The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-27

abstract of title and proper deco, conveying
the face of the above described premises, as
herein required, being presented to the Au-
ditor of Public Accounts, he shall draw his
warrant for the amount thus certified to, as
full payment of the consideration money for
the conveyance as aforesaid; and the govern
or is hereby requested to pay such sum of
Douglas, and to no other person whatever.
Sec. 2. This act shall be deemed public
act,a and shall take effect and be in force from
and after its passage.
Approved, February Is, 1865.
THE MURDER OF WILLIAM PIKE.
On the 10th day of July last, little be-
fore noon, man named William Pike, for
merly merchant in Woodruff, Henry coun.
ty, but then a resident of Galesburg, in Knox
county, was walking along the road, in Wood
hull, and, when opposite the house of a DR..
Ferris, was shot dead from a window in the
house, as every one believes, by Mrs. Mary
Ferris, wife of DIR. Ferris. The testimony
on the trial was enough to satisfy every one
on that point. The proof was conclusive
that she had threatened to kill him, and,
that after he was shot, she said she had done
an awful deed; and while in tears, over the
act said she was driven to it. 1t was also in
| evidence that she said her husband had look
| ed over the law books and told her that no
woman was ever hanged for shooting a man
who had slandered her. The alleged cause
of the shooting was that Mr.. Pike had circu
lated story derogatory to the virtue of Mrs.
Ferris. Pike was about 40 years old, and
he and Mrs. Ferris had formerly been init
on an examination of the case, before just
| ice of the peace, was committed to Jail to
await her trial for murder. She was subse-
quently, we are informed, admitted to bail
by Judge Wilkinson, ON the case being
brought before him, ON a writ of habeas cor
of Mercer county court before Judge Wiki
inson, and acquitted by the jury.
We notice the case now for the purpose of
bringing before the public letter written
by Capt. j. NJ. Snyder, of Mercer county,
now stationed at Clal ksville, Tenn. The let
ter is so admirable in tone and spirit, and
SO fitting q rebuke to partizan courts and
partizan trials that it is we'll worthy of pc
rusal. Coming, as it does. from a political
friend of the powers that be, its truly CATH
Ollie doctrines, as to the duty OF judges, jur-
ors, and people, are more likely to command
attention and respect. The following is the
letter, which we copy from the Aledo Record
MRS. FERRIS.
| GAINESVILLE, Tenn, April IL, 1865.
l. EDS RECORD A sergeant of my compa-
ny, just returned from his home in Mercer
county, tells me that Mrs. Ferris. of Wood
hull, Henry county, ILL.,, has been acquitted
of the charge of murder in the case of Mr.
Pike. Situated as / am here. of course it is
impossible fer me to know all the facts in
this case, but there are two points connected
Herewith which L have never heard dou bted
1t Is about these two points that feel it is a
duty to say a few words.
LIST. l understand that her case was actu-
ally made political matter democrats OF
all shades OF standing and influence in the
community insisting that she was guilty of
murder and ought to be executed republi-
cans on the other hand generally admitting
that they believed she did kill Pike, but that
the act was justifsble.
Now, Mr.. Editor, can you tell us where we
| otO SOiuS W. uolc Is tue uOp6 Vi JUSTICE
in our courts when case of this kind oc
ours, and it Is to be taken up by political par
ties and tried according to political preudic-
| es? Had not every democrat, and every re-
publican in Illinois, and in the United States,
just the same kind and degree of interest in
SUSTAINING the law, without reference to pref
udice? Why should democrats be especially
bitter against Mrs. Ferris She was as
much entitled to a fair trial as any woman in
the country could be. Why should republi
cans make her case their own in any special
sense, and q matter of party interest? She
was no more entitled tc favor than any other
woman, hocerer poor, or Of Whatsrer race
Are republicans willing for democrats to pur-
sue such a course in neighborhoods and coun
ties where democrats happen to be the
stronger party? Sir, we seem to be fas,
leaving the old land marks of Justice and i'm
partiaiity which were so honored when was
q boy. Must aoe Gdmt that the mob rules the
hour 2 If this is true, as fear it is, it ia
truly awful, and is rapidly unsettling the very
foundations of safety for society. Such a
course will soon leave US all at the mercy of
circumstances. and the favor of the mob
Here we have another illustration of the
painful fact. that in America we lack the
hrmness and nerve to punish the guilty.
I'd. 80 tar as l can learn, no one doubts
that Mrs. Ferris did kill Pike. have heard
much talk about the it, and not a single doubt
of the fact have ever heard expressed. /
have heard a large number refer to the inge-
NOUS manner In which she did it, and heard
them laugh over the manner in which she
concealed 1t, but not one doubt that her hand
bred the fatal shot. l have large number
OF men In my company who are citizens of
Henry county, and they are constantly get
ting letters from friends at home. These are