The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-11-14
CoLD-BLocpED MURDER.
FOR THAT Is WHAT TT WILL
PROVE TO BE.
The Unfortunate Victim Being Nc
Less Than Conrad Wittick, OF
Moline

Less IMAM CO0T9Q WxbG1Cks OF
Moline.
Friday between IL and II o'clock
dastardly assault was committed on Con-
rad Wittiek, a respectable German, of
Moline, which will probably end in his
death. It is impossible at this writing to
give full particulars, as the perpetrators of
the deed are by name unknown, nor can
any one be found willing to say they know
anything about it, except the officers.
As nearly as can be learned Wittiek
was 10 two horse wagon; he was on the
Milan road, whether going to or returning
from Milan is not yet known, he was
just south of Brockman's saloon. aud had
got into his wagon. when two men who
were seen with him. struck him a wicked
blow with rock, the missile striking him
in the back of the head, fracturing the
skull and Inflicted a frightful
wound. He was struck with so much
force as to be knocked completely out of
the wagon. The horses became fright
ened and ran and then Wittick was dis
covered and brought to the Armory in
| Frederick Il Lamps delivery wagon which
| happened to be down there at the time.
Information was given the police and
sheriff of the outrage and soon posse
was out searching fer the ruffians who
| had committed the fatal assault. Sheriff
Perkins repaired to the scene as quickly
as possible, but too late to get the villains
| who. alarmed at their bloody work had
fled. DR.. Craig was called to dress the
injuries of the wounded man. who was
and is still unconscious and evil
IDENTIFY breathing his last. The doc
tor could give no encouragement, though
he did all possible to help the injured man.
The police we're still securing the town fer
the murderers These sort OF optrages
are becoming altogether too frequent OF
late, and there should be no mercy shown.
It has got to be the rule lately that bro-
ken head. slash with knife, or any
similar act of rufia nism simply means SIS
or $40 and costs, which is less than no
punishment at all 1t is simply saying to
1
but it will cost you some mon
ey- the amount to be graded according
to the magnitude of the effenee commit
ted. Il ID 'mistaken sympathy to be
lenient with outlaws aud the only way to
deal with the scoundreis is TO treat them
as criminals deserve
| Mr.. Wittick is an old aud respected
citizen of this county and lives in Wittick' s
addition to Moline, near the Rock Island
county line. lie has one son living in
Moline, Geo, o, Nittick, 4 photographer,
and formerly alderman ol that aIty.
LATER,-Since the above was ia type
Marshal HAYES and Deputy Sheriff Miller
arrested one of the offenders. His name
lis Pat Gainey, an empioye of Bpford' s
Plow Shop. Wittick ca0pot live-he is
dying now.
Since Gainey was arrested it has been
ascertaincd that there were three parties
concerned in the assault. Gaipey. a man
named Mccormick and Pat Grogan all
Book Islanders. The two last made their
escape 60 Davenport, in q skif, being
taken there by young man named Gale,
who was subsequently arrested by Officer
Bollman, Gale says that he did not know
that anything was wrong with the men
had not heard of the affair and had no con.
pectiop with il. All three of the men are
employees of Bufords pillow shop 1t il
expected that Grogan and Mccormick will
be captured tonight.
At o. clock, Wittiek was still breath,
, ing but cannot recover, and will hardly
survive the night,
Mrs Wittick wife of the injured man
reached the armory about 1870 O'Clock
and was wild with grief. In vain she call,
ed him by name and begged him to speak
to her. but the poor man only moved rest
lessly but spoke never q word.
Drs. Plummer and Eyster both examin-
ed Wittick at his wifes request but could
give no hope.
Deputy Sheriff Miller says that he and
Marshal Halves would have had Grogan
and Mccormick but for Gale: that they
had been chased to the railroad, and that
il it had not been for Gale, both the cu
prits would have been arrested Ii is
only question of few hours. when the
entire gang will be jailed-at least that is
what the police hope to accomplish.
There is no language strong enough to
condemn the outrage, and if the parties
accused prove to be the guilty ones, moth
ing short of hemp will vindicate justice.
| Geo. Stodd, the one armed foundryman.
is reported to have seen the whole occur
renee. At the time we go to press,
crowds are gathered about the Armory
and tie most intense excitement prevails.
Mr.ssWittick has two children living.
George, the photographer, and married
daughter in Pawnee county, Knsas. It will
be sad news to both swhen they learn che
particulars of their fathers death, and the
more painful because they we're not pres
ent at his death There were few dry
eyes in the room this afternoon when the
wife of the murdered mar called him by
name and begged him to speak and he
could not answer. He never spoke but
once after he was struck and that was to
say to Mr. Herkert, Take me home," 1t