The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-08-23
A SHOCKING MURDER.
Man Shot By his Neighber--The
Murderer Arrested.

One of the most heartless murders that
we have ever chronicled was committed III
Drury township, in this county, last Wednes-
day about shutdown. The victim Is Mr..
Hiram REYNOLDS, who for a number of years
has been constable in that township. From
John McGreer, ESQ.,, who lives near where
the tragedy occurred We learn the following
particulars
Last Wednesday noon Mr.. Reynolds left
his home for Muscatine on business. While
there he met the wife of Mr. VIM. Van Camp,
neighbor of his, who wished him to take
into his wagon some -four belonging to her
and haul it to her. house, which was on his
road home. When they arrived at her resi-
dence, they found there David Edgington, a
man well known in the neighborhood, hav-
ing lived there most of the time for the past
fourteen years. He had his rife with him.
They got out of the wagon, Mr.. Reynolds
unloaded the -four and was turning to go to
his wagon to leave for home when Edgington
raised his gun and fired at him. The bah
entered at the pit Of the stomach, ana ,has Is
supposed, passed through his body and lodg-
ed against his back bone. Mr.. Reynolds fell
and instantly expired. -
After killing him, the murderer deliberate
ly walked a few rods from the house and re-
loaded his rifle. Mrs. Van Camp commenc-
ed to scream, when he turned and fred at
her, but the shot missed her. He then went
a little farther on, loaded his gun again, and
started on the road for Muscatine.
Directly after Mr.. McGreer came along,
and, learning what had happened, in com
pany with George Arson, started in pursuit
of Edgington. BY this time it had become
quite dark, but on reaching the house of
Mr. RpuS m tho ,,xra apH xchara Tho
Muscatine ferry lands, they found the muir
derer. AS soon as he saw them he left
through the back door and made for lump
of willows, in which he concealed himself
McGreer, who is a very resolute man, assist
cd by Arson, followed close after and cap
| tured him. They took him back to Mr..
NanCamp's, when word was sent to Silas
| Drury, Esq, who summoned a jury and had
| an examination that night. After hearing
| the evidence, which was substantially as Civ
en- above, the jury found hin guilty of the
murder, and the Esquire made out war
| rant for his commitment. Mr.. McGreer was
| deputlZed to bring him to the jail in this
| city, which duty he performed last night, de-
| livering the prisoner to the sheriff, who
| placed him in jail
| This is one of the coolest and most DELHI
crate murders which has ever come within
our knowledge. Not word had passed be-
tween the murderer and his victim from the
time the latter got out of the wagon until
the fatal shot was fired. About one year
ago the prisoner was out hunting and, when
passing a flock of turkeys belonging to the
| deceased, he shot one This caused some
difficulty, and Mr.. Reynolds threatened to
commence suit against Edgington if he did
no settle for it. This was all the difficulty
that was ever. known to have occurred be
| tween them.
The prisoner has had but very little to
say since his arrest. On being asked why
he did the act, he replied that Mr.. Reynolds
had ordered him never to cross his land
which he did not Ike very mnch.
The murderer is a widower about 80 wears
of age. Mr.. Reynolds was much respect
ed farmer, about IS years old. He leaves a
wife and two or three small children.-Jn
ion, Odd