The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1875-06-10

Sketches or the Early History Of
Jackson County Continued.
RY CAPT. W. A. WARREN.

BY CAPT. W. A. WARREN.
From the Maquoketa Sentinel.
The robbery Of Dennis Collins, who
lived in the vicinity Of the present
location Of the village OF Preston,
occurred | think in the year 1887.
He came to Bellevue and reported
the affair, stating that Mrs. Collins
was seriously injured by the robbers,
and that he was in search Of medical
aid for her. While looking for
physician for The maltreated woman,
he met on the streets Godfrey and
Fox, whom he identified as the men
who had committed the robbery. He
informed John T. Sublett of his dis
covery. and that gentleman accom-
panied him to the Office OF Justice
Forbes, where le filed information
against the robbers. Warrants were
issued for the arrest Of Godfrey and
Fox, and placed in the hands Of
Deputy Sheriff Handy, who took
them without difficulty. Mrs. Col
lins being unable to appear as wit
ness, the Justice held them in bonds
Of FIVE hundred dollars each, for trial
q, future day, w. w. Brown and
James l.. Burtis becoming their bail.
Mrs. Collins having SO far recov-
cred as to be able to appear as
prosecuting witness, Godfrey and Fox
were put upon their trial, and plead
not guilty through their attorney, a
Mr.. Reaves, u Dubuque. J. V. Ber-
ry, prosecuting attorney, appeared
for the State. The testimony Of Mss.
Collins was substantially rs follows:
About one o'clock at night her
family were aroused from their slum-
bers by the furious barking Of the
dog, and her husband went 10 the
door to see what the trouble was.
As soon as the door was opened he
was pushed aside and the prisoners,
(sne could not be mistaken in their
Identify rushed into the room with
pistols in their hands. She was sit
ting up in bed when they entered.
The robbers ordered Mr.. Collins to
strike light, and upon his refusing
to do SO knocked him down. They
then made the same demand of her,
with which she declined to comply,
whereupon she was dragged from
the bed and beaten and kicked until
she was compelled to tell them
where a candle could be found.
When they had obtained light, the
robbers broke open large box and
took out about forty dollars in money
and watch, all the valuables it con-
tanned. They appeared to be greatly
disappointed at not finding a larger
sum, and threatened to kill her and
her husband if they did not show
them where their treasure was con-
cealed. Solemn assurances were
given that there was no more money
in the house, and after exhaustng
their threats and torturcs the robbers
departed. The testimony Of Mr..
Collins corroborated that of his wife.
James +. Handy testified that
about seven o'clock on the evening
of the robbery, he met Godfrey and
Fox near Mr.. Dyas', going in the di-
rection Of Collins residence. They
were riding Browns sorrel horses,
and that as the moon was shining
brightly he could not be mistaken in
their identity.
Mr.. Andrew Farley, father Of
Charles Farley, upon whose land the
town Of Preston was laid out, and
then Collins nearest neighbor, swore
that at IL o'clock on the night the
robbery was committed, Godfrey and
Fox called at his house and enauired
the nearest road to where Collins
lived; recognized the men and knew
the horses they were riding to be
Browns. He had been acquainted
with Fox ever since he came to this
country, and could MT be mistaken
in regard to him.
Mr.. Enix, who lived at LAFAYETTE
Ferry, testified that the prisoners
called at his house at two O'Clock on
the morning Of the robbery, warmed
themselves, got something to drink
and departed in the direction of
Bellevue. He said he had frequent
ly seen Godfrey and Fox in Bellevue,
and swore positively that they were
the men who had stopped at his
house.
The prosecuting attorney SAID that
was the case for the State. The
counsel for the prisoners then called
w. w. Brown, and eight or ten Of
his boarders, who also swore posi-
lively that Godfrey and Fox, on the
night Of the robbery, we're at Browns
hotel playing cards; that the game
was kept up until morning, and that
they we're not out of the house for
more than half an hour At any time.
An alibi having thus been estab-
lished, Godfrey and Fox were dis
charged, but no one who heard the
testimony could doubt their guilt, or
that Brown and his men were per-
iured scoundrcls.
Attorney Berry and the prosecut.
ing witnesses left the court amid the
jeers and derisive cries of Brown and
his allies, while Godfrey and Fox
we're escorted in triumphal procession
to Browns hotel, where the nigh,
was made hideous by their drunken
revelry.
Every good citizen felt sad over
the result Of this trial. All saw tha,
the strong arm of the law had been
! pAralyzed-that Justice was power.