The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-09-26

NoIs.-From persons who came up from
Jacksonville yesterday, we learn that there
was some excitement there growing out of
the sudden and preconcerted appearance Of
considerable force of X. g. C.'s from Cass
and Menard Counties, in that place on Mon
day last. The facts, as near as we can
learn them, are about these:
Some weeks since, a man named John
w. Stokes, who formerly lived at Meredo-
cha, was standing on the platform of the
Great Western Railroad as the train from
Springfield came in. AS the train passed,
some one put his hand out of the car win
dow, and Selling Stokes, attempted to drag
him down, and, as was believed, throw him
upon the track under the train. The effort
failed, however, Stokes having his coat
partly torn Off and being considerably
bruised. ......
The alleged perpetrator of this outrage
was one John Huestes, of Bardstown, and
a door-keeper of the late Copperhead Legis-
lature. Huested is said to have been in
company at the time with James M. Epler,
Representative in the last Legislature from
Cass county, they being on their return
from meeting of the X. q. C.'s, held in
Chicago, which was attended by some of
the fraternity from this city. Elper is re-
ported to be at the head of the X. G C.'s in
that region, and Heusted next in command
to organize the order in Morgan county
Stokes formerly belonged to them, but ex-
posed them. On this account he became
the object of their vindictive hatred. His
life has been threatened, and Huested's &C
ton in Selling him at the jacksonville de-
pot was believed to be with murderous
purpose.
A few days ago Huested was arrested for
the assault on Stokes, and brought to
Jacksonville on a charge of assault with
intent to kill" The trial was to take place
on Monday, though probably not one in
ten of our citizens knew what was going
on. About eight or nine o'clock Monday
morning large number of strangers sud-
denly made their appearance, coming in
squads OF ten or more on horseback and
otherwise, large proportion of them hav-
ing come to the vicinity in wagons, which
were left outside of town. A not very close
examination demonstrated that most, if
not al, were armed with revolvers, while
others carried hatchets and other weapons
in their belts. The crowd is reported to
have been led by the before mentioned Ep-
Ter, and to have claimed that their number
amounted to three hundred, with a reserve
of one thousand some distance from town.
The citizens of jacksonville, though ia
ken by surprise took the matter coolly, but
quietly prepared for the worst. There was
some loud talking done by the K. g. C.'s,
consisting in threats to take Stokes, &c,
but being firmly met, they gradually cool
ed down. The trial of Huested came on
at the appointed hour, being held at the
Court House before Esquire jeremiah
Pierson, who displayed a firmness that ex
cites high praise. The prosecution was
defense by Cyrus Epler, James NJ. Epler
- McNeeley, and Thomas II. Springer.
Huested was held to bail for his appear
ance at the next term of the Circuit Court
in $500. The decision, accompanied as IL
was by timely rebuke to those who had
assembled to overawe the ministers of the
law, had cooling effect upon the party;
the bond of the accused, and they started
homeward "wiser and it is hoped better
men,"
The exact object of this hostile incursiou
in the midst ofa peaceful city has not been
clearly explained, but 1t is believed to have
been with the intention OF resculng the
| prisoner. In an apologize way the mob
Stated that it was their purpose to prevent
| Huested's being carried away to Cincinna-
| ii to be tried by military court MARTIAL
But this was no doubt mere pretense, as
the case was in the hands of the civil au-
thorities. This representation by the more
knowing and INSCRIPTIONS perhaps ena-
bled them to work upon the more ignorant
and secure a crowd. The secresy with
which the crowd was collected proved the
thoroughnesS of their organization.
The citizens of Jacksonville deserve the
highest credit for the GOODNESS and prudence
they displayed under the circumstances,
not only preventing a collision, but insur-
| ing the triumph of the law. 1t is not prob
able they will be taken by surprise again.
| This is one of the most infamous aNf' out
rageous exhibitions of lawlessness ut has
ever occurred in this section of the State,
and cannot but recoil upon its perpetrators
We are glad to learn that it is heartily con-
demned by all law-abiding men OF every
party. who see in il the excuses to when
disloyal and INSCRIPTIONS men, under the
| false pretense of protecting the liberties OF
the people, would lead their dupes and fol-
| lowers.
Iowa TRooPs.-Sherman's Fifteenth Ar
my Corps, which has gone TO reinforce Ko-