The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-06-03
An INTERESTING FAMILY.
DR.. Blackburn's Plot and Pedigree.
From the Cincinnati Commercial


DIR. Luke R. Blackburn, OF infamous noto-
riety in his efforts to infect northern cities
with disease, is a native of Woodford county,
Kentucky and a son of gentleman familiar
ly known there as "Old Uncle Ned Black
burn" Mrs. Morris, the wife of Judge Nor
ris, one OF the Chicago conspirators on trial
here, is a sister OF this DIR. Blackburn 1t
| will be remembered that she was sent to Ken
! lucky to her fathers house, by General Hook
| er. upon confession made by her, and prom
Use OF future loyalty. 1t seems that while
the sister was engaged with the conspirators
in Chicago, the brother was in Bermuda, pur-
chasing infected clothing for transmission to
| northern cities.
simultaneously with both of their move
ments, Booth was In Canada, no doubt ar
ranging the details of the deed of horror
| which has made his name forever aceursed.-
All these fendish plots were Matched about
the same time, last fall and il is impossible
to believe that they had not q common origin.
They were not the conception of hair Drained
zealots, working secretly and independently.
but the programme for strong concerted &C
ton to alarm and demoralize the north, and
break down Its courageous determination to
press on the war. A struggling calamity
here and there would not answer the purpose
Strange misfortunes were intended to fall OF
CONSERVATION and inviting anarchy, by "a
long pull, strong pull, and pull altogeth
er."
We are not disposed to think that these
conspirators to burn, infect and assassinate
acted without that concert which alone coult
make them successful in their dia bolicG
schemes. And we think it highly improbabl,
that they incurred the penalty of their crimes
{ without having been impressed with the idea
from some high quarter, that they were rem
dering the confederacy peculiarly importan
service, and selling their lives dearly.
The Halifax San and Advertiser, of tn
10Th of May, has the following relative to th
trial of an alleged accomplice of Blackburn
! and few facts in relation to that william
"The c.so Of Swan, the alleged accom- Pie
of DR.. Black burn, after strict judicial inves
Q tigation, has been sent up to the attorne
j general tor trial the assizes. Swan re
mains in custody until liberated on ball.
, Every honest paper execrates the inferno
ID malice which devised the dastardly scheme
IS and the Canadian prisoner denounces Dr.
j. Blackburn AS "a hellish plotter, the creates
villain unhung' and so on. We are sorry
see the editors of the UnioRiSt in paragrap
a. this morning, attempt to defend this fellO'
;, from this charge. 1t Is well known In thl
N city that, ON his return from Bermuda, h
D. buasted of his int tion 10 destroy the NaI
a KEGS en- masse, by introducing yellow fevt
e into northern cities by the means of infecte
e garments and hospita clothing; and yet W
20 are told by this organ that his anteceden
J. are too mngnanimous and genJlemanly
IN warrant the suspicion. We beg to say Thu
III his Halifax antecedents were neither mani
as or well bred In TACT he showed himself
ID be an insolent brawler and pistol carryiu
- bully; but one did not give him full cred
n for all the cowardiy trucelence of NATURAL
a. murderons and malignant spirit to the la
ed degree"
ne This Blackburn family seems to be rattle
an interesting lot, from the samples mac
- public A letter from friend of ours in A
kansas, dated May 18th, speaks of more
the same sort, as follows:
IN I'VE have to day received the surrender
ne Capt Joseph Z. 5. Blackburn and compan
RI also his brother, Capt. james Blackburn,
be the 39th Ark. Inf'ty. These officers tell Il
ad they are cousins OF IL. Q. Black burn, Esq,
w our city.
g. Both are ready to give up the contest, co
ne ne Tossing their cause hopeless. They 90
he their nomes in Kentucky. They were P
!, d rolled"