The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-05
Dastardly Attempt to Blackmall Mr.
George Wagner of this Citv.

George wagner OF TINS C1ty.
To-day Henry Hahn, of the firm of
Hahn x Wagner, cigar makers, 329 West
Second St., Davenport, was brought be-
ore Justice Kaufman. of Davenport. for !
attempt to injure the good |
name of Mr.. George Wagner, one of our
most worth citizens, and to brighten him
into paying $500 to prevent exposure and
public scandal, Hahn waived an exami-
nation and was held in 5000 bonds for bis
appearance before the district ourt-which
meets tomorrow. VIM. Claussen, lime
merchant. signed his bond. Hahn had no
attorney, Ernst Claussen, ESQ.,, of the
firm of Claussen 4 Heinz, appeared for
the prosecution.
On Wednesday of last week stranger
called at Mr.. Wagner's place (the Atlantic
Brewery and lett letter for Mr.. W; it
was to theseffect that the writer knew that
Mr. W. kept mistress at certain place
in Davenport; that exposure would ruin
him. that he 1.-THE writerl was hard up.and
Mr.. W. could spare him $500 as we'll as
not. which would be of great assistance
just now-and that if money were not sent
by the next day, then the writer would pub
fish Mr.. W. in The papers and inform his
family Of his doings besides. The letter
was signed "P. P" Mr.. Wagner paid nc
attention to this letter. The next day an,
other letter, of the same tenor, was left by
the same man-giving Mr.. ". one more
day to pay the money.
Then Mr., Wagner went over to Daven,
port and laid the letters before Chief Mar
tens. The result was that Friday morning
there appeared notice in Der Demokrat =
TO ?. P; your offer is accepted. Cal
again. W." Friday afternoon brough
the letter man with another letter directing
Mr.. W. how to do up the money so tina
the man could not know the contents of tn,
package. Mr.. Wagner didn't have TIL
money just then, but would meet the part!
at Schulz saloon on Harrison street, at !
o'clock Saturday afternoon.
AT the appointed time Mr.. Wagner an,
a friend were at the saloon with Chic
Martens not far distant. In walked tn
letter bearer and presented a letter t
Mr., Wagner which informed him he coul
deliver the package to the bearer. L
sterped the Chief-"Who gave you thi
letter." Don't know; he was strange
to metal man with light mustache !
DO you mean to say you carry letter
demanding $500 of man, and don't knoV
who gives the letters to your You com
with me"
At this the man wilted and squealeG
| He gave the name at the beginning of thi
article. His own name was Haller-a
uncle of Hahn's wife. The chief the
proceeded to the firms cigar shop and al
rested Hahn, to the astonishment of hi
partner. Hahn was terribly frightened
and we'll he might be. He begged to b
allowed to see Mr.. Wagner, and have tn
matter settled, A messenger was ser
over this side of the river, but Mr.. Wal
ncr refused to go; twice again Mr.. Was
ner was appealed to, but he sent word th;
the law must take its course with tn;
man, he deserves punishment and | sha
not try to shield him. He might ha,
ruined my peace forever" Then apple
+ ton was made to relatives of Hahn to sig
y a bail bond for him, but they wouldn't {
it, and there was nothing to do but to p,
him in Jail.
The Gazette says Mr. Wagner hs
: never been in the place indicated |
. Hahn. Taking friend with him, by Il
advice Of the chief, he called there, al
the woman didn't know him at all; al
j upon his saying he believed he had SCI
her in certain town, she replied 81
, guessed not-she didn't remember of ha
4 ing seen him before, At the time she W
j in ignorance of this correspondence.
= now appears that an employe in the A
) lantic brewery had called at this plac
that Hahn got wind Of it, heard it W
= Mr. Wagner himself, and SO laid his pIa
! to secure $500, The Code prescrib
punishment in the penitentiary not mo
than three years for this ofense.
Mr.. Wagner is one of our best citize
d "a director in the Peoples National Ban
u owner of the Atlantic Brewery, and one
y our largest business men. The plot was
very bungling and very wicked affair, al
the scoundrel, Hahn, should be made
serve a term in the state prison.