Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-10-09
ROCK ISLAND VICE.
GANG KILL NEGRO
IN End SHOOTING
CITY Is STIRRED AGAINST UN.
DERWORLD IN LATEST KILLING
TART QUIZ INTO JOHN
LooNEY JR. Staying.

Rock Island, H., Oct. 9.-EXperi-
encing Saturday night its second un.
derworld murder in the space ~
scarcely thirtysix hours, Rock Island
became freshly concerned yesterday
in the formulation of emergency meas
ures to bring about a thorough purS-
ing of the city OF organized vice.
Though the latest murder, that OF
James CDude") Bowen, reputed head
OF the colored gambling element
created upon the surface no more pub
lie stir than did the spectacular shoot
ing to death Friday of John c. Looney
Jr., the latest Staying emphasizes,
civic leaders declare, the utter neces-
sity OF hurting the full strength of the
body polite aeaist the vice lords pow
erful organizations.
Rock Island ministers RETAINED gen
orally in their sermons yesterday from
specifically referring to the two tras'
edies. II was noted, however, that IN
most of the city's churches special
emphasis was placed upon prayers for
our city
Z While the Staying OF Bowen, in it.
self, could not be traced by ONO ais
in any way to the shooting of young
I,oopey. the latest murder is taken as
proof positive OF the undated flourish
ing of lawles9ness and vice in the
community,
Bowen was reputed king of gam
bling ard bootlegging activities in the
colored section Charles Hunter, 10
wear old rambler, who served eley N
years in Joliet for murder. is being
sought IS the slayer.
Hunter had spent an evening CAMP
ling heavily in one o. Bowen's places,
it is said, and having lost several hun
bred dollars, he hotly accused Bowen
OF furnishing crooked dice, ana
threatened to 'squeal' to the police
Bowen followed him from the house
ard few moments later his bullet
riddled body was found.
Prohibition agents. whose attention
has continually been drawn TO Rock
Island. are said to believe the town is
being utilized by bootlcggers as a
clearing enter" for the wide distri-
button of booze.
Shipments of whisky originating at
Peoria, and even in Canada, it is re-
ported, are brought by rail or river to
Rock Island and distributed to such
centers as st. Louis, New Orleans and
Chicago
John Looney, alleged head OF the
invisible empire, reported in prac-
1 teal control OF both county and city
governments, and agreed as beingrthe
I intended target for the bullets which
I killed his son, spent most of tn day
in seculsion of his home Except for
a brief visit under heavy guard to the
MoelleE morgue. where lies his son
body the elder Looncy was not seen
! upon the streets during the day.
Likewise in seclusion under an
equally heavy guard was Anthony W.
Billburg, alleged head OF the anti
Looncy forces, released under $4,000
bonds following his arrest on charge
of numbering young Looney.
Three others. also held for murder,
are making strenuous fight for re-
lease on bonds, it became known. AS
sistant States Attorney Edward l.,
Eagle, in charge of the case. announc-
ed he will fight to the last ditch to
prevent the granting Of bonds for the
trio.
3 Coroner Maberry will begin an in
guest heaing today, he said but con
tinuance will probably be requested
sly Mr.. Eagle. pending completion of
his investigation.