Benton County Murder Case

MCQUINN, HODGES, YUILL

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/26/2013 at 21:48:12

Dubuque Herald, August 7, 1869

THE BENTON COUNTY MURDER CASE-MCQUINN DISCHARGED
Reported specially for the Dubuque Herald

Quite a marked degree of interest has been manifested in this city over the charge and preliminary examination of Hon. James McQuinn, of Benton County, for the alleged murder, by poisoning, of Edward Hodges, at Norway station, Florence post office, Benton County, some time last winter. The examination was carried on privately, and occupied about two weeks time, upon the conclusion of which Justice Yuill announced that he had failed, after having sat two weeks, patiently and unprejudiced, listening to the testimony, to find a single point of evidence in any manner connecting the accused with the committal of the alleged crime, and therefore released him.

Mr. McQuinn is one of the most prominent, and most highly respected men in Benton County, having represented her interests in the legislature, held the position of president of the board of supervisors, and is one of the directors of the state blind asylum at Vinton. He is the last man anyone but a prejudiced, revengeful and unprincipled enemy, from motives of personal hatred, would even suspect of any crime against any law of our state-much less of the grave and capital crime of which he is accused.