Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-09-10
INDEPENDENCE ITEMS.
IxpEpENpEvcE, Sept. z, '67.

IspEprSDETcE, Sept. 2, '67.
Mr.. EDITOR The great event of the
past week, and one which has given the
scandal -mongers deal of food for the
exercise of their vocation, has been the
ar rest of Rev. J. L. Kelly, Methodist
Minister of this place, on a charge of
.an assault with intent to commit a
rape" upon the person of one Margaret
Dawson, domestic in his family. The
bare mention of such a thing would be
sufficient to agitate any decent commu-
nifty, and you may be assured that an in
tense excitement has prevailed in town
since the first rumor was put afoat. On
Saturday last the affair was made the
subject of most searching investiga-
ton before w. Chandler, ESQ. and a
crowded audience, and the result was
The discharge of the clerical defendant.
Il appears from the facts of the case, as
developed on the examination, that Mr..
| Kelly, who is an eccentric individual,
and of rather a jovial disposition (per-
Laps too much SO fora religious teacher),
had some improper conversation with the
girl on last Tuesday morning, accornp-
anied by one or two gestures, which in
duced her to believe that something
wrong was intended, and she making the
fact known 10 neighbours servant girl.
The thing was rumored abroad, gathering
increased weight as it proceeded, until
the whole community was excited to an
intense degree. You know how such
things operate, and how quick most peo-
pie are to believe all they hear. and to
assist industriously in spreading the
news broadcast through the town. There
are some few circumstances connected
with the matter, which seem to be incon
sistent with that spotless innocence one
would look for in the life of clergyman,
but on the whole; | am satisfied, and l
believe the better portion of the commu-
nifty are Of the same opinion, that no
crime was intended, and that all Mr..
Kelly was guilty of, was of imprudenl
conduct, and of remarks highly unbe-
coming " minister Of the gospel"
7 Growing out of this affair, proceed
ing took place last evening in this town,
which is calculated to reflect lasting
disgrace upon the place, and the actors
in it. Some hundred or more persons,
whose diabolical feelings of revenge and
hatred had not sufficient vent in the pros.
ecution Of Mr.. Kelly (Which one or TWO
of them took q very active part I'M,
gathered about the house of W. A. Jones,
with whom Mr.. Kelly is temporarily stop
ping, with the intention of dressing him
in coat Of tar and feathers, riding him
on a rail, &C. Mr.. Jones. with several
, neighbors had armed themselves with
ffseemed as II disastrous consequences
would ensue. Esquire Chandler, who
was upon the ground Watching the pro
: ceedings, intertered, and succeeded in
prevailing upon them to dispense bu,
not without great effort, nor until they
had made night hideous with their yells
tor considerable time The most of the
ringleaders were disguised, and succeed
cd IN remaining incog., but one or two
OF them We're known and this morning
) were arrested and will have an examina-
q sion to-day before Esq Hart. Ii found
guilty, ii is hoped they will be made to
suffer the fullest penalty of the law.
| notice in your last paper call for a
Convention of the Republicans of this
county, to nominate a Representative. IL
is hoped the meeting of delegates will be
full and harmonious. and that good
man will be selected. The Democrats
feel The necessity Of bringing out good
man. and from what l can hear, Dir. w.
0. Smilh of this place, is to be the un-
lucky chap. should be sorry to see
the DR.. nominated at this time, for he is
too good fellow to be sacrificed for the
sins of the Border Ruffian party.
To-day the weather is cool and autumn
like, and the fall business is opening up
brisk. A large amount of building is
going on here this season, and the re-
naming time till winter sets in bids fair
to be well improved. Yours,
MONCRIFF.