The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-10-06


the mele started.
The revolver battle started sol
suddenly, swept along so wildly and
fiercely that residents along the
block ran for cover. They caught
only feeting glimpses Of the par
ticipants and their stories when the
conflict quieted down were at wide
variance.
1t was halt an hour after the
battle that news Of Dr0st's injury
was received. He was found in a
saloon at 1926 Third avenue and
taken to the police station, where
Acting Chief William Ftzsimmons
subjected him to a rigid quiz.
Drost was closeted' with the chief
and no one was allowed to speak
to him pending the first inquiry.
From the many conflicting stor-
les of the incidents which lead up
to this latest demonstration, OF the
underworld turmoil it appeared
that John Looney, Sr., and his son,
reached the Sherman few min
utes before 2 o'clock. Immediately
behind them came Lawrence
Pedigo in his. car. He parked back
of the Looney machine. The cars
had turned off Second avenue.
Young Looney and Pedigo left the
machine and walked across to the
hotel.
There was no excitement then
and nothing indicated that the trio
anticipated an outbreak.
Opening Of Battle.
Soon two big cars-a red one and
a black one-swung off Third ave-
nue. from the west. The machines
pulled up opposite the Looney and
Pedigo cars in the middle of the
street. They were filed with men.
The men stood up, pulled revolvers,
and the greatest gun fight in the
history of this city. battle that
eclipsed the riots Of 10 years ago,
was on. Pedigo and Looney were
on the street and they started to-
ward the hotel lobby. Looney fell.
Probably the first shot fired got
him. Witnesses said he made futile
effort to use his revolver. Appar-
emily it was soon emptied. 1t was
i at this point, Allguyer was wound
ed. He is said to have started to-
ward Looney and before he reached
the wounded man, toppled over,
with a bullet in his stomach.
Pedigo reached the hotel lobby
Within few seconds bullets pour
ed out of the second floor windows
Of the Sherman and the crowd
which had been attracted at the
first volley Of shots, swung back as
lead whizzed over their heads and
the bullets cracked along the pave.
ment.
1t was the end of the battle
though, for the two big machincs
probably out of ammunition, swune
and tore up Third avenue. Police
were on their trail but at 3 O'Clock
had made no arrests and were an.
parently uninfOrmed of the identity
OF the men who participated in the
pitched battle with the Looney.
Pedigo forces. Drost's connection
with the shooting has not been es.
tablished.
! Drost and Looney broke" more
than two years ago. when Drost wal
jailed because OF activities of th<
News in Davenport. Drost served
. year in Scott county Jail and
when he was released started +,
weekly In opposition to The News
1t was short-lived but indicated 9
serious breach between the former
News employe and Looney.
Bystander Shot.
+ Albert ]. Allguyer OF Brooklyn
| N. T., was seriously IL not fatally
wounded when he rushed to the
scene Of the shooting. He wal
carried to Martins cigar store .,
the corner of Seventeenth stree
and Second avenue and stretched
out on the floor near the entrance
He was wounded Just below thu
). ribs on the left side. He bled pro
fusely and his clothing was soon {
L soggy mass of gore. His story