The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-17
Davenport.
NICHOLS DISCHARGED,
His Wife, Taft, and Mary Dakota
Nichols Arrested for Conspiracy.

The evidence in behalf of the prosecu-
ion begun by Mrs. Nichols against her
husband was continued on Saturday after
noon. L. Ludwig. j. NJ. Dodd, -
Heard, and j. M. Garden were called for
the prosecution, but their testimony was
as to any act showing insan-
ity.
The defense called Joseph Hebert who
said that according to The Rock ISLAND |
ARGUS his name appeared among the list
of those charged with committing adultery |
with Mrs. Nichols, but he denied it in
toto. He remarked that he had
never met Nichols before to-day and was
going on to state what he knew, but was
checked by the Commissioners. A long
discussion then followed between the at
tornies. Judge Benson thought that If the
testimony was going to take this range 1t
would occupy as much time as the cele
brated Beecher case. The Commissioners
decided that questions of this character
should not be answered. Mr.. Hebert
was very indignant, inasmuch as he was
not, as he said, acquainted with any OF the
parties.
James M.F. Hall Have known Nichols
since 1845 at present / am farming, but
Nichols two or three times q year ever
since | left the river, in 1873 have
worked with him ON the river. He is
about the same now as of old; notice no
change more than what would be caused
by age. Heis as capable to attend to his
business to- day as when l first knew him,
would not for moment hesitate to hire
him on boat if was the master. | know
nothing about his family affairs Nichols
is strictly temperate and very saving :;
when he was with me every cent OF his
wages were sent or expressed to his fam
lily. His family were always well dressed
and made a good appearance.
DR.. French: lam physician am not
acquainted with Mr.. Nichols; saw him
once last fall he was then with Capt.
Mitchell; was called to see him between
| five and six A. NJ; he said that he was
very sick he appeared to be coming out
of commissions when / first went to the
boat; his mind was not altogether
straight, but after few minutes became
rational. l understood that he was sub
iect to epileptic fits. Mr. n said so him
self, but added that he only had them
once in a long time, and had been taking
medicine to stave them of. | do not think
there was anything wrong with his mind,
more than what would be caused by cpl.
leptic fits.
Capt. Clark: I have known Geo. Mich.
OILS since the fall of 1S47; he was then
learning the river; have seen him otter
from that time to date; I do not notice
any preceptible change; never saw or
heard of any violent actions on his part
and never thought of such thing. Con
slider him competent to handle the wheel
Mrs. Behrens Il have known the fam
lily for FIVE years; they resided two doors
from me. Mr., Nichols has been lodging
at our house for three weeks back, when il
the city discovered no evidence of insan
lily; he was perfectly quiet and polite.
saw nothing unbecoming gentleman. HI
would sometimes speak of his family troub
les and appeared to be depressed; neve
heard of his abusing his family, if Their,
had been screaming or other loud noise il
) his house think l would have heard it.
Mrs. Dalzell:-I saw Mr.. Nichols, first
last fall, and occasionally since. He calle'
to consult with my husband on bushes
affairs | think he was in his right mind
short time since that he had receives
> i ..
E vised her and the girls to leave the city an
go to some country town and try to rees
e tablish their characters.
Vi Justice Kaufman Il have known tn
, defendant two years; he was at my hous
two months ago and at my office about tw
weeks since. Do not think he was in a
unsound state of mind. He called to hay
warrant issued for the arrest of some q
his family and went on to state his griey
Il ances. | advised him to consult lawye
g before issuing papers.
Q VIM. Kleinfelter. Joseph Cope, Capt
r Weller, III. L. Smith, VIM. Bryant, Mrs
. Orr, Milton 7. Siverly, Mr.. Hamilton an
Charles French, all testified that in thei
opinion Mr.. Nichols was a sane man.
:. The Commissioners here suggested
j Mr.. Congdon that it would not be necessar
. for him to call any more witnesses; no ev
/. dence had been introduced showing insar
3 ity. Mr.. Congdon said he had long lis
of witnesses who knew Mr.. Nichols int
mately, but the Commissioners said it wa
= not necessary to take up further time.
Mrs. Nichols was then recalled in rel;
ton to and admitted supplies sent the fan
8 lily by Nichols.
:. MIR. Taft was also recalled and said tia
# Nichols told him last Tuesday that he di
), not believe his wife guilty Of adultery.
d Albert Nuckolls( Prince Albert)said thu
u Nichols met him few weeks ago an
wanted to know what was going on in Mr.
Nichols's back Office. Il told him that
It had never seen any gentlemen but himse
d ln that room"
4 The case was here given to the Commits
sioners who adjourned to the jury ROOF
/ and, after fifteen minutes. returned to til
court room and ordered the discharge
/ Mr.. Nichols.
The verdict was received with approx;
by majority of those present and Nj
Z Nichols was warmly congratulated by h
y friends.
o Immediately after the trial Constab
3 Devinney served warrant, sworn out b
i George &. Nichols, and issued by Justic
: l., S. Viele, charging Mrs. Mary n. Mel
+ OILS, Dakota Nichols cher daughter) an
d. w. Taft with conspiracy.
The following is copy of the informt
+ ton upon which they were arrested,
: STATE OF Iowa, In Justice Court,
SCOTT COUNTY, Before L. S. VIELE, j. P,
THE STATE OF Iowa. |
MARY A. NICHOLS, Information.
DACoTAH NICHOLS,
q DANIEL TAFT.
It The defendants are accused of the Grim
of conspiracy.
7. For that on or about the 18th day
v May, A. D. 1875, at the city of Davenport
C county and state aforesaid. said defendan
wickedly and maliciously deyising and il
tending unjustiy to yex Cypress and a
d grieve one George q. Nichols, and to d
:. prive him of his liberty. good name, fam
credit and reputation, unlawfully an
wickedly did among themselves combin