The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1858-05-11

Dllcase0ss &C I&eNap PeE0O00e4s
In our last i~suc ~ gave brief account "
/ system Of ihieving that seeiued 70 have hs1u
carried out in this vicinity for the
ast few months. We nov have the gratiRca-
ion Of announcing the discovery Of some Of the
robbers and the rescue Of large amount Of
merchandise belonging 10 the DeighbOrhood.
Az 1t is our design to publish IN our regular ~
'ue, which will be delayed to obtain the facts
which may be elected on an investigation,
Tull history Of the developments which the past
week has exposed, VIC forbear minute detail
matters as they nov present themselves
There may be cause for change, of opinion in re.
|ation to certain parties-hence the general alb
sence Of names in this article.
The rendezvous Of the robbers Of the Upper
Mississippi has been for the past year the old
Ferry building on the west side Of the river from
the Prairie du CHEN Upper Ferry. At that
place goods have been stored from Pc nts as
high up as La Cross, and if the statements OF
prisoners can be relied on, there have been 1T
ted out at that place more expeditions than one
to the lower river.
1t seems q carpenter named Ralph This last
name we have not learned) has been in the en-
ploy of the robbers for several months, build
ing boats, &C., &C., preparatory to voyage
down below. One day last week quarrel en-
sued between Ralph and some OF the party,
which resulted in Ralph's exposure Of the viii
lsins. Ralph came down to McGregor and gave
such information in relation to their practice
and plans as led to an immediate organization
for their detection.
On Friday .:srning last, Constables Kec and
Brown, of McGregOr, and several of our most
active citizens, left this place for the island
known as Big Island, opposite the mouth OF
Sni Magill Creek, about five miles below this,
aud nearly opposite Wyalusing. The river at
present is very high, and scarcely any portion
Of the Island is out Of water, and hence the
skiffs Of the Adventures had access to almost
all portions Of the suspected territory. After a
thorough reconnotre, the boat containing kee,
Ralph and our fellow citizen Sanford L. Peck,
ESQ, discovered tent or camp on the Island,
in which were found Geo. Seville, an English
butcher, of MeGregor, man partly blind, nam
ed Howell, and boy years old, whose name
we have not learned. These were captured,
and from them it was ascertained that a man
calling himself DR.. Bell IA veterinary surgeon,
late partner to Joseph Bayless of this vicinity,
was in command Of boat moored in some OF
the sloughs Of the Island, and that said boat
was loaded with stolen goods 10 the amount OF
several hundred dollars. On the next morning,
Kee, Peck and the boy proceeded to look up
the boat, and having discovered it, came TO
within close distance before any signs OF life
were exhibited on board. The barking OF a
dog on the pirate vessel reused its captain, and
he sprang out on the bow in his shirt-seeing
the boy, it is supposed he took the party for
friends, and remarked that his wife was not
up" requesting them to "hold on" At this
moment, the skf being near to the bandit, Kee
was leaning forward to make prisoner ofhm,
when Bells countenancc assumed a demoniac
appearance, he sprang into the boat, presented
. revolver at the door of it, and screamed to the
party, ''God damn your souls, I'll blow you TO
hell" Without further invitation, Mr.. Peck.
who was in the line of danger, fred his revolv
er Is hs supposed fatally. Bell fell back wound
ed, and in u few seconds a pistol shot passed
thu ugh the side of the boat from the chest on
w ich Bell had fallen. Believing that Bell was
seriously wounded, and having heard that his
wife was a practical gunner, the assang party
deemed it most prudent to return to MoGregor
for force sufficient to secure the boat and
bring it into port. Brown and Woodcock in
the meantime had separated from them the
night before and had gone to CLAYTON City.
Immediately on the arrival of Eee and Peck
with their prisoners, the report of the success
got wind and the town was soon at boiling heat.
Capt Nelson, Of the Alex. McGregor, was pre-
vailed on to run his boat down to the battle
ground, and about fifty persons, comprising
many of our best citizens, armed with such wea-
pons as could be conveniently obtained, enlisted
for the war The Alex. McGregor took the pas
sengers down to the vicinity of the boat, but du-
ring the passage three suspicious looking custo-
mers were arrested on board, and the McGregor
carried them to Prairie du CHEN. where it was
learned that heavy robbery OF jewclry had
been committed the night before,
The rdyanfurers f0nud tho hoat on which Rell
was shot, but the bird had flown. Mrs. Bell
aud her young child remained on board. A
guard was detailed, and upon farther exploration
two more boats loaded with plumber were found
farther down the river-the first boat was f.s.
tened to the steamer Pembinaw, of St. Louis,
and brought to our wharf the same evening
The other pirate crafts were towed to Clayton
City by Capts. DeHaven and Goodrich, OF the
Junction Ferry Line, and remained there in
charge of as jolly set of McGregorites as ever
captured prize. On Sunday the Alex. Me-
Gregor with two or three hundred citizens on
board left her wharf and proceeded to Clayton
City to bring up the piunder and the victorious
band who had it in charge. When near that
place the Fred. Lorenz was met with the booty
in tow and such time of cheering and re joicing
was never before heard on the Mississippi.
BY request, the Lorenz detached her pirate
on board and The freight in tow. Stopping at
Wyalusing, we learned that the village physi-
clan had been called that morning TO take ball
out Of the head of a stranger who had stopped
half mile from there to get his breakfast. A
committee OF six was appointed to scour that
section of country. The committee has since
returned unsuccessful. The goods are placed
in the hands OF Deputy Sheriff futile, and among
them is every conceivable article of value that
could tempt the cupidity of thief. Whole
stocks of dry goods, boots and Shoes books,
drugs, clothing, household goods, liquors, gro
ceries, provisions, stoves, grindstones, ETC., etc.
prove the industry of the robbers and extent OF
the band. There is not less than $4,000 to So,
goo worth OF property already secured, and the
Vigilance Committee have dispatched men TO
other depots whore it is expected plumber is
stored. Many of the articles are identified
This robbery has been going on for nearly a
year, and it is feared that many men heretofore
regarded as honest will be found deeply impli.
Gated in this astounding villainy.
Rumors OF all sorts are ahoat; the prisoners
arrested are beginning to confess aud expose
their accomplices Bell is evidently badly hurt.
His end is not far distant The officers are on
the alert, and it is hoped that this is to result
in breaking up one Of the most formidable
bands OF robbers ever organized in the West.
The name OF John G. Bishop, the Usage Land
Robber, is connected with this party, and it is
believed by the prisoners that a boat contain
ing $40. 900 worth OF goods from La Crosse and
other towns, left the depot first spoken Of on
the 18th o! last month for the benefit of said
Bishop; said boat was seen near Muscatine two
weeks ago bound for St. Louis.
As Bell is doubtless in the neighboihood, we
will say that he is well made man, about 35,
weighs les, sandy complexion, large red whis-
kers, and has bullet mark from his forehead
round to the butt OF his lett ear--this mark is
very significant one just now. We have no
time for further comments. and it is probably
not advisable to say more at present.
Our regular issue will appear on Thursday or
Friday, when We expect to be in possession of
details that will be of great interest to the
whole West.
p. S. We learn that the Vigilance Committee
at Prairie du CHEN have already arrested IA.
and that as the rope is applied to the necks OF
some a persuader, they are telling all they
know with great liberality.
Let the good work 90 on.
An ABORTION CAsE.--We have been able TO
gather few particulars involving u serious
charge against Mr.. Thomas Perry OF Shok o'<on,
in this county. Some time in March last
! Dung woman of that place named Eliza Heis-