The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-12-24

Desperate FIGHT WITH ROBBERS
Last week as an old man whose name we
did not learn, residing In Illinois but .
few miles from this city, was passing along
the highway toward his home in the eve
ming, he was suddenly confronted by four
men armed with reviewers who demanded
his money or his life. He told them he
had no money, that he was poor man.
Then with sincerity 80 seemingly earnest
and real that II completely won their con-
fidenee, he assured them If their occupa-
ton was to obtain money without working
for it he would Be glad to join them; that
| he had always led a life Of poverty land
wanted to die rich,'' and if they would ac-
cept him as one Of their number he could
render them essential service in plotting
them about the country, with which he was
well acquainted, &c, &c. Thrown COM
pletely off their guard by the old mans
apparent sincerity they agreed to receive
him, and at once acquainted him with their
plans. The first business on the pro-
gramme was to rob Mr.. Isaiah Brooks,
which was to be attempted on Monday
night last. Accordingly AFTER parting COM
pany with them the old gentleman pro-
ceeded at once to Mr.. Brooks residence,
and acquainted him with the whole trans
action, including the visit to be made on
Monday night. However they failed to be
on hand at that time, but on Tuesday night
three Of them made their appearance. the
fourth having gone on some mission of vile
lainy to shokoquon,) and were piloted to
tho dwelling Of their intended victim by
the old gentleman according to agreement.
Upon arriving at the house the latter stood
sentry while the three robbers went to
the door and knocked. Their summons
was answered by Mr.. Brooks in person.
They forthwith presented their revolvers
at his head and demanded his money.
With apparent reluctance he intimated he
would comply with their demand and
ct the same time invited them into
the-house. Directly, upon signal being
given, seven men armed with guns stepped
into the presence of the robbers and in
stantly fred upon them. One was killed
outright, another was shot through the
head, causing his brains to ooze out. and
q third through the breast. Their wounds
are believed 10 be mortal. Notwithstand-
ing the suddenness Of the attack the vii
lains managed to fire upon the as
sanlting party, wounding one man in the
face and another in the arm. The wounded
rascals are at Brooks house. The one
shot through the head is said to he insensi-
BILE, but the other, who appears to be most
desperate character, converses freely, and
swears had they not "got the advantage OF
them they would have murdered the entire
party" The whole matter was admirably
managed and the country Is rid of three
most villainous desperadoes. Outrages
like the .one attempted upon Mr.. Brooks
are becoming of almost daily occurrence
through the country and determination
should be practiced towards those engaged
In them. We regret that in the present in
stance the work was not little moro COM
plete, although the assurance iscomforting
that the wounded rascals cannot survive.
They are all strangers and refuse to give
any information as to where they came
from.
What success their associates met with
at Shokoquon we have not yet learned.
Since putting the above in type we have
received the following version of the mat
ter from the operator at East Burlington !:
G. duncan II have Just learned the
following: Three men overlook farmer
by the name Of Davids, at a bridge on the
Warren Plank road, about three miles east
Of East Burlington, demanding his money.
He answered that he had none. They then
undertook to force 1t from him, when be
told them he belonged to the same gang,
and would show them where they could
make good haul, and thus compromised
the matter. Davids agreed to meet them
Monday night, to show them their prey,
but the robbers did not appear. He after
wards told shem they were towards, and
dare not attempt it, which probably excited
their courage, for last night they proceeded
to !. J. Brooks house and demanded his
money.
It appears that Davids had apprised Mr..
Brooks of the affair, and he had guard in
the house. One Of the robbers was killed
and two MORALLY wounded. Three of the
defenders were slightly wounded.
GoUaH.