The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-20

E8HIy 9SpUI0 03lQ fS0IBO Wa
placed In solitary confinement
This Morning It was learned that
he d being detained in the bull
pen, whefe all other prisoners Of
the jail enjoy social intercourse.
No one from the outside, Of course,
10 allowed 70 eoaverse with Pedi-
50 unless given special permission.
Pedigo today was arranging for
his defense. His first step was to
retain James Hanley, Davenport
ttorney. w. A. Allen Of Rock Is
land, who represents Pedigo in the
charge Of carrying concealed weap-
ons and in the county court liquor
case, was uncertain whether he
would be counted in on the defense
against murder.
One of the first steps Of Pedigo's
attorney. it is Understood, will be
an effort to gain the release from
Jail of the defendant by a writ of
habeous corpus and furnishing OF
bonds. At noon> today no such
move had been undertaken.
Facts Come Easier.
The arrest of Pedigo and the abb
sence of John Looney from the city
is said to have acted like a tonic
on the nerves of numerous impor-
tant witnesses on underworld OPP
erations. Heretofore these wit
nesses, all of whom have been un-
der surveillance, assumed an atti-
tude of sullen silence and it was
even feared by the authorities that
the moment an arrest in the Gabel
murder case was made the wit
nesses would attempt to leave for
parts unknown. That accounted
for the alacrity with which wit
nesses were rounded up and lodged
in Jail. This morning, however, all
but Fred Sinclair and Roy Hill
lard, Looney employees, had been
released under promises to remain
in the city. Mr.. and Mrs. Frank
Spangler, who admitted their con-
nections with the Looney gang,
were allowed their freedom on
their own recognizance to appear
when wanted. Oliver Boswell, who
was night clerk at the Sherman
hotel, Psdigo's place Of business,
said he couldn't leave the city even
if he wanted to. "Pedigo owes me
money, but what good does that
do ?-he told the officers.
Practically all of the witnesses
showed an inclination TO talk
whenever they are called upon.
The Investigators lean to the theory
that the incarceration Of Pedigo
and the disappearance of Looney
has removed the cloak of fear
which-has served to keep many
mouths closed All of Looney's
employees who have been ques-
TONED, claim that the fugitive owes
them money for services rendered.
Reports were circulated today
bearing grounds for belief that
Louis Ortell, one Of Looney's leu
tenants, is also on the verge Of a
break with his chief. Those who
were left in the city apparently do
not like the job of holding the
sack"
Joe Richards, also known as Joe
the .Gadget, who has been missing
from Rock Island for some weeks,
was a visitor in the city Saturday.
Richards did not indicate whether
he overlooked something in the Rex
hotel, of which place he was pro-I
prietor, or what really brought him
back. At any rate the authorities
would like to question Joe about al
few things. He could not be To-
Gated today.
Pedigo, when talking to an Ar
gus reporter, spoke 1disparagingly
of Joe the Gadget Pedigo claims
that Joe left town at the instiga-
ton of the "other side" in the gang
war after being presented with
handsome sum Of money. But Pedi-
60 says the only thing Joe can be
indicted for is running a house Of
prostitution, and it is understood
that Richards, anticipating such an
indictment, returned to the city
Saturday to arrange to furnish
bonds.
1t is predicted that the grand
jury will be in session at'least the
remainder of the week when it re-
convenes tomorrow morning. The
evidence in the cases is far reach
ing and of such immense volume
that several days will likely be re-
quired to consider every matter. H.
S. Mosher, mad of the state inves-
tigators. became actively involved
in the taking OF statements Of wit
nesses on Nov. /. He has averaged
about seven witnesses a day since
then, including Sundays. The work
has been exhaustive enough to keep
three stenographers busy.
When arrested Pedigo and Sim
clair told Mr.. Mosher- that they
were not planning a getaway from
the city. but were intending to 90 to
Chicago and complete arrange
ments for selling the Rock Island
News plant. Sinclair claims that
Looney authorized him to do this in
settlement of wages and debts ow-t
ing to himself and other employees.
1t is reported that the plans called
for the sale of the plant to a.
group of negroes, who aim to give
the tri-cities a weekly devoted to !
the interests of the negro race.
Eight horses and one pony be-
longing to John Looney were
shipped from Rock Island Satur-
day to Frank Hamblin at Monera,
N. II. The state Investigators be-
lieve Pedfgo was really planning
to follow in the wake OF the horses. |
The consignment OF horseflesh was
made by Fred ]. Ward, well-known
in Rock Island as a horse trader.
~ T.