The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-11-27

nings, Limestall and Kiefer were brought
before Justice Hayden. and hxd prelim
mary examination. They were each sub
iected to close dissemination by Con-
stable Hull. and also by Coroner Morris,
but no new facts were elected. Limestan
testified he left the fisherman's shanty
about Is minutes after Theviot did; that
be went in one direction and Theviot 10
another, yet he swore that he did not see
Theviot until he was dead. Strange.
The parties were discharged. the evidence
not being deemed sufficient to hold them.
One thing about the testimony is the re-
markable similarity of each ones state
ment Il is seldom three witnesses agree
so infinitely.
"Wednesday morning Justice Hayden's
Office was we'll filled to hear the testimony
in the preliminary examination of Ben.
Bengstrom, who has been in Jail since
Monday evening, charged with committing
the murder.
About 1890 Bengstrom was brought
into court, and his examination began; it
was closely made, every possible, question
being asked that would throw any light on
the subject, but his story never varied, AS
his evidence is important we give it in full.
Following is his testimony:
Ben Bengstrom Sworn: | was at James
Chapman's in company with Harry Hall
between 5 and 6 p. m. Saturday night
| Nov. %, 1878, and left for saloon across
the way; staid at saloon until about ]
o'clock playing games; returned to Chap.
mans. Hall was with me all the time; re,
NAMED at Chapman's don't know how long,
il was about one hour and half, it was
about half past two or three o'clock, when
left Chapman's went home with Hall, to
the Curtis House; did not stay but went
home from there; my wife was in bed
door was open; when went into the house
heard of Theviot's death; she said Fluege
had been in two or three times telling
about it; am positive it was on Sunday
morning when she told me oft; she sale
Joe Theviot had shot himself on Big Is
land; Fluegel told my wife Theviot had
shot himself with a gun; was not full knew
what was talking about; am positive
it was Sunday morning; in answer tt
question, whether he remembered if BIZ
wife said anything about Theviot'
death at breakfast he answered. do no
can swear that was not drunk on tina
night; went to bed and remained unit
half past s or Sunday morning; she on
~ mentioned it once. and that was on Sun
: day morning, aud not at breakfast. | toll
someone on Sunday that Joe was killed
but do not remember who it was. Cam
back from the shop about Sunday noon
do not remember changing clothes; staid a
Mrs. Hammers until evening, and the
went home; ate supper at Mrs, Hammers
was waiting for a girl; wanted to hire one
staid there until about clock; then wen
home and went to bed; she (my wife
said nothing about Theviot that night; wa
at work all day Monday; quit about
O'Clock that evening; went to Rosen.
meeting; had religious services there
e was not under influence of liquor; hav
= had no conversation except with my wife
| am positive it was Sunday morning whe
C first heard of Joe's death; | have bee
married about or s months; l never BOZ
rowed but 81 from Theviot and that
. paid the next pay day; never borrowe
q 500 from him. l knew Of Joe's death b.
g fore daylight Sunday morning: my wi
told me; she heard it from Fuegel.
B. BENGsTRoM
y Subscribed and sworn to before me tn
29th day of November, 1873,
WILLIAM 6. MORRIS,
e Coroner, Rock Island County.
= James Chapman was next examine
> and corroborated Bengstrom as to the tin
he was in his saloon.
:, james Campbell also testified as
"a some unimportant details.
y S. S. Hull gave evidence as to the Ia
time he saw Theviot, also confirmed Ben
ston's story that be was at.work on Su
& day.
Frank Van Haren testified that he kne
Theviot, had roomed with him ii mont
ct up to the time of his death; Theviot W
at sober man; had no bad habits, W
steady and industrious; saw him on Satu
day night about $50 and noticed nothi
unusual the matter; Theviot had told W
ness that he expected to have trouble wi
as Fluegel about property matters; also So
a he thought BengstrOm was putting Flu
gel up ito the job. Theviot was of sou
mind, he was all straight Saturday nigt
he was sober; this was about $50 or
ct minutes Of I on Saturday night; it "
be the last time | saw him alive.
This concluded the testimony befc
b. Coroner Morris, and Bengstrom was d
charged. Thus the affair is still cloth
10 mystery. but that a murder was co
mitted no one can doubt. Other develc
ng ments will shortly follow which may Gle
w up the case. In the meantime there g
re two parties who should be closely watche
e. they should be arrested.
n
=, Another investigation has proven beyo