The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-02-27
Chr 9aiIg Arsns.
PEN1TEN1IkRY TRoUBLEs
Commissioner Rowstt Makes an AuseA upon
One Of the EditorS Of the 'kepub-
uean".-.grsat Excitement.

stertaI telegram e. The iutcr-Occau.
Jotu-r I'll. Feb 24.-The recent ex.
u,sure of tbe frauds in the management
of the PenitcntiSry, today resulted in q
per,nnal attack upon James Goodspeed
one of the editors of the Republican. by
Richard Rowott, one of the Penitentiar,
Commissioners. Charges were made II
the Republican several weeks ago agains
the management OF the Penitentiary. yer,
grave IN their nature. Rowett IL appears
took exception 10 some Of the charges, and
has several times visited the Republican
office 10 ask the retraction of some speci-
he charge. This the editors refused, hay
ing made every charge as they maintain,
upon the best authority But, somehow,
Rowett had gained the idea that the pa
per of Saturday would contain u retrac-
ton. As ,non as ne found that he was
disappointed in this he visited the Office
of his attorney, + Phelps, this morning.
and after legal advice determined 10 visit
the office Of the RppbiicoH and whip the
editors. Just rs he was ON the eve of
starting tor the Office he observed Mr..
6ondspeed coming up the street and he
at once resolved TO attack him As soon
a. the two had met, Rowctt grew angry,
and cursing vigorously, demanded re
traction of the charge in question. lie
was politely refused when he threw ott his
oyercoat and struck at Mr.. ttoodspced
face Goodspeed promptly lodged the
blow, and before the combatants could re.
sumo hostitic-, Capt George Il. Dyer.
one OF our oldest aud most respected citi-
zens, stepped up, and. putting his cane
between the contestants demanded peace.
Rowett then turned upon him in violent
manner, aud struck him several times with
INST and cane, when he in retaliation.
struck back, striking Rowett in the face.
inhlcting an ugly wound upon the left eve
and cheek, breaking a gutta pereha cane
in the effort At this iuncture the citv
marshal arrived and arrested Rowett and
took HIM before Squire Heath. Rnwett
waved examination, and by advice Of his
counsel the case was continued until March
o ana IN answer % the court said he had
no charge against Mr. Dyer Rowett is
the only one one of the three who bears
any marks OF the fight. and considering
that he Is large, heavy man. and the ter.
r9r OF fighting men in the southern part
OF the State, where he lives. he has moth.
ing 10 be proud Of Rowett is still under
arrest.
The affair occlsioned intense excitment
throughout the city, and public opinion is
against Bowctt for his conduct This
difficulty will no doubt hasten the lcgisla.
tive committee here tn proceed with the
investigation into the affair, ~ the pepi-
tenhary, The prosecution stands ready
Tor the trial and Is impatieutN awaiting
the committees arrival
hr republican Of this week. il i. nm
dGrstood. will have another dish of unpaL. I
table food for dishonest officials
At the Democratic caucus on Saturda,
Mayor Steel was defeated, and T. Porter
ne brewer was nominated The city
Election promises % be exciting and close
The Chicago jouraa' editorially SAYS.
One of the State pcnitentiarv Cotumi.
,ionrr- a. Joliet yesterday made pcrson-
al assault upon the editor of the EfDu5Ii-
gf'. OF that city, on public street
because the latter declined u make
retrlctlou at the former drtati1u If.
the belheercnt Commissioner live, long
enough, he will find out. by-and.by. that
the f't and the bludreon are lust the
weakest kind Of arguments with which 10
answer newspaper We DO not pretend 1
~ express an opinion as regards the
'harge~ made against the Penitentiary bv
.he H,P45lleaE but General Rowett has
bot helped hl- side of the matter by The
exploit Of yesterday.