The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-01-14
LOOKING FOR THE FIGHTING EDITOR
A Couple OF New Orleans Politicians Dis

il lg5 Of this parish, and Democratic canii-
late for congress ia the Second district at
'Ee late election. making various s,an3a
Tors charges against him Judge HoaS
TOMS position on the bench pa
cludai him from taking any notice IF the 70
mutt, but Nonlay naIa.ny Ills brother.
lanes T. Houston, state tax collector, in
company with Supervisor OF Registration
Robert Brewster. called on the editor OF Tha
Mascot Tor satisfaction and to punish him
for his attack GA Tho Judge. This office of
The Mascot Is in the third story Of build
ing on Camp street, in Newspaper row.
Ascending to tbs story Houston and
Brewster entered the editorial office rdere
We're present only George Osnund, the edi
tor, aud Adoiph Zeuneck, the elfgrayer Of
the paper. Stepping M TO Osmuni, Houston
asked; rs this MIR Osmund!' and teiore he
coul answer, us he knew him well struck
him over the head and arm with heavy
tex which he carried. The next min
ut both Dien had them pistols cut, and vic
fired first it is impossible to say, as HOus
toa accuses Osmund and Osmund Houston
The two men were within eight feet Of each
other when they commenced firing Hous-
tons first shot missed and Osmunds second
bali struck Il uston in the palm of his right
hand, seyerjuG finger and running up the
arm and paralyzing it. He dropp3t his
pistol to the ground, leaving himself unpGo-
tectsj ami open to the fire Of III.
Antagonist. A. he leaned over 10 picF
it up with his left hand his friend
Brewster who was standing a few fest away
OyerawinG XauuecE, advaaceJ with a drawn
revolver to protect him. and shotat OSmull
The latter thgn faced toward Brewster, and
the two men AZ u distance If ten feet enlpliad
their rsroivars.
Osmund shot with great coolnoss ana
deliberatinn, every one Of his balls taking
elFec. Brewster shot welt bat She
editor escaIet almost miracu!ousiy
The six balls Grr,zai hat none struck
him. Two went through his desk
one lodged in a picture just above his head.
one in the f5or at his feet, ana two il the
gail on either side Of him bat lie escaped
all injury
IN the meantime, a Brewster ami o.
nlund were carrying on tins haftl. Houston
had recovered las pistol and tried 70 Use Il
with rs left hand, but could not trs 81
Seeing that MS friend Brewster was lady
woun6p1-ior blood was pouring down his
side-he calel on him to retreat, aGt
Brewster, Who had emptied his revolver,
did So Houston standing between him
and Osmund, protecting the retreat anl try
ing in vain to fire his pistol Osmund by
this time had exhausted his revolver, which
was only a fiye-shooter, but kept it pointed
at Houston. Just Is the latter reached the
door his pistol finally went off, striking o.
muni in the identical spot that he had
wounded HMM the center of his right OF
pistol hand--the ball ranging up the arm t.
the elbow.
A large crowd had collected in front Of the
building when Brewster and Houston
emerged from it. They were both losing q
great deal OF blood, and Brewster left a
broad track behind him as he walked up til,
street He found refuge in the Metropolitan
| bank ct the corner, whore q carriage was
| procured and he was conveyed to the Charity
| hospital. Houston went across the street to a
carpet store, when he also was yed to
the hospital. Osmuld came down the steps
| Immediately after his assajlants, i'll his shirt
sleeves and quite bloody and was taken t.
the drug store at the corner for treatment,
and afterwari to the hospital, where he was
| put under arrest, as Brewster was expected
to die Al three Of the men are seriously
wounded.
| 0smund is n young EEclishinan who has
! been here only two years editing The Mascot.
| which is q personal paper dealing in news OF
| q police character. The other two men are
| the most influential politicians in the city.
! and probably in the state Houston has besu
| styled the democratic Boss of Louisiana, -
| and Is credited with having elected
! III
the entire municipal government He had
| the entire management Of the Democratic
! state election in the spring. and Of the presi-
| Dental election in this state and is one of the
most as&1te politicians in the south. He was
delegate 10 the Chicago convention, and
| sent as representative Of the Louisiana De-
| mocracy 81 Cincinnati and New York during
| the campaign. He has held numerous offices,
| both state ard city, has been administrator Of
! imprJY clerk Of court sheriff, and is
now tax collector, the most lucrative Office
! i'll the state He was one Of the central fig
ures in In disturbance at the Seventh ward
! Democratic primaries last spring, and il
| that fight kill I'd in sell defense Capt Mich.
ael Fort;er, the leader Of the opposition, after
Forsier had fire at him, striking him in the
very center Of th3 body, his Houston'ej life
being savel by the lucky button
which warIad of tho bullet Brew
sler is one .. ths leading politicians Of
the city, :. man Of quiet manners, but O
the very coolest AMI most desperate charae
ter He lies held numerous Offices, Leer
clerk Of caUrs administrator Of police, aIlC
gave up ia. uiirc Of clerk in the spring t,
take the Poi'i Il 0. registrar Of voters. H,
has been $50 stTartl tina $ before, but he.
always in-HJc,r! to recover The doctor
declare nov, 3ntNeyer that there is no hop
fer him
LATER -i,ub--t brewster who was sho
in the aiTray TIE Mascot newspa per Office
died q; 20 iott U~day morning. Brews
;pr WIS q NAV Of irI.nl, and was 4
| wears a; age.