The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-01


Two great scoundrels, by the name Of Hodge,
Joined the Mormons, and became preachers among
them. They afterwards committed various robbie
ries in the country. They finally murdered two
Germans in Iowa, at their dwelling, IN the night for
a pa,ry sum OF money. They were both tried at
| Burlington, lows, convicted, and hung. They went
dogeedly TO the gallows, without making any con-
fession, and full Of anger and abuse towards the
officers of Justice. The crimes and punishment of
these Mormon niits.ers hay by no means tended to
lessen the prejudice of the people against the sect
i There are many pirates aud robbers prowllng
abodt ths western rivers, however, who are not
| Mormons. They usually lay in wait for steamboats,
as way-passengers. They generally manage, at
night to rob travellers if they es,I, and then leave
ihe boat at some landing-pace before day, with
tneif booty, and seek passage on the next
boat going In IN opposite direction, for the double
purpose of reoinDg their gang and robbing on their
way. II is said band OF these scoundrels have
lately been ferreted out the mouth Of the Ohio.
| | have travelled extensively both among srvsges
and civilized men--both in Europe and America
dating the whole Of which, it never fell TO my lot TO
lose nnythihg sf consequence. When near the
mouth OF the Ohio, fot,nd The heat so excessive at
right that | was forced 10 sleep With all the doors
6f my state room wide open, or ran the hazard Of
sufIocatioh. The fesuh was, that next day found
mycarpet-bag containing valuable eiothng-indeed,
nearly all except what stood in-had disappeared
One of the Internal river pirates had probably made
off with it while slept.
I had no alternative left, but to bear my loss pa
tently, I'LL could reach Louisville, where might
obtain some other necessary clothing.
The some carpet-bagi with other things, had lain
exposed In our boats, and about our tents, where
Chippewa Indians were pressing; with every opp0r-
tunity to steal it, if they chose end yet we never
lost anything while travelling among them. Now,
| forsooth, have reached civilization, and have been
robbed!
There is much connected with civilization to la
ment aud mourn over Two ofits crying evils
apariee and ingraiiiude. If you an indian, he
never forgets you--he becomes your friend for
ever. II you serve some civilized chiefs, il often
chanceo that they think of you again, however
poor and needy YOU may beeothe.
i An Indian is honest. He never steus your
money Civilized man is too often grossly distofies=
dcffauding and stealing, both under the sanction and
against the law--too frequently committing murder
and violence 10 obtain money, the root Of all eril'
among all save the untutored uncontamnated Chip
ftewa Indian, ard few other kindred tribes.
Among the MOST reeem as well as The most afro
cious murders at the West; that Of Col. Daycn-
port, at Rock island The colonel was an old Indian
trader and, by his enterprise and industry had sue
ceeded in accommodating handsome property. He
selected of the most beautiful sites for resi-
dence the upper Mississippi-which, indeed, is
one of the interesting and desirable to be found
in the valley of the mississippi Near the foot OF
the upper rapids, the river is divided in twain by a
lower point terminates in limestone cliff, on the
summit of which stand the white buildings of the late
United States barracks located here. About mile
further up, on the Iowa side of the island,
a neat whte-paned mansion Of the colonel, sur
rounded with fine garden, shrubbery, shade trees;
and beautiful farm. Looking down the river, on
the Iowa side, is seen the beautiful and growing
village of Davenport, named in honor of himself
On the Illinois side is Rock island village, in
illinois, on the opposite side of the river
The colonel, in early times, had travelled exten.
sively among the Indians, often carrying large sums
Of money in silver, so wcghty that he had frequent
ly to employ Indians TO help him convey il. Ht
lost nothing by them. The indians, finally were
removed from his neghborhood, to make room fol
the civilized ,ohites The colonel had grown.uI
family, with his wife, gathered around him, at o
home made dear by former recollections, and the en-
belshments which refined and cultivated taste had
thrown around it. His doors were at all times open
to receive his friends and visitors. de who had
never been harmed by the Indians falls victim tc
the vilanous lust Of white men for money.
On the 4th of July last, at broad MONDAY, wher
a whole nation rejoicing over their freedom
and exchanging congratulations on the progress q
cipiiizalion--wlen he had sent his own wie ant
children to join in the anthems of liberty, h,
alone remaining at home--tree fends in phii
+, skins, and in human shape, enter his dwelling
They present pistol TO his breast, and demand h
money his life. He, with characteristic courage
dcfes them. He is shot through the thigh, and fa
MORALLY wounded He gives them the key of hi
money drawer which is in desk up stairs. They try
to unlock it, and fail. They drag him up to it, ant
compel him TO unlock it. They seize $780, tic thei
victim, and leave. His subsequent cries attracted
the attention of some passing boatmen who went L
his relief. Ii was too late; an artery had been sew
cred. He lived ill near night, and expired!
!. When last saw Col. d., il was on fine day IL
July, 1914, gazing at boat she passed. with
, glass, from the gallery Of his house. On viewing
his heauti(ul residence. sailed by il the othe
day. made desoate by the hands of crli=ed assassins
feeling of detected melancholy crept over me
Ills murderers still at large, although his family
have offered 81 500 reward Besides, the governo
has offered another reward 1t is said the citizens
about Davenport have also offered large reward
making aggregate sum of four or five thousant
, dollars II is to be hoped that they may soon b.
caught, and hanged.
Our little boat, the Domain, Captain Baldwin, vii
, soon land us at Louisville.
am yours, very truly and respectfully
MORGAN.