Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-07-18
The Murder Of Biii previously dsterniasdon

The Murder Of Biii previously dsterninsdon
verlacs er she Cerener's Jary.
One Of the most horrible affrays that ever
occurred in this vicinity took place on the
steamer Nus sstins at about twelve o'clock
ast night, resulting In the death Of two
men, and the wounding Of another.
IL seems that two raftsmen named Eds
ward Gardner and Homer Narvin, who are
rived 10 this city lass Tuesday on q raft.
had IN old grudge against Myron d. Hill,
IN old raft pilot, 10 consequence of his in
terferance in . quarrel which the two
were engaged in ., Clinton some months
ago. and on his arriving here in charge Of
another raft, yesterday, they determined to
"se,tle with him"as ,hcylexpressed it to their
comrades. To this end Gardner and Mar
vim enquired during the day where brass
knucklss could be obtained, but finding
none at half past eight o'clock in the even>
ing they stepped into the hardware store of
Sickles Il Preston, and each bought dirk
knife, the blades of which were six inches
in length.
The parties all met at . saloon or Front
street during the evening, and
Hill, who had been warned by .
friend Of his, determined to brave
the affair out. or was unable to get
away from Gardner and Marvin. Words
ran high at the saloon and the proprietor
turned them out. They then determined
to have fight on the levee, but the police
succeeded in frustrating their design. All
were somewhat under the influence Of liq-
| uor, and when the steamer Muscatine, on
her way up, landed. they got on board
Captain jerks refused to receive them, bo,
having other duties to attend to they were
| on the boat when it started for the Rock
Island side. The boat WAS crowded with
passengers, most of whom had retired, but
. number Of them observed the three men
in an angry dispute in the cabin near the
clerks Office. Hard names we're called, IN
termingled with fearful oa.hs. then fol>
lowed blows, and finally Gardner stabbed
Hill with his dirk knife which entered in
the back to its full length, making . sligh,
puncturs in the breast. The wounded man
started back through the cabin, and on ar
irving near the middle passage way he was
struck on the head With . chair BY Marvin.
This felled him, and in few minutes he
expired.
Judge Grant, of this city, and others oi
the passengers gave the alarm, and the boal
by this time having touched the shore, Po-
liceman McConchie and Feeley. Of the
Rock Island force, went on board. They
with several other gentlemen had beer
standing in front Of q saloon, on Iilinoi,
street, and hearing an unusual noise At tbs
levee, went down. On reaching the cabin
deck, Judge Grant pointed out the man
Gardner who had stabbed Hill. he himee
having taken charge Of Marvin. Gardner. .whc
vas on the guards on the shore side, wher
the police attempted to arrest him. drew
his dirk and made lunge at Feeley. Ths
blow Was warded off, and Feelsy pushed
him back about six feet, Gardiner falling
down. While he was recovering him
self, Fesley drew his revolver. Gardner
then sprang over the railing Of the boat and
advanced toward the place where McCon'
chic was standing. McConche ordered
MIN to give up his knife or be would shoe
h'm, bfandlshing his weapon 10 the police
mans face, until McCondhie was com
pelled to draw his revolver and fire. Th
ball entered his breast near the left should
or. For few moments he gave evidepce Q
being shot, Then he threw the knife behin,
him into the river where it was afterward
picked up. He was siez ID and hauled owe,
he railing, and it was soon found that tn
wound he had received was mortal. Il
about two minutes he expired.
In the fracas which took place in the cab
in, . passenger who declined to give hi
name, IS he did not wish to be detained a.
awitness, said to be commercial trav ele
for q Chicago house, received two accidenta
outs in his arm above the elbow They ar,
not Of serious nature Several Of the look
srs on we're struck BY chairs which wer
freely used. The conduct Of Gardener ant
Marvin is said to have been outrageous, .,
hey danced, shouted and laughed round
the body Of their victim like incarnat,
fiends. Marvin was taken to jail at once
A coroner'ss jury, consisting of L. NJ
Haverstick, Foreman, J. E. Fleming, Chas
Glenn, Walter s. G.Gates, Thos. Saulpaugh
Andrew Schneider, Geo. W. Burneston. J
Warner, Chas. II. Gleim, w. r. Boyle. L
G. Burwell, Roy d. Cross, vas mpannelled
by Mr.. Huggins, Justice Of the Peace, who
after examining number Of Witnesses, rem
dered the following verdict:
I'VE. the jurors, called to Wow the bod,
Of Myron d. Hill, now lying before 10, d,
find. for our verdict. that the deceased cam,
to his death bf wound in the left side o
the back, inflicted BY . dirk knife in th
hands Of Edward Gardner, who wss aided
and assisted BY one John q. Malvon, Thu
name should read Homer Msrvin. Ep. nov
in jsil in Rock Island and We DO find ssit
Gasdner ana Mavon are guilty Of fslouious
", with malice sfoseihough. killing ant
numbering sald Myron d. nilI."
All the Witnesses testified TO the peace
full disposition Of Hill, the man who wal
stabbed. 1t was also shown that Marvir
also brandishcd knits during the frat par,
Of the disturbance, but Hill got il from hin
and threw 10 in the glvey.
In the case Of Edward Gardner the YER
dict was, THAT he came to his death By
pistol shot in the left side, meas the shoul'
der, ct the hands Of Robert McC,.nchie, 4
policeman Of Rock Island and We find tha
said Gardner was resisting saidsofieer. and
that SAID officer Was justlhed in infio,ine
said pistol shot,"
AT The close Of the Ooronef's investigation
the bodies were taken TO Harris warehouse
whence the city undertaken removed then
this morning for burial.
| Mr.. Ays,n ID. Hill 10 we'll and favorably
known oil along the river, and is the oldes
raft pilot in the west out Of Black River
having followed the business for nineteer
years. aud bearing IN excellent rep
usation. He was fsfty three year,
Of age, very we'll off, having considerable
t-. Z. 49, of ~. !. Ne.aon hauk. ha