The evening Argus., 1865-06-26

his friends to the authorities on the Island or,
in other words, had made and sec trap for
them and caught them in Il. Messrs. Herndon
Young and Cowan we're lodged in a guard
house, that night, and sent back to prison
next morning heavily ironed. and all Of them
minus their clothing. (which was very good
and every cent of their money.
The same night of the betrayal of these
men by Cooper, another scheme was attempt
ed, so despicably mean that sll high-mindsd.
honorable men look upon il and its authors
with scorn and indignation. The managers
of the scheme probably thought some parties
outside the barracks must be aware of this
attempted escape and they therefore immedi.
ately disguised Cooper and federal soldier
as rebel prisoners and instructed them to 60 at
once to the house of Mr.. r M. Prettynan in
Davenport. and pretended to be escaped rebel
prisoners from Rock Island Barracks and try
to induce Mr. P, to aid them to get away
They went to Mr.. Prettyman's house. arriy-
| ing there between IL and IL O'Clock at night,
and succeeded in gaining admittance. But
they forgot part of their instructions and rep
resented themselves to be released, not escap-
ed prisoners. Mr.. Prettyman did not place
much confidence in their story, and thought
the language used by one of them did not in
dicate a southerner. But we believe his fam
lily contributed some small sum towards pay
ing their fare to Chicago. where they said
they had friends who would assist them.-
This they were perfectly justi6able in doing,
under the representations made by these
scoundrels. These pretended rebs but really
spies, informers and robbers, then left, to re-
port to their masters on the Island,
The Davenport Gazette was Immediately
filled with accounts of the affair accounts
SO grossly exaggerated and wilfully false that
they were as disgraeeful TO the publisher of
that sheet as to the creatures who took this
despicable method to entrap and rob most
worthy and highly respected family whose
members were all true friends of the Union.
The public mind has long since experienced
a powerful reaction in favor of Mr.. Pretty
man and his family, and against their despi- |
cable prosecutors.
Cooper after being used az a tool in a very |
disreputable case of robbery, was released |
and became the pet of few malignsnts |
about this city, ,and the scorn of all honorable |
men. He staid about here for while. and |
finally was employed in woolen mill in Mo- |
line. The gentlemen he robbed and betray-
ed of course swore revenge on him. if they |
lived to be released.
In the meantime Messrs. Young and Cow
an were lucky enough to leave for exchange,
and Mr., Herndon was the only particular
friend Cooper had left in this region. As all
prisoners have been recently released by tax.
ing the oath of allegiance, Mr.. I'll, came out
on the 2lst inst. and came to this city, and on
the 22d hired horse and buggy and in com.
pany with friend-Mr j. B. Foster, Of
Mississippi) drove to Moline by way of the
Island. He halted ON the Island, hltched his
horse, took heavy buggy whip in his hand,
walked across the bridge, asked boy the
way to the wooden factory, and on its being
pointed out to him went into it, inquired for
Cooper ,ani while being informed that he was
there, discovered the renegade and traitGr 60
ing down pair of stairs. Mr. Herndon
walked briskly up to him, took him by the
arm, pulled him back and asked him if he
knew him, and was answered by Cooper that
he believed he did. The following dialogue
then occurred:
Herndon-Cooper l want my money, and give
you just two minutes pay 1t.
COoPer-Tom, l haven't a single cent, and, be-
sides, didn't get your money.
Herndon-Who did get it
CoOper-The officers
Herndon-NO difference, now, who got it,-Il
look to you for it,so hand 1t out |
Cooper then appealed to the owner of The
mill, saying that these two men were trying
TO bully money out of im,-thas they were
two against one. Mr. Foster answered that
this was not true; that Cooper owed him
nothing and he had nothing whatever to do
with it; that it was wholly an affair between
Mr.. Herndon and Cooper. The conversation
was then renewed, as follows:
Cooper-Tom, do let me off for was o,erper-
suaded-too much influence was brought to bear
on me.
H.-Your two minutes nearly up-hurry up
that money you robbed me of.
C.-Tom, do please let me off, apd I'll go and
" ork for you till you are fully paid.
HI would not have such triflIng scoundrel
Is you are on my place would not paw your |
Are to Kentucky If you would be my slave forev-
er.
C.-Now Tom, do let me off, have no money
but l'll give you my clothes.
H-fou dirty dog-who wants your filthy
clothes.
C.-Tom, you will let me go up town have
Trend there, who is shoemaker, and I'll try to
borrow the money OF him.
H.-You can send for it, if know the message
you send, but you can't escape out of my hands
C.-I must 60 myself. HE makes an effort to