Litchfield enquirer., 1849-02-22
No. II WnoLE 40. 1905.


Lord John lnneS, the represeSe,l alive
of the family of that name in the wear
1897, having had no children, settled
about this time his titles and estate upon
his heir-in-law, Alexander lnnes of Gro
my, his own cousin, granting him, at the
same time. permission to enjoy both,
even in his own lifetime. Robert lines
of Innermalky, of whom q sculptagci
representation il, stone has recently been
discovered among the ruins Of Elgin Ca
thedral, was one Of the cadets Of the same
family, and felt UNNECESSARILY chagrined
at the conduct Of Lord John, in thus
voluntarily depriying himself Of the hon
orS and influence to which, in virtue of
his birth, he was fortunately entitled.
He had at the same time an anxious eye
to the title and estate of Innes himself;
although, Of course, he was careful 10
conceal as much a. possible, from Lord
John and his other friends, the ambitions
aspirations by which 10 was actuated.
Either through threats or otherwise In
nermarky SO effectua,lly wrought on the
fears Of Lord John, who by this time
was considerably advanced in lie, as to
make MIN SO far repent Of his consigning
over his honors and estate to his cousin
Alexander, that he entered into con-
|spiracy with Innernarky to assassinats
! the former.
The only thing wanting was an oppor-
tunity of carrying their murderous bur-
poses into execution, and such an oppor-
tunity was not wanting longs Alexan-
der about this time (Apfil $500 had
gone to Aberdeen for the purpose Ct see
ing his only son, a youth Of l6, at CHS
time a studeg. il one of the colleges OF
that city. During Alexander's visit to
his son, the latter became seriously IN
disposed and his fathers stay was con
siderably prolonged until he should wit
ness the issue Of his sons indis position
The two conspirator's mastering good.
ly number Of their attendants, proceeded
to Aberdeen, where they arrived Al mid
night, and immediately proceeded to ez-
ecute their purpose.
They found the gate of the close In
which their intended victim resided az
the time, lying quite open; but The doors
OF the house were closely shut. 70 have
broken open the doors by any violent
means. would most probably have c-ea-
ted an alarm in the neighborhood, ana
thus entirely defeated the objects the
conspirators had in view. 1t occurred
to them, therefore, that the most likely
method Of succeeding in their uurderopS
project would be to create q pretended
dispute between their attendants, by
which means the inmates of the house
would propably open the doors WITH he
view OF ascertailnng its cause, and VII
Messing its consequences. One Of them
accordingly set up . loud cry Of Help
q Gordon! Help Gordon ?"--ibe
gathering word of those of that name.
which, as Alexander Innes was warmly
attached to the interests Of the Gordon
family, they knew would be the most
likely means Of inducing him to come CIT
from bis bed. The stratagera was eoln-
plstely successful Alexander Instantly
jumped out Of bed: half dressed him
self, laid hold of his sword came TO ths
outside; and inquired the cause OF the
dispute. Although the night was dark,
Innernarky knew him perfectly by his
voice. and presenting his gun, Shot him
through the body i. a moment. a
crowd of the conspirators' attendants
then rushed on their victim, and plunged
their daggers int every part Of bis per-
son. Lord John lines, however, rs il
either shocked at the brutality he wit
messed. or repenting Of his being at ali
engaged in so horrible business, stood
trembling at q little distance from the
spot on which the revolving murder was
committed. Innermarky, on pcrceiyiny
that Lord John thus stood aloof frcm
the atrocities, ran up to him with ter /.
rife expression of countenance, and liol-
ding to his throat the dagger which was
still reeking with the blood Of has victim.
protested that he should in moment
plunge it into the bosom Of Lord John.
| If he did not Immediately follow the ex-
ample he and his attendants had set bin
in stabbing his dagger to lac hit into the
body of his victim. Lord John, aware
that death would be the certain coase-
quence of any attempt at resistance, re-
luctaatly followed the example OF tae
others, and plunged a daggerin the body
of his neares: relation. and the most ceur-
ageous individual who bo~a his name.
livery other person present who had no.
already done 80, was also compelled 10
follow the example they had seen; and
30 anxious was lnnermarky to iayolye aa
many as possible in the aiiai.. in order
that in the eye of the law all might Gp-
pear equally guilty. that he actually COM
PEELED Mr. John Innes. afterwards of
aCozsoun. then a youth in school. to rise
from his bed and also plunge dagger
up % the hilt into tho body Of dis Gsssd
relation.
The next object to which the consp:r-
ators tvEned tAer attention, was 10 se.he