Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-06-23
TROUBLE OVER WOMAN
Frank Rochelle Is Critically In
juTed-Then Infuriated
Soldier Suicides.
DEAD.
EDWARD PATRICK, coIored.
EDWARD BENTON, eoIored.
SERIOUSLY INJURED.
FRANK ROCHELLE, coIored.

Stealing upon his companion with
whom he had quarreled over a woman
named Gussie Jones of Davenport,
Trooper Edward Benton this morning
at $3.50 murdered Edward Patrick, SER
iously injured Frank Rochelle and
then committed suicide at their bar
racks at the Rock Island arsenal. All
of the participants in the tragedy are
colored and had been at the arsenal
about a year for the purpose of be-
coming saddlers and were to have
returned the first of July to their OVID
troops, being members of the Ninth
and Tenth cavalry Of the United
States regular army.
WOMAN Is CAUSE
From what can be learned concern
ing the shooting affair both Patrick
and Benton were infatuated with a
colored damsel who is alleged to be
in a resort in Davenport and whose
name is Gussie Jones. There had been
bad blood between the two for some
time over the girl and Benton is al
legged to have had a deep seated
q dye against Patrick which grew in
intensity daily until he could no long
er control himself and the tragedy re-
suited.
According TO the best information
obtainable, five colored troopers occu-
pied quarters at the barracks together.
At 5.25 this morning Benton arose and
taking an old fashioned 45-calibre re-
volver which was evidently his own
property and not oil the kind used by
the government, he crept TO the bed
where Patrick lay sleeping. He fired
twice al the reclining figure, tearing
the back part OF Pajrick's head in
frightful fashion. Startled by the
shooting. Private Frank Rochelle,
Troop !. Ninth cavalry, started TO
arise and get out of bed, but the in.
furiated soldier fired twice at him
one bullet taking effect in the left
shoulder and the other in the right
breast BY this time all of the occu
pants of the room were awakened but
before anyone could reach him, Ben
ton turned the weapon on himself and
committed suicide, firing one shot into
his right temple, death resulting in q
few minutes.
CRITICALLY WOUNDED.
Frank Rochelle was rushed to st
Anthouy's hospital, in this city, anC
given every attention. He is in 1
critical condition but it is believed
his injuries are not fatal. Being OIL
government property no inquest viii
be held but Lieutenant Colonel George
w. Burr, commandant at the arsenal
Immediately appointed a board of in
quiry composed of Major Hof, Captain
Norton and Lieutenant Budd TO MAKE
a thorough investigation and report
Relatives OF the deceased have beer
notified of the shooting and asked a
TO the disposition of the bodies.
no other instructions are received, tn,
remains Of the two men will be lait
at rest in the national cemetery at tn
arsenal
BEEN HERE YEAR
All of the men implicated had beef
at the arsenal for a year for the puI
pose OF receiving instructions relativ
to becoming saddlers and the first O
next month were to have left for thel
own troops, the Ninth and Tenth cay
alries Patrick's home was at Obelikf
Ala. His mother, Mrs. Ellen Patrick
resides at that place. The decease
was % years OF age. Benton cam
from Pratt City. Pa. and leaves
brother. Elijah, residing there. Wher
Benton got the 45-calibre weapon
unknown as II must have emma frOT
the outside. II had contained 81