The New York herald., 1870-09-05
TEE HORRORS OF WESTERN BR,cASDym.
An Extraordinary Case Of NIurder by Wealthy
Nlcn-Hideous Cruelty-A Son Of Ono Of the
Pirate Laatte's Men Implicated.

Pirate Lahtte's Men Implicated.
From the Burlington Iowa) Gazette, August Ill
Henderson county Is also agitated al this time
with case OF peculiar horror 1t turns out that In
the latter part OF May, 1864, Old about sixty
crossed the ferry from this city with considerable
sum Of money IN his possession. II amounted some
farm in Missouri, and intended to purchase
land In Henry county. Ill. He stopped at
character who was run out OF the country
during the war, but has since returned. He
talked with White awhile, and then went up to the
farmhouse OF De Hague, with the intention of re-
maiDIng all night.
THIS De Hague's father settled on the family place
many years ago, but Is now dead. He was ferO-
ci0us character, and was pirate on the ocean for
eleven wears. He served under that famous French
man Laftte, and, with thai redOub.able chieftain,
was pardoned at the recommendation OF General
jackson for heroic conduct at the battle with the
British at New Orleans. he looked the very picture
neighbors. Before his death he was considered
rather wealthy, owning u hne property and being
Otherwi ise well established. He left several sons.
Thls one seems 10 have inherited many OF his fathers
qualities.
De Hague turned the Old traveller out OF his house
and sent him over to Squire Parks. Parks then
sent out Tor Robert Won, Dan McCue and one or two
Others. DE Hague also went over to his house. In
short time afterward the old man, who had gone
TO bed up stairs by this time, was called up and
brought out TO the front yard. horse belonging TO
Won was found mtched to the fence, with pair OF
saddlebags on 1t. The old man was asked If he
not, but tnat he knew tnessadde- bags as they were
his. He was then accused Of being horse thief
and of trying TO steal von's animal. he was
taken out into the orchard and hung twice.
for the purpose OF extorting a confession, The
poor Old victim had nothing to confess. He was
Squire Parks. The balance of the party were re-
quested not to follow, but they heard him being
beaten with rods until MS shreks nlled the air.
After that both his hands were chopped OF with
hatchet, while he was still alive, and he was then
murdered: His money, II IS supposed, was divided
that De Hague is the man who cut mis- hands OH.
Some girls discovered the body concealed In creek
on the following morning. The matter was kept
quiet until evening, when the three murderers took
the body an Old halt-ned cstern the prairie
by the drifting Of the prairie sand Some
time ago went to the old clstern to obtain
The the SAND. hired man ia named William Cook ex.
numed the skeleton OF the murdered man. IL was
evident that the hands had been cut or The entire
ciStern was cleared out, but the skeleton hands
could not be found. This bideous discovery brought
the whole AFFAIR to publicity. 1t had long been WINS.
subject.
De Hague, now very wealthy, is under bonds 70
the amount OF $4,000 to answer ahe &c charge OF ms
Won left Tor Missouri some time ago, fearing a.
exposure OF the outrage. The principal witness
party who met at Parks house, but who DIT
not actually take part In the murder. II :
share All of the victims money was in gold. De
Hague and McCue have long been fearing ami
hating one another They noan carry Two revolves
to us that DE Hague has not slept in his house for
two years, lest lie should pc murdered. He cOnccas
himself In his haystack. He often visits Burlington
and is never seen without carpet bag his hanl.
That carpet bag contains two large sized navy e-
vOlvers, loaded and ready for instant use
| To people living about the ferry lani-
| IDg his appearance IS very familiar.
| short time ago. and since DE Hagufs
! arrest for murder, McCue one morning found the
water OF his well impregnated with arsenic and also
| found arsenic scattered about the curbstOne. he
Immediately asserted that De Hague had made an
effort TO poison him. In order to shut OF his teSl
mony at the coming trial. Both these men live in
mortal fear and apprehension OF one another their
mutual dread and hatred making life hell. White
Anderson one or the gang, is accused OF all sOrsof
misdeeds, and is also quite wealthy.
The nefarlOus deeds Of these KIND of men, shle Jed
by their lll-goJen wealth. have rendered the peoIe
OF Henderson county desperate. They are res0vfd
that murder shall no longer stain their soil, withdt
Justice be afterwards meted out.