The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-12-29
Frsm the Davenport Democrat, 18th
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
Judge Cooks Barn, Toulouse, Cat,
tie and Rerses Eurned---Loss So,
600.

East night, about Il O'Clock, the large
barn and tool house, belonging to our es-
teemed fellow citizen, VIM. L. Cook, who re-
sides about two miles below town, was dis
covered to be on FIRE. The night was bitter
cold, as all are aware, and so far had the
conhagratlon progressed before the alarm
was given, that nothing could be saved. The
barn and tool house constituted building
100 by 40 feet Dimensions. The former con.
tanned about fifteen tons of hay, . quantity of
corn and other fodder, three span of good
horses and four fine Durham cows-all of
which were totally destroyed. The tool house
contained a threshing machine, several plows,
harrows, shovels, forks, and numerous light
farming implemenss-slso several sets of
harness. and numerous articles of greater or
less value which 60 to make up the list OF
farming utensils. All these were also de-
stroyed-not a thing was saved. Help was
of no avail whatever.
The loss is not cent less than SO. 600
probably more. The only insurance was a
policy of $500 in the Davenpors National In
surancs Company, which was upon the barn.
The loss is most severe one.
But how came the valuable property burn
ed? No doubt it was the work of an incen-
diary. 1t will be remembered that a few
weeks since. while the grand Jury was in ses
sion and considering the liquor cases that
were being brought before that body, Judge
! Cook, who WAS foreman of the jury, received
an anonymous letter from some snosk, who
| threatened him with dire vengeance should
| the investigation result in the finding of any
indictments against those who sell ardent
spirits.
Last night &C about eleven O'Clock. Mr.
| Stephen Bawden, who lives just below Judg,
Cooks, left town with his daughter and Mrs
Grshsm-who is Judge Cooks daughter
When passing Hard's saloon. at the lower
| end of town, some men rushed out and at
| tempted to catch the horse and ordered Mr.
| B. 60 stop. 70 the contrary, however, h'
struck his horse with his whip. and dashed
on, the horse shying enough to elude thu
grasp of the fellow who attempted to sei2
him. The fellows-whoever they might hav
been-foliowed after upon a run, and Mr.. b
not knowing what to make of such an assault
dashed ahead. He left Mrs. G. at her faith
er's. She retired to her sisters room, ant
had not gone to sleep when the flames be
came visible.
There are two theories concerning the as
sault at Hard's saloon. One is that possibl.
these fellows knew of the plot and were try
ing to stop Mr.. B. to reveal is TO him. Tn
other theory is that they were the pickle
Suaru Oh some Vlllsiucus "Ao Was lax
on his mission of destruction, and they want
ed to keep al carriages from passing tia
way. Perhaps, also, they were the very in
cendiariss themselves.
At any rate the threat made to Judg
Csok, ss grand Juror, and the burning Q
his property, will be cow incing evidence il
the minds of the people that the villain VIII
made the threat has carried 1t out.
We understand that the Scott County L
quor Association. indignant ct this outreg
and wishing to bring to oondign punishment
any scoundrel guilty of sueh an offense, ha
offered reward of $500 for apprehension az
conviction. That is right. The infsmou
villain who was guilty OF that atrocity shoul
be made an example of, most thoroughly.