Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-05-05
- THE GREATEST GREATEST NUMBER:

HuSo As A SpY.-The telegraph
brings US the Information that Timothy Web
stsr was hung asa spy at Richmond, few
days since. while reading that paragraph. in
this paper Saturday morning. how many Of
our readers bad an idea that the man who
suffered the death penalty was an cqaaint-
snee Of theirs-or that he had for several
yssrs been . resident Of this city. and had
uicglsd With the people gensrallyi Very few
ws presume; and yet it is true that Timothy
Webster was once one OF our citizens. and that
hs Vas tolsrsbly veil known in Davenport.
Immediately after the desperate attempt
made by the enemies Of the railroad bridge
here, TO burn II down-which occurred. We
believe. 10 the spriDg Of ls59-there came to
this town . man by the name Of J. II. Reed.
who Immediately took charge Of the bridge.
Webster. Reed was not his nams-st least
not his real name. For several years before
coming to this city he had been 10 the secret
police service. not only in Chicago. but in New
York. In that service he WAS 10 the habit Of
chaogipg his name to suit circumstances
When be came here it is understood that he
came not only to act as Superintendent Of the
bridge, but was also here In the capacity of
member Of the secret police, for the purpose OF
ferreti:g out the prcjectors Of those schemes
against the safety Of that structure. He was
here nearly two years. We should cay, and
during that time was known by the name OF
Reed. 1t vii! be remembered that during TIE
trial Of Bissell at Chicago. that the Chicago
papers. in reporting the testimony Of Mr.
1T the time that the particular testimony
should have been reported as that of Mr.
Reed.
When he left this city. which we are bound
TO say was under rather questionable circum.
stances. he reported that he was going to en-
ter company then forming 10 New York for
Govern snt service. Aside from this he in.
formed citizen that he was in fact about %
Join an organization ia that city for the pur
pose Of acting as spies. He left, and we have
not heard from him until the telegraph in.
forms Us that the daring man died by the halls
ter in the enemys capital. That he is the
same man known here as J. Fl. Reed. there ie
probably no great room for doubt. Mr.. Web
sttr had family living in the State Of Hi
nois, some where on the line of the Peoria ard
Oquawka Railroad. We believe that he hid
wife and two children living there, The
report that he had his wife with him, and ths
she was in Richmond at the time of W Webster's
and explained by those who understand the
workings and intricate machinery of the se>
cret police service. We doubt not that some
female, passing as his wife, was with him. and
fate was sealed. that he revealed his true
name that his friends who knew him only by
that name would learn of his fata! misfortune
Webster was a man about forty years old, we
should jndge-of good personal appearance
and pleasant address. We regret that he has
been thus brought to the end of his career.
PHEASANT VALLEY.-The Union citi-
zens of Pleasant Valley Township have done
we'll in responding to the call made upon
their lberality in aid Of the wounded soldiers
Of Iowa-as witness the following subacrip
tione:
JOHN L. Dauies. Treasurer of Folders Relief
Association of Scut: County. lowa:
S,n- foil pin.r t tnti iora hav
been made by residents of Pleasant Valley
for the relief Of the wounded soldiers from
Scott county J Hyde 50. WIN. Geddis. ST.
J. L. Henley s3, Thomas Jones 81. Henry W
Henley 81. Vim. W. Davis 81. John s. Allen
81, Wm. Allen 81. s. s Blacknan 25 CITE. NJ
F. Jones SO c,s. J. A. Birchard S5. james Glib
son 90 cts. Hiram johnson 81. Adam Donald
son 81, j. N. Owens 25 cite. Wm. Pridmore 25
CITE, A. p. w Wes,fa!l so cts. d. s Hawl-y 81. G.
B. Hawley 81. 9. II. Henley 81. K. Van Eve,a
-, G. w. F~nno 81, John Evans 81, Janes
Brown 90 cite. E. Wright 60 cts. Young
Stokes 81, u. X. Allen so cts. J. A. Tay lor 80
cte, Newbe,ry Olds so cts, Rober Fleming ST.
A. F. Case 81, A. b Fsuno 81. Mr.. and Mica
Ealker 81, Vim. Wilson 81. Andrew Lindsey %
cts. Philip Earhart 81. J. F. Coleman 81. Ru.
fus Cheney $3.50. John B. Robeson 81. Saml.
Robson As cts, W. VI. Fry 90 cts. Eugene
Birchard 90 cts, A Stronger 25 cts, A. j. Pres
ton 81, A. J Cramer 25 cts J. b. Dopp 81. }
d. Custer 81, b. Birchard $3. Total $52 45.
D, BIkCuAKD.