The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-05-06
ATROCITIES In CEDAR COUNTY, NO.
Eleven Men Murdered by
Guerrillas.
FrENDrsM BAaB AIRS

1t is difficult to read the following re.
ci.al of rebel atrocities in Cedar county,
clipped from the Evening News, without
an invocation to the avenging spirit. Such
shocking brutality as these 6endish assas-
sins have visited upon good, loyal citizens,
oalls for the rigid enforcement of policy
that will rid Missouri of the presence OF
disloyal citizens. Treason's votaries
should be made 10 feel the sting of an out.
ragged Government. The News says:
We have letter from a we'll known
and reliable citizen Of Cedar county, Mis-
souri,, giving the details Of the recent in
cursions of rebel guerrllas into that coun-
ty, in which Obadiah Smith, member of
the Legislature, was killed,
The scene of the atrocities narrated by
our correspondent was the neighborhood
o. Bear Creek Postofhce. in the eastern
part of Cedar county. On Sunday, the
10th of April, baud of guerrillas, thirty
one in number, came into the neighbor.
hood from Calhoun, in Henry county
They rst captured seven soldiers Of the
State Militia, three of whom were Of CD
Gravelly's regiment. and four of Captain
McCabe' S company. who were on their re-
turn from guarding the Paymaster to
Springfield. After being captured, they
were stripped of all their clothing but
their shirts and drawers. formed in line
and shot from bchiAd, the charges enter
ing the back Of their heads. All seven
were killed and fell to the ground in q
heap.
Our correspondent gives the names Of
Eve of the victims; $1,000 Dalton, James
Williams, Michael Hornbeck, Nathan
Reason, and 49, Pike. The names OF the
remaining two are not given Having per-
pe,rated this butchery, tie Williams went to
the north u Stockton, and captured Rob.
Williams and 49, Powell, taking them
up to the house of secessionist to feed.
Finding no corn at this house, they
asked Mr.. Williams for directions TO o
place where they could get feed; but
while he was standing before them giving
the requested information, they shot him
in the head, killing him instantly. They
then turned to Powell, and fred at him
wounding him. Nevertheless he sprsne
up aud ran three-quarters of mile before
they overlook him. He fell on his knee.
and plead for bis life, but the pitilesl
murderers gave him second shot which
I finished him They then took his CUR
ard went to PowelI's house, where the,
were met by the women, who told them
they had ruined them. The scoundrel,
replied 1--WE have killed them, and 20.
cannot help yourselves
They next went to the house OF OBADIAH
Smith. and pretended to be Kansas troops
Mr.. Smith, believing them to be such
went out to the fence to speak with them
carrying with him, however, his Sharpe
rifle ard pistol. The Captain of thu
band remarked to him: "You have gu
just like mine; let me see it." Smith
unsuspectingly handed it TO him, which
the bushwhacker no sooner received thai
he said: ~ will give you the contents o
this gun land fred at him. The bal
missed its aim. but the muzzle was s,
close to Mr.. Smiths person that the pow
der burned his face.
He. however, fred his pistol twice
knocking two Of the scoundrels off thei
horses He then ran toward his house
bis br,'ve wife keepins between him an,
them Err shout forty >A-.ls, when, as b
vas trying to escape through the orchard
they fred and brought him drown Com
ing up to where he lay, they shot hin
again and again in the back, and the
turning him over shot him in the face.
He had thirty-eight bulle, wounds on hi
body. The murderers then robbed bin
of his money, 500 or $500, and tire,
the empty purse into his wife's face.
| Their next and last victim Was . ma
named McWaters, whom they shot, TIL
Militia of the county made pursuit, blu
without overtaking them.
Our correspondent concludes thi
bloody narrative by saying: off there i
not separation Of Secessionists iron
Union men the latter will have 70 leave
Tell Gov. Gamble that We want the fami
lies of all who are in the rebel service /,
be sent South. Then we will have peace.