Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-10
Son Of One Of Men in Bed
ford, Ia, Crime Has New
Version Of 1868 Holdup
STATE is SURE OF CASE
Attorney General Claims to
Have Ample Confederation
Of Mrs. Porter's Story.

Fresno, Cal, July 10.-The Missouri
cattleman and his son who we're mur-
dered ar Siam, Iowa, in 1868, we're
slain by gang of which Frank and
Jesse James were the leaders, accord
ing to c. p Huntsman. a Fresno real
estate man, nephew of Bates Hunts
man, now under arrest at Bedford,
Iowa. Huntsman said today he would
leave for Bedford Immediately to as
sist in the defense of his uncle
Huntsman's father, DR.. c. R Hunts
man. and Bates Huntsman did bury
the bodies and the 100000 belonging
to the cattleman, but did so at the
orders Of the James boys, says the
Fresno man
Tells Story of Murder.
Although not born when the muir
der occurred. he says the story was
told him both by his father and his
uncle, and has been known in the fam
lily for years His story in brief is:
'On the night the two were killed,
Or. Huntsman, who had been visiting
at mis- brothers home. was summoned
to attend Mrs Floyd Collins, who was
Ill in the cabin Of Jonathan Dark.
Bates Huntsmau accompanied the ply
sician just before reaching the cab
in they stumbled on the James boys
and their gang just after fhe murder
had been committed.
''The two men were backed up
against a tree and then Bates Hunts
man was forced, under threat of death.
to bury the two bodies while Dr
Huntsman buried the gold.
Although members OF the family
sought to have DR. Huntsman reveal
the hiding place, he died without Civ
ing its location, although in his later
years he was soreIy touched by pow
erty.'
Cole Younger in Denial,
Lees Summit, Mo, July 10-Frank
and Jesse James had nothing TO do
with killing the unknown Missouri cat
tIeman and his son near Siam, Iowa. /
in 1868. Cole Younger, the only suryiv- /
ing member of the James gang of Mis- /
souri,, said at his home here today /
Younger declared he knew the James
boys were far from Iowa when the
murder was committed.
Suspect Refutes Nephew.
Bedford, Iowa, July 10.-Bates T
Huntsman, uncle OF c. P Huntsman, /
the Fresno. Cal. real estate man. to-
day denied the story told by his rela- +
tive that he and his brother, the late /
DR.. C. r. Huntsman, buried the bodies /
of the Macon. Mo- cattIeman and his (
son, alleged to have been murdered 7
by a couuterfeiters gang near Siam, !
Iowa, in 1858 He declared that he /
was not acquainted with the James F
boys, and knew nothing Of the incl /
dents mentioned by his nephew in the /
Fresno dispatch
Huntsmau was Joined in this denial /
by the three other defendants in the /
case, Samuel Scrfyner, and John and .
Henry Dauewood. Huntsman. how !
ever. admitted that he would have a +
story 10 ten when the hearing was T
called next Tuesday.
Prosecutor is Confident.
Des Moines, Iowa, July Interest
In the so-called Bedford double mur-
der and buried treasure case. in which
four aged men are TO face charges in
the courts of that Iowa town next
Tuesday, was transferred to Des
AIoiues today. c. A Robbins. assist
ant attorney general. and his assist
ants returned to this city during the
night, and q conference on the situa-
ton with Attorney General Cosson
this morning was expected to outline
the course OF action at the forthcom-
ing hearing
According to information here and
1t Bedford, it has been practically
settled that the cattleman who was
murdered and robbed Of 100000 on
he Floyd Collins farm near Siam.
Iowa, in September, 1868, was Natha-
mel Smith of Macon, No. The given
name Of the cattlenan's son, who is
supposed to have met death at the
same time, had not been disclosed ear
y today IN addition to Mrs. Maria
Porter of Quitman, Mo, who as Marie
Collins. a 14-year-old girl, is said TO
nave witnessed the Siam tragedy. the
state will have at least eight other
witnesses, It was claimed here today.
Ir. Robbins and Attorney n. " Bull
nan Of Charlton, Iowa, who is assist
ng the attorney generals Office, spent
yesterday in talking with Witnesses,
but except IN the case Of Mrs. Porter,
CONTINUED On Page FiVe.l :