Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-07-18

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moustache, and very white teeth. which
he was at considerable pains 10 show
He was about five feet eight inches high,
and rather strongly built, with certain
reckless appearance abou, him. that de-
noted the lowest set of gamblers. He
went by the name of Morgan. l finish
ed my examination of him, and then re-
paired to my tent, where after smoking
and relating the news l had heard, |
turned in and was soon dreaming of the
dear, friend | had left in old Massachu-
seits.
The next day we put our "cradles'
together and commenced operations, op-
posl,e Bidwell's ranch, but cannot say
that we made the amount daily that my
sanguine friends had anticipated. Al
any rate, we worked easy, and managed
TO lay up little; but if we had been o.
bliged to buy provisions at the rate they
were selling for at the store, we should
have had TO send home for money to pay
our debts with, or else taken the benefit
of the bankrupt act.
All went on smoothly for a week.
We made the acquaintance of most OF
the miners at work in The neighborhood,
and found them TO be all pretty good
fellows; their worst fault appeared TO be
drinking, but then they worked hard,
and pleaded as an excuso that the climate
was so bad, that drinking was beneficial.
One morning, just as day was break
ing, our accustomed hour for getting
up tn breakfast, we observed large
crowd gathered around the store, and
curiosity getting the better of us, we
started TO see what the matter was, leav-
ing one to cook the breakfast AS we
drew near, could see the tall form OF
Jones mingling with the crowd, and ges-
ticulaling violently. Ienquired of him
what had brought SO many together, this
early in the morning.
"Matter enough" he replied. "Here's $
that d-d scoundrel of Morgan stole
no less than three thousand dollars from
Doiy, the storekeeper."
"ls he taken!" asked, astonished at
the robbery.
"Yes, we have him safe enough, and
the money also,' chuckled Jones.
After some enquiries, | found tina, a.
bout two o'clock in the morning. Dory
was awakened by slight noise inside
OF the tent. In an instant all was quiet,
but thinking that every thing was not
right, he took his revolver from under
his bed, and commenced search about
in the dark. All at once his hand came
in contact with mans head.
"Who is this?" and received, for an
answer, tremendous blow, which near
ly stunned him, but instantly rallying he
discharged his revolver repeatedly at a
form that darted past him, and then fol-
flowed as swiftly as possible in pursuit,
shouting '.stop thief"
Some dozen or two turned out, gave
chase. and succeeded in capturing Nor
gan, after desperate resistance, in
which he used his knife rather freely.
About sixty yards from the store he had
thrown away the two buckskin bags
that contained the dust, and that was
safely delivered 10 the owner. They
were now about forming jury TO try
him for robbery, and twelve Americans
were accordingly chosen, with old Jones
as judge. The trial was soon over, and
lhejury were not out more than half an
hour before they returned, and pronoun-
cec him worthy of DEATH, leaving it to
the judge to decide in what manner he
should die.
"Well, boys. you have acted wisely,
and, as am merciful man, | decide
that at ten o'clock this forenoon, he be
tied TO a tree and six of our best marks
men load their rifles and have crack a,
him, and may God have mercy on his
soul. MIR. .-," continued Jones, 81
appoint you, with as many assistants as
you want, to see the law carried into
effect"
linlimaled 10 the honorable Judge tha,
should like to be excused from perform.
ing SO disagreeable duty, but with a
savage look he ordered me to "perform
the task he had imposed upon me, and
make no more words about it,"
i Morgan had fair trial. His gull
!. was too evident, and as he lay in The
store with his feet and hands bound with
strong cords, looking dirty and ragged
with the blood slowly dripping from hi.
arm, where ball had lodged from the
revolver of Dory, could not help pity.
ing the poor wretch. He must hay,
read compassion in my face. for making
an effort to sit upright, in which he wa.
not successful, he asked me for drinl
Of water. | instantly handed him some
and, after drinking heartily, he appear
ed to be relieved. | asked him if ther,
was anything else that could do fo
him. He remained silent for moment
and then said:
"The judge has appointed you to Sc,
that the sentence is carried into effect
has he not!"
| II am sorry to say that he has, Nor
4 gam" answered.
"Well never mind. would rather
you than some Of the rest here. But
have particular favor to ask Of you.--
Perhaps you will laugh, and think It .
weakness; but | can't help it. Have
you Bible at your tent!"