The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-09-19

NPhHN h'Af w WV sNf'' ~ '''''S
or six. there came to lnlc, Grove, Lee
co., Bliss, Dewy, West IL Co. and loca-
ted on government land. These men
constituted the first settlers at that place,
Soon the country began to ill up, ard an
immense amount OF travel passed through
Inlet Grove farther west. Bias KEEP, a
log tavern, on the sign of which was
painted in large black letters "Travelers'
Home, "a very inviting sentence to the
weary traveller of the west, which caused
many family to sojourn for longer or
shorter time with the SO called "Adolphus
and Aunt Hannah" Making change, all
are aware, is quite little business to-
wards tavern keeping. aud is frs, rate
way to get rid Of Bogus" and counter
felt moaey. How much "Adolphus and
Hannah used To put on the poor emf
grants we do not know, but we are cred
IDLY informed that AUNT Hannah" has
kept no less than fire sets Of bogus dies
Sered up in her feather bed at a time.
Dewey was Bliss nearest neighbor on
one side and West on the other. Dewey
was elected justice Of lite peace, andWest
was chosen Constable. So whenever
"Aunt IIannahs dies" were wanted, Jus
tice Dewey and Constable West had on
ly to call and demand them in the lawful
way. Whenever an altcmp, was made
to arrest a villain, Justice Dewey would
inform his comrades, then perhaps issue
writ, put it into Vests hands, who
would know which way the rascal had
gone, and would be sure to 20 another.
Another branch of their business was
to harbor horse thieves and secrete stolen
horses. For years did they prosecute
their business most boldly. For the last
six years, Birch and Sutton have been
the principal runners of stolen horses from
Missouri to Wisconsin, and then back
from Wisconsin to Missouri. These fell
lows would come up from the south with
stolen horses and leave them with Bliss,
Dewey, West and Sawyer, at Inlet Grove:
Bridge g. Co., at Washington Grove !;
Oliver & Co., at Rockford, and so on up
into Wisconsin. These men, at dlheren,
points, would have one or two span OF
good horses looked up for these runners
10 take, when they come up. and put
back with. Thus it can be seen how ev-
cry man in that region Of country who
had good horse or horses was deprived
of them. In OgIe county, where Bridge
and his conicderates lived, such an awful
condition were the honest portion of com.
munlty in, that they determined to put
stop TO the iuroads that were constantly
made upon them. They organized them
selves into company and resolved to
Lynch every man whom they knew 10
be engaged in this unlawful and unhal-
lowed business. But no sooner had they
come TO determination to defend their
families and protect their property, than
one Of their number, by the name Of
Campbell, lone of the most industrious
citizens Of Ogle co. was shot dead by
one OF this organized band of outlaws.
The people were then SO enraged that
they took two of these desperadoes,
(DrlskelIs by namel and shot them.
Bridge would have shared the same fate
could he have been found, at the time.
lie knew and still knows who it was that
killed Campbell, and for fear he would
be shot by an outraged people he fled,
but was pursued and arrested at old
Reeves on the Illinois river. He was
taken back to Oregon, in OgIe CO.. and
as they could get no very direct evidence
against him, the people let him go. As
soon as he was taken at Reeves, he sent
runners over Lee and Ogle counties, call
ing on his comrades to come to his aid,
rs he expected the people would take ven
geance on him for his desperate acts and
deeds. AT lnle, Grove, clan was call.
ed out under Bliss and Dewey, West
being up at Plattville, W. r., making bo-
gus armed with rifles, pistols, axes, old
scythes, pltchiorks, and loug.knives.
This clan, under their leaders, Bliss and
Dewey, proceeded to Oregon in wagons,
with their implements of death, with the
determination TO rescue Bridge at all haz-
ards, ii the people offered him any abuse.
These two men, Bliss and Dewey, are at
last lodged in the Alton prison. Now,
IN the face and eyes of all these facts, a
portion of community are attempting to
get Governor Ford to pardon these des-
perate villains, and let them loose upon
community. Atthc time the above trans
actions took place, Gov. Ford was resi-
ding at Oregon, and no doubt these facts
are yet fresh in his memory, and always
will be. We well remember the part he
took with the people against these des-
perate fellows. Chicago Democrat.