Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-16
Western Letter.
THE HApDocK MURDER. - The BLOODY
WoRK OF Iowa SALOON KEEPERS.
from a Journal Correspondent ]


1t is here-Sioux City, Iowa-where on
the night of the Sd of August last, Rev Geo.
C. Haddock, pastor of the LIST NJ. e. church
of this place was shot down in the street by a
party of saloon and brewery men. Still there
is great interest in that atrocious affair.
No murder has been so thoroughly noticed
by the public for long time, yet an account
written on the ground after a careful inter-
view will be of interest.
| On the evening above mentioned. Mr.. Had
dock, in company with brother pastor, pro-
cured buggy at a livery stable to drive over
to Richmond, place Immediately adjoining
this city, to take notice of the conduct OF GER
| tain saloon men in order to have something
in evidence at the Injunction trial coming of
against the saloon men the next day. The
procedure of Mr.. Haddock was watched day
and night by the vigilant committee appoint.
ed by the saloon men for that purpose, nor
could he pass from one door to another but
did not attempt to conceal, yet much of
his counsel was with confidential
friends. On this evening he was
watched. and no sooner had the team been
driven from the barn than the conspirators
were all informed of it. 1t was at once
agreed that this was the time to get him out
of the way. Several times before this had
been fixed tor the deed but the persons ap-
pointed to do it had failed to keep their con-
tract There seemed to have been some
lack Of unity as to who should this time be
the man to do the overt act and where. A
few brief interviews, somewhat incoherent,
were held among the members of the COM
pany, resulting in q kind of committee of the
whole to edo him up" The plan was to do
their work after he had returned from Rich
mond, delivered the buggy, and had started
for home. He remained in Richmond longer
than they had anticipated, and to relieve their
anxiety after making sure that he had not
hack, drove to the place where Haddock was
found, identifying him and the team, and at
once started back just as Mr.. Haddock left to
saloons in the neighborhood of the livery
stables. The incident of Mr.. Haddock driv
ing his friend first to his home left him alone
at the livery stable and also gave his persuers
time to notify and post their accomplices
The livery adjOins the Columbia House, which
is upon the corner of Water and 4th streets
About these corners the conspirators were
posted, having each of them stipulated to do
the deed If the position of Mr.. Haddock in
leaving the stable made it favorable. At this
moment the team was driven in, in plain view
of ALL and in few moments Mr.. Haddock
emerged from the barn and walked immedi-
ately into the street, arriving at the corner
opposite, when about two thirds across the
way two men approached him, one of whom
made menacing movement, which Mr.. Had
dock attempted to resent, having with him it
seems, junk of iron in his pocket No
sooner had he attempted to ward of the in
jury intended by the attacking party, than
the man drew his pistol, threw his hand high
in the air, and as he brought it to the level of
his man fired, the ball entering the jugulsr
The murderers at once fed, and Haddock
started to reach the walk, throwing his cane
from him, and ran few yards in direction
not intended, and fell upon the walk, expir-
ing before any one cams to him. About nine
men saw it all, all of whom were confeder-
ates in the deed. The news soon spread over
the city, though 10 o'clock at night, and
many wept and slept not that night over the
dastardly deed.
1t may be asked how came Mr. Haddock
connected with this AFFAIR." There is no
mystery about it. He simply proceeded upon
his prerogative as an American citizen to in
form upon and act as prosecutor in harmony
with the authorities of the city in bringing to
justice the violators of the Iowa liquor law.
He had worked long aud hard for such a law
and believed it feasible. In putting this to
test circumstances 80 surrounded him as to
combine against him all the opposition to the
law. In the struggle the law was getting the
supremacy, and only one thing was left in
the hands of its enemies-to kill the
prosecutor, which they did.
The saloon interest of Sioux City 10 in the
hands of men possibly but little worse if
any than the saloon keepers of any other
city of its size. They are men who know no
God no mora code, have no qualifications
but the sensual, possess the instincts of the
savage and the audacity of highwaymen
All these elements OF character were aroused
and it was natural and easy end for them
to commit the dastardIy murder. Mr.
paddock represented and yet represents the
sentiment of large ma ority of Iowa's peo-
pie and of the people of our fair land. The
struggle goes on and it remains to be seen
whether this majority representing all that
makes life worthy the name shall be trampled
down and dishonored by the base and vile of
earth. The interest here in the hearts of
good citizens is intense. 1t is matched bv
the internal intent or at least desire of the
brutal representatives of the saloon. Nothing
has occurred anywhere to show us more full
ly the deplorable condition of American
society and to uncover the monster canker
that has infected our whole social and politi
cal system!
The Haddock murder was committed At
night but not in the darkness, as the lamps
on the streets were burning as also in houses
about, yet it has seemed very difficult to
detect the guilty parties. The facts at this
writing we'll establish the truth of the conspir-
acy and the implication of eight or more
men, fixing the shooting on John Arensdorf,
a brewer. whom the people were wont to call
a kind, good hearted man. To his friends be
could afford TO be kind. The confession of
two OF more of the conspirstors leaves room
tor no doubt as to who is the man that did
the shooting
IL has been long chase to catch them. or
some of them-there are yet uncsught two or
three-snd the various agencies set to work
to accomplish this have not worked together
in harmony. But all will come out we'll.
The fact that all are placed under bond.
and all but one, Arensdorf. are at large,
seems strange, though the bond is from $685.
600 to $4,000. There remains yet to come