The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-24
Ths Moline Tragedy.

As everybody wants 70 KNOW AL tneFe 40
to be known about the unfortunate affair
which occurred in Moline, we copy portions
Of an article IN the Geneseo Republic on
the subject
The home of one of the chief actors in |
the terrible tragedy is 10 this city, her
father being Mr.. Ward Davis. an old and
highly esteemed resident of this town, and
being known here by almost, everybody.
Miss Davis is thoroughly educated, talen-
ted, q member OF the Congregational
church possesses name above reproach,
and in every respect most exemplary and
estimable young lady. OF fine personal
appearance and cheerful disposition, she
has always been fayorite 10 society and
her company highly priced by those Of her
own age. Although in no way responsible
for it, the friends OF Miss Davis in the city
will regret her connection with the unhap.
by affair which resulted in the death OF
young Wood, and which came very near
ending her days. The Rock Island AR
GUS states that Charlie Wood and Miss
Davis had been betrothed, but this is
mistake. Wood for year or more, had
been Unfortunate in his addresses to her,
but had received no encouragement. He
was always treated kindly and courteously
by her, but whenever he urged an accept
ance Of his hand, as he frequently did, no
grounds for hope were ever given him.
The persistence with which he urged his
suit became very annoying. to the lady,
aud she told him positively and plainly
that she could not yield to his pleadings
could never be bis wife. THE ARGUS is
right, no doubt, in saying that Wood pas
sionately loved Miss Davis but his aztec.
tons met no response from her, and it was
this that cracked his brain. A few days
before the party he met Helen on the
street and declared, after again being re-
pulsed in his suit, that he would kill him.
self and her and thus put an end to, the
whole trouble. He was as good as his
word 80 far as to take his own life, and
to do all in his power to take hers. After
this threat Miss Davis became alarmed fol
her personal safety, and spoke to the prin
cipal OF the school of Moline and Other
friends respecting the matter. 1t was a
first thought best to have Wood PLACED
under peace bonds, but on declaring tina
he had not threatened and meant the lady
no harm he was permitted to 90 unpros
ecuted. Wood followed Helen to this city
two weeks ago and annoyed her very mucl
by his attentions. On Friday evening sh
attended the select party at Deere's Hal
10 Moline with respectable law studen
of the town. 1t was not public ball, blu
the last Of series of club parties which
have been given by the best society o
Moline this winter Miss Davis was 2.
years old on the 10Th instant instead Of rs
as the Rock Island papers have it. 80 -
We held a conversation with MIR. Davis
who had Just returned from z visit to hi
daughter at Moline, and learned from hin
that her condition is more serious thai
was supposed, although her attending ply
stefan claims that it is not such as to eaus
any apprehension concerning her recovery
Gunshot wounds, however, are ugly thing
to manage, and what may be the result @
this one is by no means certain. The bac
of the young ladvs neck is badly swollen
high state Of inflammation exists, and sh
cannot be moved nor hardly touched witt
out extreme pain. In afew days her COT
ditiOn can be determined more definitely
To relieve Miss Davis Of all blame in tn
matter perhaps few additional words col
corning the motives of the fatal act an
the circumstances which led to it may ~
be out of place. We repeat, there ha
never been any betrothment between tn
parties; on the other hand on every Occ,
sion of Woods pressing his suit he W,
firmly though kindly repulsed. Last sun
mer here in Geneseo Helen succeeded
getting rid OF the annoyance-she hope
forever :, but this winter Wood renewe
his attentions and became more unreasol
able and obnoxious than ever. He in
proved every opportunity to press h
claims to her heart and hand, aud resorte
to fattery, SANDER and threats to secul
them. At their last interview before Il
fatal shot was fired, Wood told Helen tn;
she could have just forty eight hours
which to yield to his suit or prepare fl
death. She told him plainly and firm
that the matter should be settled in thi
time and against him. Feeling that 81
could endure this state of things no lonl
er, when invited by Mr.. HASTE to atteu
the Sociable, she, though not wishing
do 50 for any pleasure it might afford he
accepted aud went with him. The ste
was taken to show Wood that she was ca
nest aud sincere in her refusal to receiy
his attentions, and though death might b
the result she would not yield to his d,
mands. She informed Mr.. HASTE OF II
true condition OF things, and he loaded U
his pistol and prepared for the worst. n
doubt Miss Davis owes her life to thes
preparations, to the prompt manner. j
which Mr.. HASTE used his pistol TO rep,
Wood, and the protection he afforded tn
young lady in their walk from the part
home,
Different stories being afoat respectin
the relations which existed between Mis-
Davis and Mr.. Wood-none, however, I
the discredit Of Miss Dit is prope
that the whole story should be told. Sh
as high. moral worth, and her numerou
friends here rejoice that she did not fall
victim 10 the Jealous rn0a of a crazy lnre