The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-08-09
TIE snoorrNa OF BARNEY
a Desp,caple Atteznpt 70 make Foliti.
cal Capital ont OF the affair,

- Des PioaD1e htboAAPs - 1A1A0 - Ss@sA~
cal Capital cut of the AFFAIR,
TIE ARGUS In the article citing the
shooting of Barney Cleveland. on Satur-
day, by Officer Leber. at, Milan, stated
that the wounded man would die, and at
o'clock this morning. he breathed his
last. He had every possible attention,
but the wounds were beyond human
skill to heal, and at the hour named
Barney Cleveland was dead.
Coroner Morris was notified and at 8 80
o'clock began the inquest. An effort was
made to create q partisan liue by some
small minded Republicans in Milan. and
as evidence of it. some selfstyled friends
of the deceased, objected to any Democrats
being placed on the jury and several were
objected to on tina: account. The jury
was finally made up. composed of five Re
publicans and one sDemocrat- M.
Dickson. and the examination of witnesses
began.
It was evident that some of the bigoted
partisans we're going to make political
capital out of the affair if possible, and in
giving testimony, one witness, VIII lose
name We did not learn. proceeded to give
his opinions as we'll as evidence and also
threw in few words Of advice. His bias
was 80 fragrant that Coroner Morris
promptlyssquelched him saying. I'VE don't
want your opinions. sir. nor your prejudi
ces, but we want the facts" He was
proceeding TO work on the partisan line,
and was summsrily shut up by Coroner
Morris, who again reminded him that the
case was being tried by.a jury of intelhgent
men, and the verdict would be given in
accordance with facts-not prejudice or
opinions.
At 10 A. NJ. Eve witnesses had been ex-
amined. and at P. NJ. the inquest was
still proceeding, Thus far the prepond :
erancs of evidence is on the side of the
officer, who seems to have done no more
than his duty.
The attempt Of certain small minded
Republicans TO create a parts an feeling
because Cleveland. the dead man. was
colored, is despicable and reprehensible.
1t is going rather far when the partisan
line is earned to coroner's inquest, and
The ARGUS is glad to note that Coroner
| Morris so peremptorily shut down on the
attempt to create'a prejudice against the
officer by drawing the party line, Coroner
Morris had the good sense to see that an
| attempt of this sort would be damaging,
| if the bigoted partisans of Milan did not.
The ARGUS is not 10 possession of all
she facts butt the incidents stated are
vouched for by those lwho speak from
positive knowledge.
1t is futile to endeavor to make party
capital out Of this affair-as well condemn
any officer. who, in the discharge OF his
duty is compelled to use pistol. THE
ARGUS does not know what Officer Lever
is politically. nor does it care. it simply
knows from the facts thus far sdduced
that he did his duty and for that he is
entitled to fair hearing.
The man shot was familiar to the police
of both Moline and Rock Island-and he
was known as reckless dare devil when
drunk, In fact he was wickedly hateful.
and the chances are that, had he had the
opportunity, Officer Lever would be the
corpse instead of Cleveland.
Wherein anything of q partisan nature
can be made Of this matter of an officer of
| the law shooting disorderly character. is
beyond comprehension and yet We have it
from an undoubted source that the party
line was drawn most rigidly, and failed
because Coroner Morris declined TO be a
party to it.
At 4:30 P. NJ, twenty-five witnesses had
been examined and the prospects were
that the inquest would not be concluded
tonight. The examination is being held
at the Town Hall. and great interest is
felt in the proceedings.
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