The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-02-05
DOCTOR HARPERMAN.

The following biographical reminiscen.
ces Of lhis distinguished gentleman, whom
we mentioned few weeks since as having
left Dubuque so suddenly as to haze for
gotten to return watch he had borrowed
from his landlord, sheriff Of the county, j.
from correspondent of the Dubuque Err
press:-
Ths Doctor left this place as is known
for parts unknopn, some time during the
latter part of the fall or the beginning Of
winter. At Spunk Ridge be represented
himselfas lawyer from New Orleans, and
that be and his brother had been employed
by the corporation Of Dubuque 10 defend
the "Dubuque claim case" that bis brother
was seven feet in height; said that he him
self was also employed as United States
Marshal, and was going down to see Judge
Grant on some very important business
connected with the Dubuque claim and the
U. s. District Court and that when be left
Dubuque be had very fine saddle and
horse but in crossing bridge his horse had
broken his leg and that he had taken bis
pistol and shot him. While at the Ridge
he attended party and was very bold and
forward. There was young man present
who had some knowledge Of fmesmerism and
and in examining the Doctors
bumps, gave him hard character. The
Doctor was very anxious to continue on
down to see Judge Grant. and hired Mr..
Samuel Kennedy Of the Ridge to take him
to Davenport for $50. After they had
gone far enough to get hungry they halted
and ordered dinner, the Doctor suggested
that Mr.. Kennedy had better pay all expen-
ses to Davenport, ill be would see Judge
Grant and get his money changed, as he
had nothing but large bills: that after he
could see Judge Grant he would pay him
and then get him to take him back to Du-
tuque. When they got to Davenport
Judge Grant was not at home, and they
waited the return of the Judge for day, as
be had only gone over to Rock Island. In
the mean time the Doctor wanted to buy
a gold watch, and stepping into first class
establishment was shown the best watches
in the house. The Jeweller showed him
one at Sll0, which was his best The
Doctor regretted that he had no better ar
ticle, but said that he mlst have watch
and that he would call for il when regula-
ted, if he was willing to take Ohio and In
diana money. The next morning it was
ascertained that Gran, had got home. Ac
cordngly the Doctor waited till bis friend
Kennedy was At breakfast. when he took
up bis bed and walked. Mr.. X. supposing
,hs, he had gone either to Judge Grants or
for-the watch, called at both places but no
one there. BY - said MIR. X. he has got
me, I've been TO California and round a
good deal, but I'm beat this time. After
some reflection Mr.. K. returned home
greatly edited, and wearing most benign
countenaces The next thing we hear Of
the Doctor (alias r. Hunt Of New OrIeans)
is from an honest old German, about nine
miles below Davenport, and he came up to
see Judge Grant on some business and in
cidentally told him Of the visit that he had
received from his friend Doctor Hartman.
By the way, said the good old German to
the Judge-'sJndge vot you links, de Doc
tor vonts to marry mine laughter? But
we vonts to know something more as me do;
he till me for 60 see Judge Grant, he is
very well acquaint NIT him."
What the Judge said to the old gentle
man is unknown, but at any rate the Doc
tor went to Muscatine and passed az Ger
man Ply ysician by the name Of Charles F.
Hartman. When he reached Muscatine
he called on the city Marshal who keeps q
livery stable and wanted to buy from him
a horse, such as that owned by . certain DR..
who had quit practice. The Mar
shal showed his stock aud the Doctor ex-
amined all with good deal Of judgement,
and at length had ono Of them saddled and
rode him around awhile saying that he was
much pleased with him under the saddle,
but wanted 10 try him in buggy before be
could consent TO buy him.
In the mean time he got the best car
riage and span Of horses that were in the
stable and drove out to SEQ the old Ger
mans daughter, told her that he had come
out to make her his bride, and thought that
they might as we'll get married at once and
not wait for any further negotiation. The
you lady thought that she would defer it
little, until they had struck up better &C
quaintnnce, and the Doctor took his hat
and ran,osed with the underestimate that
he was tocome back shortly. Upon his
return to Muscntine he hauled mp al the
Hotel and ordered the carriage to the liv-
cry stable, with note 10 the Marshal that
he might consider the black horse bis and
that he would be around in an hour to pay
him [Signed G. f. Hartman, M. D. But
in 90 hour the Doctor was minus at Musca.
tine leaving all bills to take care Of them
selves. The next figure that our M. D.
cut was in Mercer Co. ILL.,, where he repre-
sented himself as buying horses for Dan
Rice's Circus, which was froze up at 81.
Peters, and that he had driven span Of
horses from Dubuque 10 Muscaiine in day
without hurting them any. He was in the
act Of securing horse from the gentleman
at whose house he was stopping. when ar
rested and brought into Muscatine where
he was s.ieweled" and returned to this city.
The New York Day Book tells the fol-
lowing singular story Of luck in lottery
A man, somewhat given to superstition
l.. La L.