Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-22
McCaskrin, Wells and Gardner
Held for Assault With In
tent to Murder.
FORMER OUT OF THE CITY
Other Two Are Arrested, Gardner
Spending Part of Day in jail
Score Police Method.
GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS MADE
PUBLIC.
Assault with intent to commit muir
der-Harry McCaskrln, p. II. Wells,
Edward n. Gardner.

der-Harry Mccaskrln, p. H. Wells,
Edward n. Gardner.
Harry NJ. McCaskrin, Phil H. Wells
and E. H. Gardner have been indicted
on charges of assault with intent to
murder. This much of the findings
of the special grand jury which re-
ported Saturday afternoon, was made
public today. There are two indict-
ments against each, the combined bail
required for each of the three being
$1,000. Gardner and Wells were ar
rested this morning, but McCaskrin
is out of the city. Gard
ner spent the morning in Jail and
Wells promised to get his bondsmen
by o'clock this afternoon, which he
did, William McConochie and James
Giyens going on his bond to assure his
appearance for trial.
The charge of assault with intent to
murder is applicable to those who lead
or incite a riot.
OTHER NAMES SUPPRESSED.
While it is understood that others
who were directly or indirectly con-
cerned in the riots of March 25 and
&c, the names were not forthcoming
today, Sheriff o. l. Bruner stating
that he prefers to have all the indicted
ones arrested before the names are
made public.
According to summary of its work
as furnishd by the grand jury, there
are 20 true bills returned and as some
of them include more than one name, it
is safe to say that about 40 people have
been indicted. In some instances
there are more than one indictment
against the same persons as in the
three mentioned above.
WILL BE CERTIFIED.
1t is whispered that only three will
be held for trial in the circuit court
and that the remainder of those indict-
ed will have to answer to the county
court to which the cases have been
, certified. This leads to the belief that
, the indictments are for the most part
for minor offenses.
, 1t has also leaked out that some
of the indictments are against the own
ers of houses and apartments used by
! women for illegal purposes. This is
. verified by a special report and recon-
. mendation which accompanied the in.
\ dictments returned by the jury.
q SOON TO ARREST ALL.
/ Sheriff o. l.. Bruner stated this aft
:, ernoon that he expects to have all the
capiases accompanying the various in
dictments, served very shortly. o.
r course if any have skipped town" i'm
l. mediate arrests cannot be effected. NJ
d effort will be spared to reach any who
q thus attempt flight. however.
Q SCORE COURT METHODS.
l. In connection with the 29 indict
s ments which were returned by tn,
e. grand jury, the following report an
recommendation was delivered t
E. Judge E. c. Graves:
b. I'VE, the members of the specia
q. grand jury, summoned to make inquir.
n as to certain conditions existing il
n Rock Island county, and more particu
IS larly in the city of Rock Island, be
a leave to make this special written re
t. port:
Of Although several thousand people
N citizens of both Rock Island and Nc
f. line, were in the vicinity of the Roc
at Island police station, on the night c
ID Tuesday, March 26, it has not bee
n possible for this grand jury to secur
in a witness who could or would, testif
that he was able to identify a single il
dividual who was participating in th
7s riot, except those against whom thi
10 grand jury has returned indictments.
20 MANY witnesses were summonet
~ among the number being well know
an citizens of good reputation, police an
county officials, who testified to seem
-. brickbats thrown and revolvers fire
a into and against the police station, bl
~ the remarkable fact is presented, thu
- not a witness could give the name
ds any one thus violating the law.
:, While the police force in the static
were menaced by force large enougl
bo as they believed, to warrant calling I
- their aid the state militia, they hay
not been able to furnish your gran
jury with the name Of any one who
= they could recognize as being anon
~ their assailants.
- Because of this lack of identiflc
ton, your special grand jury, much I
- their personal regret, are unable
= bring before the court the names
=, those who personally participated
the riot at the police station on Il
night of March 20.
SCORES MULCTING PRACTICE.
es Another matter to which we BE-
". leave to call special attention OF Il
as court is a practice, which, If within OF
De province, We wish to publicly conden
es. as virtually licensing prostitutio
as through a system Of periodically Snir
an females engaged in the practice. the
nd upon payment of the fines assesse
es permitting them TO return 10 the san
his houses or apartments in which tbs
m were arrested, and continue conduC
dy ing, or being inmates OF. houses OF
mt fame, the same as before the I'm
nd were levied, without interference of Il
co. authorities, until such date, which eI
ldence disclosed was at about an int