The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-07-25
A.touutiiur Di.cIo.ures!

nc lineage Democrat VI Ntu"eshay gives
the following astounding disclosures IN relation TO
the murders, robberies, and crimes OF every dye
that have for the last few years been committed
10 the northern part Of This state, by MS desperate
a gong of villains as ever made fearful the Ape.
nines OF The truth Of the statements below, we
bavc no doubt though for wise purposes doubt
less the editor docs not state how he came IN pos
session OF all these facts We hope ,hcse disclo-
sure will be continued, that he rcol |, may be
put folly on their quad against ,hcse hanjir.
1t is supposed that Birch and Sutton
alias VIM. Fox, two notorious villains,
who have been running the lines Of Mis-
souri,, Iowa, and Illinois, for the pas, four
years. are two of the gang who murdered
Col. Davenport.
Birch is said to he the man who sold
a cream colcred horse at Peru, not long
since, (the circumstances Of which may
appear at the Winnebago Court 10 the
same man with whom Bridge (now in
Rockford jaiD exchanged the money with
that he robbed milford Of. We cannot
yet get the name of the person at Peru
who has the horse. but he is kept on the
Island and could tell strange stories if he
could talk.
Birch is from New Hampshire aud cs-
capped from an officer when he came
here.
In this same gang is Davis, the Ken
tuckian, who was in Lee co., late in
Nov. last. He was arrested in Iowa,
last year, and with irons on his feet was
sent out to chcp wood with guard. He
struck the guard over the head with an
axe and then got off his shackes and run
off 10 Bridges in Washington Grove,
Ogle CO., with his head shaved. He
stayed a, Bridges and wore a black hand
kerchlei over his head until his hair grew
out. He then wen, to Indiana and per-
suaded man TO come to Lee and Ogle
cos with several yoke of oxen and cart
10 sell apples. The man had about $500
with him. He proposed 10 Yves. TO 90
with him and kill him. Yves, would not
60 and so the man was spared.
This Davis, about 6 years ago, with a
man by The name of Searls, found out that
man was travelling between Princeton
and Hennepin with money. They await
ed in the brush near Leeper's mills, and
shot him from his horse as he rode along
the road. They got his money, from
5000 TO $500, dragged him 10 within 80
rods of the creek on the el, hand side Of
the road and left him behind log. This
murder was never misirusted nor has the
body ever been found.
This murder must not be COMPOUNDED
with that al Lost Grove. some eight years
since, on the prairie; which was by young
Green, who was hung in Missouri, few
years since.
This Davis may be known by having
one of his ears bi, of.
At Bridges, in the bushes, near the
house, caucus was held which decided
on the murder of Campbell. Bridge wa:
present, as also were several Of the Drls
kells, Birch, and Sutton. 1t was voice
that young DriskeIl kill Campbell, as hi
did. Bridge was at Inlet Grove on thu
night of the murder. and West was ma
king Bogus and selling it two for one 70
Michigan money a, Platevile, Wiscon
sin. West got clear when arrested 70
his knaveries there by getting Dewey ant
Bliss, of Inlet Grove, TO 90 his bail ant
he run away. Bliss and Dewey are nov
in Alton Peni,enliary.
After the murder of Campbell, old mar
Driskel and his son William were Lynch
ed ; and young Drskel and Bridge fec
from the Lvnchers. DriskeIl never re-
turned 10 this State; but has figured ex
tensively as an incendiary in St. Loui:
and other Southern cities. He was las
seen trying to get passage down the ri
yer from ST. Louis but ihe Captain woult
no, take him; Soon after the Captain re-
fused him, The Police came on board &c
arrest him for setting building on fire
We believe his name is John.
Sutton stole horse from DR.. Adams
three years ago, and fed at Bliss house
who is now in the Penitenliary. lie lef
the house at Indiantown, in fright, and
run off.
Birch, Thomas Aiken and Baker stole
horses, two years ago, this summer, a
Warren co. and brought them up to Wash
ingion Grove, Ogle co. and were there
arrested by the Warren county officer
and were taken back. Birch was MOI
bound over but Aiken and Baker were
and afterwards broke Jail. Thomas Al
ken lives 800 miles up the Missouri rivel
on farm six miles back from it, and
keeps entertainment. The Missourans
should attend to his case. He is capable
of any thing. Baker is still in service,
here, there and every where, stealing