Iowa
Old Press
Dubuque Herald
Dubuque, Dubuque co. Iowa
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.
[transcribed by K.W., September 2013]
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Dubuque Daily Herald
Dubuque, Dubuque co. Iowa
August 10, 1869
State News
Crane Creek, a new railroad town in Chickasaw county, has a
hotel, store, postoffice, boarding house, and several dwellings,
in operation, all done since June.
The son of Benjamin Morse, of West Union, on Thursday, was
whittling, and severed an artery of the right arm, which must
have proved fatal but for the presence of mind of Mrs. Morse, who
place her thumb above the wound and checked the flow of blood
until the arrival of Dr. Zeigler, who, in a few moments, tied up
the artery and placed the patient out of danger.
On Washington Prairie, Winneshiek county, on the 30th inst.,
Robert Clark, ten years old, was bitten by a rattle-snake, one of
the large yellow kind, half way between the ankle and knee of the
right leg. The boy lived a week, and though the most active
remedies were applied, finally died from the effects of the
poison. The Decorah Republican adds. "Among the sad
features of the disease were the characteristics of the snake
evinced by the patient. The hissing sound, darting the tongue,
the green glary eyes, snapping of the teeth, and contortionso of
the body."
The McGregor Times says that John Dawler has returned
from New York, with information that the railroad directors have
voted to bridge the river at or below South McGregor. The Pocket
city is jubilant.
[Transcribed by S.F., September 2011]