North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-06-09
Che Timr5.
McGREGOR. JUNE 9, 1869.


McGREGOR, JUNE 9, 1869.
Andrew Thompson.
Last week we noticed the finding of
property 10y fishermen, in lake or slough
above Pr. du Chen. Since that issue,
facts and rumors change the face of affairs
very much. Innumerable reports are
afoat. We do not call them all true by any
means, butappearances all tend one way,
and that acay is seriously dangerous to the
man whose name heads this article. The
body a Mrs. Hagerty, her daughter and
one of her boys, are now said to have been
recovered and identified at Cassville, and
farther down the river The mother was
enciente and near the time of delivery a
trunk contained the provided apparel for
an expected infant, and half letter,
supposed to have been written by her was
informing some one that she was in that
condition. Mr.. Thompson is the owner Of
large farm in this county, and the father
Of eight children. the eldest one girl Of
IA. Mrs. III. after dyorcing her husband,
lived at his house, and on his farm as "tcn-
ant at will'' for several years. Their illicit
intimacy was public talk long time. The
divorce was said to have been brought
about by Thompson during Hagertys abs
sence in the army or in Colorado. In our
last weeks issue, we relied upon reports
and rumors as publishers are often COM
PEELED to do, ind our dates were not entire
ly correct. The examination of this most
extraordinary case of mystery will begin
on Friday of this week before Judge
Baugh of McGregor, and then the facts
will probably be ELECTED. Until then it is
impossible to give the public correct ac-
count. If testimony, Hciag, and also from
the deed shall fasten upon the accused the
truth of the dreadful charges against him,
it would be injustice to take his life. In
generation, solitude, or a life of reflection,
Of remorse, of haunting, of Horror, is the
only punishment adequate to such
Fiend. But he is in the hands of the law,
and however criminal he may be proved to
be, like all the rest of US who may be
charged with crime, he is entitled
to an impartial trial. Let him have it.
He has able counsel, and we believe an i'm
partial judge of the law. We think
newspapers should not assume to be
judges and jurymen, nor should they pre-
judice the community against man whose
hands are tied at present against further
wrong of any kind. Give him fair trial
and let the decision of the Court be our
guide of action. If we ever err in judging
our fellows, it will be on the side of Mer>
cy. Let us hope, for the sake of Humanity
that the prisoner can make successful
defense.
now He WAS TAKEN.
After Mr.. Hagerty, brother-in. law to
the deceased, returned from down the
River to investigate the reported recovery
of the bodies--this was on Saturday morn
ing last-a writ was issued and Sheriff
James Davis started to Us farm. On arriv-
ing there, the accused was absent. Dav-
is called on James Love, an adjoining
farmer and brother-in-law, and enquir>
ed for Thompson. Love said that he was
somewhere in the grove, near by. The
grove is large and Davis could not find
him. Love said that Thompson would
give himself up if he be secured
from violence he started to look for h i'm
and returned to the house stating he IT,
had changed his position. Davis tele-
graphed to McGregor for help Mayor
Kennedy got up an excitement, and many
of our citizens went out, many from other
sections of the county volunteered and
traversed the grove all night On Sunday
morning, while Marshal BERGMAN, of
McGregor, was near loves house, 1.-THE
Sheriff being absent) Thompson came and
surrendered, stating there were "too many
in the woods for him. Hew bro to Nc
Gregor on Sunday morning, lodged in the
City Hotel and guarded day and night till
Tuesday morning, when sheriff Davis took
him on board the Canada, for Dubuque,
to return on Friday for examination.
Mayor Kennedy & Co. went to Pr. du Chm
on Tuesday and brought over two
trunks and some clothing which had been
picked up by French families near the
place of drowning. In eur next issue we
will be able to give the testimony and UNI
til then we dismiss the subject. Legally
speaking there is little yet known.
On the examination of Thompson on
Friday Of this week the prosecution will
be District Atty. Granger, of Wahkon,
John I. Stoneman and Judge Murdoch;
for the defense, Noble, Odell, Hatch and
Updegraf. AS strong an array Of legal
talent as N. +. Iowa can produce.
The troops in the Indian country have
been ordered to watch for, and, if possible,
recapture the mules recently stolen at
Sheridan, and company of the 7th cav
airy has been ordered to scout and picket
the country near the mouth of the Solomon