The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-04
THE JIM BEAkDsLEI MOB.

The Unton of last evening says:
"The ARGUS will never be abe to forgive MAJOR
Beardsley for the COW hiding he gave It's edi'os."
Neither jim Beardsley nor any other per-
son ever gave tho editor OF this paper CO"
hiding. But Jim Beardsley was the leader
of a most disgraceful and cowardly mob upon
the editor of this paper on the 9Th oi feoru-
ary. 1S62,-an act disgraceful to any true
soldier. What wonld be said OF any man
who should make an attack upon anotner
who was sitting in chsir and unprepareu
to defend himself? He would be- called u
coward and a scoundrel. Bat the act OF j I'M
Benrdsley aud those associated with him was
more disgraceful than that, and one OF the
persons engaged in that transaction has
since called on us, at our office, and begged
our pardon for being engaged in 1t. and said
he was deceived into joining the mob. by
false represen ,ations, and that he was most
heartily ashamed of it AMI sorry for It, As
mean AMI co EarIly a was B.ardsiey's share
in the transaction, we do nos think so me@niy
OF him as of those who prompted aim to the
sham full outrage, or approved of 1t after
wards, by horse subscriptions, oyster sup
pers, and otherwise.
What were the facts? Simply these Jim
Besrdsley and u dozen Il teen Others, MI
armed, laid in wait Tor Us and attacked US
without notice. jim and three other strong
men. either one Of wuOn was twice our supe-
rior. physically, sprang upon us from behind
the corner OF Bailey il BJyies block as we
were walking 70 dinner, giving Us no notice
aul no p,ssibl. chance for defense. The
balance OF the mob were standing on the
Sidewalk, each side OF the attacking party
ready to render assistance to the assassins.
if necessary. Four stroag m N jumping up
on one man at one, without any reasonable
provosation, and without giving INN any
chance TO defend himself, and alter he was
down and incapable of any resistance, contIn-
uing tue attack 10 the most teroolous and
murderous manner. If more cowardiy act
can be perpetrated- act more disgracetul
TO true. brave, aud honorable soldier, we do
not know what it be.
So shocking was it TO the great mass of the
people that very large county meeting was
same month, attended by many from beyond
the limits OF this county, too, and the act
was properly characterized by the uuanlmOus
and enthusiastic adoption OF the following
resolutions:
WHEREas A mob of persons led by one James
NJ Beardsley, wearing the UNIFORM OF an officer IN
the service IF the United states, did, on the
OF Rock Island on the 9Th inst, attack ana
commit a most violent aggravated and unwar-
ranted assault upon the Per.on OF J. b. DantOrth
Jr., tor other reason than that he Is an editor
of a democratic paper and
WHEtEAs, The action OF the mob has been her
aided through the newspapers with Signs OF gratI-
hcattoa and approval, ana At me same time puo-
fishing a list vi subscriptions maze by the leaders
OF the Union League, which seem to have been
gwen token OF their approval OF the act above
erred to and
WHEREAS The principal OF the mob pub
licly Toasted by fed raj, judicial and county
officers, and b. toasts and speeches his shameful
and covardy were publicly approved BY
them; therefore
Resolued l. By the people of Rock Island coun-
w. in convention assembled, that the recent
sault, alluded to above, was a most co "ardly
dlsgTacetui and unwarrantsd act, and that the
perpetrators OF and sympathizers in the dI grace
ful transaction deserve the severest public con-
demuation. and the extreme punishment known
to the law for such otFenses. [AppIause
2. That when our judges. To whom alone the
public can look Tor the punishment OF such ofe a..
ses and a redress OF their grievances, and whose
duty IL to try all such infractions law can
far forget the dgnty OF their positions as to ION
IN uuDIc demonstrations honor of such acts
when promlnen nj officials OF our christian churcbe
who pru ess TO teach and pr sctice the doctrine o.
love oe,ce and good will among men can com
mend such ouiragss when our peace officers, a NJ
connty and federal Off Ials become so Inded b,
party prejudice as to approve such conduct; ant
when all these persons have formed themselve
into secret leagues Tor PURPOSES KNOWN only L
themselves, and whose obJects can oniy De ludg =
nv their wicked ami iawiuss threats aga nst peace
tuI cit zens ant their approval OF sucn overt act
i, Is time Tor all abiding, liberty LOVING, ant
mob men, o. all parties, combine for the pre-
tectron OF themselves and their property. AZ
plause. et
ARcus was intended as al at .ack upon the demo
cratic party for the purpose OF Intimidation, mu;
ring Tree speech and tree press, and as such "
receive it. a 10 inform the Clique Of office .hold e
that THEY cAN'T IT, and had better stop IA
thiak!! Loud applause
l. That u. DrnIortt, Jr., is gentleman,
scholar, patriot, a good Union man, and a 1r
rate editor, and publishes a first paper, an
as .ong as he does we'll he has done WI
sustain hun through thick and him and IT n
aboIitInn SITS attack again ,ce tciH ret tHdse
kind! lCneers and cries OF: "Ihat's The doe
trine ~
The proceedings of that meeting occupie
.hou, Ia columns of the EVENING ARGUS
.5 bv a short hand writer, speecas