Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-08-23
BAD FOR STEVENS.
a Prominent Moline Citizen
Under a Grave Charge.
MRS. MARTIN DBRKENs AoCUsER,

mho' mAhIlN DBRkENS ACCUSER,
The Colonel is Alleged to Have Made an
indecent Proposal to Her. After Euticing
Her Husband From the House, and Later
to Have Assaulted Her Local PoIice
Gatherings.
Moline has a sensation today that
has set all the tongues in town to
wagging. involving as it does. in
anything but an enviable light one of
the most prom nent citizens in the
city. Last evening Col. W. f. Ste
Yens was made defendant to a charge
preferred by Mrs. Martin Derkens
before Magistrate Kerns. accusing
him OF attempting a gross outrage
upon her person. Mrs. Derkens al
leges that Col. Stevens called at her
home on Moline bluffs Monday after
noon and engaged her husband to do
some work about his premises; that
while her husband was thus engaged
Col. Stevens returned to her house
and made an indecent proposition to
her, accompanying the same with a
tender OF money; that she indignant
Y repulsed him and he left.
Made an Assault.
Later. she states he again visited
her in her husbands absence, and
made an assault upon her. that q
scuffle ensuel, during which she
scratched his face and that he still
bears her imprint on his nasal APP
pendiX. She, therefore, filed the
warrant for his arrest.
Col. Stevens. who is prominent in
business, soc ETY. and Grand Army
! circles in Moline, and has a family.
declares that he is a victim of q
| Matchmaking scheme. and saws that
he was at Mrs. Derkens' house at the
| time stated and that without warn
| ing the woman attacked him and
scratched him as part of her design
to eNtort money from him.
The Derkens are well to do Bel.
| gian people aud have been married
! but two months. Mrs. Derkens is {
rather nice looking woman, about 81
years OF age.
Police Points.
John Boyd. the insane patient who
escaped from the county farm the
other day, was picked up in the
lower end of town by Chief Sexton
this afternoon. and will be sent out
again.
Officer Hayman arrested Danie'
! James this morning early for being
drUI k and making mother earth Will
her broad canopy of heaven hi,
sleeping ground. This morning
Squire Schroeder charged him );
and costs for his nights lodging.
The house Of George Beck. q TAR
mer. living near Gable. was robbed
yesterday between the hours Of 4 and
> O'Clock. by n pack-peddler answer.
ing the following descriptions: \ man
of medium height. about 80 years OF
years. has black mu>tache and i o.
| German descent. He work dark gray
! jeans pants. light straw hat and :
| thin dark coat.
August Matti is Il German. who by
the way. has wooden LEG, as herein
before referred TO. Now on Monday
night Officer Maucker heard agoniz-
ing cries in the vicinity of August's
residence. and Fastening to the
scene, found August in semi-sober
condition playing game of ball,
utilizing his wooden leg as wagon
tongue" and his better-half as base
ball. He was allowed to tell his
troubles to Magistrate Schroeder yes
terday evening. and he fined him $;
and costs for an infringement on the
national game.
Probably the most exciting case
which has occupied Magistrate
| Schroeder's court for some time. was
the case Yesterday afternoon OF as
sault and battery. on 4 charge pre-.
ferred by Charles HintZ against Fred
Lawrence. his uncle, both OF Goa
Valley. and wherein clubs were
trumps. The defendant and his wit
nesses strenuouslv objected to being
cross questioned by Maj. Beardslev,
and insisted on giving their evidence
in German. but. nevertheless. Squire
| Schroeder found sufficient grounds
to fine Lawrence S21.35. This to-
| pether with 81 and costs which he
was fined in Coal Valley. makes him
feel as though he had enough.