The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-03-11

Arrest - = Mnr1srsf.
Yesterday aftsrnoon Capt. Kgbert, Mar
shall Means and officer Severance arrested
q small saloon on Brady street, opposite
the Post Of6oe, notorious william and
nofdefer, who among many other crimes,
10 rid 70 b guilty Of The shocking MUIR
der that took place near Ottumva, in this
STATE some foar years ago, the victim Of
which was young girl whom this man,
McCombs, and an accomplish named
Lawrence, had abducted from her home
in Rockford, I'LL. The circumstances 90.
oompanying this atrocious crime are still
fresh in the memory of many of Sur citi-
zens. Large rewards, amounting to two
thousand dollars in al, we're 1t the time
offered for the apprehension of the crimi-
nal. but without avail. Although he was
at different times tracked by detectives
very closely, be always managed to escape
and the hopes Of ever getting him had of
late almost vanished. The circumstances
that led to his discovery and arrest are
somewhat singular and we're purely acct
dental. A young soldier who is At present
stationed At Camp McClellen, and who
knew this man McCombs previous to the
commission of the murder referred to,
happened to meet him 10 this city and
recognized him. McCombs had been in
the employ Of this young soldiers father
for three years, near Rockford, ILL.,,
and was recognized by him instantly
The young soldier being cognizant of the
details of the murder aud the fact that
McCombs and the girl left Rockford to-
gether. Immediately informed Capt. Wsrd
at Camp Nc CIellan of these facts, and a
messenger was sent down to Capt Egg
bert, who, accompanied by the young
soldier and the two officers above men,
toned, started out to find the individual.
He was found at the saloon just as he
had concluded trade with a man for a
horse for which he paid $3.50. When
arrested he quietly asked, ''what for ?"
but made no resistance. He was then
taken before Justice Wheeler and ordered
to be committed for examination. The
man who bad sold him the horse agreed
to give him back sl70 and retake the
horse which was agreed upon.
McCombs seems fush with money, and
when arrested evinced not the least un-
easiness. He said nothing about the af-
fair. aud only remarked that all he wanted
was fair trial. His business Of late is
said to be enlisting and deserving. He
would enlist at certain place, receive
the bounty aud premium, and desert as
soon as possible, in order 10 re enact the
proceeding at some other place He is
also reported to be dealer in counterfeit
money, and TO Judge from his looks be
seems capable of doing almost anything
but good action. His examination
will probably take place as soon as neees-
sary witnesses can be procured.
His accomplice, Lawrence, has not been
heard from since the time of the murder
1t was at one time reported that he had
had also been found murdered somewh here,
but there is no certainty. The young
woman whom these two scoundrels abb
Quoted from her home, seduced and then
murdered, vas the daughter Of respecta-
bic parents living in Rockford, Illinois,
She fell into their mcsbes by means hes,
known to themselves. The trio travelled
together in light spring wagon from
Rockford through Illinois, and we're last
seen together at Ottumwa in the early
part Of April, 1860. where a. the hotel
at which they stopped one of the men
/ pretended that she was bis sister. Shortly
after their departure from that place she
was found 10 the Des Moines River, a
short distance from the village, and an
inquest holden over her body revealed
the fact that she had been brutality muir
dered. Her skull was broken in and
other marks of violence we're visible about
the corpse.
1t is indeed to be hoped that the per-
pe,rator of this horrible crime has at last
been apprehcnded and that he will receive
the punishment the euormity ofthe deed
deserves Davenport Gazette.