Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-24
MExICANS BOUND
OVER AS SLAyERS
Coroncr's Jury Completes Investiga-
ton Of Death Of Nicholas
4. Cracraft-
FOUR ARE HELD IN COUNTY JAIL
Authorities Are Convinced They Have
Men Responsible for Shooting OF
IOwan in SiIviS Yards.

Inquiry into the death of Nicholas
Almo Cracraft. the result of his be
ing shot on the night of June 10 in
the Silvis yards. has been brought to
a close by the coroner's jury with a
verdict charging four McXicans with
murder. The men who are held in
the Rock Island Jail waiting action
by the next grand jury are Jose Maria
Perez, THE little Mexican king" Mi
giel Villa Nueva. George Piepone and
Juan Fernando.
The untiring search by county Off
Gals for evidence which would prove
identity Of the murderers ended late
Saturday when they laid before the
jury the facts pointing to the guilt of
the four MeXicans held in custody.
The states case is said TO be clear
one States Attorney F. Z. ThOmp-
son viii seek indictments for murder.
Probability is that the court will be
called upon TO appoint lawyer for
the defense
Cracraft was shot in the Silvis yards
late the night of June 10 by Mexicans
with whom he had engaged in a mid
night reveIry. according TO evidence
brought out during the inquest He
was left on the ground to die alone,
but was fOlnd early the next morning,
moaning and unconscious, by a labOrer
on his way TO work,
The victim was taken TO the Moline
city hospital For days he lowered
between life and death, his recovery
being expected at one time by physi-
clans The end came the night of
June y.
Identifies AssailantS.
He was able TO give a statement on
his deathbed, identifying his assail-
cd in Of hn
bed. one by one. Arrests were made
by the coroner and sherih's Office
within "a hours after the shooting.
This statement, given clearly and dis
tinCtly as the shaking finger of the
dying man pointed ont the men whose
attack cost him his life, will be one
of the states strongest links in the
chain OF evidence it hopes to make.
Cracraft, according to the story he
gave in the hospital. left Mount AyT,
iowa. his home. the afternoon of June
16- He went to De5 Noines. where he
got a job painting. This occupied Fri
day, Saturday and Sunday Of that
week. Monday he decided to 20 TO De-
trCit and seek work in the Ford fac
tory
Although he had considerable mon
ey on his person. Cracraft preferred
TO beat his way on a freight train. He
got as far as Silvis and jumped off. !
shortly after the evening of Monday,
June l ..
He started to cross the Yards. With
a full moon. the railroad yard was
almost as light as if il were day
Hearing the notes Of music, coming
from a guitar. he crossed TO the box
car from which the music came
knocked, and was invited in hv one Of
the Mexican occupants. In that box
car were the men now in the county
Jail.
Cracraft participated in the card
game and drank considerable liquor,
It is said. He was not intoxicated
when he prepared TO leave, however
II was then that the attack was made
upon him by four men, while one Of
them pulled the trigger. Evidence not
brought ont in the cOroner's probe, .
but held by county authorities. is ex-
pected TO establish definitely which of
the four pulled the trigger They saw
his shirt bosom covered speedily with
blood. as the man sank, unconscious, (
on the ground Then they left him to
die alone.
Slain for Money.
Meanwhile, apparently asleep, but
with his ears open and mind alert. the 4
man who later turned "squawk" and /
who Will be called upon to testify in (