The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-02-19
Murder and Suicide MT Brook N
PONeShIek County.

POweshiek County.
One of the most heart-rending and lament
able tragedies that was ever recorded, was
enacted at Brooklyn, in the northeast part Of
this county last evenings tragedy by which
two persons-Mr. B. N. Haws, Of that place,
and a man calling himself j. B. Roane, were
instantly killed. The circumstances, as near
as we can learn them, are as follows:
On the arrival Of the stage at BROOKLYN
from TT. Des Moines, on Wednesday evening,
a gentleman got out of it and stated that be
was an officer in the U. s. Army, and that he
was pursued by several persons who designed
numbering him for his money. He asked If
there was any person present who would be-
friend him and see that he was not foully
dealt with. Mr.. B. N. Haws--one Of the best
citizens Of the county-who happened to be
standing by at the time, remarked that he
would see that he was not hurt, and took him
under his charge for the night.
On yesterday, Mr.. Haws, MIR. Baker and
other citizens spent part Of the day with
him at DR.. Connoway's he,el. 1t was no
ticed during the day, that he was laboring
under some peculiar disease Of the brain, and
that part Of the time be was delirious,
while at other times he Was perfectly same
He stated that be had been on drinking
spree about q weak ngo, and the probability
is that he was laboring under q fit Of delirl-
um tremens.
Sometime during the day-yesterday
sent the following note, post haste, to the
County Clerk, whose Office 10 at this place
We give it rerbatim, with the remark that
the handwriting is excellent:
The CLERK or THE CouRT OF PowEsHnx:
Dear Sir An officer Of the army from Fl.
Kearney 10 here, and has been followed by
assassins who intend at the first opportunity
to kill him. am the individual, and over
heard the arrangements. There 10 no joke
in this, and any assistance you can render me,
will be thankfully received. The bearer can
give you ell information. In haste,
Yours, most respectfully,
j. B. ROANE,
4th Artillery.
Roaae, b. N. Haws and Mr.. Putnam were in
the bar-room of the Connoway House to-
gether. Mr.. Roane was walking the floor,
while Mr.. Haws and Putnam were sitting by.
Mr.. Roane, before any one was aware of his
designs, pulled from his pocket pistol and
shot Mr.. Halves dead the ball entering the
left breast and penetrating the heart. We
believe the deceased uttered but one sentence
after he was shot, which was--"My God !''--
Mr.. Putnam, who feared tina, he, too, might
meet with similar fate, caught Roane and
endeavored to hold him. During the time
they were struggling together Roane attempts
ed to shoot Putnam, and plead to be released
that he might shoot himself! Watching an
/ opportunity, Mr.. Putnam showed him out of
the door, when he (Roane) deliberately shot
himself through the head and expired on the
spot. This affair has cast . gloom over the
entire community--a gloom that will moi
soon be dispersed. Mr.. Halves leaves q wife
and one child, together with many friends to
mourn his sad fate. He will be buried on
tomorrow by the Odd Fellows.
1t may be that the above is not exactl,
correct in every particular item. We onl,
give it as it has come to u.s. ontezum
Republican.
CO Humboldt, in q conversation will
Americans about Prescott, gave the prefer