Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-04
NEGRO SLAYER
OF MEXICAN Is
HELD BY POLICE
James Porter, Owner of Third
Avenue Dive, Confesses
Crime to Detectives.
CLAIM IS SELF DEFENSE
Victim Murdered In Resort and Body
Dumped in AIIey-BIood Stains
Betray.

James Porter. the negro proprietor
Of an underworld resort, located in
the heart Of the black belt. 1921 Third
avenue, is behind the bars OF the coun-
~ jail, charged with the murder of
Louis Rodigruel, the Mexican, who
was slain Thursday night. the body
being found in an alley at the rear Of
the dive early yesterday morning. The
Rock Island police turned one of the
neatest tricks in the annals of the
Rock Island force by capturing their
man and obtaining a confession from
him in less than - hours after the
killing. Porter was placed under ar
rest yesterday morning at 10 O'Clock.
but the police withheld the informa-
ton with an idea of absolutely fasten-
ing guilt upon him before the capture
was made public.
AT the coroner's inquest this morn
ing. held at the O'Mslley undertaking
parlors, the jury found that the Mex
lean was killed by a gun shot wound
inflicted by James Porter" and rec
jury without bail.
PRISONER CONFEsSES.
The theory advanced yesterday that
the Mexican had been slain in re.
sort and the body dragged into the
alley. was established after the police
had wrung a confession from Porter.
RodigrueS and a Mexican companion.
Serapho Domingues. entered the dive
at 1921 Third avenue, shortly before
IL o'clock on the fatal Thursday night.
Both Of them had been drinking heav.
ily Three girls we're in the place
at the time, Jean Martin, Eva LLOYD
and Bessie Green, all colored. They
we're playing cards in a dance hall al
the rear of the resort when the Mex,
leans entered.
RodigrueS made overtures TO the
Martin girl, who spurned his atten
tons. Enraged because of the refusal
the Mexican pulled a revolver from
his companions pocket and threatened
10 Kill her. jim Porter. proprietor
OF the dive, hearing the uproar. en-
tered the room and tried to eject the
Mexican, but was unsuccessful. He
then ran out to get the police. he said
Two Of the girls ran out doors, while
the Martin woman rushed into the
front room. Rodigrue1 followed her
revolver in hand, threatening to SHOOT
her.
Porter then returned, and shovinl
his head through the hall door e
get the lay The Mexican ther
wheeled and pointing the gun at tn,
negro's head, fired point blank. tn,
bullet crashing into the plaster a sew
inches from the mark. Porter thei
made dash for the kitchen. closel,
pursued by the insane Mexican. il
this room the two men grappled. an
IN self defense. according TO the CLAIM
made TO the police, Porter whippe
out his 3S-Calibre revolver and sho
Rodigruez, who dropped to the foo
In a pool Of blood.
CARRIES CORPSE TO ALLEY.
Fearing detection OF the crime
Porter picked up the corpse. carrie
II unassisted through the back yarC
and dumped IL into a dark shadow /
the alley. He then returned. and S,
curing a mop attempted to eradicat
the blood stains which we're seepin
into the floor
When the shooting began Domil
CUES, the companion OF the slain maj
rushed from the house and slept in
box car until morning. when he wa
found by the police, He was unawar