they allow the natural sympathy of humanity when the bleeding form was brought in, and all the others crowded round; they alone stood aloof in conscious guilt. After the Court had given the requisite instructions, the jury retired. It was not thought they would remain out long. On the resumption of business by the Court, after a brief repose, the jury brought in a verdict of “Not Guilty,” and the prisoners were discharged.
26 Jun 1866: SENTENCE OF CONVICTS.—In the circuit court yesterday the following prisoners, who had been found guilty by the jury, were brought before Judge Green and were sentenced to the penitentiary: William Scott, larceny, two years at hard labor; one day solitary confinement. Martin Ryan, assaulting with intention to murder his wife, six years at hard labor; one week in each year solitary confinement. John Carr, larceny, two years Hugh Penrod, assault with intent to murder (change of venue from Union County) one year Thomas Sweeney, larceny, two years Richard Agen, larceny, five years John Agen, larceny, five years Alexander Higgins, larceny, two years
Sunday, 1 Jul 1866: Died in this city on Saturday morning of consumption, Henry Smith after a lingering illness, aged about 30 years. The funeral of the deceased will take place today at 1 o’clock from his late residence corner of Fifteenth and Cedar streets. Friends and acquaintances are invited to attend. A funeral train will convey parties to Villa Ridge.
Tuesday, 3 Jul 1866: Committed Suicide.—Mrs. Catharine Bundschue, of Hickman, Ky., committed suicide at that point a few days since by throwing herself into the river. It is alleged that cruelty on the part of her husband, to whom she was married but two months, and that of his relatives, caused the fatal step. The body was found yesterday.
Tuesday, 17 Jul 1866: DROWNED—A man whose name we did not learn was drowned on Sunday morning in the Mississippi at Bird's Point, opposite Cairo. He rode a horse into the river, and was carried away by the current. Not being able to swim, he sank to rise no more, before help could reach him.
Effects of Deceased Soldiers The friends of the following deceased soldiers can obtain their effects by addressing “Dr. H. Wardner, Post Surgeon, Cairo, Ill.” Immediate application should be made, or the effects will be disposed of by a council of administration: James Camel, private Co. H, 13th Illinois Cavalry Henry Develing, private Co. C, 40th Missouri Infantry Elijah Cook, private Co. E, 34th New Jersey Infantry Stephen Jones, private, Co. D, 6th Tennessee Cavalry Frank Berau, private, Co. H, 14th Wisconsin Infantry F. Christianson, private, Co. E, 10th Missouri Infantry John Campbell, private, Co. I, 10th Minnesota Infantry Oscar Greggs, private, Co. H, 10th Minnesota Infantry John Barmouter, Co. K, 14th Wisconsin Infantry James Clisbee, private, Co. M, 3rd Illinois Cavalry J. W. Armontrout, private, Co. H, 1st U. S. Cavalry Judus M. Wilson, private, Co. M, 6th Illinois Cavalry James Kelley, private, Co. __, 3rd Illinois Cavalry James Tribue, private, Co. E, 16th Illinois Infantry O. Benjamin, private, Co. G, 13th Wisconsin Infantry Henry Durck, private, Co. C, 153rd Illinois Infantry W. H. Phillips, private, Co. G, 153rd Illinois Infantry E. J. Patrick, sergeant, Co. D, 28th Illinois Infantry John Witenburg, private, Co. G, 14th Missouri Infantry Albert Foree, private, Co. C, 153rd Illinois Infantry David Lyons, private, Co. G, 125th Ohio Infantry Frank McNulty, private, Co. E, 35th Indiana Infantry Hiram Allen, private, Co. D, 125th Ohio Infantry James Woodrow, corporal, Co. G, 4th Missouri Infantry Jacob Zimmerman, private, Co. A, 65th Ohio Infantry Thomas Bowman, colored recruit, unassigned George Moses, private, Co. C, 60th U. S. Colored Infantry William Thomas, private, Co. C, 106th U. S. Colored Infantry James H. Turner, corporal, Co. F, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Charles Irwin, private, Co. E, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry James Foges, private, Co. D, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Wesley Dry, private, Co. I, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Thomas Cunningham, private, Co. I, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Thomas H. Richardson, private, Co. E, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Wesley Skillman, private, Co. K, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Caleb Burton, private, Co. I, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Ned Jacobs, private, Co. H, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Edmund Fleming, private, Co. C, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Joseph Coward, private, Co. K, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry William Gains, private, Co. E, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Tillman Bullock, private, Co. G, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Felix Mattingly, private, Co. C, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Jack Satterwait, private, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Robert Taylor, corporal, Co. F, 125th U. S. Colored Infantry Editors are requested to give circulation to the above for the benefit of surviving friends.
Wednesday, 18 Jul 1866: DROWNED—The body of a drowned man was taken from the river yesterday. An inquest was held.
Friday, 20 Jul 1866: A GENTLEMAN DROWNED—We are informed that a man belonging to the gunboat Louisville, which lies between Cairo and Mound City, was drowned last night. He was bathing and got beyond his depth. The body was recovered this morning.
Saturday, 21 Jul 1866: Disturbing a Negro Funeral Pat McLaughlin, the gentleman who puts dead paupers under the ground, at so much a dead head, attended a Negro funeral last Tuesday and raised a disturbance. The preacher was going through the funeral services, when Patrick raised his Ebenezer and “swore like our troops to Flanders,” compelling the minister to cut his prayer as short as the hair of a pugilist ready for a fight. Summerwell, armed with a warrant, surrounded him. Yesterday he was tried before Shannessy, who fined him $10 and costs.
Friday, 27 Jul 1866: DROWNED—We learn that a few days since, Jeremiah O’Callahan, a resident of this city, was drowned while bathing at Humboldt, Tenn. His family reside in this city.
THE CALEDONIA DEMOCRATIC BARBECUE Large and Enthusiastic Meeting Speeches by Hon. W. J. Allen, Louis Houck, Esq., and M. J. Ferguson A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS Yesterday, we attended the great Democratic Barbecue at Caledonia. At about 8 o’clock in the morning, the steamer Victor No. 2 left the wharf at Cairo with a large number of Cairoites aboard—ladies and gentlemen. At Mound City a large delegation, with a banner and a Model Monitor on wheels, came aboard. We noticed the following among the mottoes on the banners: “Mound City and Caledonia unite today; in Union there is strength:” “Look Out for the Fall Elections: Pulaski’s good for Two Hundred Democratic Majority;” “Andrew Johnson, Our Country’s Hope;” “The War Against the Union is just over—the War Against Radicalism has just commenced.” At Caledonia a very large concourse of people were ready to receive the Cairo and Mound City delegations, and the crowd at once repaired to a grove about three quarters of a mile from the landing, where seats had been provided for the people and a stand erected for the speakers. The meeting was organized, and Judge Allen introduced to the people, who received him with loud applause. We cannot give a report of Judge Allen’s speech, but we must say it was one of the ablest arguments we ever listened to. He discussed all the issues now before the public, and held up to the ridicule and execrations of the vast audience the wicked policy of the Radicals. After the conclusion of Judge Allen’s speech, the company surrounded the barbecue tables and eat heartily of the good things which had been provided for the occasion. When dinner was over Louis Houck, Esq., of this city, addressed the people. His speech was an able effort—eloquent, argumentative and full of denunciation of the Radical party. After Mr. Houck came Mr. John Ferguson, of Kentucky, who entertained the audience for about half an hour. Mr. Ferguson is an able popular orator, and his remarks elicited loud applause. We regret that the pleasure of the occasion was marred by several serious accidents.. In the turret of the “model monitor” were Peter Capoot, Charles Friganza, and Jacob Schuler of Mound City, who loaded and fired off a small cannon. About eight pounds of powder was in the turret, and in loading, it became scattered over the deck. The fuse employed to “touch off” the cannon was discarded for a cigar. The ashes of the cigar fell upon the power and it exploded, burning the inmates of the turret in a terrible manner. Peter Capoot is so seriously injured that he cannot recover; Charles Friganza’s wounds are dangerous; Jacob Schuler is seriously but not dangerously injured. Several cases of sunstroke also occurred—one was fatal. Charles Wittig of Wittig’s band died from the effects of the sun, while on the boat returning to Cairo.
DEATH FROM SUN STROKE.—An inquest was held last evening upon the body of James Bartlett, who died suddenly on Washington Avenue, corner of Seventeenth Street. The verdict was to the effect that the deceased came to his death from sunstroke. He was from Mississippi County, Missouri, and with a party of three others, came down the Mississippi River, to this place, with a skiff load of marketing, landing here at 2 o'clock yesterday. While here he complained of a dizziness in his head, and partook of several glasses of beer, and one of whisky. His companion, a lad of 14 years, was walking him on his way to the river, about 5 p.m., when at the spot mentioned, he fell and was soon a corpse. His body will be suitably interred by the authorities. Below we publish The Verdict of the Coroner's Jury,
We the jury, summoned to
inquire into the cause of the death of James Bartlett, found dead at
the corner of Seventeenth Street and Washington Avenue find that deceased
came to his death by sunstroke. That his name is James Bartlett and
that he was a resident of Mississippi County, Missouri. There was found
upon the person of deceased one old silver watch worth $5 and the sum of 70
cents in fractional currency. C. Winslow, Foreman; G. S. Davison, John Curran, M. Foss, C. J. Hyland, George Gray, James Houlahan, John Egan, Emmet Brown, John Bourne, A. Signaigo, W. W. Freeman.
Saturday, 28 Jul 1866: BURIED.—Charles Wittig, junior, who died from the effects of sunstroke on Thursday was buried yesterday. His body was taken to Villa Ridge on the 12 o'clock train. (See also 27 Jul 1866, issue.)
DIED. At Mound City, from the effect of the explosion at Caledonia on the occasion of the recent barbecue, Charles, son of Romeo Friganza, aged 15 years. His remains will be interred at Villa Ridge today. The friends and family are invited to attend the funeral from the residence of his parents.
DEAD.—Charles Friganza, who was wounded by the explosion of gunpowder at the Caledonia barbecue, died last evening at three o'clock. The deceased was a boy of fifteen years of age, of superior intelligence. His premature and unexpected death has brought sorrow to a large circle of friends and has cast gloom over the entire community.
ANOTHER VICTIM Of SUNSTROKE. A Mr. Cunningham, a resident of Mound City, while in attendance at the Caledonia Barbecue, was sun stroke. On the Victor, returning, he was compelled to take a state room. At Mound City he got up and walked ashore. We are informed that he died shortly after reaching his home.
DEATH Of AN UNKNOWN MAN.—A
stranger got on board the Henry Ames at this city on Monday evening,
bound for St. Louis, and was soon afterwards taken sick. When the boat
arrived at St. Louis, the sick man was sent to the City Hospital. He died
soon after entering the building.
SAD.—Mr. Hambleton, of Mound City, attended the barbecue at Caledonia. When he left home, a child which had been ill was much better than it had been for some time, and he nor his family had any thought that its end was near, but when he reached home in the evening he found it a corpse. The blow was a severe one. In his affliction, Mr. Hambleton has our sympathy, and we trust he will have strength to patiently submit to the will of Him who “doeth all things well.”
Tuesday, 31 Jul 1866: Remarks of Mr. Crawford to His School Concerning the Death of His Pupil Master Charles Friganza Scholars—Respect for the memory of one of our number, who shall meet with us no more on earth, decides me to adjourn school until tomorrow morning. A school at all times quiet, kind and respectful, to a degree seldom observed in any school, you are especially so at this moment. Need I ask the cause of this deathlike silence; or search your youthful hearts to find a solution of this manifestation of deepest grief? No! That vacant seat, a weeping father, and sisters refusing to be comforted, furnish to us the sorrowful answer. Charles was no ordinary child. Endowed by nature with the most extraordinary talents, he was intuitively led to investigate everything; and, as is usual in such cases, his inquiry was pushed to its farthest possible limit before any thought of what it might cost entered his mind. For this he is not to be blamed. However, only for this inborn, uncontrollable desire to understand everything, my pupil would not have fallen a victim to the awful gunpowder explosion on last Thursday. Is Charles lost to us forever? Alas! He is. Can we never take him by the hand again? Can we never again look upon that unusually intellectual and expressive countenance and into those beautiful black eyes, in which his soul was always mirrored forth, and feel the magnetic effect of his powerful and rapidly developing mind? The shroud, the hearse, the funeral train, and the newly made grave answer. Yes, sadly and sorrowfully, do they answer, no! A severe disciplinarian, inexorable and uncompromising in my requirements of the performance of school duty, my pupils sometimes feel sad until they have had time to reflect as to the justice or injustice of certain measures necessary to insure success in teaching. The pupil whose untimely death we mourn, was in the midst of passing through the transition state of mind which separates boyhood from manhood, and upon the happy issue of which depends entirely the future usefulness and happiness of all youth. But Charles was passing safely over the gulf. But, in his passage of that most difficult and dangerous portion of the sea of life, he has been suddenly called home. He has been summoned to cross that dark and mysterious river, separating life and death, over which we shall all sooner or later be required to pass; and happy shall we be, if, in that dread hour, we can clear its dark waters as safely as we know he in his childhood purity has done. Were it not for the suffering I still experience from the sickness which kept me from being present at his father’s house during the last hours that his mortal remains were with us, and which prevented my attendance at his funeral, I would extend my remarks and discuss the proposition—that “mind is all that is valuable to man;” and of the proper method of improving and developing mind. Some pupils are asking, in their minds, did he say anything before he died? With joy inexpressible, I answer, he did. His last words were (a friend informs me), “Father forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” These sublime words show, not only how clear his consciousness was to the last moment, but they assure us unmistakenably of what is of more importance, that his early religious teaching had found fruitful soil in his free young heart, and that these holy utterances were to be garnered by his death father, and the person who in his infancy took the place of his death mother—by his sisters, brothers, and friends—as the rich golden harvest of early and careful parental instructions. Let us, as a school, as pupils and teachers, profit, without further comment, by the lesson, which this sad bereavement teaches. And let us join with all good people in offering to the sorrowing parents, brothers and sisters of the deceased, our most sincere condolence for their irreparable loss. As it is your request, I will furnish a copy of what has been said to the parents of the deceased; also a copy to the Mound City Journal, and Cairo Democrat, for publication. Mound City, July 30, 1866
Thursday, 2 Aug 1866: CAPOOT DEAD—Peter Capoot, of Mound City, who was wounded at the Caledonia picnic, died Tuesday evening. His sufferings were intense and death came to him welcomely, like an angel of mercy and not armed with terrors.
DROWNED MAN—The body of an unknown drowned man floated to shore near the wharf boat Chancellor yesterday. Coroner Corcoran held an inquest upon the body. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death by drowning. On his person was a $20 bill on the Danbridge Bank of Tennessee and $4 in currency.
Friday, 3 Aug 1866: IN TOWN.—The sprightly editor of the Charleston, (Mo.) Courier, whose obituary notice was published in this paper some months ago, but who is yet alive and kicking, was in the city yesterday, en route for St. Louis, Portland (Me.) and the Atlantic Telegraphic Cable. We wish him a good time.
Mr. Thomas C. Morse, one of the firm of Morse & Daggett, and Superintendent of the Fulton Dick Company, died very suddenly in this city on the 31st ult. He was an old resident of St. Louis, a gentleman of fine social and business qualities, and his loss will be keenly felt. The flags of all the boats in port yesterday were kept at half-mast as a tribute of respect to Mr. Morse's memory.
Sunday, 5 Aug 1866: Funeral Notice--Mrs. Mary Hennessy, an old resident of Cairo, died in Indianapolis, Ind., Thursday night. Her body will arrive in Cairo this morning. The friends and acquaintances of the deceased are invited to attend the funeral from the residence of her sister, Johanna Hennessy (Memphis Exchange) on the Ohio Levee at 11 a.m. The body will be conveyed on the noon train to Villa Ridge.
Sunday, 12 Aug 1866: Gustave Korston died Thursday (9 Aug 1866) of injuries after he was run over by a fire engine two weeks ago.
DIED OF CHOLERA—A Mr. Kelsy, a lawyer from Iowa, died in this city yesterday evening. His disease of cholera morbus. His widow arrived in Cairo and published a letter of thanks to the members of the I.O.O.F. who came to her aid (Thursday, 16 Aug 1866).
SUDDEN DEATH—A servant lady at the Sewell House died very suddenly yesterday evening. She was taken seriously ill and died in a few hours. It is supposed to be cholera.
DIED.—Yesterday
evening, Mr. Martin Williams, of Fredonia, Portage County, Ohio.
Tuesday, 14 Aug 1866: DIED. At Ripon, Wisconsin, Saturday, August 11, 1866, Mary Irvin, aged 8 1/2 months, daughter of Jesse B. and Mary J. Humphreys, of this city. Little Mary is no more!
A little ray of love came
down from Heaven and for a few short months shed its light across the
pathway of a fond father and loving mother; then an angel came and bore it
hence again to its celestial home.
CORRECTION.—In speaking of the death of Martin Williams in Saturday's issue, the types made us say that Dr. Holden had “seven hundred and fifty-five dollars of Mr. W.'s money” instead of seven dollars and fifty-five cents, the amount of money in the possession of Dr. Holden.
Wednesday, 15 Aug 1866: MURDER—Mr. Wethrington, an esteemed citizen of Rose Clear, Ill., was murdered on Saturday night, last, by three men who robbed him of $240. They set fire to the house. When found his eyes were burned out. Two men were arrested and one of them confessed to being concerned in the murder.
Thursday, 16 Aug 1866: A STEAMBOAT CAPTAIN FINED FOR LANDING A CHOLERA CORPSE AT THE WHARF—A man died on the steamer Mississippi of cholera. The captain of the boat, J. Y. Hurd, put the corpse off at the wharf of this city, and was arrested yesterday, by Officer Robinson., Squire Shannessy fined him $100 (the highest fine) and costs. The captain appealed to the circuit court where he can be fined $500.
Thursday, 23 Aug 1866: DEATH OF A SOLDIER.—Edward B. Tutor, C. B., 48th regiment Ohio volunteers, a resident of Fayette County, Ohio, died on board the steamer Julia, about 11 o'clock yesterday morning, when within a mile of this city. He was aged 32 years, and has friends living at his old home in Ohio. He was on this way from the Dry Tortugas to Columbus to be mustered out of the service.
Friday, 24 Aug 1866: The Cholera—There was very little cholera excitement yesterday. We heard of only a few deaths from cholera yesterday. We hope the days of the pestilence in Cairo are about numbered.
Saturday, 25 Aug 1866: Premature Burying We are informed that a lady was attacked by cholera on Thursday, and died at 12 o’clock that night. A coffin had been prepared by her husband in anticipation of her death. As soon as life was out of her body, the husband had it placed in the burial case and hurried off to the graveyard. This unnatural conduct may have been caused by fear the pestilence would spread from the body to the neighborhood, but it looks as though the husband was anxious to get rid of his “better half” as speedily as possible. The books of the doctors say that the bodies of people who die of cholera should not be buried prematurely, as instances of a return of life have been known. The belief that the dead body is more contagious than the living cholera patient is a mistaken belief.
Friday, 31 Aug 1866: Mr. William Hamilton, chief engineer of the steamer W. R. Arthur, died on his last trip up, of cholera, and was buried at (Island?) Number 16.
Sunday, 2 Sep 1866: E. H. Burnham, editor of the Marion Star died.
Death of a Worthy Young Man. We regret to learn that Mr. Henry E. Simonds delivery clerk in the Post Office, died suddenly at the residence of his mother, in this city, at 2 o'clock a.m., yesterday. His disease was dysentery. Deceased was an amiable and excellent young man, and his death will be lamented by all who were acquainted with him.
Capt. Orvid C. Williams did not die of cholera, as reported, but died of congestion of the brain.
Charles V. Moore, formerly clerk of the Ida Handy and other steamers, died at St. Louis last week of hemorrhage of the lungs, instead of cholera.
Capt. James McGinnis, an old and highly respected steamboat engineer, commander and pilot, died suddenly of cholera, on Wednesday last, a short distance below Lexington, Mo. At the time of his attack he was pilot of the steamer Nile, bound from St. Louis to Upper Missouri. Hid body was put in a metallic case and buried at Lexington, from whence it will be removed to St. Louis after cold weather sets in.
Thursday, 6 Sep 1866: A Case of Jealousy and HomicideThere are some fast young bucks about this town who will perhaps remember one Mollie Trussel, a courtesan, who affected some style—was endowed with unusually personal charms and possessed a considerable means. She claimed one George Trussel, a “sporting character” and part owner of the celebrated racehorse “Dexter” and resided in Chicago as his husband. Not long since Trussel, having grown weary of his inamorata discarded and abandoned her, where upon she proceeded to verify the sentiment, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” She met with her lover, drew a revolver, and deliberately fired three shots through his heart. Mollie will have a hard road to travel. Verily the way of transgressors is hard.
Friday, 7 Sep 1866: DEATH OF JOSEPH S. REEVESWe are called upon to chronicle the news of the death of Mr. Joseph S. Reeves, of De Soto, Jackson County. He died last Tuesday, after a brief sickness. We have not learned the particulars of this mournful event, but it is enough to know (and the knowledge will awaken sorrow in many hearts) that Joseph S. Reeves is no more. He was a gentleman of prominence in the local affairs of Jackson County and at one time held the office of sheriff. He was respected by his neighbors and acquaintances and had a host of warm personal friends., In the prime of manhood he has fallen a victim to the destroyer, whose strength overcomes alike those whose sinews have been strung by adventure and endurance and emprise, and the weak and delicate of earth. Peace to the manes of our departed friend.
MIDNIGHT MURDER A Gambler Shot by his Mistress, a Cairo Cyprian--The Notorious George Trussell Dead--Scene in a Livery Stable.
Details of the Tragic
Occurrence--A woman who would not be Deserted--Their Former Quarrels The present week has already been signalized with more than one event of a startling character. Murder and bloodshed is rampant in the city, and one “doth tread upon another's heels.” Last night, about eleven o'clock, a murder was committed which will probably cause a wider and deeper excitement in the community than any recent even, owing to the notoriety of the parties, and the circumstances under which the affair took place. THE CRIME. George Trussell, the notorious gambler, whose name has been a familiar one to most of our citizens for several years past, was shot dead in a saloon by his former mistress, Mollie Trussell, a name almost equally notorious. It was the consummation of a protracted quarrel of two years standing, the last act of a tragedy, a not unnatural termination to such a career. The mere facts connected with the assassination may be given in a few lines, but the event itself calls up a long and painful history, the recital of which would occupy as many pages. Trussell had been all day at the racecourse, and was spending the evening with a number of his sporting friends around the city, drinking in the saloons, and making arrangements probably for the great match, which was to come off on the morrow. About half past ten o’clock he went into Seneca Wright’s saloon, No. 75 Randolph Street, and while there he met a Mr. Austin, of the circus company, and several companions, with whom Trussell was acquainted. Mr. Wright, who stood behind the bar, had just been asking Mr. Austin to sing a favorite song of his, called “Limerick Races,” and when Trussell entered he added his entreaties for the song. While they were engaged in urging Mr. Austin to give the song, a woman made her appearance at the door. It was Mollie Trussell, the woman who had formerly been Trussell’s mistress, and who for the past two years had been pursuing him and endeavoring to win him back to her again. She was attired in a gorgeous while moiré dress, with a light shawl thrown over it, and seemed as if she had just come from some dancing party. Trussell has all along endeavored to shake himself clear of this woman, and her appearance in the saloon was the signal for a quarrel. She asked him to go out with her. He refused, and as she would not be put off with a refusal, he took her by the shoulders and gently pushed her from him out of the door. Without saying another word Mollie drew a revolver from her pocket, leveled it, and fired. The shot evidently took effect, for Trussell immediately pressed his hand to his side, and retreated to the center of the saloon. Mollie pursued him and fired a second shot, placing the muzzle of the pistol close to his back. He cried out, “I am shot” and staggered to the side entrance leading from the saloon to the main entrance of Price’s livery stable. The woman still followed him, and fired again hitting him somewhere in the side. He staggered halfway across the stable entrance and fell dead on the spot. Mollie who was partially intoxicated, rushed out with a frantic scream, threw herself upon the prostrate form, crying out, “O, my George! My George! He is dead.” While she was indulging in bitter lamentations of a maudlin character, Mr. Yelverton, of the First Police Precinct, and detective William Douglas, came to the spot and took her to the Central Police Station. The sound of the pistols shots soon attracted an immense crowd around the saloon, and when it became known that it was George Trussell that was shot, the excitement grew intense. Everyone wanted to see him, and it required all the energies of the police to keep the place clear. The dead man was carried into the office of Mr. Price. There he lay stark and rigid, with his eyes dreadfully staring, and an expression of pain upon his face. A few moments before he was in robust health and chatting familiar with his friends around the bar. Now he was but a piece of inanimate clay. Those who had known him familiarly were inexpressibly shocked at the awful contrast and many of them exhibited signs of real emotion, while others were apparently struck speechless, as if unable to realize the fact. George Trussell’s CareerThus shamefully and sadly terminates the career of a man who at one time promised to be a useful and honorable member of society, but who falling fast into bad habits of dissipation, and then into vice, degenerated into a gambler, and met with a death which is by no means infrequent in the annals of that profession. Trussell was in the prime of life, being not more than 32 years of age, at the time of his death. He was a tall, slim, but well formed man, and had a rather prepossessing expression of countenance. Of his history prior to his advent into this city we possess very little information. As up to that time he was a young man of good character and regular habits, it probably contains little striking interest or consequence. He was formerly a bookkeeper in a commission house in Chicago, and from that he went into a banking house in the capacity of a bookkeeper. While there he became associated with a number of the fast characters of the city, the members of the sporting fraternity, and was initiated into the mysteries of Fare. He soon lost all the money he had saved, and very seriously impaired the reputation he had earned. He lost his situation in the bank and soon after started a gambling house on his own account. From that period, and during the past three or four years he has kept this gambling house, and was considered as one of the most prominent members of his profession. His principal place of residence has been Chicago, alternating with visits to St. Louis, Memphis, and other cities. Trussell was known among the black profession as what is termed a “square man,” and was universally like by his companions and acquaintances, among whom he number a pretty wide circle not members of the profession, but men of some standing in respectable walks of life. He was considerably addicted to drinking and for weeks together he would be seen in a kind of maudlin state of inebriation, not so much so that he could not play and win, but such as to make him lose control over his temper which was naturally warm and excitable. He was noted here as having been the only gambler who had acquired the notoriety in quarrelling with the editors of the two city papers. One of these quarrels was occasioned by an altercation, which occurred more than two years ago, between him and this same woman who has now murdered him, and within a block of the self same spot. Even then Mollie was pursuing him, and he was endeavoring to free himself from her. One day she seized him on the street, and wanted him to go with her, just as she did last night. Trussell got angry and beat the girl badly. The affair caused a good deal of excitement at the time, and is still remembered by many of our citizens. Last night she had her revenge, but the probability is that the act was unpremeditated on her part, and was more the result of a sudden blaze of rage and jealousy with drunkenness combined. No sooner did she seen him stretched dead on the ground before her, than her wrath was changed to wailing, and when she was removed to the Central Station she became quite hysterical, and threatened to commit suicide. Mollie Trussell. The career of this unfortunate woman has been a wild and chequered one, like that of thousands of her class. Ten years ago she was a chambermaid in the American House. She came from Columbus, Ohio, where she had been seduced from the paths of virtue. Being of an attractive figure, and possessing more than ordinary beauty, she soon became a favorite with the fast young men of the town. Among others, Trussell cast his eye upon her, and by and by adopted her as his own. She was devotedly attached to him; and his estrangement from her seems to have caused her the bitterest disappointment and sorrow. Several years ago she had a child, whom she claims as his offspring, and who is now at school at South Bend, Indiana, unconscious of his mother’s degradation and guilt. For the past two years Mollie has been the proprietor of a house of ill-fame on Fourth Avenue. At the Station Housethe ravings of the murderess were piteous to listen to. IT was impossible to obtain any of the motives which induced her to perpetrate the crime. This was partly, perhaps, the result of her intoxicated condition, and the horror awakened in her mind by the knowledge of her guilt. “Oh, my God!,” she exclaimed. “He is dead; he is dead. I know it, for I saw him laid out. My dear George, he is dead, and of, how I wish I was dead with him. I know I cannot live now, and I don’t want to; but I cannot go to heaven. I know I have been wild, and now I will never have any more peace.” In this way she continued her wild amenations, refusing to listen to anything that was said to her. Suddenly speaking of her child, she broke out with the passionate exclamation, “I have a son, a little boy at school. Oh, my God, do not let him know what his mother was. He will never, never on earth know that. Tell Captain Nelson,” she said, turning to Detective Douglas, who sat beside her, “to sell all my property at auction after I am dead and give the money to my boy.” Among other things, she gave vent to an expression of regret that the bystanders did not interfere. “I was made,” she said, “and they ought to have known it. They should have knocked me down. O, my George, if I could only have died with you!” With some expressions, she continued to rave and sob during the whole night. The body of the deceased was, by order of the Superintendent, placed in the hands of Mr. Jordan, the undertaker on Clark Street, where Coroner Wagner will hold an inquest this forenoon. The great trotting match which was to have taken place today at the Driving Park, will be postponed on account of the tragic occurrence above narrated. Trussell was half owner of the famous “Dexter,” and in respect to the memory of the deceased his companions have concluded to substitute some other horses to fill the trot of the day.
Saturday, 8 Sep 1866: A Negro was found sick under the stage plank near his wharf boat and removed to the city hospital. He died the same evening.
Mrs. R. S. Sampson died of cholera. Her husband went to be with friends in Kentucky.
Ann was found too sick to even give her name before she died of cholera.
THREE MEN INSTANTLY KILLEDYesterday morning the freight train on the Illinois Central, coming south, ran over a cow at or near St. John's Station, by which the locomotive and entire train were thrown off the track. There were only four persons on board and three of them, we regret to state, were instantly killed. Their names were Mr. Allen, conductor; Van Hosen and Hostetter.
Sunday, 9 Sep 1866: J. E. Bowen died yesterday (8 Sep 1866) of cholera. He was editor of the DuQuoin Progress. He was returning by train from the dedication of the Stephen A. Douglas monument and his body was put off the train at Mattoon.
Capt. T. Marsh Harton, of Pittsburgh, was not dead as reported, but his younger brother died.
Job Haslett, a river pilot, died.
TO BE HUNG.—William Fork, one of the party who murdered and then burnt the remains of Mr. Worthington at Rosa Clare, a few weeks since, was sentenced to be hung at the recent term of The Hardin Circuit Court, on the 14th of this month. An effort is making to induce Gov. Oglesby to commute the sentence to imprisonment for life.
Cholera in Marion—The Marion Star of last week records the following deaths from this dreadful disease: Mrs. Mary Ferguson, aged 16, daughter of Dr. T. D. Ferguson William Winslow Calvert, aged 18, son of N. B. Calvert Elizabeth H. Cunningham, wife of Capt. J. M. Cunningham, aged 47 years, 8 months, 5 days. She was the mother-in-law of General John A. Logan. Lydia Ann Norton, aged about 18 years Thomas R. Hunter, aged 21 years Estella Morgan, the infant of A. H. Morgan, aged 1 year Infant child of N. West, age unknown E. H. Burnham, aged 24 years, publisher of the Marion Star Miss Crouch, aged 17, died Thursday last of fever The Star adds that fourteen deaths in all have occurred in that town within the twelve days preceding last Thursday. The disease has abated.
Tuesday, 11 Sep 1866: Mollie Trussell-Attempt at Suicide
A wicked, beautiful woman,
is Mollie Trussell! While in Cairo, she scandalized decency and
walked along the pathway of prostitution with a most stately step. Like
lightning she was a dangerous plaything, and at least one person in the city
can testify, since his experience with her, that “hell hath no fury like a
woman scorned.” From bad she ran with rapid steps to worse, and finally
added to the sin of licentiousness the crime of murder, and became and is at
this moment the inmate of a felon's cell in Chicago. On last Friday this
bad woman, who, if her heart is not callous, contemplating the future,
bright with the rays of happiness, which would have been hers, had she not
wandered from the path of womanly innocence, may in her despair “cry to the
winds, oh, God! It might have been.” attempted with her own hands to rob
herself of life. On last Friday morning she tried to hang herself to one of
the bars of the grating in the door of her cell. To the bar she tied her
silk shawl, twisted into a cord, with a running noose. Then, standing on
the chair she fastened it round her neck and deliberately threw herself off. Under the influence of the resuscitants her senses gradually returned, and looking around with a vacant stare she murmured, ““George.” “Poor George.” “My George, where is he?” Then turning to those present she exclaimed in accents of reproach, “Oh, why did you not let me die?” “I should now have been with my George.”
13 Sep 1866: An ExecutionNext Friday, the 14th inst., is the day designated for the execution by handing at Rose Claire of William Folk, for the murder of John C. Wellington. There will doubtless be a large crowd in attendance. Such scenes strangely enough have a great attraction for the masses.
15 Sep 1866:
DIED
Sunday, 16 Sep 1866: Miss Mary A. Parks, consort of R. M. Parks, died in Memphis, on the 8th inst. She was the daughter of P. Corcoran, Esq., of this city. Concerning her death, the following was published in the Memphis, Commercial of the 11th: “Another victim of the dread scourge—another angel winging her way to the mercy seat of God. The brief announcement above chronicles the death of a woman whom was to an affectionate husband his very life itself, and the all-in-all of a noble woman to affectionate relatives. While with a noble self sacrifice nursing her husband on a bed of sickness, anticipating his every wish, she fell a victim to the pestilence and died resigned and in the holy order of sanctity in the bosom of the Catholic Church. May she rest in peace. K.M.”
A Sad AccidentOn Sunday afternoon, a little boy, three or four years of age, was suddenly killed by the falling of a heavy old counter upon his head. The accident occurred on the corner of Poplar and Twentieth street. An old counter had been left standing against a wall, but slightly balanced—some children were playing about it and upset it. In its fall it fell upon the head of little Tommie Brown crushing it in the most cruel and shocking manner. The father of the little boy, we learn, is absent. We learn that the little boy was most promising and intelligent. There are hearts that bleed for this boy. They have our unfeigned sympathies. None but a parent can appreciate the pangs of such an occurrence.
We are truly grieved to see the announcement of the death of our old fellow laborer of the Press, Mr. Theodore T. Scribner. He was formerly connected with the News of this city, and afterwards with the New York Herald as war correspondent. At the time of his death, which occurred on last Sunday morning at Indianapolis, he was news and night editor of the Daily Journal of that city. He leaves a young widow, to whom he was married but a few months ago, and also two children by a former wife, who died in this city.
Saturday, September 22, 1866: Carnival of Blood in Hardin County Robbery, Murder, Arson and Retribution Two Horrible Murders Within a Single Month An Old Man Assassinated by Three Villains, the House Set on Fire, and His Body Burned to a Crisp A Mob of Infuriated Citizens Take the Law into Their Own Hands We have been furnished by a correspondent with the particulars of some of the most horrible deeds occurring in Hardin County that blackens the annals of crime. They are said to be in that backwoods place thieves, murderers and villains of every grade. It will be remembered that we published an account of a cold-blooded murder, superadded to which was the crime of arson—the burning of the body of John C. Worthington's house, and the dead body of the murdered man in it, at the village or Rose Clare, in Hardin—which occurred on the 12th on Sunday last. A feeling of vengeance at once arose in all hearts against the perpetrators of the fiendish crime. SEARCH FOR THE MURDERERSSuspicion at once pointed with unerring finger to three dissolute characters who had for some time resided in the neighborhood, named William F. Thomas alias “Blind Tom,” William E. Folk, and Richard Fortner. The suspicion, at first vague and uncertain, soon assumed a tangible form, and then all eyes were turned in one direction—in quest of this trio of murdering villains. The search was of short duration. All the parties were soon in the hands of those who were soon to act as judges, jurors, and executioners. CONFESSION OF FORTNER Dick Fortner, from all that could be ascertained, was the least guilty one; and he was selected as a suitable person to inform on his associates in the crime. He at first denied all knowledge of the tragedy; but, when a rope was placed about his neck, and he was assured that he must tell the truth or at once die the death of a felon, he made known his willingness to comply with the demand. We present a brief summary of his statement: Fortner met with William E. Folk, who inquired for “Blind Tom” (W.F. Thomas). Folk prevailed upon him to get in a skiff with him and go across the river. They were joined by “Blind Tom” and all crossed together. They went to Rose Clare. Fortner fell asleep in the skiff. He was awakened about two o’clock in the morning by the two men (Folk and Thomas) jumping into the skiff—asked them what was the matter. They answered, “Nothing—only we have had a little fuss with the grocery keeper.” After removing to another point (in Kentucky) and building a fire, Folk and Thomas then made the following disclosure to Fortner: They said they had gone up to the grocery, and called the grocery keeper up to give them something to drink; that he got up and opened the door, and they went in, and as he started around the counter to strike a light, Thomas struck him (the grocery keeper) on the back of the head with “brass knuckles”; that then Folk struck him on the top of the head with a billy made of lead; that the grocery-keeper then fell, and they took his pocket book out of his pants, and then cut him several times to see if he had a belt around him; that they then took him (the grocery keeper) into the dining room, for fear some person might come in and see him, and catch them; that while Folk watched outside in front, Thomas went on the back side of the house, took out the “chinking” and set the house on fire. Thomas took out a pocket book and took from it a roll of money, “greenbacks” and small change. They counted it and it amounted to $240 or $250. Thomas gave Folk $75 and took the balance himself. We remained there until 8 or 9 o'clock Sunday morning and Thomas commenced persuading Folk or myself to come over the river with him, he said, to get his wife, as it would go hard with her as with him. Folk refused to come, and I finally consented to come with Thomas over to Illinois. MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF “BLIND TOM”Before the civil authorities had obtained possession of the prisoners, the person known as “Blind Tom” was not to be found. Indeed, no search was made for him by the sheriff, for all knew that the miners had fulfilled their oath, and that speedy and terrible retribution had overtaken the infamous wretch. LYNCHING OF WILLIAM F. THOMASThe majority of the people here are in ignorance of the details of the death of William F. Thomas. It is generally known that he was lynched, and that the tragic event took place on Hurricane Island, situated nearly opposite Elizabethtown, in the middle of the Ohio River. “BLIND TOM” KIDNAPPEDWhile the sheriff and justices of the peace were making out papers of commitment, another set of men, who had taken in their own hands the fate of the murderer, and who had determined that the delays and uncertainties of the law should not rob justice of its due, quietly congregated, and very soon had Thomas out of sight of any officer of the law. About 9 o'clock at night, the murderer was bound and gagged, and placed in a skiff, at a point about a hundred yards below the steamboat landing. The lynching party then embarked in that and another skiff, and crossed to the Kentucky shore, rowed up as far as Hurricane Island, and there stopped. DISMAL MARCH THROUGH THE FORESTThe legs of Blind Tom were then unbound, and he was compelled to march what seemed a long distance, through a thick and almost impenetrable forest. He was preceded by four of his captors, and four or more others followed behind them. The procession moved in silence, not one word being spoken. That silence was oppressive to the prisoner; it was ominous of a fate, which he well knew was inevitable, and the justice of which the hardened villain, even had he not been gagged, could not have gainsaid. Two or three times he attempted to speak, and halted with pitiful entreaty and abasement in his features; but rude hands pushed him forward and merciless kicks accelerated his progress. THE HALTThe silent procession halted beneath a large oak tree, whose huge branches extended many feet on either side, as though inviting the avengers to make it their stopped place, and let its huge limbs serve as a gallows which should bear up the weight of the wretch whose life had been declared forfeited. “PREPARE TO DIE”When the bandages were removed from the captive's eyes, the gag was taken from his mouth, a stout rope adjusted around his neck, and he was greeted with these words, “Blind Tom, you murdered, in cold blood, a man who never harmed you or yours. Prepare to die! In three minutes your body will be suspended in a tree. Commend your soul to God, who gave it and look to Him, and not to us for mercy.” “BLIND TOM” A COWARDThese words produced a wonderful affect upon the wretched creature, who was about to expiate his great crime by a violent death. The nerve which had strengthened his arm to strike a defenseless and unconscious man, and which did not fail him when it guided the torch which was intended to destroy the evidences of the crime, was now completely shattered, leaving “Blind Tom” a trembling, and cringing coward. His teeth chattered; his tongue seemed to cleave to the roof of his mouth; his legs refused to support his body, and he sunk down upon the forest leaves, utterly powerless, a pitiable representation of abject cowardice. HIS LAST WORDSAfter many futile attempts, he finally succeeded in partially recovering his speech. His words, our informant states, were incoherent at first, and unintelligible. The following is the substance of what he said: “I know that I must die. You take advantage of me by binding my arms. If they were loose, I would not be the man you see me now. Some of you would have reason to remember me to your sorrow. I helped kill Worthington, but I didn't intend to kill him. It was an accident. We burned the house after we found that he was dead, and wouldn't have done it under other circumstances. Our only object was to get the grocery keeper's money. My wife told me how much money he had. I know that I deserve to die. I want you all to do me a favor. I have a good father and a poor old mother, who would die with broken hearts if they knew to what an end their son had come. I want you to keep the truth from them. My father is a Baptist minister. I was educated for a physician, but there was nothing but wickedness in me, and turned out a thief—a very bad man—and eventually what I am now, a murderer. I am going to hell; I know I am. (Here his voice faltered perceptibly.) I am afraid to die. Oh, have mercy on me! Oh, God help me! Give my last work of love to Nancy. Pray for my old soul! Oh, my good old father! Oh, my kind, kind mother! I shall never see you again. You will never know my fate until you see me in hell! Gentlemen, this is terrible! It is worse than death itself. For God's sake finish your job and put me out of this misery—this torture! God have mercy on my— Before the wretch could finish the sentence, which he had intended to commend his soul to God, the rope was jerked, and he was suspended between heaven and earth. He struggled for a long time, and fought the destroyer desperately, but the struggling finally ceased, the body hung with a loose, lifeless aspect, the heart ceased to beat, and William F. Thomas, the murderer, was dead—dead as that poor old man he had murdered three days before. The executioners of “Blind Tom” left the body handing to the tree. MORE BLOOD DEMANDED The blood of the outlaw Thomas only whetted the appetites of the avengers, and they thirsted for more. One victim was not sufficient to satisfy the revenge, which burned within them. Folk and Fortner were already in jail; and to attempt to break open that building, and take them away by force was abandoned as one too hazardous to be undertaken. What, then, remained? Nancy Thomas, a young woman, the wife of the man whose body was then on Hurricane Island—this woman was the sole being connected with the Rose Clare murder who remained at liberty. These men permitted their rage to overbalance their manhood, and instituted a SEARCH FOR THE FEMALE SPY,
the bad woman who had
sneaked about the country, prying into men's business, ascertaining who had
money, and reporting to the band of thieves and desperadoes which was headed
by her own husband. NANCY THOMAS A PRISONER Mrs. Thomas was seen walking along the highway; she was followed to a lonely piece of woods, and there seized by the same men who had made such a fearful example of her husband. She shrieked for help, but the mocking echo of her own voice alone answered to the call. She was in the hands of men whose passions had blinded their reason. The fact that she was a weak, defenseless woman, was no protection. AFFECTING PRAYER Of A DYING WOMANThe words as nearly as can be recollected, were as follows: “Merciful God! Blessed Jesus! I have been a wicked, bad woman. I have committed so many sins that I cannot hope for pardon. These men are about to take my life. They refuse to grant one day or one hour of respite. I bow in penitence before the God I have sinned so against. I am sorry for all that I have done. I would gladly undo it all if I had the power. When men are so malignant, will you, too, oh God, frown upon a penitent mortal in distress? My mother once taught me of a Savior’s love. When a little child I prayed upon a mother's knee. Oh, if you would only blot out all else, and take me as I was then, an innocent babe! I am going, I know not where. I can see nothing but a black gulf in the future. Though I may deserve hell, let this earthly persecution wipe away all my sins. I have been miserable all my days. While others have been happy and contented, I have been a wretched wanderer upon the face of the earth, leading a hopeless, aimless life. May God pardon my sins, and receive my soul, is my first, last, and daily prayer. Amen.” DEATH OF THE FEMALE VICTIMEven while she was communing with her Maker the executioners had placed a rope about her neck, and were waiting impatiently for the final “amen” to be pronounced. “Now, gentleman, I am ready. Do your worst. I am going to my God,” were her last words. The rope tightened about her neck, a brief struggle ensued, and the fearful deed was consummated. The body of this woman was taken in a skiff, carried to the middle of the river, a large stone fastened to it, and sunk. THE BODY FOUNDTwo weeks subsequent to the events above narrated, the mangled, bloated corpse of a woman was found on the beach opposite the mouth of the Cumberland River. A rope was found about her neck, and her dress and general appearance denoted unmistakenably that this was no other than the body of Nancy Thomas. TRIAL OF FOLK The trial of William E. Folk took place before the Circuit Court of the district, at its recent session—Judge Wesley Sloan presiding. Fortner appeared as a witness against him, and testified to substantially the same facts as given in his statement. THE SENTENCE Judge Sloan, in an impressive speech, informed Folk that he had received an impartial trial, and a jury of his own choice had found him guilty. It only remained for him to declare the sentence and fix the day of execution. After assuring Folk that he need not hope for executive clemency, and entreating him to prepare for the violent death he was to suffer, the Judge fixed Friday, the 15th inst. as the day of execution. A RESPITEThrough the influence of the prisoner's counsel, Gov. Oglesby granted a respite until the 12th October next, and, in the meantime, a motion for a new trial will be argued before the Supreme Court.
STILL ANOTHER BRUTAL MURDER IN HARDIN We have been furnished with the following account of one of the most horrid murders that darken the criminal record of the country. Hardin County, the scene of the hellish atrocities, of the 12th of August, is also the section in which this murder occurred. Thomas Lowrey, is a farmer, in good circumstances, who has lived all his life on a farm about four miles north of a place called Cave-In-Rock, and ten miles from this place. He has been married about five years, and is the father of three children. His wife gave birth to a daughter previous to her marriage with Lowrey, the paternity of the girl being unknown. For some time past, Lowrey has suspected the fidelity of his wife, and has, on different occasions, stated to the neighbors his conviction that she was guilty of criminal intimacy with two men, the husbands of her sisters. He has, however, had no opportunity to confirm, by ocular proof, his belief, and no one here gives any credence to his assertions. A QUARRELOn Wednesday night last, Lowrey and his wife quarreled nearly the whole night, he accused her of various indiscretions, and she denying them with the spirit and indignation, which any virtuous woman would exhibit. THE MURDERA little before daylight, Mrs. Lowrey was asleep, and the jealous husband, blinded by his passions, resolved that it should be a sleep that knows no waking. He quietly took down his double-barreled shotgun, stepped a few paces from the bedside, took deliberate aim at her heart and fired! The woman died without a groan. The fatal missile penetrated the vital part, the lifeblood gushed from its frail enclosures and the fiendish desire of the murderer was consummated. FLIGHT OF THE MURDERER He looked for an instant only on the bloody body of his wife, and then, terrified at what he had done, seized his gun and fled to the woods. HEROISM OF A LITTLE GIRL The report of the weapon aroused from her slumbers the little daughter of Mr. Lowrey, only eight years of age, and she leaped from her bed in time to see the fleeing assassin as he left the house. She rushed to the bedside of her mother, and saw that which would have terrified any woman and many men. The little girl, however, with a presence of mind which is truly wonderful, and a nerve as steady as though she were about to perform a pleasant task, at once comprehended all, and her first act was to rescue the babe which was lying in her mother’s arms, and which would have strangled in blood had no help been at hand. With the babe in her arms, and the two other children by her side, this heroic girl started for the house of her aunt, a distance of nearly two miles, and reached there before any of the family were awake. Here she related the tragic death of her mother, and also the flight of her stepfather. PURSUIT AND ARREST OF THE MURDERERThere was of course great excitement among the rural population when the facts became known, and the farmers all abandoned their work and commenced a vigorous pursuit of the murderer. He was traced to a point about four miles east of Golconda, where he was found walking leisurely along, with his gun in one hand, and a soldier’s overcoat in the other. He was arrested, brought back to Elizabethtown, and placed in the keeping of Sheriff Ralph. CORONER'S INQUESTDuring the day the coroner held an inquest and a verdict was rendered according to the facts above stated. In the evening, the coroner, assisted by about 40 farmers, took charge of the prisoner for the purpose of arraigning him before two magistrates in the town where the murder was committed. EXTORTION OF A CONFESSIONAs the party were passing a brickyard, a portion of the escort determined to compel Lowrey to confess his guilt. They therefore forced him to stand upon a pile of bricks; a rope was placed around his neck and the end thrown over a beam; the bricks were knocked from under him, and for four or five minutes he was suspended. He was then let down, and, as soon as his senses were recovered, confessed all, giving his suspicions as his reason for having committed the murder. After the confession, he would undoubtedly have been hung had not the coroner returned and rescued him from his perilous position. EXAMINATION OF THE MURDERERHe remained in charge of the coroner until the next day, when he was arraigned, the child-witness told her story and commitment papers were made out. AN EXHIBTITON OF POPULAR EXCITEMENTThe examination took place under a shade tree by the roadside. There were about 200 excited spectators present, many of whom were women, and nearly every one was in favor of summary execution according to the code of Judge Lynch. The women were more boisterous than the men in their demonstrations, and crises of “Kill him”—”Shoot him” “Hang him” interrupted the magistrates during the examination. THE PRISONER CONVEYED TO JAILCoroner Belt aided by about a dozen law-abiding citizens prevented the mob from executing their threats, and Lowrey was conducted to jail in safety. He will be tried at the next term of the Circuit Court, which will be held in March next.
Death of Thomas. T. ScribnerThe Indianapolis Journal announced the death of this gentleman, one of its editors. He commenced his career as a jour printer—published a small paper in Indianapolis—afterwards worked in Terre Haute—thence went to Vincennes and edited the Sun. Afterwards came to this city and was editor for awhile of the News. He was one of those who assisted in the capture of Jefferson Davis. He was an energetic businessman, a whole-souled companion, an excellent newspaper man. His untimely death will be sharply regretted by his many friends of the tripod.
DIED
at Goose Island, on Thursday last, John M. Gunter and Augustus J.
Gunter, his son, of cholera.
A DEAD NEGRO.—A Negro—name unknown—died in a shed near the old ice house on the Mississippi Levee, three or four days ago. The body was still unburied yesterday. This is a shameful act. Coroner Corcoran who is always prompt in the performance of his official duties, knew nothing of the death of the negro, and of course could hold no inquest. It is the duty of citizens to let the Coroner know when a body is discovered, so that an inquiry may be held and the body decently buried.
Sunday, October 28, 1866: BURNED TO DEATH.—We clip the following from the Mound City Journal of yesterday: On last Saturday little C. Ollie, only child of Charles and Francis T. Ackley, living on Elm Street, in this city, went into the house of Mr. Clark, while Mrs. Clark was gone to attend the funeral of Mrs. Hawley's child, and went upstairs, where he found the lamp and some matches on a stand. It is supposed he lighted the lamp and turned the oil out upon himself, which set him on fire. He was first discovered by Mr. Clark, who succeeded in putting out the fire; but the child had inhaled the flame, and he lingered only a few hours, when he was relieved from his sufferings by death. Little “Ollie” was a bright, interesting and promising child—loved by all who knew him. He was 3 years, 3 months, and 23 days of age.
KILLED.—A gentleman by the name of Jones, an old resident of Thebes, in this county, fell from his wagon on Thursday last, and received so serious injury as to result in his death. He leaves a family to mourn his loss.
INQUEST.—An inquest was held, yesterday upon the body of the dead negro found in Cushing's stable, on Mississippi levee. The deceased was about twenty-five years old. The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes. The remains were disposed of by the Freedmen's Bureau.
DROWNED MAN.—We are informed by Mr. Thomas Lane, that he saw the body of a drowned man washed ashore near Williams's Mill, just above where the Mound City road crosses the railroad. The corpse has on a blue navy shirt, but no pantaloons, and appears to have been in the water only a short time. The drowned man was evidently a sailor, who either fell overboard or committed suicide. The attention of Coroner Corcoran is called to this matter.
INQUEST.--Coroner Corcoran held an inquest on the body of the drowned man, to which attention was called in the Democrat yesterday. A verdict was returned that the deceased came to his death by drowning; but his name or any information respecting him was not obtained.
Saturday, 10 Nov 1866:
Col. John M. Whiting, late of Carmi, died at that place on
the 25th of November of cholera. The deceased entered the army early in the
war, as Colonel of the 67th Illinois Regiment.
DIED OF HIS WOUNDS.—Frank Burkhart, of Evansville, Ind., who was accidentally shot on board an Evansville packet while in front of our city, a few days ago, by discharge of a pistol in the pocket of Col. Moore, of Memphis, died of his wounds at Paducah, on Monday, last. His parents reside in Evansville, and to that point his remains were taken for interment.
Tuesday, 13 Nov 1866: MURDER A Democrat Murdered in DuQuoin by Radical Ruffians (From the Du Quoin Progress of the 8th inst.) A stranger from DeSoto, while in a political dispute with a number of Radicals, on Monday last, was fell upon and badly beaten. The parties were arrested and tried and the assailing party sustaining a small fine and costs. Because of their defeat by an Allen man in trial, a party of ruffians followed him across the railroad to Mr. Miller's saloon, where he was quietly taking a drink when three of the ruffians attacked him, knocking him down and one of their party, after he had fallen, jumped upon him with his boots, tearing and mutilating his face in a horrible manner, from the effects of which, we understand, he has since died. Such fiendish acts of barbarism should not be tolerated and the perpetrators should be brought to justice, and be made to know that every citizen has a right to his political opinion.
AFFRAY AT CALEDONIA.—An affray, growing out of the election, occurred at Caledonia, during which Henry Simmers was stabbed in the side, the wound believed to be mortal. Mr. Simmers was at the time engaged in a pugilistic encounter with Mr. William Barnet, and to all appearances, was getting the best of him, when young Barnet, son of William, approached and stabbed him. These facts are gathered from the Mound City Journal.
Thursday, 15 November 1866:
DROWNING OF CAPTAIN AYRES.—We announced yesterday the death of Capt. Pat Ayres, of
Mound City, by drowning,
but at that time were not in possession of the details. Burns then clambered upon the bottom of the upturned boat, and gave a signal of distress, which was understood by parties on this side of the river. Succor was near at hand and the boat landed on the Kentucky shore towards which it was drifting. Capt. Ayres commanded a company in the 31st Illinois Infantry, under Col. John A. Logan, and has the reputation of a brave soldier. He left a wife and four children, who although well provided for., so far as pecuniary matters are involved, will have occasion to lament the death of a kind and provident husband and an indulgent and affectionate father. His body has not yet been recovered.
AN ACT OF CHARITY.—Mr. J. C. Miller, of the Commercial Hotel, found an old man the other night lying on the sidewalk, a little boy watching by the side of him. The old man was terribly emaciated and in the last stages of consumption. He was temporarily cared for by Mr. Miller and is now in our county poor house. The old man gave his name as Harvey Neeley, said he was from North Carolina and had walked all the way to Henderson, Ky. He started with a little daughter, five years old and a son eight. They were without food during forty-eight hours, exposed during two nights to drenching rains, and subjected to other hardships and exposures, which proved too severe for the little girl. She sickened and died. At Henderson he and his little son took the packet for Cairo, expecting to find in this city his two sons-in-law, Dan and Allen Fisher. If these persons are in the city, their duty in the premises need not be told them.
Friday, 16 Nov 1866: DIED. In Rochester, New York, on the 9th inst., George, infant son of Daniel W. and Mary Irvin Wilder, of congestion of the brain.
Thursday, 22 Nov 1866: COMMITTED SUICIDE.—An inmate of the Mound City poor house, named Charles Vickerstaff, committed suicide last Saturday, by placing a pistol against his temples and shooting, his brains out. The Journal says the deceased had been unwell for several months, and had, to all appearances, but little to live for, had he chosen to prolong his existence. A child, in the poor house at the time, survives him.
CAPTAIN AYRES' BODY.—The family of Capt. Ayres being anxious to recover his body, we append the following description of it: height 5 feet 5 inches; thick set; sandy whiskers; dark brown hair. Had on when drowned light drab overcoat, check flannel sack under coat and dark blue flannel pants. Pocket book about the body containing two notes of hand, one for $1,300, the other for $600. From this description the body may be readily recognized. Any person finding it will confer a favor upon the deeply distressed widow by communicating the fact to her at Mound City. The Captain was drowned, it will be remembered, about one mile above Cairo.
Saturday, 24 Nov 1866:
DIED.--In
this city, yesterday at 2 o'clock a.m., Mrs. Louisa M., wife of John W.
Trover, Esq., President of the First National Bank. The remains will be
interred at Du Quoin, and will be conveyed thither by the 12 m. passenger
train. Funeral services will take place at Mr. Trover's residence at
the hour of 10 a.m.
DIED In this city, at 2 o'clock, on the morning of the 23rd inst., of pleura pneumonia, Mrs. Louisa M. wife of John W. Trover, Esq., aged 45 years. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Mr. Bryson, at the residence of Mr. Trover, at 10 o'clock this morning. The remains will be conveyed to DuQuoin by the 12 m. passenger train.
Sunday, 25 Nov 1866: FUNERAL OF MRS. TROVER.--A large concourse of citizens attended the funeral services of the late Mrs. Trover, and followed the remains from the family residence to the depot. The ceremonies were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Bryson.
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.--MAN KILLED. Thomas Foley, who is said to have worked at the Dry Docks, while crossing the railroad track at the corner of Tenth street and Washington avenue, yesterday evening, was struck by the dirt train that was backing down at time, and killed instantly. Ten or twelve cars passed over his body, crushing his skull, breaking his arm, and wounding him otherwise, but the cars being empty and light, the body was not badly lacerated. Mr. Foley is said to have been a hard-working man, and was duly sober at the time of the accident. No blame attaches to any one, as the occurrence could not possibly have been prevented by the utmost care on the part of anyone, except the deceased himself.
DEAD.--The death of Dr. G. W. Barrett, late of this city, is announced. He died in Metropolis last Sunday.
Saturday, 8 Dec 1866: Gen. Add. H. Sanders, the editor of the first paper ever published in Cairo (the Cairo Delta established in April 1848), is now Postmaster of Davenport, Iowa. About a year ago he was reported as drowned off Hateras, while returning from Charleston prisons, and editorial friends, accepting the news as true, were caught in a trap, i.e., they gave him “bully” obituaries. Until this occurred, Add didn't know what a man he was.
AN AWFUL TRAGEDY! A Mother Attempts the Murder of Her Children, and then Cuts Her own Throat HORRIBLE DETAILS The tragedy yesterday near the corner of Eighth and Cedar streets, is, by far the bloodiest and most terrible in its nature ever committed in this region of country. Intimations of its occurrence reached us about 10 a.m. We at once repaired to the spot, which is in the rear of C. Feuchter & Co.’s brewery. On entering the building, which is a one-story structure with two rooms, we were appalled at the sight before us. Upon a lounge the bloody corpse of a woman was extended, her head half severed from her body, and the walls, the floor and the furniture smeared and bespattered with blood. In the adjoining room, the floor and walls of which were also covered with blood, were two children, one a boy about 9 years of age and the other a girl about 7 years, both of them, with their heads bandaged, lying upon a bloody bed, utterly insensible. THE TRAGEDY Extending inquires, we were put in possession of the following details: The name of the deceased was Theresa Liebermann. Her husband, Leopold Liebermann, is a brewer, in the employment of Messrs. Feuchter & Co. About half past nine o’clock yesterday morning Mr. L. heard the cries of his children while he was engaged over the mesh tub, but thinking the mother was merely correcting them for misconduct, he gave the matter no attention. The cries of the children continuing however, and growing more earnest and pitiful, he abandoned his work and made haste to the door of his residence—distant about fifty feet from the brewery. On entering the door the bloody spectacle burst upon him in all its horrors. His two children were lying upon the floor weltering in blood which was pouring from gaping wounds in their heads. The woman, gasping her last, was sitting on the lounge in adjoining room, her head resting against the wall and the blood spurting from a ghastly wound in her neck. The little boy, still conscious, replied to an interrogatory as to what was the matter that “Mamma had tried to kill them with an ax,” and the bloody ax upon the floor near the children corroborated the terrible story. There are many conjectures as to how and why the tragedy was committed. The most reasonable is that the woman was in a temporary fit of mental derangement. She had complained of feeling heavy-headed only a short time before, and the wild look of her eye strengthened the conjecture. During this aberration she seized the ax, which was convenient, chased the children round the house, dealing them blows as she could, and then, thinking she had dispatched them, she took a butcher knife and cut her own throat. THE WOUNDS The wound on the woman’s throat shows that there was a most desperate determination on her part to end her existence. It is clearly the result not only of three or four terrible cuts or swiping licks, but looks as if the knife had been sawed to and fro across her wind pipe. The gash was about seven inches long, the trachea was nearly severed and the carotid artery was entirely severed. It was a most ghastly wound and gave evidences of desperate resolve and endurance on the part of the woman, shocking to contemplate. The little girl received three heavy cuts on the head, and the little boy five, all inflicted by the ax in the hands of the mother. CONDITION OF THE CHILDREN The mother was dead before medical assistance arrived. She gasped her last, indeed, when her husband entered the door, only a minute or two after hearing the outcry of the children. The condition of both the children is critical. The prognosis as to the little girl tho’ badly cut, is favorable. The little boy’s recovery is regarded as extremely doubtful. The wounds of the children were promptly and skillfully dressed by Doctors Wardner, Gerrick, and Taggart, and the assistance of experienced nurses was at once tendered and accepted. When we left the scene of blood, the little sufferers seemed in a state of deep insensibility. THE WEAPONS The ax with which the murder of the children was attempted is a regular chopping ax, weighing about four pounds. The blood that smeared its blade showed how mercilessly it had been used. The butcher knife with which the woman cut her throat was a rough-edged, well worn affair, the blade being about seven inches long. IT was found beneath the body of the woman, and was covered with blood. APPEARANCE OF THE HOUSE It is quite evident from the appearance of the rooms, the walls, floors and furniture being bespattered with blood, that the desperate woman not only chased the children around the room, dealing them blows with the ax as they ran, but that she traveled around the room herself after she had cut her throat. The walls of one of the rooms look as if they had been sprinkled with blood, in one place to the height of seven feet. The floor of the room in which the body of the woman was found was slippery with gore. CORONER’S INQUEST Judge Corcoran, coroner, was promptly on the ground. A jury was summoned and the case thoroughly investigated. We append the evidence. Dr. Wardner testified that he was among the first who arrived at the scene of the tragedy; found the woman dead; the children were on the lounge, one at either end, quiet but groaning a little. Dressed the wounds of the little girl, which consisted of three heavy cuts on the head. Made post mortem examination of deceased in conjunction with Drs. Gerricke and Taggart. She had made probably four cuts on her throat with a butcher knife which was found beneath her; the wind pipe was partially severed in three places; the carotid artery was cut in two places, in one place almost completely severing it. The severing of these was the cause of her death. Prognosis as to the little girl favorable. Dr. Taggart’s testimony coincided with Dr. Wardner’s as to the deceased; he assisted in dressing the wounds of the little boy, and is of opinion that he will not recover. He made no examination of the little girl. There were five wounds on the boy’s head, inflicted with a large instrument—a large cut on the back part of the frontal bone was inflicted, probably, with an ax; the upper portion of the occipital bone is badly crushed. Dr. Gerricke corroborated the testimony of Dr. Wardner as to the woman; he dressed the wounds of the little boy; found five cuts on his head, inflicted most evidently with an ax; one of the cuts penetrated the posterior fontanel, rendering the prognosis of the case doubtful. Leopold Lieberman, husband of the deceased, testified through Dr. Gerricke, interpreter that he and others were at work in the brewery nearby, when, at half past 9 o’clock, he heard loud and pitiful cries from the children. He disregarded them at the first, but as they continued, he left his work to ascertain the cause of them. On entering the door of his house, he saw the children covered with blood crying, and his wife sitting on the sofa gasping her last, with her throat cut and the blood spurting from the wound. He gathered the little boy in his arms and to the inquiry, “What is the matter?” received the reply that “Mamma had tried to kill them with an ax.” He and deceased had been married twelve years. She was thirty-eight years old, never drank, was not violent in temper, and they had lived a peaceable and agreeable life. Her name was Theresa. She had never been subject to mental derangement, but complained a short time before the occurrence of feeling “heavy-headed.” They had lived in Cairo two months, having come to this place from Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Lohr sworn: Testified that he was in the stable nearby, heard the cries of the children, but thought they were fighting. The screams becoming more violent, and hearing talking in the yard he went over. Stepping to the door he saw both the children lying on the floor in their blood, the woman sitting on the lounge with her head leaning against the wall and the blood streaming from her throat she was not quite dead, he then immediately ran for the doctor. Henry Walbern sworn: Was standing at the washtub with Lieberman and Westerbold making fun, when he heard cries from the children, he remarked that they were getting whipped; Lieberman replied that they probably needed it; cries becoming louder Lieberman ran to the house and haloed for help; went to the house, Lieberman had boy in his arms, girl was lying in blood on floor and woman sitting on sofa with her throat cut; a bloody ax was lying on floor near children; soon as he reached house woman fell over dead. Sight was so shocking he then left the room. Never heard the family quarreling; believed they lived happily. Fred Westerbold corroborated the evidence of Walbern in every particular. VERDICT OF THE JURY We, the jury, find on examination that the name of the deceased was Theresa Liebermann; and after hearing the evidence of several witnesses, do return the following verdict: That the deceased came to her death by several cuts on her own throat with a knife, inflicted by herself during a fit of mental derangement. Robert H. Baird, Foreman. Mrs. Lieberman was a woman of fair education and strong practical sense—at least this is the testimony of those who were acquainted with her. The children are healthy, well-formed and good-looking, and give evidence of kind considerate parental care before this shocking occurrence. Up to a late hour last evening the little boy remained in a state of stupor; the little girl was delirious from a raging fever. The recovery of either one of them is by no means certain. Everything that can be done for them, however, is being done by kind and skillful nurses.
The friends of Mrs. Captain McGowan, in order to raise money to pay the Captain's burial expenses, have put up to be raffled for, a splendid double-barreled shot gun, worth $75--the property of the deceased. The raffle will take place at Wm. Bambrick's saloon, on Saturday, the 15th inst.
Wednesday, 12 Dec 1866: THE LIEBERMAN TRAGEDY.—The Liebermann children, whose lives were sought by their insane mother last Saturday, and who were shockingly wounded, are both recovering rapidly. Dr. Wardner, who is in attendance on the little girl, informed us yesterday, that the critical juncture has been passed by both of the little sufferers, and that their complete recovery is no longer in doubt. The anxiety in this behalf, renders this intelligence most welcome. The convalescence of the boy, who is the eldest of the two, enables us to obtain details of the bloody tragedy, which otherwise would never have come to light. The statement of the boy is to the following effect: The mother picked up a butcher knife, examined it, and then laid it down upon the table. She sat down, a moment afterwards, and commenced looking “wild.” Giving utterance to insane ravings, among which the boy recollects, “Oo—oo—oh! Rats! Rats!!”—she seized an ax near at hand and aimed a blow at him. He ran around the room, the mother following him, in a wild and frantic manner. To avoid her blows he crawled under the lounger, but she pulled him out from this hiding place and again struck at him. He now ran toward the door, and when within a few feet of it, he received a blow which rendered him insensible. As the boy was the first attacked, he knows of course nothing of what followed. It is known, however, that the desperate mother afterwards attacked the little girl, wounded her and then cut her own throat, as heretofore stated in these columns. The little boy is still under the treatment of Dr. Gerricke—the little girl having been treated, from the first, by Dr. Wardner.
THREE MEN DROWNED,--During
the high winds that prevailed last Friday three men who were crossing the
river at Paducah were drowned. We are not in possession of the particulars.
SUDDEN DEATH.—On Friday evening last, a servant girl in the employment of Col. Graham, our Postmaster, felt a premonition of sudden death, and expressed to the lady of the house her conviction that she would be a corpse in less than an hour. She had enjoyed excellent healthy up to this time, and was promptly assured that there was no danger in her case, and that her ill forebodings would soon be dispelled. She was promptly taken to her couch, where, in an instant almost, she breathed her last. She died undoubtedly of disease of the heart, a disease that generally gives a sure warning, but always short.
MOLLIE TRUSSLE CONVICTED.—Mary Cosgriff, better known in Cairo by the alias Mollie Trussle, has been convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one year's imprisonment in the State penitentiary. She was charged with the unlawful killing of her paramour, George Trussle, and was put upon her trial last Friday morning at 10 o'clock in the Superior Court of Chicago. The trial was concluded on Saturday last, about nine o'clock at night, with a verdict of manslaughter. A telegram says that the verdict was generally unexpected, as the evidence conclusively showed that Trussle struck her several times and thrust her out of doors before she shot him.
RECOVERED.—The body of Captain Ayres, recently drowned near Mound City, was recovered some weeks since. The body floated to the Missouri shore, below Cairo, near Fort Holt. On Saturday, the 15th, the remains were buried at Caledonia.
DEAD.—The poor man, who jumped from the third story window of Perry House, on last Monday morning, the particulars of which appeared in Tuesday's Democrat, died Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. It is probable that he received internal injuries. His name was Dougherty. He at one time was professor of moral theology in Notre Dame College, Indiana. Although among strangers he received every attention and kindness it was possible to bestow.
I would not have noticed this Mr. Editor, but for the opportunity it affords me of expressing my disapprobation of what is too common in newspapers—that of publishing the names of physicians in connection with their cases. I assure you, sir, that the members of the medical profession in Cairo do not desire these gratuitous Puffs. The true physician can do his duty according to his ability; and if he succeeds in alleviating the misfortunes of his fellowmen—his own conscience awards him all the plaudits he desires. We are not aware that there was a single reader of our paper who would so totally misconstrue a passing statement of fact, into a puff; nor did we suppose we were “puffing” a physician when, in giving an account of a man dislocating a limb, we simply state the fact that the limb had been set by Dr. B. or C. If there are physicians in the city who cannot set a limb, then it would probably by puffing the aforesaid Dr. B. or C to say that they could. But, as we take for granted all our physicians can, scientifically too, perform that little piece of surgery, then, certainly it is not fulsome “puffing” to state, in giving the history of any particular case, that they actually did set a dislocated limb. In mentioning many little cases that occur around town, we often mention the names of such individuals as are connected with the transactions and the mention of whose names are necessary to a full understanding of the facts in the case. And, once for all, let us say that our correspondent may understand, that every name which appears in our paper we are not puffing.
Love, Betrayal, Self-destruction of the Unfortunate Victim FULL PARTICULARS OF THE SHOCKING AFFAIR A few brief months ago, Josephine Smith, was an innocent, light-hearted, happy country girl, living with her friends in the upper part of this county, surrounded by relatives and the playmates of her early youth. In an evil hour this girl came to the city, determined to work out a brighter and higher destiny than she believed awaited her in her simple rural home. She came to this city and sought and found employment in one of our millinery stores, and here she worked faithfully and diligently; rapidly mastering all the minute details of the business, and by her quick judgment, excellent taste and lady-like deportment, soon won the affection and esteem of all with whom she associated. Unfortunately for her, she made acquaintance of a young man, whose gentlemanly attentions, kindly sympathy, and apparent manly frankness roused her in her breast the holiest, purest and deepest feeling that ever swells the female heart. Several months of these assiduous attentions placed the too confiding girl completely in the power of the destroyer and only when it was too late did she wake from her dream to realize the fact that she was deceived and deserted. The anguish of that poor, broken-hearted victim that now lies mute in death is known only to Him who reads all secrets. She had deliberately supplied herself with a quantity of morphine, which she swallowed last Monday afternoon, and it was only after the drug had began to do its fatal work did her friends for a moment suspicion that she had poisoned herself. A physician was promptly called, and everything possible done to relieve her, but all in vain. She expired in great agony at 12 o'clock Monday.
Eight Thieving Negroes Killed For months past, regular bands of Negroes, living in Mound City and vicinity, have been in the habit of making frequent thieving excursions among the farmers immediately across in Kentucky. Their principal point of attack seemed to be hogs, which they were in the habit of killing, dressing and bringing either here or taking them to Mound City to sell. These piratical excursions became so frequent that the farmers finally determined to organize for self-protection. A company was formed and measures taken to overhaul the scoundrels. A few nights ago the company were out in the qui vive, when two of the farmers who were in advance of the company overhauled eight black rascals, all loaded down heavily with freshly-killed pork, with which they were making their way as fast as they could towards the river, just above ash Island. The two men called out to the negroes to halt, and the darkeys, emboldened by their superior numbers, answered the demand with a volley from their rifles and shotguns, with which each one was armed. The whites escaped uninjured and returned the fire. At this juncture the entire company arrived upon the spot and fired upon the thieves, killing every one of them. The dead hogs were identified as belonging to some of the farmers present, and the dead thieves were recognized as belonging to Mound City and vicinity. Their friends were notified and went over and buried the unfortunates.
DIED IN THE CITY HOSPITAL.—About three weeks ago it was reported in the Bulletin (Memphis) that a man named Robert Hayden had been stabbed in the groin by a man of the name of Mike Gallagher, in a boarding house on Front street. The deed took place at midnight, and Gallagher was promptly arrested by the police and lodged in jail. Hayden was conveyed to the City Hospital and has been under medical treatment in that institution ever since the night he was wounded. Sanguine hopes were at one time entertained that he would recover, but a few days ago he became suddenly worse, inflammation having set in, and last evening he breathed his last in the greatest agony. Gallagher is still in jail, and will have a preliminary examination before Justice Creighton today.—Memphis Bulletin.
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