The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-10-08
rRu DAVENPORT MUIR
DER.
Additional Particulars.

Additional Particulars.
Great excitement prevailed in Davenport
yesterday, (7th) on account Of the Ehrg
murder. Many theories we're advocated IN
ex pla ). alton Of the mysterious affair. one'
which found many adherents, was that the
deceased came to his death accidentally.
He had been drinking wine as late as two
o'clock, and it is supposed that be went into
the yard from Fifth street for purpose Oh
nature, wandered to the cistern' ~hlch was
uncovered, and stepped in the opening IN
such n manner that be fell to the bottom,
s,rik;n0 his head on the brick work ct the
aperture, causing the laceration Of the scalp,
and his arms on the same wall, producing
the bruises mentioned. This last theory
had far more adherents at night fall than IN
the forenoon. Its opponents contend that
the opening was too small being but two
feet and half or less in diameter, to admit
Of the belief.
No blood was found about the cistern,
and no evidence Of a struggle Of any kind.
Foot prints found in the garden were ascer
tanned to correspond exactly with the size OF
his boot. Almost in line with the cistern
is an opening in the fence caused by the re-
moval of two pickets, and there is consider
able evidence to support the supposlton
that the deceased entered the garden OF his
own accord. If the affair WAS murder, 1t is
very evident tina. it was not perpetrated
from mercenary motives, as nothing on his
person was carried away. He retained 6
gold watch, keys TO the safe Of the store
and all the money be had with him when he
parted from his friends. Yesterday w
: stated that his skull had been fractured
This is not the case. There WAS but on
!, wound, and that at the back of the head
a Just above the conjunction Of the skull anC
., vertebra. 1t was a simple scalp wound
!. and not sufficient 10 cause death OF disable
ment.
= The theory of murder, is, that he ha
- been stunned by blow from some heaV
rs instrument, and his assassns thinking the
. had killed him, dragged him to the cister
for concealmeut, into which he was throw
in an insensblo condition, and where i
perished either from drowning or from II
: foul atmosphere. 1t is possible that the'
OF was no design to murder him, at the stat
'1' but simply to knock him down and rob hin
- On believing that they had murdered hi
his assailants may have foreborne to plund
,.o him, lest they should be found with
p, effects in their possession, and thereby zoe
m tiled.
d. A special meeting Of the Davenport Ci
Council was held last evening, for the pu
pose Of taking some action in reference
experimenting the murderers. Marshal ksu
man spoke BY request, and after stating tn
he mad given the case the closest at'entlo
said that he was unable to say whether Il
deceased had come to his death by murd
or accident. One Of the members OF I
Council believed that the theory OF an
I'm cident was correct. Nevertheless it "
'ur resolved that the Mayor be authorized
offer reward Of 81 900 for the apprehensl
and conviction Of the murderer of the
- ceased.
49, Friz W. Ehrig was born in Naumbu
erv Prussian Saxouy, about the year 1882.
/ Of came to America IN the spring OF 1900,
Il at rived in Davenport during the summer
foil Of that year, and found employment
the Burtis House, where ho remained, IN
Of the time, until early in 1858, when
entered J. G. Washburnes hardware sto
NY He was retained as salesman by all Mr.. v
successors in business till the time Of
ent death, his last employers being kelle.
Wood. For several years he was Secret
row of the School Board, to which position
was reelected for the fourth time,
the spring resigning not long after to the gr
regret of the Board. He was Free Mas
belonging to Davenport Lodge, No. 81,
,""' manager in the Masonic Mutual Bele
NC" lent Society. He WAS an Odd Fellow
''' many years, WAS Past N. G. of Scott Loo
o"' No. 81, and Past Chief Patriarch of St
S''l Eucampment, No 3. He had been apo
ed delegate to the Grand Lodge WI
able soon meets in keokuS. de was MARI
on's and ie"Ves i've SNNa'"". V"" "'"@"t Q
eeks is eleven years of age. His life was inst
any. for 81 900 id the Security Of New York