Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-23
LOONEY is BEATEN
BY MAYOR; PAPER
SALE is STOPPED
Fearful and Merciless Attack
on Mr.. Schriver Precipi-
tates Climax.
SENT TO THE HOSPITAL
Apology and Retraction Made
Newsboys and Others Arrested
Further Proceedings Promised.

Driven beyond the limit of human
endurance by a libelous, defaming
and Desmirching attack which ap-
peared this morning in John Looney's
News, Mayor II. VI. Schriver, stopped,
to certain degree, the sale of the
sheet, caused the arrest of Is news
boys who were offering it for sale
and OF Looney, himself, and one of
his henchmen, Dan Drost, beat
Looney badly, forced him to apollo
gize, and then rejected Looney's vol
untary offer TO issue a special edition
containing a retraction of the article
which was the cause OF the action
upon the part of the city's head, but
warned him of what would happen
II the attack was repeated
AS result of the affair Looney is
at St Anthony's hospital, and as soon
as he is able, he will be called upon
to answer to a city complaint charg-
ing him with Offering for sale, and
selling, an indecent newspaper, to-
wit, the Rock Island News.
PROMISE A SENSATION.
Schriver says, It had been noised
abroad by Looney and his henchmen
that the publication would contain
the scandal sensation of the year,
and advising men to have their
nickels ready for the edition this
morning. Mayor Schriver says he
was informed of the nature of the
article, and the reason for its ap-
pearance at this time-his insistent
prosecution Of A. w. Billburg, one
Of I.ooney's clients-and yesterday
put under way steps toward the
stopping OF the widespread sale of
the sheet. Warrants against all con-
nected with the News, from John
Looney to the newsboys, were pre-,
pared. officers were given their IN
structions, and before O'Clock this
morning, when the paper was first
offered for sale, eight boys had been
arrested. Before o o'clock. ten 9TH
ers we're in Jail and officers were
hunting for those who we're response.
bic for the obscene attack Drost
was placed under arrest before 10
o'clock by officer Furlong in the
Looney building on Second avenue.
LOONEY ARRESTED.
AT 10 o'clock, Looney, himself, was
placed under arrest on Second ave
nue by Officers Kinney, FitzsimmonI
and Gruby, and taken to the police
station. When Mayor Schriver saw
him in the sergeants Office he could
not control himself longer, and at
tackled him. No one else was in tn,
room. Those who we're outside tn,
door heard Looney shrek at the tol
OF his voice. Murder, murder. He
numbering me-" And he continues
TO cry out until he sank to the floor
After the uproar had subsidized
Looney was heard to apologize
Mayor Schriver said. Listen to me
John Looneyi II you ever use m
name in your scandalous, blackmail
ing sheet again. in a scandalous al
ticle attacking my character. I VII
shoot you on sight Apologize"
II do" quaked Looney. 81 do"
Apologize again" demanded tn
mayor, and the apology was reitel
ated. Then there was a subdue
droning from the room, and II wa
known that Looney was talking. ]
a few minutes Mayor Schriver agai
informed him OF what he would d
should there be another personal al
tack upon him through the column
OF the News.
VOLUNTEERS REsTRACTIoN.
The doors were opened, officer
we're admitted. and Mayor Schrive
went to his Office to remove some {
the signs of the battle. Blood co,
cred his hands, HIS coat and oths
clothing. The floor of the Office VIZ
cory, and Looney's person. too. ga,
evidence OF the battle. Looney WI
led to a cell. While there he aske
an officer 20 go to Mayor Schriv,
so that he might apologize again
Tie mayor went down 70 hir
Looney apologized. offered to ISIS,
a special edition retracting the stor
SPURNs OFFER.
Not only was the story OF tod,
referred TO by the mayor. but pa
attacks on the mayor and some
his friends were brought up |
him. To all charges again
Looney. he answered that he d
not know they appeared. that he d