The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-02-25

friends, as / am told he was in Rock Is
land the day before this issue,) think that
if I were innocent of any previous knowi-
edge of the assault that L was at least lack
ing In humanity in going away and leav-
ing MIR. Shaw. fellow-townsman. in dis
tress &c.
The charge is now want of humanity
is it2 Very WE'LL But there is not
word of truth in this as can be easily prov
en- by Mr.. Shaw's own sworn testimony
and by his statement, Whatever took
place occurred before the train was at the
depot When the train left MIR. Shaw
was up and AROUND apparently unhurt.
He talked with the Arnetts, and with Mr..
Baird. He discussed with Baird the pro
priety of going or staying to prosecute
Scott. and so far concluded to go as to call
for ticket. | supposed he got upon the
train with us, and did not learn to the
contrary until we had got many miles from
Plum Creek. So much then for this
charge.
Il has been said that ought TO be cen
tent with the fact that the court decided
there was nothing in the charge. do not
think SO. | fully believe it was wicked,
cowardly and dastardy assault made upon
me to crafty personal malice. and that 1t
is my duty to so expose 1t, not only as
yindication of myself, but punishment to
the offender. The prominent people OF
Plum Greek with almost one accord, who
heard all of the evidence and know all the
facts and circumstances. agree fully with
me and have 60 plainly stated in writing.
Mr.. Shaw says obtained some sympathy
there by reason of my attacks upon him.
He was the one who bad been assaulted
and. who would naturally have the sympa-
thies of the people. But they discovered
the fraud and did not hesitate to Justly
denouuce it ia his presence, 1t is true,
however, that did charge him there as |
do in this, with a malicious and wicked
prosecution. Z. DUNHAM
PLUM CREEK, Neb Feb. Is. 1880
Tt being reported to me that Mr.. George
". Shaw is representing at Qeneseo, H..
that at the time Mr.. Shaw was assaulted
| here by Scott, Charles Durham and ia
| cob Arnett, or one of them held the door
of the depot, or otherwise tried to prevent
MIR. Baird from going to the aid of said
Shaw: Itake this way of setting tie matter
| right, by saying that at the time Baird
| opened the door to 60 to Shaw's assis-
tance, both Durham and Jacob Arnett
were standing several fest from the door,
| and in full view of me; and | further
state, and SO swore on the examination,
that neither Dunham nor Jacob Arnett
touched Mr.. Baird or the depot door: nor
did either of them DO anything to hinder
or prevent speedy assistance being given
to Shaw.
! am night operator at Z. 2. r. B.,
depot here, snd had just sold Jacob Arnett
tickets for himself and Durham.
X. SMITH, Operator.
PLUM CREEK, Feb. Is, 1880.
|. w. ID. Baird, night watchman at the
I. p. R R., depot at this place, having
been informed that Mr.. Geo. w. Shaw.
who was brutaly assaulted here by one
Scott some time since, is representing 10
Geneseo, H., that Chas, Durham aud
Jacob Arnett. or one of them, held the
door of the depot, or otherwise tried to
prevent me from going out to the aid of
Shaw. end that | 30 sxore az the prelmin
airy examination, take this way of setting
the matter as near right as | can. | did
say that S, j, Arnett did take hold of my
arm and tried to hold me, but | did not
state, either under oath or otherwise, that
either Durham or Jacob Arnett tried in
any way to prevent my going 10 the aid of
Shaw. My back was tosard them. aud |
did not see them after | started for the
door. And | further state that no person
whatever heid or tried to hold the door of
the depot shut at that time. for such was
not the fact
make this statement in justice to all
parties. w, D. BAIRD.