The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-04

AHe iauy III question was present IN
court this afternoon, but did not testify,
although the defense challenged the prose
cutlon to place her ON the witness-stand.
1t Is reported that the lady had promised
to go on the stand and corroborate the fore
going statement, but that the prosecution
had procured written statement from her
contradicting it. The report tonight is
that the lady herself will testify to morrow.
1t came out to-day that certain clergy
man from st. Louis has been assisting
Hoffman in his extraordinary ministrations
here. Altogether the affair, has taken.
new interest, and promises to be lively
sensation.
Quincy, ILL.,, Sept. 2.-Although for
some time, past the feeling between the
parties to the Hoffman Prentiss scandal
case and their respective partisans has
been rising to intense bitterness, nothing
had transpired till to-day which had led
the public to suppose that blood would
be shed as consequence of the inyestiga-
| ton. The community was accordingly
startled at at an early hour this morning
by the report thatiJ udge T. J. Mitchell had
been shot As already teIegraphed
Judge Mitchell had testified yes
terday that Mrs. Chatten, wife of E. P.
Chatten, City Surveyor of Quincy, had
confessed to him (Mitchell) that Hoffman
had made indecent proposals to her, and
it was on account of this testimony that
Chatten assaulted Mitchell to-day. From
the statements of persons who witnessed
the shooting affray this morning,it appears
that Chatten drove into the business part
of the city about o'clock. and for a short
time engaged in conversation with Mr..
Frank B. Weber, painter doing business
on Main street between Sixth and
Seventh street. While, they were
talking Judge Mitchell stepped off
street-car and started north, Mr.. Chatten
| following. As they reached the corner of
Hampshire street Mr.. Chatten struck
Judge Mitchell with driving whip, which
he carried in his hand. The latter caught
the whip with one hand, at the same time
drawing a revolver with the other. He
fired once when it was ascertained that both
men were armed, as Mr.. Chatten also shot,
the ball taking effect. This he followed
up rapidly with two other shots with equal
success. Judge Mitchell also attempted
to fire several times, but the caps snapped,
and he was compelled to seek protection
by running upon the opposite side of
farmers wagon standing near. Il is stat
ed that the Judge was, when attacked,
bargaining for load of wood with the
farmer who owned the wagon. 1t appears,
also, that Mr.. Chatten continued to empty
the contents of his revolver, and that one
of the bullets entered the left leg of Mr.
Louis Viekers, the farmer referred to.
At about this juncture Mr.. Alfred Chat
ten, brother of the city surveyor, came to
his assistance and struck Judge Mitchell a
blow on the head with stone or some
heavy instrument, which made an ugly
wound. The judge although faint from
loss of blood, turned upon Alfred Chatteu
and endeavored to strike him with the
whip, which he still held in his hand, aud
with this purpose pursued him a short dist
ance.
Immediately after the shooting, Judge
Mitchell was conducted to surgeons Of
fee, where his wound was probed and
where it was ascertained that he probably
was not fatally injured. He received a
severe wound in the left hip, another ball
entered his abdomen, aud third passed
through the feshy part of his right arm
and entered his right breast. Besides
these he has two gashes iu the head. Al
though he suffers great pain, the only
wound which is at all likely to prove dan
gerous is the one in his hip, and hopes are
entertained that this will heal rapidly, and
that no fatal result will ensue.
MIR. Chatten gave himself up to the
police, as did also his brother Alfred. and
Frank b. Weber, who was present and
witnessed the shooting. Mr.. Chatten swore
out warrant against Judge Mitchell for
assault with intent to kill, and he gave bail
in $4,000. The Judge also swore out
a similar warrant against the Messrs.
Chatten and Webber, and Judge Hutton
held them $1,000 each, The trial is set
for next Monday afternoon ats o'clock
Louis Vickers, the farmer who was shot
J in the leg, has brought suit in the Circuit
Court against Enoch r. Chatteu, Frank b
Weber and AlfI ed Chatten, laying his dam.
ges at $30O0 The tragedy to day has lent
, additional interest to Hoffman -prentis!
affair. 1t is reported that Chatten threaten.
Mitchell yesterday, and that it is for tlis
reason that Mitchell was armed.
The testimony in the Hoffman Prentiss
trial this afternoon was unimportant, with
the exception of copies of letters purpor
ting to have passed between Hoffman anc
Mrs. Chatten. These documents are Of
the Brooklyn style OF gush, and, if thei
identity can be fully established, will proyt
very damaging to the parties concerned
I There was good deal of acrimony ex
hi hito1 d.,ripo do1