Iowa Old Press
Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
July 10, 1845
HORRIBLE MURDER
Between 1 and 2 o'clock of the afternoon of the 4th of July, Col. George
Davenport, of this place, was murdered at his residence on the Island. The
atrocity was attended by such horrible particulars, that we would be spared
the taks of relating them. Robbery was the objective- murder the means. Mr.
Davenport was our oldest and most wealthy citizen, and whose name our town
bears. For some time past he had been apprehensive of an attack upon his
house for the purpose of robbery, as he had a considerable amount of money
about his premises, and there were a good many suspicious looking persons in
the neighborhood- Indeed one or two noted and known villians, strangers to
the towns of Davenport and Rock Island. He had ever night carefully fastened
his house, and prepared himself to repel any attempt at robbery.
On the afternoon of the 4th, his family and servants had all gone to the
town of Rock Island to attend thecelebration, and he was left alone at his
house, although there were many persons strolling about on the island. A
short time after 1 o'clock he went out for a pitcher of water. [ This he
relates himself, as he lived after his injuried until evening.] He had just
set down the pitcher on his return, when he heard a noise in the next room
made by the fall of a poker with which he had fastened a back window. Col.
Davenport arose and stepped towards the door opening to a back room. Here he
was met by three men, one of whom fired a pistol, teh ball taking effect in
Col. D's thigh. He rushed back to his seat for a cane, seized it, and while
in the act of striking, was hurled to the floor, his hands instantly tied
with bark and his eyes blind-folded. His pistols were in a closet. The
villians for a moment left him, having obtained the keys of his iron safe;
but being unable to unlock it, they dragged their victim upstairs by the
heels. Here, by a pool of blood, he was apparently made to kneel and open
the safe.- He was now taken to an adjoining room and thrown upon a bed,
where he was repeatedly choked, and revived by the use of water, til it was
with great difficulty he could breathe. Their object was to discover more
money. They took from his person while in bed, about $500 in Missouri bills.
It is supposed that while thus they choked him he pointed to a drawer in the
library the other side of the room. A drawer was opened by the villians,
next to the one to which he pointed, but it contained only a small amount of
money, and they did not discover their mistake. A debate now took place
between the robbers, in the hearing of their victim, upon his death. Two
were for killing and burning him in his house. But it was finally concluded
among them to let him remain in his present situation- so they hastily
departed, and for the time escaped. One of the robbers opposed to burning
Col. D. was he who fired the shot. The number of villians is not known, but
as an office of one wing of the house was broken open and the trunks in it
scattered about, at the same time the horrible scene was being enacted
within the house, it is presumed that there was at least some five or six.
We have thus given the particulars of one of the most cold blooded and
horrible atrocities which we recollect ever to have heard being committed in
a civilized community, in broad day-light, and for paltry plunder. Bold, and
bloody as it was bold, we hope the authorities will not rest till the
villians receive punishment for so deep a crime. Mr. Davenport lingered till
9 o'clock that evening- breathing and speaking with great difficulty. His
death was not occasioned probably by any one wound, but by a combination of
causes. There had been persons of Mr. Davenport's acquaintance calling but a
few minutes previous to the entrance of the robbers; and some called a few
moments after their departure. Mr.D. was found on the bed with the pitcher
lying at his side. He was immediately taken care of. Three men passing by in
a skiff, heard the cry of murder. One of them insisted on stopping, but the
others refused to get out.- However, the man was landed,and he proceeded
immediately to the house, and was first to enter, and discover the horrible
deed. The cry was also heard on this side of the river. The report spread
hastily, but the people instead of commencing instant pursuit after the
robbers, thronged to see the victim.
The funeral of Col. Davenport took place last Sunday at 12 o'clock from his
late residence on the island. A very large number of persons were in
attendance.- The services were performed by Dr. Goldsmith, of the Episcopal
church of this town. The deceased was buried on his own premises in a
beautiful spot, overshadowed by a large oak tree.
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