Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1845-07-10
Fiendish Outrage.


was exhibited on Rock Island on Fri
day last. We visited the Island and
attended the funeral Of Col. DAVENPORT
on Sunday and were made acquainted
with the minu,ie Of The nefariOus trans.
action as related by the Col. before his
death.
The family Of the Col. were partici-
pating in the festivities Of the Ain OF
July IN the town of Rock Island, ILL.,.
about one mile from his residence on
Rock Island. This was the first time
the old gentleman had been lief, alone
in his house for years. lie had been
speaking the day before about some
suspicious characters tha, had been
seen prowlng about the Island and the
towns of Rock Island and Davenport,
and expressed some apprehensions as
to their objects. He said he did no.
fear an attack in the night, as he could
find them but they could not find him.
Az if they had heard This. the rufiians
did attack him in broad dayllghl-on
a day sacred to liberty. He was sit
ting in one Of his parlors smoking
segar and reading pamphlet, suppos.
ing that all The doors and windows
were fastened, when he heard noise
j. was the falling Of an iron poker plac-
ed over the window of one Of the back
rooms-he rose from his seat, and just
as he had reached the first door i, was
thrown open and three men made their
appearance; one fired pistol. the ball
of which wen, through his leg, two or
three inches above the knee; and all
instantly rushed upon him-blindfold-
ed him-,hrew him down upon the
foor-tied his hands with some bark
Withstand demanded his money. He
gave up about FIVE hundred dollars in
Missouri bills, which he had on his per-
son and told them there was some spe-
Gle in an iron safe in closet up stairs.
They left him and wen, up to make
further search. Finding tina, they
could not discover The secret bolt; they
came down immediately-dragged the
bleeding Col. up stairs and compelled
him to open the safe. Not finding as
much money as they expected, they
thro.lied him, beat him and stamped
upon him, and as he tainted twice from
the exhaustion incident TO such treat
menl. they threw water in his face to
resusciiate him, and then demanded
more money.
In the mean time man engaged in
fishing near The island, heard the cries
of The Col. and told two boys. who
were engaged with him tina, they were
the cries of murder and he mus, 60 and
see wha. they meant. He made for
the island, and i. is supposed the re.
trea, Of the murderprs was facilitated bv
his appearance. When he arrived he
saw no one in the house, but heard
some one up stairs calling Cor help
Seeing much blood upon the carpet and
on the stairs, he was very much agiia,-
ed, and not knowing who was up STAIRS,
he hesi,ated about going up; but the
cries for hell being repeated. he as
cended the stairs and there saw -ol.
Davenport. wellering in his blood, in
most pl,iable situation. He immediate.
Iy lnosed the bandage from his eyes
and the wiihs from his arms and plac-
ed him on The bed. The Col. then told
the fisherman that DR. Brown was on
the island engaged with pic mic party
and ,ha, he must see him without delay.
The doctor soon aft er made his appear
ance. dressed his wound and did not
apprehend fatal consequences. BY this
time Mr. lie Claire, who had heard the
cries of the Col. across the river. came
over with several others, and after get
ting partial description Of three of the
murierers, although the Col. though.
there must have been as many as five
in the gang. they left him with the hope
that in The morning he would be better
able to give more accurate descrip-
ton. But contrary to the hope and ex-
pecta,ion Of all. The Col. died abou,
o'clock tina, evening.
1. lie supposed tina. in addition TO
grea, loss Of blood, the beating and
,hrol,ing tina. he received from the mis-
crean,s expedited his death. |, was
a sorry sigh. to see, as we did. the
blood on the stairs as j, fell from his
wound as they dragged him up. and The
puddle that accumulated around his
knee as he kneeled to push open the
bolt OF the safe, while the side post Of
the door was besmeared by his bloody
hand as he supper ID himself. to do The
murderers bidding. Il was indeed
sorry sight.
Col. Davenport had lived on the is.
land twenty.nlne years; and in consId-