To the Muscatine Tri-Weekly Journal
1 March 1855 • St. Louis, Mo.
(Muscatine Tri-Weekly Journal, 12 Mar 55, UCCL 09995)

St. Louis, March 1,’55.

Yesterday afternoon, about 1 o’clock, an affray occurred in the saloon of the Planters’ House, between the noted desperado, Bob O’Blennis, and Benjamin F. Brand, Deputy Marshal, which resulted in the death of the latter in a few hours.1

According to the published evidence, the two men commenced quarrelling, while standing at the bar. Harsh language passed on both sides. O’Blennis left the saloon, but soon returned, and said to Brand, “I suppose you have something against me, and now is the time to settle [it.” Brand ]said he was ready. Both drew their revolvers at the same time, but Brand did not shoot. O’Blennis fired four shots, one shattering B.’s hand, another entering his wrist, the third taking effect in the arm, near the shoulder, and the fourth and fatal ball entered the side, passed through the lungs, and lodged in the back [bone. Brand ]lived about three hours. His wife, who visited him, was almost [frantic. Mr. ]B. was about thirty years of age, and leaves three interesting children.

O’Blennis was taken before Justice Butler and examined.2 He rambled about the streets, after the murder, accompanied by an officer part of the time, and part of the time entirely at liberty.

Bob O’Blennis has long been celebrated as the most abandoned and reckless [outlaw ]in St. Louis—and but for his money, would have been roasting in the infernal regions long before this. Mr. Brand is not the first man he ever killed.3 If all the curses I have heard heaped upon his head to‐day were to go into effect, I almost doubt if a place could be invented hot enough for him.

[S. L. C.]

Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary

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1 Most of the details in this letter came from “The Murder Yesterday” (St. Louis Missouri Republican, 1 Mar 55, 2). Robert McO’Blenis (sometimes O’Blennis) was one of four partners in the company that operated the St. Louis omnibus lines. A wealthy gambler and livery-stable owner known for his arrogant and violent disposition, he supplied the drivers and horses for the street cars. Despite public outrage over his killing of Brand, McO’Blenis was convicted merely of second-degree murder. On 21 November 1855 he received a sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, but served only until 1857, when Governor Robert M. Stewart pardoned him (“The O’Blennis Trial,” St. Louis Missouri Republican, 22 Nov 55, 2; Grissom, 94–95; Primm, 198–99; Hyde and Conard, 1:177).

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2 Edward Mann Butler (1784–1855) was a distinguished historian of Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. He held degrees in law and medicine, and for many years was a professor at Transylvania University in Lexington (forerunner of the University of Kentucky) and other Kentucky colleges. For the last years of his life he was a justice of the peace in St. Louis. Butler conducted the preliminary investigation of Brand’s murder and denied bail to McO’Blenis (Collins, 1:641–42; Conard, 3:3; Green, 74; Morrison, 39; Montague, 38; Knox, 26; St. Louis Missouri Democrat: “A Painful Tragedy,” 1 Mar 55, 2; “The McO’Blenis Tragedy,” 2 Mar 55, 2).

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3 In December 1854 McO’Blenis had slightly injured a man with a knife in a bar fight. No charge was brought against him at that time (St. Louis Missouri Republican: “Affray,” 28 Dec 54, 2; “No Prosecution,” 29 Dec 54, 2).

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

“Correspondence of the ‘Journal’. Special Correspondence. Murder—Deputy Marshal of St. Louis Killed by Bob O’Blennis!” Muscatine Tri-Weekly Journal, 12 Mar 55, 2, in the Historical Library, The State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines.

Previous publication: L1, 54–55; Branch 1984, 6.

Provenance:unknown. The file of the Journal in the P. M. Musser Public Library, Muscatine, Iowa (IaMu), presumably the one kept by the publisher, does not include this issue.

Emendations and textual notes:

it.” Brand • it.”— |Brand

bone. Brand • bone.— |Brand

frantic. Mr. • frantic.— |Mr

outlaw • out-|law

S. L. C. • S. C. L.