The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1864-09-02
Murder of Intended Nurderers.
From the Memphis Argus. Aug. 10.


| We are indebted to q gentleman from
shove for the particulars Of a crime cons
mitted up the river, in the neighborhood
of /" Devils Elbow" that for fendishpess
on the part of the assailed and asssilants
will not, We hope. soon be anywhere
equaled-surpassed it cannot be. :
Our readers will remember that some
lime ago the steamer Essex was stranded
on bar in the neighborhood of the "Ei :
bow" and that she was, while in that con-
diiion, visited by party of men calling
themselves Confederate soldiers, and robb-
ed. These depredators numbered eleven
as bold and vicious scoundrels as ever pull
ed trigger, and, as the sequel will show,
were descrters from both armies. After
effecting the transfer of their booty from
the Essex to the shore, dispute arose, at
the time pushed to the verge of open rup-
ture, which was only prevented by the ne :.
cessi'v they felt themselves under of unit
ing to repel the attacks of anv party of
soldiers or others sent in pursuit. But as
time wore on. the anger of the disputants
grew, and the bad blood thus epeendered
brought about determined hostility,
which, after the usual amount of rec1imi
nation, ended in the party separating, each
member taking sides as he was satisfied or
dissatisfied With the division made Of the
spoiIs from the Inflated boat. Thus parts
ing III anger, oa,hs were freely registered
'hat sooner or later vengeance would be
taken one upon another, even unto death
if necessary and the hate thus aroused
was not permitted to wear away. They
determined on a rencontre and the exter-
mination of either division as the result.
Accordingly preparations were made and
several feints attempted by both. which
only served the purpose ofincreasing their
vigilance and hardening their determination
On Tuesday last, however. the affair
eliminated. One of the party, named
Hodson, hearing that his opponents we're
that day to visit bis neighborhood, deter
mined upon attacking them, and for that
purpose concealed himself in fence cor
ner," with young lad of but fourteen
years, named William Stokelv, whom he
bad seduced into assisting him in bis muir
derous design. lie was, however, defea:
ed in bis purpose, for the men he would
kill, hearing Of his intent and the manner
of its execution, rode. part of them, care
lessly along the road, while others sp
preached the concealed foe, who were not
given time to execute their will, being
shot dead just at the moment the horses
men whom they lay in wait to shoot came
in sight. Twelve buckshot entered the
body Of I1odson, and the boy stokely re.
ceived musket ball through the heart,
both expiring instantly.
Intelligence Of the affair reached Lieut..
Stevens on Wednesday, he weighed an
Choir and steamed up to the scene of the
murder, where be arrested three of the
gang-two brothers, Ashburn and de-
serter from the 9th Illinois Cavalry, and
John Stokely brother of the zurdered
boy, who is said to be one of horse-steal-
ing company infestirg the neighborbood.
The prisoners have been lodged in the Irv-
ing Prison for trial. 1t is thought they
are of the party who some months ago
murdered two men at the head of Island
IS. lfso, it will 60 hard with them.