The Bellevue War of 1840

MILLS, BROWN, WILSON, CRAWFORD, WARREN, FOX, BONNER, DAVENPORT

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 1/27/2009 at 10:55:56

Maquoketa Excelsior-Record
March 19, 1914

The Bellevue War of 1840.
How the Citizens of our Sister Town Cleaned Up the Mississippi River Banditti.

Following is an item of interest to every pioneer of this county, written by Q. H. Mills of Tama and appearing recently in the Register and Leader:

When we recall the fact that the pioneers of Iowa were not only men and women brawny, ragged in character but in favor of the enforcement of law and order, we can hardly appreciate the fact that along the Mississippi valley there existed in the forties a band of desperadoes that for a time baffled all efforts of suppression. Along in March 1840, after a series of flagrant violations of the law and of a character to be almost fiendish in their nature some twenty-five of the best citizens of Bellevue met in solemn convention, and after deliberation drew up and signed the following resolutions:

Bellevue, Iowa, March 9, 1840

Whereas, The town of Bellevue is infested with a clan of thieves and counterfeiters whose depredations have become so outrageous that the lives and property of all men are unsafe, and whereas they have become so bold, that they openly defy the law to be enforced against them, and in all cases even counteract the provisions of the law and by that means acquire a legal title to the property and substance of honest men who they can provoke to a suit at law with them which grievances have become so bold and frequent that it is beyond endurance;

We therefore, whose names are hereto attached in order to secure to the inhabitants of the town of Bellevue and to the people of the county generally safety for their property and lives do hereby pledge ourselves each to the other and to the people to expel from the town of Bellevue W. W. Brown (who is known to be the leader of the band) together with all others of like character and occupation and to effect the same we will adopt and prosecute such means as may be deemed advisable by a majority of those who belong to us or may join us, and to support the foregoing resolution we mutually pledge our property, our lives and our sacred word of honor.

These resolutions were calmly read several times and deliberately signed by those present, who also were backed by many citizens by letter who could not be present. Immediately after the adoption of the resolutions a delegation was sent to Dubuque to confer with Thomas S. Wilson, territorial district judge and James Crawford, prosecuting attorney. Both of these gentlemen entered eagerly into bringing matters to a climax. The result of the conference was that information was sworn out before a justice of the peace against W. W. Brown and twenty others charging them with robbery, counterfeiting and conspiracy. These informations were signed and sworn by one Harrington. He knew very well that in placing his signature to the same he was taking his own life in his hands, but he was fearless and did not hesitate. These warrants were placed in the hands of Sheriff W. A. Warren for service. He had hoped that they would surrender peacefully as he promised them that all should have a fair and impartial trial. But when he appeared upon the scene of action at Brown’s hotel it was like throwing a fire brand into their midst.

Brown, who had always heretofore been reasonable and paid due respect to Mr. Warren’s authority, flew into a rage and declared that he could not summon enough men to make the arrest. His followers at once almost became a frenzied mob, and when they were informed that Harrington had sworn to the information, the latter had to flee from town to escape being killed at once, and Sheriff Warren only escaped through the kindness of Mrs. Brown who let him out a back door.

Sheriff Warren, who was a brave level headed and intelligent man, did not propose to be set at defiance, and made up his mind that he would serve the warrants. He took his time for his work and prepared it carefully by sending out scouts, and on the first day of April, 1840, with about forty armed men as a posse, prepared to make the arrest.

On assembling in the street they were greeted with a red flag flying from the roof of Brown’s hotel. The posse was unanimous in opinion to make a forward and forced raid on the building. But Sheriff Warren insisted that he would make the arrest peacefully if possible. His friends sought to deter him, but he was firm in his resolve and alone approached the house for the purpose of serving the warrants. He was admitted, and he stated his business.

“You propose to arrest us?” said Brown.
“Yes,” replied Warren, “that is my idea.”
“That is if you can?” replied Brown.
"There is no if about it.” Said Warren. “I have a posse of forty armed men at my back and I am going to make the arrest.”

This led to a parley, and Brown finally said that he would bring four men with him (naming the men) and they would pledge their honor to him that all should have a fair trial, they would surrender. This Mr. Warren gladly assented to and retired to secure his men. It was about an hour before he could get them together, and they proceeded to the hotel. When within about twenty yards gained possession of the first story of Brown and five of his associates appeared on the porch and ordered a halt. He then informed them that he had changed his mind and wished another conference with Mr. Warren alone.

Under the strenuous objection of his friends, once more Mr. Warren entered the hotel. Brown coolly told him that the men were not infamed with liquor and would not consent to a surrender and that they proposed to hold him as a hostage, and a breast work for the targets of the posse’s bullets should they attempt to raid the building. Mr. Warren replied that he was in their power and would have to abide by the results, but that they would have to surrender. After waiting some time and Sheriff Warren failing to appear the posse under the leadership of Colonel Coz began to move towards the citadel. Brown again changed his mind and opening the door thrust Warren out. As soon as he had joined his friends, his posse moved steadily forward. Mr. Warren’s orders were not to fire until fire was opened from within, which was soon done.

Then the firing became general. A moment later Brown himself appeared upon the porch and leveled a rifle towards the crowd, but before he touched the trigger he was shot through the heart.

The loss of their leader dampened the ardor of the besieged, but they still kept up a fight, all gathering in the upper story. Warren’s men soon gained possession of the first story of the building, and the men upstairs still continued the fight, it was ordered to burn the building, and the flames were started. This caused a stampede and the bandits began to flee over the roof of a shed in the rear.

The fire then was extinguished and the posse engaged in securing the prisoners. Five of them escaped but six were captured. Of the posse five were killed. With five of their comrades lying dead there was never a more fitting time for a general lynching than at that moment. The citizens were infuriated and the cries of revenge went up from every side. Had it not been for the persistent efforts of Sheriff Warren and the venerable Colonel Cox there could have been no question of the result. But at last the crowd was calmed and the prisoners put under a strong guard.

That night a convention of citizens was held to determine what should be done with the prisoners. Sheriff Warren insisted that the law should take its course; that he should be allowed to return his warrants as there in directed. Colonel Cox read the resolutions that appeared before and insisted that they should be dealt with as a majority should declare, that these prisoners had many and strong friends, that there was no jail in the county, and that they must be driven from the county with such an admonition that they would never return or meet with death.

His view prevailed, and it was agreed on the next day a meeting should be held at ten o’clock to determine the result. Precautions had been taken so that the people should not be infamed with liquor for every barrel and cask in Brown’s hotel was emptied of its contents in the street. On the following morning before the time for the gathering of the jury of citizens a steamboat came down the river from Dubuque and among the passengers was James Crawford, prosecuting attorney.

When the meeting was organized, he championed the idea of Sheriff Warren that the prisoners should be turned over to the officers of the law and abide the judgment of the courts. But the tide was too strong against him and his plea had no effect. The cry of lynching was started by the hot headed, but the more cool and deliberate argued that they should not punish crime by committing a worse one. At last two alternatives were placed before the meeting. First, to lynch; Second, to give them a severe whipping with the assurance of death if ever they returned, and to be turned loose in a skiff on the Father of Waters.

They went about deciding this matter in a deliberate and methodical manner. An improvised ballot box was brought into action and a trusted committee was selected to give each person two beans, one black and one white. The black bean meant death the white bean the milder punishment.

When all was ready the ballot box was passed and each voter arose to his feet and dropped in the fatal bean. There was a breathless silence in the assembled throng while the beans were being counted, which resulted in one bean in favor of the whipping penalty. The prisoners were then required to stand up while the verdict was announced. It was a terrible moment for them, as they knew that they were standing in the shadow of death. When the verdict was made known to them they expressed their gratitude and their humility was wonderful.

They were given twenty-five lashes and persons were selected to administer them who were experts in that line. About sundown of the same day furnished with a few loaves of bread, they were pushed into the river in a skiff and sent down stream, with the assurance should they ever return death stood in the doorway for them.

They never came back.

About two weeks later Sheriff Warren received word that Fox was over on the island opposite the town and wished to see him. Mr. Warren thought perhaps that it was a scheme to get him over there alone and wreak vengeance on him, and took an escort with him. He approached the island and Fox came crawling out of the bushes, haggard, ragged and dirty. He had the reputation of being always the best dressed man of the outlaws. He told Mr. Warren that he was about half starved and nearly naked, which was true; that Mrs. Brown had some money of his that he had left with her for safe keeping and he wished Mr. Warren to get it for him. It was undoubtedly stolen money, but Mr. Warren pitying his forlorn condition consented. He called upon the bereaved widow, who has been described as a very amiable lady, cultured and well educated. She very quickly responded to this appeal, and not only turned over to Warren $400 in money but sent Fox a god suit of clothes.

Six years later when Edward Bonner had secured the confidence of this criminal he admitted to him that the first horse he ever stole was under the direction of Brown. That he was nearly whipped to death by the Bellevue people, and sometime he would have his revenge. But when he received the news that he was indicted for the murder of Colonel Davenport, he changed his mind.

The action of the citizens of Bellevue had a salutary effect. It broke up the den of outlaws and made it a good and prosperous town. They never came back. From that time on they had no headquarters on Iowa soil. They maintained stations through the “Big Woods” south of there as far down the river as St. Louis. But they were only stations.