The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-27

A report gained currency in Rock
Island ysst4rdsy that John Looney,
fugitive from Justice. had COM
mittsd suicide In . Denver hospital.
The report grew % persistent that
The Argus Investigated, and found
that It was untrue.
Looney, since his disappearance
from the city following his indict-
ment BY the federal grand jury at
Peoria, has been reported seen in
numerous cities about the country.
and there have been those who have
insisted that he was seen about the
tri-cities. But federal and state Of
ficials, by both of whom he is now
II sought, scout the theory that he il
or has been In this vicinity since he
first vanished.
The theory that is given most
support is that Looney is in hiding
in New Mexico, where he has
ranch OF several Thousand acres,
although there are doubts that he is
In the county where his ranch is
located because Of the fact that
there Is hanging over him there an
Indictment charging him with as
sault with deadly weapon.
A Rock Island attorney who has
had dealings with Looney for rs
years, said yesterday: ut is my
belief that John Looney is never
going to be returned to Rock Island
alive. He is not the type that would
destroy himself because of remorse,
but he might destroy himself il he
we're cornered and faced the pros
pect OF imprisonment, for it is fact
well known among his acquaint-
ances that Looney has always
dreaded prison walls. l predict that
Looney will keep a safe distance
from the authorities as long as he
can and that he will not submit
peaceably to arrest if he is dis
covered. Looney realizes that he
is without friends or power in Rock
Island If he is returned here ne
must face the battle alone, save
for what legal assistance he is able
to engage. He knows that he has a
long fight ahead of him here and he
Is going to avoid 1t il possible.
Looney has always liked to impress
people with his personal bravery.
That is quality that he lacks alb
solutely. In his younger days he
was quite athletic, but you must
remember he u now an old man,
broken in health, shorn Of his
power, without friends, and with
nothing to gain but grief in Rock
Island, the scene Of his past, tri-
umphs. He has some money. but
1t isn't going to do him much good
in his present predicament. Further
more, he has deserted those who
stood by him In his darkest days in
Rock Island. Even they are now
embittered against him."
Looney Is said to have left Rock
Island owing $1,000 to his CHIEF
lieutenant, Lawrence M. Pedigo
who is now in county Jail because
he can't furnish bail on two grand
jury indictments. Pedigo has wife
and two young children who are
left in poor circumstances. Pedigt
looked after Looney's interests fol
weeks after the latter had flown, bu
1t Is said that all he received fol
his services was from the sale o.
the Rock Island News, and wheI
that publication was suspended h,
was left without any income.
Attorneys have visited Pedigo a
the county Jail, but they have statet
that there is little likelihood al
effort will be made to secure hi
release on bail, as the amount de
manded is beyond the reach O
Pedigo at present, with such of hi
friends as remain in the city havin,
difficulties themselves in meetin
the bond requirements Of the court
Friends are said to be urging Pedig
to make clean breast Of whateve
connection he had with crimes h
is charged with having participate
in Pedigo has been impresse
with the fact that his best frien
at the present time is the state Q
Illinois