Iowa Old Press
unknown Davenport newspaper, likely the Gazette, as reprinted in
the Hamilton Freeman
February 4, 1874
Mrs. Ramsdell, of Davenport, Iowa, left her little babe asleep in bed the other evening, while she stepped out to gossip with a neighbor. Returning in half an hour, she discovered about half a dozen large rats in the act of eating the child. On her entering the room they ran into a hole which led to the cellar. The child was literally covered with blood. The rats had gnawed the head in many places, eaten part of the ears and nose, the outer corner of the eyes, and nibbled at the fingers. Medical aid was called and the wounds dressed. It was pronounced out of danger, but will probably be disfigured for life.
[transcribed by J.M., November 2014]
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The Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
February 19, 1874
The Murder of Mrs. Brownlie - AWFUL MURDER
! Mrs. A.W. Brownlie at Long Grove Assassinated
Particulars of the Tragedy - A Most Cold Blooded Deed-
Presence of her Children-Absence of the Husband-
Burglars Enter the House
An infamous, unprovoked, as well as unaccountable murder as ever was perpetrated in this State, was committed at Long Grove, Winfield Township, in this county, last evening. The victim was Mrs. Lizzie Brownlie, daughter of Hon. Hugh M. Thompson.
THE CIRCUMSTANCES
are as follows: Mr. Brownlie left his home at half past seven o'clock, accompanied by a hired man, and went to the house of his father, Mr. James Brownlie, half a mile from his own home, to get some medicine for a sick horse. He obtained the medicine, talked a while with his parents and brothers, and then returned to his home. He went to the kitchen door, as usual, opened it, stepped forward, and
STUMBLED OVER THE BODY OF HIS WIFE!
He held his lantern down to it, for there was no light in the room, and there was his partner literally weltering in her blood. Her left arm seemed to be nearly torn away at the shoulder, and her right breast was in a similar condition: her clothes on that side were scorched, and appeared as if a gun had been held close to her and discharged. When Mr. Brownlie arrived, his children, four in number, came forward from a hiding place in the house, and told him how the
MURDER OF THEIR MOTHER
occurred. The names of the children are as follows: Sarah, aged eleven years; Willie, aged eight years; Henry, aged six years, and Andrew, aged four years. The house is a story-and-half one, the kitchen on the east side and a sitting room on the west side. The mother sat close to the kitchen window, working with a sewing machine when
THE ATTACK
came - first by a brick crashing through the window, and instantly two discharged from a gun followed, right at the same window! Mrs. Brownlie shrieked and fell to the floor,
EXCLAIMING
"O Sarah! O Sarah!" Then all was still. In a moment more, the daughter Sarah noticed fire on her mother's dress, and she stopped and extinguished it, then these
CHILDREN
remained in the room crouching on the floor in darkness and in terror, waiting for the return of their father. They were thus alone for more than half an hour. The nearest neighbor was John Greve, a quarter of a mile south, across fields, while their own house was half a mile from the Long Grove road, the nearest public highway. And so they dared not leave the house, nor shriek for aid. After Mr. Brownlie returned, he sent his hired man, Lewis Johnston, back to his father's to tell them of the murder. Then, after the relatives had been informed of it, there was little time lost in carrying the news to other neighbors- several of whom started
IN PURSUIT
of the murderers, but the result was not known at the time our informants left. It would seem as if
ROBBERY
was the object of the murders, or the neighbors
discovered that the lower sash of one of the sitting room windows
had been broken to pieces, frame and all, and that somebody had
entered the room and rumaged [sic] through the drawers of a
bureau therein. Whether money or other valuables were taken was
not known at midnight, for the husband was nearly beside himself,
though his agony was silent.
Robert A. Brownlie, John A.P. Flook and
another neighbor, came to the city to
INFORM THE FATHER
of the murdered wife - Hon. Hugh M. Thompson - of the tragedy. He had been serving as foreman of the Grand Jury of the District Court for the past two weeks, and was stopping at the Ackley House. We draw a veil over this scene. His terrible grief did not express itself in cries or moans-but he seemed to lose consciousness, for the time, of everything about him.
THE DECEASED
was thirty-two years of age. She had been married about twelve years, having lived at Long Grove from early girl-hood. She was a lovely woman in all that pertains to the duties of wife, mother and neighbor and was regarded with affection by all in the neighborhood.
SPECULATION
as to the real motive of the bloody, heartless deed, is vain. One can only hope that the murderer, or murderers may be caught.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2004]
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The Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
February 20, 1874
THE LONG GROVE HORROR
A Double Murder - The Babe Shot in the Brain
One Thousand Dollars Reward
Coroner Grant Holds an Inquest
Examination of the Wife's Wounds
The Testimony - A Dark, Awful Mystery- Adjournment
The awful murder of Mrs.
A.W. Brownlie, near Long Grove, an account of which was given in
yesterday morning's GAZETTE, shocked this community to an extent
not felt before in many years. The object of the murderer, as
well as the murderer himself, is still shrouded in mystery,
nothing more being known as to either, last evening, than when
the neighborhood in which the victim lived was aroused on
Wednesday evening.
Coroner Grant went to the house,
yesterday forenoon, for the purpose of holding an inquest. On the
way he met Hon. Hugh M. Thompson, father of the slain wife and
mother, who had duties to perform as foreman of the Grand Jury,
from which not even his great affliction could release him. He
was in utter ignorance as to the animus of the crime. Arriving at
the house the doctor found some twenty neighbors assembled near
by, while the wives of several were inside attending to various
duties. The house is some three miles north of Eldridge, its
location and surroundings being accurately given yesterday. Dr.
Grant at once entered upon his duties, and proceeded to hold an
INQUEST
W.G. Richie, Alex Brownlie, and John Robertson were sworn as jurors. The first matter was
EXAMINATION OF THE BODY
There was every indication of effect from two discharges of powder and shot. The first tore away the flesh from the left shoulder and upper portion of the arm, and riddle and lacerated the left breast; the second tore away a rib above the breast laceration mentioned, making a hole large enough to admit the entrance of one's hand. The nozzle of the gun had been held so close to Mrs. Brownlie as to burn the flesh while there were powder marks all through the wounds. The doctor took seven buck shot from the wounds. The
WINDOW
close to which Mrs. B. was seated when shot was examined. It was at the southeast corner of the room. The brick that broke the glass, first took a lower pane on the outside sash, struck a cross piece of the inside sash and tore half the lower sash away. Mrs. B. was evidently in the act of soothing her youngest child, Andrew, four years old, having her hand around his neck, resting on one shoulder, when the crash came - she turned towards the window, received the discharges, fell forward, the wounded shoulder striking the table of the sewing machine at which she had been working and covered it with blood. As for the rest, here is the
TESTIMONY
A.W. Brownlie, sworn -
The body that lies here is that of my wife; I was not at home
when she died. I left home about half-past seven o'clock last
evening; my wife and children were in the house when I left it; I
had been at father's, James Brownlie, and up to the Station for
some liniment for a horse of mine that was injured. I arrived
home a little after nine - it was dark in the house. I
struck a match, and went into the pantry and got a candle as I
could not see the kerosene lamp; came out into the kitchen and
found my wife lying on the floor, in the corner close to the
sewing machine; I thought she was asleep. She lay just as if she
had fallen off the chair while sleeping, and was in that posture
on her side. I caught her by the arm and put my hand into the
wound. I screamed, and my little girl, Sarah, came down stairs
and told me what had happened. Before that she heard me, but
thought that it was the robbers - but she know my voice and came
down stairs. I went to go to the door, but she hung to me and
cried, "you'll be shot, you'll be shot" and begged me
to go up stairs with her to the other children. In a few minutes
my hired man, Lewis Johnston, came home; he had come from town,
and had been to prayer meeting at the Grove. After I got up
stairs I opened the window and screamed for help, and he heard me
and came running to the house. He asked, "what's
wrong?" I told him my wife was shot and to run for some of
the neighbors; neighbors soon arrived. My wife was thirty-two
years of age and in good health; my children are four in number -
Sarah is past eleven years; Willie is eight; Annie J. is six and
Andrew J. is four years old. My wife was on good terms with the
neighbors - was a favorite of all of them. I had double windows -
and there was but one pane on the outside, sash broken, and three
on the inside sash. On further investigation, I found that the
lower sash of the south window in the sitting room was all
smashed in. I noticed nothing else at all that was different from
when I left the house.
Sarah R. Brownlie sworn - I was at home
when my father left the house last evening with my two brothers,
sister and mother. I was present when my mother was shot. It was
before eight o'clock, about twenty minutes after my father left
when I heard the first noise. My sister and my brother and I were
in the middle of the floor in the kitchen and my youngest brother
was sitting beside my mother on a chair. He was four years old
last November. He was with my mother in one corner at a sewing
machine. My mother was sitting beside a window - close to it. We
heard a noise and thought it was at the barn - it was like pigs,
I thought, rattling at the platform. About five minutes after
that a brick came through the window, and after that there came
two shots. I saw the brick lying on a chair - it was half a
brick. It went north of my mother and struck no one. I was not
looking at my mother then, but I think she sat still and
the gun shot came right through right after it, and there were
two reports. I didn't have time to get up and go and see the
window, after the brick came through, before two shots were
fired. The shots sounded as if they were from a two barreled gun.
We screamed "murder" because we were scared. I don't
know whether my youngest brother screamed or not, I did. My
mother next said "Oh dear Sarah," gasped once or twice
and fell over slowly- her head rested on a chair and her body on
the floor, and I think I moved her. She said nothing else at all.
I heard no noise outdoors after the shots. I thought my little
brother was dying; he was kind of crying; I picked him up and
tried to wash him; he was hurt and bleeding in the left side of
his head. After I got him washed I took him upstairs and the rest
of the children, locking the door after me, and went to bed. I
thought my father was killed too; I carried my little brother
upstairs; I hears no noise in the room before the brick came
through, besides that we were making in the kitchen. The kitchen
door was shut, but not locked - all the outside doors were shout
but not locked. I fastened the door of the room we were in up
stairs. It seemed about one hour after my mother was shot before
my father came home - I wouldn't say for sure, though. After he
lit a light I came down. At first I thought it was the robbers,
but I heard him scream and knew his voice. I thought he was going
to go out, and took hold of him. No one entered the house to my
knowledge from the time the shots were fired till my father came.
Nothing was missed in the house - furniture, money, nor anything
else. I heard nothing like [?] going off, nor people talking
outside, after the shots were fired.
A.W. Brownlie recalled - I missed
nothing about the premises - nothing was taken, everything was in
order save that the windows were broken in and the lamp chimney
was broken. Lewis Johnston (the hired man) hadn't been home since
last Saturday - he had been in town visiting. He didn't say when
he left how long he should be gone. He didn't come direct home
from town, he went to prayer meeting at the Grove. He has been
with me about five years. He was on good terms with my family. He
just came to the door when he heard me scream and turned and ran
to the neighbors. I can't suspect any person I can't imagine why
any person should murder my wife- it's all a dark, awful mystery
to me.
James Steffens sworn - I am not
acquainted with Mr. Brownlie's family. I heard one shot at 8
o'clock last evening; I was outside the door at John Hell's where
I am staying; when I heard the shot, I heard nothing else, no
other noise, no screaming; I live about half a mile from here,
straight across, but it is about a mile by the road. I thought to
myself that it was an awful rough shot, and "it is over
there," (meaning Brownlie's); from the noise I should judge
the gun was pretty heavily loaded.
The witness Sarah is an unusually bright
child for one of her years, and her testimony was given with
remarkable clearness. Her presence of mind with her brothers and
sisters at the time of the murder was also remarkable. There was
almost a
DOUBLE MURDER
in fact it will in all probability turn out so, for the little boy Andrew received six buckshot in the left side and top of his head. One buck shot entered his brain certainly, as was ascertained by probing, and the doctor was convinced without probing that another did so. The other shot tore through the scalp to the skull in a glancing direction. There is scarcely a possibility of the recovery of the boy. After examining the child the
INQUEST ADJOURNED
until to-morrow forenoon.
While the inquest was in progress Police
Justice Kauffman and Chief Martens arrived at the house, but were
unable to find the least clue to either the coming or going of
the murderer. In their presence, several of the substantial
farmers of the township held a meeting, and authorized the
GAZETTE reporter to announce a
REWARD OF $1000
for the detection and apprehension of the murderer. It would be well for the Governor of the State and the Board of Supervisors to supplement this with sums that will make the reward at least $5,000. It was a year ago last September, only seven miles northwest of this place of this tragedy that the
MURDER OF MRS. ALGER
occurred and the murderer has remained undetected
to this day. That was evidently for money, as the murderer
secured $1100 in gold. The murderers of both women were brutal,
cowardly fiends, and who knows where they may strike their next
blows for money or to gratify feelings of revenge.
An awful tragedy hangs over this Long
Grove tragedy, which ought to be solved in some way. And the
community ought not to rest till it is solved.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2004]
-----
The Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
February 22, 1874
THE LONG GROVE MURDER
The Coroner's Inquest Resumed - Testimony of the Hired Man, Lewis
Johnson -
Sarah Brownlie Again on the Stand - Evidence of A.R. Brownlie
-
The Crash in the Front Room - Adjournment
Coroner Grant resumed
the inquest on Mrs. Brownlie, yesterday forenoon, at the Court
House. No new developments had been made since the previous day,
and the mystery continued impenetrable. One piece of information
was elicited yesterday, which explains a query that had arisen in
the minds of many. How could the murderer smash a half sash of
glass in the front room, next the room in which Mrs. B. was
sitting, and not arrest her attention. Sarah Brownlie, yesterday,
said she and the other children were making a good deal of noise,
and when the crash in the other room came, Mrs. B. turned and
said warningly, "Hush-hush!" Then Sarah asked
"What is it?" Mrs. B. said it was the pigs in the
barnyard. Evidently she did not wish to alarm her children - but
she knew the noise was about the house. When the villain came to
the window at which she was seated, she may have seen him, and he
knowing that she recognized him, murdered her to prevent exposing
him.
Yesterday County Attorney Bills acted as
examiner of witnesses, his questions being very thorough. The
testimony was taken in short hand by L.P. Dosh. Here is the
report of it:
Lewis Johnson sworn. - Live at Long
Grove with A.W. Brownlie, been living with him four years; my age
is twenty-five years; did work for Brownlie, but quit just before
Christmas; haven't worked any place since, but have made my home
with Brownlie - doing chores for board; have no family; wasn't
staying out at Brownlie's last Tuesday or Monday, either; left
there a week ago this morning, and came to Davenport and staid
here till Wednesday at 3 o'clock then started out for Brownlie's.
Went with a farmer as far as the six-mile house, and then walked
up to the Grove - don't know who the farmer was; he lives east
of the six-mile house, but don't know how far; never saw
him before - he was a German; got out of his wagon at Steffen's
at Duck creek - don't know how long I remained at Steffen's.
Didn't go into the six-mile house when there. I went on the
railroad track and stopped at the meeting house at Long Grove;
got there about 8 o'clock - there was a prayer meeting and stayed
till the meeting was out and went away when the rest did. Went
away with James Brownlie, Mr. and Mrs. Fearing and Mr. Exley, the
minister; went with them as far as James Brownlie's, the father
of A.W. Brownlie; don't know what time we got to James
Brownlie's. Mr. and Mrs. Fearing turned off before we got there
and went to their own home. Exley went along as far as James
Brownlie's but didn't stop and I went into the house at James
Brownlie's; couldn't say what time it was, but it must have been
after nine o'clock - remained there half or three-quarters of an
hour; saw Mrs. James Brownlie, her two sons, Robert and Andrew,
and son-in-law and Mr. A.W. Brownlie; the son-in-law's name is
John Flook; saw a cousin of his there named Catharine Watson;
didn't see any one else. From there I went to A.W. Brownlie's on
foot - went along the railroad track a little ways and then
turned off on the road; no one went with me - no part of the
road; don't know how long A.W. Brownlie had been at James
Brownlie's - found him there when I went in; he didn't say
anything about going away with me. I went on foot, and he went on
horseback - know no other reason why we didn't go together;
neither one said anything about going home together; I heard him
say he had been after medicine; he started away a minute or two
before I did. He started on the wagon road and went on the
railroad - they are side by side; we were in sight of each other
for awhile. It is about a mile and a quarter from James
Brownlie's to A.W. Brownlie's; I didn't see him much of the way,
because he went faster than I did; I walked middling fast across
there a mile and a quarter. Don't know the way; was alone; when I
got pretty near to A.W. Brownlie's I say a light up stairs; I was
a quarter mile off. The first thing I heard was Brownlie calling
me - he said, "Oh, Lewis." I don't mind of his saying
anything more till I got in; I answered when he called - he was
up stairs; It sounded as if he had his head out of the window; I
went into the door - only one door into the house - don't think
there was any light below; when I got up stairs I saw
Brownlie and his daughter. Brownlie said his wife was dead, that
Sarah said she was shot. Brownlie wanted me to go down and help
place his wife's hands. The body was lying on the floor down
stairs. Went down immediately - Brownlie and myself and Sarah.
Found her in the kitchen where she usually sat. There were three
windows - two in the kitchen and one in the pantry. We did not
remove the body - don't know who did. From there I went to Robert
Brownlie's, then to Jas. Brownlie's, and Mr. Thompson's and James
Neal's and John Robinson's and John Pollock's and then back to
A.W. Brownlie's. Don't mind what time it was when I got back - it
must have been after one o'clock. Remained there all night. Next
was at A.W. Brownlie's part of the time and at John Grieve's part
of the time.
Witness then gave particulars of the
family life at A.W. Brownlie's - the kindness with which Mr. and
Mrs. B. had treated each other - and he said he had never
witnessed any trouble between them; he was questioned very
closely by Mr. Bills. No other testimony was elicited, save that
it appeared that a double-barreled shot gun was taken from Mr.
Robert Brownlie's about a month ago and had been found since.
Adjourned till two o'clock P.M.
AFTERNOON
The inquest was returned
at 2 o'clock, the testimony being as follows:
Sarah Brownlie recalled - When father
went away to go down to town I didn't hear him say anything
particularly about going; I knew that he was going before he
went; heard him tell mother so; he said he hated to leave -
didn't know why; we were in the kitchen when this talk was going
on; before that mother was in the kitchen washing dishes; father
said he was going after some medicine for a horse; mother told
him, "yes, go" - but I don't remember what else he did
say; father didn't go away very often in the evening unless he
was at church. I washed the milk pails, and mother had the rest
of the things washed. I don't know how long it was after father
went away before mother sat down to the sewing machine - couldn't
have been very long. Then in about twenty minutes, I think, but
couldn't say for sure, the robbers came. That must have been from
10 to 20 minutes after father left, and pretty much after mother
sat down. Before that I and my oldest brother had been playing
ball for a few minutes. I did not see father after he went out to
go away, but he went down to the barn to unload some bran, and
after that he went away. I did not see him when he was unloading
it. Willie went to help him unload. Willie was eight years old
last October. Father did not come back when he unloaded the bran
- but Willie came in; he wanted to go along but mother didn't
want him to. Mother didn't make any objections to father going -
didn't say anything about staying alone and wasn't a bit scared.
Can't say what I was doing when the brick was thrown through the
window. There was a letup on the machine. Don't know whether I
looked out of the window or not - I was scared at first. I don't
know whether it was dark out doors or not, didn't hear anybody
say anything outside; don't think I heard a noise at any other
window, but thought it was pigs rattling on the planks; there was
a curtain at the window when the shot came through, but it was
not down; heard nobody running after the shots were fired; father
had been in town before and got medicine - had no horse doctor -
didn't ? him was whether he got any medicine or not; the .....
[can't read rest of sentence]. There was a gun that was
....[can't read]..out on the porch. It was one barrel; he got it
last winter, did not see Lewis have a gun lately; our folks had a
hired girl a few months in the summer but ...[can't read numerous
lines]. There is only one door to the house - everything came in
and out of it. Didn't hear father light the match. There were
candles in the flour house. The lamp went out when the shots were
fired - but as I had just put a few cobs in the fire there was
light. The chimney fell off but the lamp didn't. I didn't try to
light the lamp. Father didn't come right up stairs; thought it
was the robbers till I heard him scream and then I knew him. I
can't remember anything that he said. I told him I would tell him
about it. I told him there was a noise and mother said
"hush" to me and stopped to listen, and we all were
still. I asked her what she thought it was and she said it was
the pigs running over the platform. About five minutes after the
brick came through the window and the shots were fired. There
wasn't time for the same man to throw the brick and then fire -
it was so quick. I didn't go out. I thought the door was
fastened; there was a catch over the latch, and I went to fasten
it, and Willie got into a sort of a pet and run and turned it up,
and I suppose I got contrary, too, and I fastened it again, and
he unfastened it. My mother didn't look out of the window. My
brother Willie was with me most of the time before the shots were
fired. My father came up stairs - I wanted him to. I told him to
come up and see Andrew. Father acted as if he didn't know what to
do - he was going to run out of the door and I just held to him.
No stranger has been in our house lately, except a man who came
and asked for A.W. Brownlie and Lewis told him he was at the
nearest neighbor's. Lewis told father the man was wild-looking,
and wouldn't look him in the face. Don't know how long ago it
was. I haven't talked with father and Lewis much since mother
died, for I have been at grandfather's most of the time. I was at
home the next afternoon. Neither father nor Lewis has told me
what I was to say. Saw a double-barreled shot gun at
grandfather's, but it was stolen. Heard father and Lewis telling
me about it - they said they couldn't think who had stolen it.
Father and Lewis never had the gun at our house. I thing I should
have known it if they had. Never heard that they got any track of
it. I don't think they looked after it.
To Juror - Brownlie - I never knew of
father going to grandfather's to milk cows and leaving mother to
milk our cows; never heard of it. He never did such a thing.
W.A. [sic A.W.] Brownlie recalled -
After I left the house, I got at father's twenty minutes before
eight. I looked at the clock when I got there. I remained there
nearly an hour. Then I went up to the station. I saw my mother
and brother and cousin at father's; wasn't five minutes till I
got to the station - bout sixty rods off. I saw Mr. Riches' two
boys there, Ned Richardson and several other boys. Went to Dr.
Richardson's store. I asked for Pryer's balsam at the store - he
hadn't any. I didn't take any other kind. Remained there five
minutes, and went back to father's. I don't know what time it was
when I got back to brother'. I didn't sit down at all. My
father-in-law had come in from the West and I staid and talked
with him - this was the first time. The last time father and
Lewis came in from the prayer meeting. Said nothing to Lewis nor
he to me. I expected he was going straight home. Father asked me
why I hadn't been at prayer meeting. Lewis didn't go home with me
because I was on horseback. On foot we always go on the railroad.
My mare wasn't shod, and where it was hard I had her trot and
when soft she walked. I never saw Lewis on the road, never looked
around; it was a tolerably dark night. Could see no light at my
home. Threw the halter over the mare's neck and opened the door -
it was dark. It was a few minutes after nine. I didn't expect to
find my people in bed. I struck a match and lit a candle. Looked
for the lamp but it wasn't where it always stood. Got a candle in
the pantry. I then supposed they had all gone to bed. I thought
it was rather early. All slept up stairs. Been married twelve
years last January. Good many two-barreled guns in the
neighborhood - at Robert Brownlie's, my father-in-law's, Mr.
Richies and one at father's, but it was stolen. Lewis had my
father's last winter - he got it for a few days for chickens;
used it very little; the gun has not been in the house since that
time; it was four weeks ago that brother Robert told me their gun
had been stolen. He said two young men came in there and wanted
work, and after that the gun was missing; they thought those men
might have stolen it; they made no search for it; I have a single
barreled gun in the flour house; it was loaded last March, and
the load is in it today; my brother Robert loaded it for
me; I bought it to shoot prairie chickens, but never shot
it off; I have fired my father's gun some times; heard of no
other gun missing about there. I have two brothers and they both
live at home; I have two uncles there - Alexander and Robert; the
former has a farm, I believe; he has some boys, Robert has none;
Robert told me he had a gun two weeks ago; he said they wouldn't
let him carry the gun in the cars. Three years ago
yesterday I took my wife to the Insane Asylum; she was
there fourteen months and eighteen days (weeping.) This winter
she has appeared a little dull once or twice - not as talkative
as usual; didn't seem as lively and cheerful at these times as
she commonly was. She had no trouble with Lewis. This winter she
said to me she didn't think we needed a man, she'd rather we'd be
alone. Had other hired men last summer - one for a month last
summer, Thomas McAdam - haven't seen him since. Never had a word
with a hired man that ever I had.
Here the witness, in reply to questions,
spoke of a matter that occurred five years ago between himself
and another man, but it need not be reported as the public has no
present interest in it. He then resumed:
Wednesday evening from the time I left
my house to go to the grove, I met no person. No person would
have been likely to come through to the road to my house. I have
no knowledge of any person being about there only what Dr.
Richardson told - that two men that drove up to his store about 7
o'clock, and one went in and bought four cigars. I was home all
day Wednesday - James Neal and wife and Mrs. Thompson, my
mother-in-law, were at my house that day. After they went away I
attended to my chores and a sick mare. Nobody called during the
day, except these visitors. My wife has not been from home very
recently. I didn't know that Lewis was expected home that night -
he went and came just when he pleased. He told me he was taking
in a couple of pigs to a friend in town. He never had any company
visit him from town. I have had no hired girls recently - not
since last harvest. When my wife was at the asylum, I had two
different girls - one four thirteen months and the other till the
fall after my wife came home; she is now living at my nearest
neighbor's. We got home from the asylum the last of May or first
of June. We visited some friends before we got home. Never knew
my wife to have trouble with any one - except when she was
deranged she had a little difficulty with a girl. I have not been
in the habit of keeping money in my house, except in the form of
certificate of deposits. That night there was a little money in
my pants' pocket on the wall -but it was not disturbed.
The witness detailed particulars
concerning the broken window in the sitting room, given before -
and also what his daughter Sarah told him when he got home, not
differing from Sarah's evidence. He also told of the [?] of the
windows. And then continued:
I made no examination of the house
because I didn't feel like it. Neighbors looked through the
bureau and found nothing disturbed. A great many people came to
the house that night. I never heard anything about the gun after
it was lost. It took me fifteen to twenty minutes to ride from my
house to father's. My house is ???theast of father's - just about
a mile and a quarter. Know nothing of any suspicious character in
the neighborhood that night. Had observed nothing unusual about
my wife's actions. No trouble ever occurred between my wife and
myself - never in the world. I went for the liniment because my
wife urged me to go. She was not afraid to stay alone. I often
went to prayer meetings leaving her and the children - she would
say the children were company enough for her. My wife and her
relatives were on good terms - extra good terms, I believe. My
house is not on round that would naturally be traveled - people
would not come there except on purpose, except they might be
going across fields on foot. My wife and I had not a living enemy
that I know of.
[Can't read next paragraph.]
At five o'clock yesterday afternoon, the
wounded child, Andrew, was not expected to live through the
night.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2004]
-----
The Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
February 24, 1874
THE LONG GROVE MURDER
The Wounded Boy Rests with his Mother
The Inquest Continued - Testimony Concerning Family Relations -
The Husband's Treatment of his Wife -
What Time A.W. Brownlie Arrived at his Father's House Wednesday
Night - No Trace of the Murderer.
The murder of Mrs.
Brownlie and her little son Andrew - for the child died on
Saturday evening, and was laid by the side of his mother on
Sunday afternoon - is a mystery still, and the guilty person
still pursues his own way and keeps his own counsel.
The inquest was resumed by Coroner Grant
at the Court House at 10 o'clock yesterday afternoon, with County
Attorney Bills to conduct the examination of witnesses. The Court
room was almost crowded with spectators who held their places
from beginning to adjournment, although half of them could hear
but a small portion of the testimony of witnesses.
Henry Berg, gunsmith at the corner of
Third and Harrison streets, was called. He testified that one of
the Brownlies, he didn't know which one, brought him a
double-barrelled gun for repair last fall, and did not call for
it until some six or seven weeks ago.
Then Edwin Richardson, son of Dr.
Richardson, who keeps a store at Long Grove, was called and
testified as to his going to James Brownlie's on New Year's to
borrow a gun, and then it was ascertained that the gun had been
stolen. Was told that two men went to James Brownlie's and asked
to be furnished lodgings for the night; they couldn't [?] and
they went away. Afterwards the gun was missed.
Hon. Hugh M. Thompson, father of Mrs.
Brownlie, was called to the stand. He lived about a mile and a
half from his daughter in a direct line - two miles by road. She
was married at his house twelve years ago on the 22d day of
January. Her mother is still living. The families have been on
familiar terms as much as possible. Witness had always been on
pleasant terms with Mr. Brownlie. Mr. Thompson, in answer to
questions, gave account of Mrs. B's insanity, her being taken to
the insane asylum, and her return home - much of which has been
given in these columns as testimony of other witnesses. He had
seen her frequently since her return, and noticed no indications
of return of insanity, save a little absent mindedness
occasionally. He then testified to the domestic relations of his
daughter and her husband, saying, in effect, that they were
contented and happy. He saw her at his house in the latter part
of January, when she was in very good spirits - he had not seen
her since, as he has been in town serving on the Grand Jury. When
insane she never attempted to injure her children. Mr. and Mrs.
Brownlie were both inclined to save. He was well off - owned his
farm of 160 acres, and other property beside; has 490 or 500
acres of wild lands in the State. They always had a well supplied
table, their house was not showy, but had a good many
accommodations. The examination as to family matters was
continued at great length, but with only one result in
information - uniform kindness on the part of the husband, and
calm, even-tempered, exemplary conduct on the part of the wife.
Then there was testimony as to Maggie May's services as hired
girl - and the only incident mentioned was that once when witness
and wife were at Mr. Brownlie's, at dinner, Maggie sat at the
table, and Mrs. B. waited on the guests. Maggie's character was
beyond even an insinuation of suspicion so far as witness knew.
She left a year ago, on account of being informed that if she
stayed it would be at smaller wages. She has visited there since,
and has been at witness's house. Mr. Brownlie's treatment of his
wife since she came back from the asylum has been kind, good,
liberal in every respect.
Dr. Maxwell, of this city, testified
that he had been acquainted with A.W. Brownlie and wife for six
or seven years. Treated Mrs. B. for insanity on both occasions of
affliction with the malady. The form of insanity was puerperal
mania. Never attended in any family where there was more kindness
and attention on the part of the husband. Noticed nothing like
penuriousness on Mr. B's part - he was liberal enough, as much as
any family the doctor ever attended.
The inquest then adjourned till two
o'clock in the
AFTERNOON
when the court room was again crowded.
John Greve, Mr. Brownlie's nearest
neighbor, living one hundred rods at the south, was sworn. He was
out hunting some loose colts last Wednesday evening and testified
as to having heard what he thought were footsetps in a certain
part of his field, but went there next day and could see none.
Heard no gun fired in the evening. He made examination for tracks
from A.W. Brownlie's. Found some across the fields, which were
ascertained to be those of a woman who had crossed the previous
afternoon. Then he testified as to another track from A.W.
Brownlie's barn southwest to a creek and he was questioned about
this to a great length, but no very important information was
elicited. Witness was not informed of the murder until the
morning after it occurred.
Miss Maggie May was called and gave the
names of families for whom she has worked since her arrival to
this city and county from the North of Ireland, three years ago;
her uncle, Thomas Johnson, resided at Walcott. She lived at A.W.
Brownlie's two months before Mrs. B returned from the Asylum, and
seven months after. After Mrs. B. came home, she noticed nothing
but the kindest treatment on Mr. B.'s part. Mrs. B. appeared
well, was special, and was affectionate towards her husband and
children. She mended very fast after returning, and was in good
health all the time witness was there; witness did most o the
work - the cooking and house work. She left because Mrs. B.
thought she could get along herself, and didn't want to pay so
high wages for winter work. Mr. Brownlie had nothing to say about
it. Witness was getting $12 a month there. Witness saw no
indication of insanity after Mrs. B's return. Never heard her
speak of being afraid of any person. Never knew her to have
trouble with any one. Witness said that she sat at the table on
the [?] Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were there, because Mrs. B. asked
her to and desired to wait on her father and mother herself. She
nearly always sat at the table with the family - the food was
placed on the table and there was nothing t o serve except tea or
coffee, which was placed at Mrs. B's plate. Witness was at Mrs.
Brownlie's last fall when she appeared cheerful and pleased. She
had no hired help, spent the say once when Mr. B,. was absent,
and the evening once after [?].
Andrew T. Brownlie, son of James and
brother of A.W. Brownlie, testified to his living at home, and in
regard to A.W.'s coming there on Wednesday evening last. He
arrived about twenty minutes past seven, and witness came in at
half past seven. A.W. remained ...[cant read several lines[...
meeting, his father appearing soon after. He also gave
particulars as to the stealing of the gun, same as heretofore
published. And also concerning the departure of Lewis and A.W. He
also testified as to the friendly relations that existed between
his family and A.W.'s family - all were on intimate terms.
Robert Brownlie, also son of James and
brother of A.W. Brownlie, was called. The most important part of
Robert's testimony concerned the arrival of A.W. Brownlie at his
father's house on Wednesday evening; when he came in his mother
said, "if you are going to prayer meeting its time you were
there," or words to that effect. Witness looked up to see
the time; there are two clocks, one above the other, one showing
Arsenal time and the other railroad time. It was twenty minutes
after seven by one and about twenty minutes to eight by the
other. A.W. said he didn't think he should go to prayer meeting,
and spoke about wanting liniment for his horse. After remaining
some time he went to the station returned in a few minutes -
after his father and Lewis Johnson had come in. His brother
started to go home a little before Lewis, and witness followed
out and talked about his sick horse. Witness then described the
return of Lewis with the news of the murder, the consternation of
the family, the going of himself and brother-in-law to look at
the house, his return home thinking the murderer might have
attacked his father's family. He returned to A.W.'s, inspected
the premises some, saw no marks but the broken windows. He and
Mr. Flook and Mr. Richie then came to town to inform Mr. Hugh
Thompson of the event.
Hugh M. Thompson, Jr., was called - 21
years of age and lives in Madison county, where he went last
December. Returned on Friday morning; saw his sister frequently
when at home. The families were always friendly. Witness never
told Lewis Johnson that his sister was treated badly.
The inquest was then adjourned till 10
o'clock tomorrow forenoon.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2004]
-----
The Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Thursday, February 26, 1874
SUSPICION DUMFOUNDED.
Continuance of the Brownlie Inquest - A Suspected Man Winds a
Coil About Himself, and it is unwound by Others -
Blank Contradictions Caused by Whisky - Pat Hennessy Not the Man
- Further Testimony - Adjourned Till Saturday.
Coroner Grant and
his jury and County Attorney Bills spent another day, yesterday,
in endeavoring to gain knowledge that might be of service in
opening the way towards the lair in which the murderer of Mrs.
Elizabeth Brownlie and son lies concealed. A week has passed
since the innocent woman and her babe were assassinated and as
yet the murderer was safe from detection or even suspicion, as
though he was in Patagonia on the night of the 18th inst. We do
not say there was no suspicion attaching to any person, for there
was - but last evening when the inquest adjourned, the suspected
man was considered as innocent of the crime as the most harmless
person in the Court room.
The proceedings were watched with close
attention by a crowd that filled the Court room- showing that
public interest in the tragedy has abated but little.
To give the reader a correct idea of the
intention of the day's examination, we may state that a teamster
named Patrick Hennessy, who lives at the corner of Tenth and
Harrison streets, in this city, was strongly suspected of being
the guilty party. The suspicion was based on the fact that some
ten years ago Hennessy was employed by James and A.W. Brownlie,
father and son, to work in the harvest field - and one night
while he was in their service the house of A.W. was entered and a
watch stolen therefrom. Hennessy was suspected, was arrested and
brought before Justice Blood, in Davenport, for examination. He
was discharged, and was heard to say that he "would pay
Brownlie for this, if he had to wait ten years for the
chance." Added to this, was a report that Hennessy had been
seen once or twice since, looking over Brownlie's place and also
that he was seen in the neighborhood of Long Grove on the night
of the murder, driving in a wagon and accompanied by another man.
Besides, two "wild looking men" stopped in front of
Richardson's store that evening and one of them got out of the
wagon and bought some cigars in the store. And it was believed
that Hennessy was one of those men. Furhtermore, Hennessy left
here on Friday morning, and his whereabouts were not known until
day before yesterday, when it was ascertained that he was at
Maysville. On Tuesday evening, Constable McNamara drove out to
Maysville and found Hennessy at a tavern there, subpoenaed him,
and came to town with him yesterday morning. These remarks will
explain the tenor of
YESTERDAY'S INVESTIGATION
The first person sworn
was Mr. L.A. Towns, who testified that he was out at Long Grove
last Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by Mr. Wilson, and stopped
at Mr. Richardson's store at 7 o'clock in the evening and bought
some cigars. He had a conveyance, being engaged in the sewing
machine business. After that he drove to town via the Dubuque
road, arriving here at 10 o'clock.
Patrick Hennessy was now brought to the
witness stand - and it will be seen that if only his testimony
and that of his wife had been all that could have been offered in
proof that he was in the city, their stories were so strangely
contradictory that the suspicion against him would have been
strengthened to such an extent that he would have found himself
in a perilous situation.
He testified that he lives on Tenth and
Harrison, in Dr. Maxwell's house; that he had lived in Davenport
for seven years, but had been in the country a good deal of the
time; that he trades horses once in a while, and runs a threshing
machine - had been hauling coal some this winter. Has no family
other than his wife. Was at home last Wednesday all day. In short
he came in from the country on Sunday with his wife, having been
out to Mr. Picken's and was taken sick, and remained in the house
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Thursday till 10 o'clock
A.M. Did not go out at all on Wednesday - was not able to go out.
Was not at his gate on Wednesday afternoon. First heard of the
murder on Thursday evening, when he was standing at his gate and
heard a young man tell another young man about it, and that the
funeral was to take place the next day - and he went to a
neighbor's and asked about it. Knew nothing of Dr. Maxwell's
visiting his house on Thursday morning. He reiterated the
statement that he never had his team out of his barn from Sunday
evening till Friday morning. All this time his wife took care of
the horses. No one used his wagon on Wednesday - was sure of it.
He was acquainted with the Brownlies - worked for the old
gentleman for two harvests several years ago. A W. Brownlie had
him arrested for stealing a watch and he was tried before Justice
Blood and acquitted. He never threatened to take revenge on him -
has never spoken to him since. Was out at John Greve's once, to
look at a stallion - but never was under a tree since watching
A.W. Brownlie's place. Was not in Mr. Noth's saloon on Wednesday,
nor in his brewery, nor in any saloon that day. Was in the habit
of drinking enough to get out of his head sometimes.
Now comes the wife's testimony:
Mrs. Ann Hennessy sworn - I am Patrick
Hennessy's wife - been married 6 years - a year after I came from
England. My husband heard of the murder at 6 o'clock Thursday
evening, and told me of it. He told me heard of a lady out there
being dead. My husband was sick in bed on Thursday. He got up in
the evening - also sick on Wednesday. I took care of his horses -
fed them and watered them. He was taken sick on Sunday evening
and never got up until Thursday. I guess he was bilious - I got
some pills for him. He went out on Wednesday evening to Mr.
Shaughnessy's to get some corn - he was not able to to but he had
to, to get his corn. Mr. S's place is on Harrison street - below
where we live, it is below Eighth. He got about $2 worth. Our
house is on Tenth. He was gone about half an hour. I don't think
it was six o'clock - about dark. I was at home while he was gone
- I was up when he got home. I lit a candle for him at the barn.
He unhitched his horses. Friday he drove into the country to
collect some money and said he would then go to Chicago as work
was very dull here. I did not hear from him again until this
morning when he came in with a man and a buggy. I remember Dr.
Maxwell's coming there early on Thursday morning, before eight
o'clock. I told him he had gone down town, and I didn't tell him
my husband was in bed. I told him that my husband had gone after
a beef steak. This was about 8 o'clock. The doctor came for rent
- but witness didn't know why she said her husband was not at
home unless it was because she didn't want to call him up.
Thomas Shaughnessy - grocer on Seventh
and Harrison, testified that Patrick Hennessy came into his store
on the night of the 18th, Wednesday, between 7 and 8 o'clock, and
got two bushels of corn, and that he helped him to put it into
his wagon. Several persons were in the store at the time. He made
entries of it in his books. Mr. S. was requested to appear with
his books in the afternoon.
George Noth, the brewer, testified
that Patrick Hennessy was in his barroom on Harrison street on
Wednesday evening, the 18th, to get a glass of beer - coming in
???? that he was there nearly an hour and a half at a table with
Nick Schlaback who was sworn and corroborated Mr. Noth's
testimony.
Mrs. Hennessy was recalled and
recalled her testimony that her husband left home for the corn at
6 o'clock Wednesday evening and was gone but half an hour and
that was all the time he was gone.
Wm. Morrison, who lives a half mile west
of Eldridge, testified in regard to seeing a buggy going north
towards evening on Wednesday, but could not tell who was in it.
Adjourned till 2 o'clock. In the
AFTERNOON
the Court House was more crowded than at any
previous time, word having gone abroad that "Hennessy was in
a tight place!"
William Brownlie, who lives in
Davenport, explained the gun business testified to by Mr. Berg on
Monday. He took the gun to Mr. Berg to get fixed, and went after
it about six weeks ago. He has the gun yet.
Mr. Shaughnessy was recalled, and
produced his day book and ledger, and showed charges against
Hennessy for two bushels of corn - dated February 18th in the
former and entered on the 19th in the latter.
Patrick Hennessy was recalled, and
stated that he recollected something about going to Shaughnessy's
for corn, but the reason he didn't remember it before was because
he had been on a regular bender for three or four days. He was
under the influence of liquor when he was on the stand in the
forenoon. He also remembered now, that he stopped at Noth's and
took a glass of beer last Wednesday evening. He saw Mr. Noth and
Nich Schlaback. He did the drinking that had affected him, out at
Maysville. He saw Mr. Cody at Shaughnessy's and believed Mr. S's
brother was there. He staid at Noth's pretty late. Witness had
never had the delirium tremens, but had felt mighty nervous. Knew
it was Wednesday night when he got the corn, because either he or
his wife put it down in a book.
Constable McNamara testified that he brought
Hennessy into town in the forenoon; started about 8 o'clock from
Maysville; Hennessy drank two or three times before he started,
and twice while coming in. Was told out at Maysville that
Hennessy had been drinking hard all the time; witness saw him
drink seven or eight times on Tuesday evening.
Patrick Shaughnessy, who lives at Ripley
and Eighth streets, testified that he saw Hennessy at his
brother's store at about 7 o'clock on Wednesday evening.
James Horan also testified that he saw
Pat Hennessy at Shaughnessy's store on Wednesday evening.
James Brownlie affirmed - I am father of
A.W. Brownlie; have lived at Long Grove thirty-five years. Was at
prayer meeting last Wednesday evening at the Grove. Noticed Lewis
Johnson when he came in - it was just when the meeting was out.
The meeting was short, and we stood talking some time about
making arrangements to go on a visit - the preacher and some
others. It occupied from twenty minutes to half an hour. Witness
took out his watch when they were leaving and it was just twenty
minutes to nine o'clock. Lewis must have arrived there at eight
or a little after. Lewis said he had been to town, and thought he
would be in time for the meeting. It would take about two hours
and a half to walk from where the Dubuque road crosses the
railroad to the church, for a man like Lewis. It would be equal
distance for a man to go to A.W. Brownlie's instead of the church
- a little farther to the church, however. Lewis and I walked
home together and he came into my house with me and we found
Alexander and my son talking together. Noticed nothing unusual in
Lewis' face or actions. My son didn't remain at my house more
than ten minutes after I got home. I don't think it was quite 9
o'clock when I got home. Alexander got on the horse and went
ahead. I heard no more of Lewis until I heard him cry outside
that Alexander's wife was dead. It was an awful sound to me. He
appeared very much excited. Witness detailed the appearance of
Mrs. Brownlie and child, and said no search was made for tracks
or evidence as it was very dark. He had no knowledge as to what
become of the gun that was stolen at his house. Lewis has
sustained an irreproachable character during the years he has
lived at the Grove. Witness had no suspicion as to who committed
the murder.
John Hell who lives a mile and a half
south of Long Grove, and half mile from A.W. Brownlie's testified
it was at his house that Mr. Steffen hears the report of a gun -
but "I don't believe it, because Steffen isn't right in his
mind." Steffen came to his house for a job of work, and he
gave him work for two weeks, the time expiring last Saturday
evening. Steffen was at his house on Wednesday evening when he
got home at 7 o'clock, and was in the house after that. Witness
testified as to his part in the search for tracks the next day -
his evidence being the same as that heretofore given. He also
testified that in going out of town on Wednesday afternoon he saw
Patrick Hennessy at his gate; Pat said good evening to him and
went on down town.
William Duncan, who lives at Long Grove,
and one mile from A.W. Brownlie's testified as to searching for
tracks - found one, but ascertained that it had been made by the
woman who crossed the fields the previous afternoon, as
heretofore testified.
A.W. Brownlie was recalled, and
testified as to the death of his son Andrew, wounded at the time
his wife was murdered.
Robert Johnson, who lives near Long
Grove, testified as to search for tracks, but found none besides
those heretofore described.
Henry Gertz, who lives in Lincoln
township, ten miles from Davenport, testified that he was in the
city on Wednesday the 18th inst., and on reaching Steffen's, a
colored man got into his wagon with him, and rode to the six mile
house, and got out there and took the railroad track for Long
Grove. It was about five o'clock when the man out. The colored
man had nothing with him, he said that he was going to Long Grove
,and worked for Mr. Brownlie.
William Wertz was called. Lives on the
Dubuque road. Knows A.W. Brownlie. Never told any person that he
heard Mr. Brownlie was to be sent to the asylum again. It had
been reported that he did make this remark about Mrs. Brownlie.
The inquest was adjourned till Saturday
forenoon at 10 o'clock.
Thus ended the days' investigation -
with the officials and the public as much perplexed, and quite as
much excited, over the tragedy, as when the inquest
commenced.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2004]
-----
The Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Friday, February 27, 1874
STARTLING DISCOVERY
The Gun that was stolen from James Brownlie Found
THE PLACE - HOW IT CAME THERE
Great Excitement at Long Grove
Lewis Johnson Arrested on Suspicion and Brought to Jail
History of an Important Day
On yesterday a discovery was made near Long Grove which created excitement in the neighborhood equal to that which prevailed one week ago yesterday morning after the murder of Mrs. Brownlie became generally known.
THE SHOTGUN
which was stolen from the porch of the residence of James Brownlie, father of the husband of the murdered woman, between Christmas and New Years, was found. The discovery was made about noon by Mr. Spencer Clapp, a well-known farmer residing in the vicinity of the Grove, his home being about three quarters of a mile from the place of the tragedy. Mr. Clapp has devoted his spare time to searching in out-of-the-way places for the gun since Saturday last, having been requested so to do, in a quiet way, by a former policeman of this city. He made the discovery about noon on yesterday, and
THE PLACE
was a clump of hazel brush near the point where the lane to A.B. Brownlie's house strikes the Long Grove road. It will be remembered that this lane crosses the D. & St. P. railroad track just after it leaves the Long Grove road, the distance between the highway and the railroad being something like a thousand feet at that point. Well, the clump of hazel brush in which Mr. Clapp found the gun was bout one hundred and fifty feet north of the lane, and twenty-five feet east of the track, it having been thrown from the railroad evidently, for Mr. Clapp discovered no foot tracks leading to the spot. The stock and double barrel were ten feet apart, and both were sunk in the snow enough to conceal them from the view of one on the track, and at just bout the depth they would go from a throw and their own weight. Furthermore the barrels were rusted only at the muzzles and at the nipples, and dampness had not penetrated the stock - proof conclusive that the gun had been in the snow but a few days. The stock and barrels were
NOT DISTURBED
by Mr. Clapp, as he wished that others should see them before they were touched. So he went to the residence of Mr. James Brownlie, from whom a gun had been stolen, and informed them of his discovery; and members of the family proceeded to the place, and immediately recognized the gun as the one that had been taken from its place in the porch between Christmas and New Years. And then the news spread through the neighborhood, and the people assembled at the place. Immediately Mr. R.K. Brownlie went to the D. & St. P. telegraph office at Eldridge and sent
A TELEGRAM
as follows:
To Lawyer Bills:
The gun is found - send officers
quick.
R.K. BROWNLIE
The dispatch was received at the Western
Union office here at 1:25 p.m. but it was nearly 2 o'clock before
Hon. J.C. Bills, County Attorney, received it. He immediately
summoned Loftus Keating, ex-Chief of Police, who had been making
investigations as to the murder for several days, and authorized
him and ex-policeman Joe Clinton to proceed to Long Grove with
all possible haste. They hired a fast team and to Long Grove they
went, arriving there in about two hours and a half. A crowd of
men were standing about the place of discovery, and the gun had
not been moved, but it was taken up immediately thereafter. The
gun was not large - calibre about 14. It bore evidence of having
been
SECRETED
in a barn or stack of straw or hay, for the strap on the barrels, and the ramrod, which was in its proper groove, had been nibbled by rats or mice, the marks of the teeth being fresh - or not discolored at all - as if recently made. The iron pin which originally fastened the barrels to the stock had been lost before the gun was stolen from the porch of James Brownlie's house, and a pin of hickory wood had been substituted for it, and half of this wooden pin was still in its place in the stock - showing that all the person who threw the gun into the thicket had to do to separate barrels and stock, was to strike the gun across some hard substance. Having done this, he threw one piece into the thicket and then the other, from his place on the railroad. The place of discovery was about a half mile northwest of the house where the murder was committed. Loft Keating immediately proceeded to
HUNT FOR FOOT TRACKS
and he found some which had not been discovered before. Those commenced about an eighth of a mile east of the railroad, toward A.W. Brownlie's house, and followed a south-westerly direction in the snow till they struck the railroad at a point south of the lane leading to the place of tragedy, and between two hundred and three hundred yards south of the place where the gun was found. The tracks were on a stretch of land which had not been examined before. Of course, after the tracks had struck the railroad they would be traced no further as the road bed was free from snow. When Messrs. Keating and Clinton arrived at the place they found that
SUSPICION HAD ALREADY RESTED UPON LEWIS JOHNSON.
the colored man who had been employed by, and lived with A.W. Brownlie for the last two years and whose evidence at the Coroner's inquest removed the doubts of almost everybody who heard it, as to his innocence. However, no move toward his arrest had been made when Messrs. Keating and Clinton arrived, but prevention of his escape, should he attempt it, had been determined upon. Now,
WHY
Lewis Johnson should be suspected cannot be told
in a few words.
In the first place the measurement of
the tracks above noticed corresponded with the measurement of his
boots or rubbers.
Secondly, Mrs. Brownlie had desired her
husband not to keep him through the winter, as she thought there
was no necessity for it.
Thirdly, there was something over an
hour of time in his foot journey from the place near the Six Mile
House, north of this city, where he left the wagon of James
Gertz, with whom he had ridden from Steffen's to take the
railroad track for his walk to Long Grove, which he had not
accounted for in his testimony. He left the wagon at 5 o'clock,
the distance to the church at Long Grove, where he went to attend
prayer meeting was about six miles and he did not arrive at the
church till after 8 o'clock, yet he testified that he walked
right along and did not loiter on the way. And he had plenty of
time to reach the lane leading from the main road to A.W.
Brownlie's home, take the gun from the secret place, commit the
murder, walk back to the railroad over the track been found he
seemed agitated. But, when questioned, he would look the
questioner straight in the eye, and answer as cooley as he did
Attorney Bills when on the witness stand.
What other reasons the people of Long
Grove may have had, are not known to us at the hour of this
writing - but it is certain he cannot be convicted on the grounds
mentioned alone.
However, here comes in another fact
which heightens the suspicion. On Saturday last, Joe Clinton
visited the house of A.W. Brownlie and in looking about the
kitchen in which Mrs. Brownlie was sitting when killed, he
discovered a
PIECE OF PAPER
on the wall. It was a sort of flat roll, and when
opened it was not larger than one of his fingernails. Yet it was
evidently a piece of the wadding of the gun which was fired at
Mrs. Brownlie. He put it in his wallet, said nothing at the time,
but exhibited it to Coroner Grant and Attorney Bills after his
return to the city. Yesterday he again went to Mr. Brownlie's
house, and opened Lewis Johnson's trunk; and on the top of the
articles in it, he found two pieces of newspaper, the size of the
letters on which corresponded to the size and style of those on
the wadding. To be sure the wadding does not fit any place on
either of these two pieces, and no one but a printer would detect
the resemblance of the letters, for the wadding is soiled. The
words on one piece of the wadding are: "that house"
with terminal letters of other words on either side - the obverse
bear the letters "igno."
Messrs. Keating and Clinton returned to
the city last evening and called on Mr. Bills at the Newcomb
House at 9 o'clock, having the gun with them. Their
representations of the feeling at Long Grove towards Johnson, the
suspicions against him being so deep and prevalent, were such
that Mr. Bills thought best to have
JOHNSON ARRESTED
and brought to jail, although the people of Long Grove had devised measures to prevent his escape. Nevertheless, it is not exactly the proper thing to allow a merely suspected man to remain in the keeping of a people suspecting him of the perpetration of one of the most atrocious murders ever committed in the State, and Messrs. Keating and Clinton were directed to return to the Grove, arrest Johnson, and bring him to the Davenport jail. They departed on this mission at 9:30 last night, and
MADE THE ARREST
at the residence of James Brownlie, where he was
sleeping, at 11:30. When Johnson was aroused he was astounded and
when the hand-cuffs were fastened to his wrists, he became really
weak from nervousness for the first time. He dressed himself
without haste, however, and was cool as when on the witness
stand. He bad good-bye to members of the family, and gave his
gloves to a party in the room. On the way he protested his
innocence several times, and said he "would leave it to
God." He talked very little however, and sat perfectly
still, betraying no agitation whatever. He was brought to jail,
searched, and place in a cell.
So closes another day's efforts in endeavoring
to dispel the cloud of mystery which shields the murderer of Mrs.
Brownlie and her boy. The reader has the facts before him - he
can draw his own conclusions as to the grounds which rest the
suspicion against Johnson.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2004]