The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-07-13
FIGHT WITH RIVER RoUaHs.
THEY AREgPURsUED BIZ CAPT
BLACKBURN TO FAIRPoRT,
IOWA.
Numerous Shots are Fired, and one Of
the Rourhs Captn~-a

Numerous Shots are Fired, and one of
the Roughs CaDtn"-'
ueeK ago Lafayette Robinson,
his wife, three children, and his nephew,
John Scott, alias Montgomery. arrived in
this city on boat belonging to the former,
from Lacrosse, and stopped at the boat
yard for repairs. The men claimed to fol-
low the occupation of fishing, and lived up
on the boat, which was allowed to float
down, from one town to another, with the
current.
On Wednesday evening the repairs were
finished, and, before leaving our city, the
men probably concluded to get drunk, -
and while in that condition Scott made an
unprovoked assault upon Ben Huntiey, a
son of Mitchell Huntley, who had been out
for askiff ride in company with several
young ladies. During the fight Scott fred
one shot from revolver at young Hunt
ley, which, fortunately, missed him.
James Perkins, the man who was shot by
Ike Dixon last spring. and who has made
his home at Huntleys house since then,
came to the assistance of young Huntley,
but was put to fight by another shot from
SCOTS revolver, which also missed.
Mitchell Huntley then attempted to assist
his SOD, but he was compelled to retire
with a revolver held to his head by Robin
son. Young Huntley finally escaped from
Scott and ran off
Scott and his party Immediately launched
their boat and started down the river.
Thursday morning Ben Huntley anC
Perkins appeared before Justice Chopper
and made complaint against Scott anG
Robinson, charging them with assault with
intent to commit murder. The warran
was given to Deputy Marshal Blackburn
and. about 10 o'clock in the forenoon ht
started in skiff to overtake the men. HI
was accompanied by Mitchell Huntley anG
Perkins. At Andslusia, he learned thai
the boat had been at Buffalo, opposite
and had left about an hour before then
arrival. About O'Clock in the Afternoon
Capt. Blackburn came up with the boa
and attempted to board her. Scott raj
for the stern of the floating palace ant
dropped skiff into the water. Robinson
drew o revolver, and, surrounded by hi
wife and children, threatened t,
shoot anybody who boarded tn
boat. At this moment Scot
jumped into bis skiff and commenced
rowing rapidly for the Iowa shore. Capt
Blackburn learning that he was the mos
important of the two men, started afte
him. They were about so yards apart
Blackburn called for Scott to surrender
bat the reply was the whiz of bullet pas
his ear. He then returned the FIRE from o
shot gun; bat did not attempt to hit hi:
man. The firing continued on both sides
Scott shooting three times and Blackburn
FIVE times. Upon reaching the shor'
Scott left his skiff and disappeared in thu
timber. Capt. Blackburn then proceeded
to Ea!rport, Iowa, three miles below
where he procured a warrant from Jus
tice Weaver for the arrest of Scott ant
Robinson on charge Of assault with in
tent to murder--and then, ia compan,
with Constable Smith, he went il
search of his men. After looking some
time for Scott the search was given up
and the officers turned their attention t.
Robinson. By. this time he had LANDED
his boat on the Iowa shore. On seeing tn
officers approach, he started on rul
through corn field. After chasing hin
about two miles he returned to his boa
and showed off into the stream. He wa
overtaken near the Illinois shore, bu
drawing revolver and protecting him
self behind his family. he showed fight
Capt. Blackburn told him if he did no
drop his revolver be would drop him, an,
suited the action to the word by pointin!
the gun at him. Robinson doggedl,
dropped his revolver. and a moment afte
he was a prisoner. He was placed il
Capt. Blackburn's skiff (about 10 o'cloci
at night and by o'clock the whole part.
arrived in Andalusia. Here they re
mainted until morning, and were then takel
to Black Hawk, took the Mercer county
train for this city-and arrived here abol
$50 o'clock this forenoon-the 18th.
Robinson was Immediately taken before
Justice Chopper, who fixed his bail q
$500 to await his examination. Failing
to give security he was sent to jail