The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-08-19
$4,000
REWARD FOR
MUROERERS
Solution of Gabel Crime
Sought by Board Of
! Supervisors.

County supervisors in special
session yesterday afternoon decid-
ed to offer a reward Of $1,000 for
the apprehension and conviction of
the murderer or murderers Of Bill
Gabel, Rock Island saloon keeper.
who was killed Aug. /. N
Supervisor w. F. Bradley was
the author Of the resolution, which
was finally drafted to read as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That a reward not
exceeding $1,000 be and is
hereby offered for the appre-
hension and conviction Of the
murderer or murderers Of
William C. Gabel, and that the
judiciary committee Of the
board, be and is hereby au-
thorized to cooperate with the
states attorney in taking the
necessary steps leading to the
Offering of such reward"
In introducing his resolution, Mr..
Bradley said he had taken steps
to bring about special session Of
the board after consultation with
the states attorney and with fel-
low members. The press and the
people Of the city, he said. had
made many comments upon the
murder, and the demand for the
apprehension Of the guilty parties
was still insistent.
All sorts OF rumors have been in
circulation, he affirmed, and added
that he himself had heard the
names Of five men mentioned in
connection with the murder.
This community will never pro-
gress." Mr.. Bradley declared, "un-
til we make it measurably free
from vice and crime. Citizens Of
Rock Island should not be sub
jected to the fear Of being sand,
bagged or shot. l am Tor a re-
ward, not SO much because the
murdered man was Bill Gabel, but
for the principle at stake"
States Attorney B. s. Bell, be-
fore the passage of the resolution
outlined the history of the case
the rumored police shake-up, and
the rumored federal raids, and
said that the press and public
were uniting in, the demand thai
the murderer be apprehended.
Reflections on Officials.
He said further that the charge
had been made that public official.
were not doing their duty, and thai
Bill Gabel was killed because hs
was giving evidence against hi.
former associates. The press, ht
continued, had openly charged tha
vice has existed and is still exist
ing without any suppression.
Gas for me-" said Mr.. Bell, ",
am willing to accept the responsi
bility that is mine. If the polio,
cannot suppress vice, I will sup
press it if the means are put il
my power. l make no criticisms o
the police force or the sheriff,
staff. I shall cooperate with both
The board should authorize its VIC
committee to Suppress vice in thiI
community, and the board shoult
offer a reward for the apprehen
sion, indictment and conviction o
Gabels murderers.
a. There are many factions in tn,
city Of Rock Island" he continued
"and there is a class here whicl
ekes out an existence by following
avocations in which they violate
the law. They are Of the sort, who
if issued soft drink bar licens'
will operate brothel in connec
ton with it. These men will no
compete fairly in the struggle o
life, and they invariably 60 beyon'
the law"
Supervisor George B. Buck, Mo
line, questioned the wisdom Of OF
fering Of a reward on the groun,
that the real murderers of Bill
Gabel would perpetuate frame
up" on some innocent man an,
send him to the penitentiary. HI
was in doubt if the board was 20
ing at the matter in the right way
Mr.. Buck took the ground tina
it was the duty Of the Rock ISLAM
(Conti,ued on Page Fpur.)