Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-02-03
jim BELL.
The Duty Of the Citizens There.

One DAY IN December last, the notorious |
Jim Bell took ticket on Western Union
train for Cordovs, and while on his way up, |
fell in conversation with "White Cloud" an
old Winnebsgo Indian who is encamped
along with squad of his people on the
river shore opposite Big Island, below our
city. Jim noticed very unique pipe in
the possession of the Indian, made of steel
inlaid with copper, and shaped exactly like
a tomshAwk. Il could, in fact, be ably
used as a deadly weapon. Jim has q pen
chant for stealing pipes, aud so determined
TO have this one. His various pipe
stealing operations have cost him exactly
1925 within the last three months.) BE
borrowed it, and when the train reached
Cordovs, stepped of, leaving his aboriginal
friend in blank amazsment at the proverbial
treschery of pale faces. On returning to
Rock Island, White Cloud laid the case be-
fore Marshal Hawes. The pipe was an In
valuable soHrenir of other dsys-its loss
Was source Of incousolsble grief-it may
have been trophy of some past bloody
encounter, or the last remaining relic of
long departed friend. No matter what
the Indian priced it exceedingly, offered
extravAgant rewards for 1t, and has since
made almos, daily visits to the police court
in hopes of hearing from it. OF course
Jim Bell WAS picked on as the thief. When
ever anybody steals q pipe, and the police
authorize s cant find out who he is, they
Immediately conclude Jim Bell is the man.
Aud SO, in this case, they kept a sharp
lookout for jim.
But Jim had become dIsgusted with Rock
Island, and had established himself at a
new base. Hence be was not obtainable.
Bot the police kept sharp lookout for him.
Occasionally he sent them polite invita-
ton TO seek balmier cline, but kept well
ost of tee way. Yesterday evening, While
Marshal Halves was standing around the
depot, he noticed man in blue overbaus
making for the train, with q big sloCeh hal
pulled over his eyes in a sus pieious manner
He thought he would halt the customer, and
in doing WAS pleasantly surprised to find il
was james. James, however, smiled on the
other aide of his mouth, begged at a lively
rate not to be disturbed, said he was going
to leave town right of, and wouldn't CONT
> back again, "never saw An InjVn or ar
lnjun pipe in his liie,' and al he wanted
was to be let alone. The Marshal couldn'
see the thing in that light, and 80 collareC
his man. James the Just and James tn,
Unjust then held lengthy interview at tn,
, police court, with very beneficial results
The pipe was in the hands of pal ul
town, and was sent for and obtained, stt
James was req uired to deposi. FIVE VS. Il
seelre his appearance on Tuesday (Sher
! be probably won't be around The Marsha
will drive down to the Indian encampmen
on Tuesday, pipe in hand, and make Whiu
Cloud slpremsly happy. What touching
romance this is.
E Now to the other operations Of the erra,i
James. He has purchased an old rocker,
up at ColonA for $3.50, he has filed ii Il
: a choice collection of 'soilrd doves" he he
valuable 40rod disPensAry attached, an
> is now folly prepared to fleece, beat, ma
y rAud, and prey upon the whole oonmuuit
surrounding. This den OF in!any promise
= TO sooa become the headquarters of all tt
! burglars, thieves, aud pick pockets Of thi
entire section. Every outrage Commute,
anyv here heresbou,s will no doubt emsua;
indirectly from that establishment.
Asa general thiag we don't sdvocat
mob law. It frequently does more hsru
than good. 1t is irresponsible, sad ofte
blind in its regard for consequences Bu
what are officers Of the law but merely rer
j, resentAtives Of the decent portion of society
And when the decent portion Of socjel
is positively certain that an estabishmen
has been set up in its midst for the simpl
purpose of systematic robbery, and wit
the strong probability OF murder and wors
. crimes, what is its duty under the circuu
o stances? May it not dispense with th
q services Of its representatives for the tim
., being, and manage the case for i,self? W
q will nos presume TO say. But we will G
this far in the present case
b. If the good citizens of Colona TOWNSHIP
y choose to hold an orderly meeting, and d,
eide to give Jim Bell and his rsscsllY ssst
ciases kind bat firm invitation to pack U
q. and travel, the advice TINS pleasantly pr
- mplgsted will be received in the same sws'
A spirit as given, and Jim and his crew wi
- fold their tents like Arabs and silently ste'
=. away, No damage will be done. Our Gel
:, sures will be light. There'll be nobod
: hurt, and much good will be accomplished
; Should Jim and his crew politely declin
! however, we will consult legal authorit
n held in high repute on such matters, an
. make few farther suggestions.