The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-03-17

Heavy Rebbcries.-.Revol out.
e. RACES.


Heavy Rebberies--.Reveisins OUT
On last Tuesday night, about alfpast
ten clock. Eve wen armed men, dressed
in citizens clothes and mounted on horses
went to the house of Frank Bourne, living
two miles south OF LsBelle, in the west
ern part Of this county. and about twen-
ty-fve miles from LaGrsnge. They de-
manded admittance OF Bourne, who, upon
enquiring Of them who they were, was
assured they were his friends and 70 let
them in. He suspected that all was not
right, at the same time telling one Of his
little sons to bring him bis gun. the
boy brought the gun to his father, but it
proved not to be los led, and he sent him
back to have it loaded BY this time the
party outside had effected an entrance
they presented pistol to Bourne's breast
and demanded the immediate surrender
Of his arms. He gave up the gun. being
the only weapon which he had about the
house. The gang then demanded his
money, threatening him with instant
death If he did not Immediately comply
Bourne turned to his wife and told her
that she had the money-the thieves
then ordered her to get the money forth
with or they would shoot her husband
before her eyes. She Of course complied
and gave up to them the sum of eight
hundred dollars in greenbacks. The
scoundrels coolly counted the biils--there
being FIVE 500 bills, two $50 bills, and
the rest in si0 and $50 bills At
Bourpe's were two other men-one .
hired man aud one . visitor who had
stopped over night. or the visitor. wncse
name is William Tompkins, they obtained
twenty-five dollars in money, seven dollars
worth of goods which he had that day
purchased-an overcoat and his saddle.
OF the other man, whose name is Gosney.
they took sixty five dollars and m over
coat
They then demanded Of Bourne his
large, black horse, which of course was
given up to them. They insisted on
Bourne and Tompkins catching the horse,
and told them to hurry up, that - soon
as they caught the horse they intended to
kin them. After they had succeeded iD
catching the horse, The scoundreis put a
rope around each Of their necks and led
them up to high stake in the fcpce, and
told them if they had anything to say, or
if they wanted to pray, 10 be id quick
about it, as they had but few moments
longer to live.
They charged Bourne with protesting TO
be sympa,hizer, and at the same time
was reporting on Southern men TO the
Federal authorities, and for this reason
they intended to hang him Bourne
plead for his life, and it was finally spared
on the condition that he would never re-
port what they had done on pain Of being
burnt out. They appeared determined
to hang Tompkins anyhow w-but Bourne
begged them tor bis lie which they spared
on condition that be Bourne) would 90
his security in the sum OF ten thousand
dollars, that he would not reveal their
transactions. Bourne assured them that
he was not worth SO much as that, still
they said they would hold him for tha,
amount-that they would be arouud
again shortly, and if they were reported
on they would burn out Bourne and hang
Tom pkins The scoundrels handled
these TWO men in very rough msnner,
and caused them to think that their time
had surely come. To say that they we're
frightened or scared would not begin to
express their feelings. They were taken
completely by surprise-were unaimet
and unnamed, and consequently made
no resistance. Both of them we believe,
are sympathizers, or modern "conserva
tives."
The maraudcrs declared themselves to
be Confederate soldiers, and although
they appeared to be well acquainted with
THE country and certain circumstances
hich they mentioned, not one of them
was recognized, aud they did not seem to
be disguised. When Bourne hesitated
about giving up his gun. they reminded
him that they knew he had one, as they
had seen him bringing it home from La
Grange.
The next place we heard of them was
at the house of John n. Wright, "a dealer
in stock who was not at home. They
demanded Of his wife his whereabouts,
and by severe abuse of her, and intimida-
tons. they forced hef to tell where her
husband was, and they declared that they
would hav. him before morning.
The band next made their appearance
at VIM. Arnold's about two miles from
Wright's. Here they shamefully abused
the family-banging Arnold By the neck
uutil they compelled him to disgorge four
hundred and seventy-six dollars, and .
military overcoat.
The next place they visited was VIM.
Hu rlburt, distant about three miles south
of Arnold's. They demanded admiatance
the door was opened by Hurlburt,
when they presented their pistols to his
breast and called for light. The women
produced light. when they remarked to
Hurlburt that he was not the man they
we're looking for. Here it would be we'll
to- remark that WIN. WinselI. ,oung
man who had been very active in recruit
ing negroes for the Federal army, was
stopping at this house, Hurlbbrt being
his step.father. The marauders then
rroceeded ipfo tho pevt rom, NTH fhe