Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-05
THE MURDER WAS
DELIBERATE ONE
Killing of Thomas Layton by ia.
cob Groves on Island Near
Dallas City.
OFFERED ADRINK, THEN SHOT
Victim Had Married Divorced Wife of
Murderer Soon After the
Ser aration.

The murder of Thomas Layton by
Jacob Groves in the 5-.ssissippi bot
toms near Dallas City, town in the
lower end of this congressional dis
tr:ct, mentioned in yesterdays press
dispatches. was one of the most cold
blooded that was ever perpetrated in
that vicinity. The tragedy was the
outcome of family trouble of long
standing. The body of the murderer
was found yesterday in the timber
where he had killed himself carrying
out his statement that he would eIude
justice.
There was woman in the case. For.
merry Jacob Groves had a wife. 1t. is
said they lived happily until Layton
came into the case. At least that is
what Groves has often claimed to his
friends. With the advent OF Layton.
according to this story, came trouble
in the Groves household. Mrs. Groves,
It is claimed, was attracted by Lay
tons attentions. Rows between the
man and wife followed. These cIlmin-
ated last Monday in a suit for divorce
brought by Mrs. Groves. and it WI,
granted.
Pair Were Married.
Tuesday Mrs. Groves and Layton
were married in Burlington. They at
once went to Layton's home on Big
Island near Dallas City. and Wedncs-
day began preparations to move across
the river to Dallas City. Thursday
they began to ferry their household
goods across the river in n skiff of the
pattern known as a John boat.
Groves was at Burlington. He is re
ported to have told some friends that
he would Kill Layton and his former
wife. He even showed the revolver, 4
new one, just purchased as the weapon
with which he intended to get REVENGE
for what he considered the unpardon-
able wrong done him. Then he disap-
Feared.
The next known OF Groves was his
arrival on Big island. lie, went TO
where Layton's house stood near the
edge of the water. facing towards Dial
las City. Mrs. Layton was in the
house. Groves saw layton approach
ing the island from the Illinois shore
in a skiff Layton had been 10 Dallas
City with a load of household goods,
and was coming back for another.
When his boats keel grated on the
shore Groves accosted him in a friend
ly manner and offered him a drink Of
whisky.
Fired Five shots.
Layton accepted the prOffered flask
and took a drink. He handed the bot
tie back to Groves and turned about
in the boat and was facing the stern.
when Groves whipped out his new re-
voiver and shot Layton to death. He
| fired five shots in quick succession. all
of the balls entering the victims back.
Layton dropped TO the bottom of the
boat dead and then the murderer ran
to the boat and pushed it out into the
river. Mrs. Layton, attracted to the
scene. ran to the bank and grasped the
receding boat, and pulled it back to
shore. But Groves. fiourishing his re-
voiver. told her with an oath to let it
alone or he would kill her. too. The
woman let the boat go, and it was
again pushed out into the stream by
Groves. 1t fioated over to a small tow
| head island. thirty or more rods away.
Groves then disappeared into the
woods of the island. and was not af-
Scay, aliup