The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-15
A Revolving Case:

ant DelDR Que JaCOD DCnWdTtACuUuAE u
Moline. The charge in the complaint was
assault and battery" but the real offense
is nameless in print, being SO revolving, so
low, vulgar and despicable as to be impos'
sible to furnish the details as they really
exist Suficeit to say that, if the evil
dence adduced is not counterbalanced by
indisputable testimony, then Schwartzeu-
burg is brute 10 human form, thing SO
low, so far below the level of manhood, or
even an approximation thereto, that he is
unworthy to live in a civilized community.
Jacob Steffer. Edward McCaffrey, and
Lon Wheelock. all OF Moline,
preferred the complaints. An
ME Wheelock, Julia Steffer, little girls
IL years OF age testified to acts committed
by Schwartzenburg which are almost i'm
possible to realize as haYing been com
mitted, yet their testimony seemed con-
elusive and was so revolving as to cause
more than one to shudder at the enormity
of the crime committed. 1t was the most
disgusting testimony that has ever been
produced here and it is needless to say that
there was feeling of utter loathing for
the man Schwartzenburg The little girls
wept freely during the trial and seemed
utterly broken down.
VIM. Jackson, of Sweeney Il Jackson
appeard for the defense and States At
torney Parmenter prosecuted.
The cross examination by VIM. Jackson
was of the most exacting nature and it of
course resulted in mixing the testimony of
the little girls.
The trial was adjourned at noon until 2
o'clock when Julia Steffer was brought to
the stand, but her testimony was practic
ally invalidated on cross examination.
The cases then rested and an effort was
made TO introduce the testimony Of little
boy years old, son of John McCafrey,
but the court ruled that bis evidence could
not be received.
Disposition was then begun as to the cases
already tried and States Attorney
Parmenter suggested that the cases be
left with the grand jury and held
that the court had entire jurisdiction tc
bind over defendant to the next term Of
court. A legal bubble was started here
between the opposing counsel and withou
decision by the Court Attorney jackson
proceeded to argue the law and held tina
the prisoner could not be held on the evi
dence adduced; that it showed no force b!
Schwarzenburg; that the offenses were
committed willingly if at all; that thu
charge of rape could not be sustained, haC
not been proved and the court could not
in justice to the prisoner do aought Blu
dismiss the charge, He deplored the mat
ter, morally it was defenceless but legal
there was no law to bind over the prisone
en- the evidence. He cited numerous case
as SiDailieS, and urged the discharge of tn
prisoner, he did not wish it understood
that he defended the crime, 10 fact b
could imagine the fesllngs of parents an
friends of the injured parties. bat the las
must be respected, He closed with a
earnest appeal for justice on the Leg
merits of the case.
States Attorney Parmenter followed fl
the people. He was in favor of bindir
: over the prisoner. In cases of this kin
the evidence on preliminary trial is neyt
9 as conclusive as before grand jury; TIL
= the crowd in attendance disconnected IL
Il girls; that had a private trial been b;
e fuller and more conclusive evidence wou
: have been brought to light.
5, He wanted the bail fixed at sum SUI
y Gent to insure the attendance of the pr
D. oner at the next term of court. 1t W
one Of the worst cases that had ever be
brought to his notice. He did not a
excessive bail but wanted the prison
held in an amount that would make
Go appearance at court certainty.
~ 1t was case of the most degraded CHI
~ acter and he hoped the court would mt
= out justice. lie left the matter with t
court.
10 At the conclusion of Parmenters spec
,is a technical point was raised by Mr.. ia,
&c son, defendants attorney, that the CO
81 plant did not cover case of binding ov
This brought Parmenter to the fro
who asked Jackson if 'he simply wan
the court to fine the prisoner" Jack:
U evaded the answer direct Wherein
VI Parmenter said such course would be
Ie- outrage. This finished the matter q
III, after few minutes the court proceed
Gu to render his decision, which was as folio
10 THAT the prisoner be held in the sum
w $500 on one count and $500 on the sect
III count.
Mr.. jackson here interposed and arg,
in suave manner with the court, as
" the legality of the finding but the CO
held to its decision and refused to vie
This closed the first two cases and at
on close, another case, of assault and bait
C. was called with Mr.. Mccartney as the &C
'rs plainant. The case was still on trial
ne time Of going to press.
I'd ----------
We Criminal
lot Dennis Murphy entered complaint bel