The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-07-03

nothing to do with that fellow. have had
my eye on him for some time, and if he
does ever come under my discipline, will
serve him out warrant you.'
'.Of whit offence has he been guilty p
enquired, looking at the man more close.
| ly.
"Well we have not been able to prove
anything against him, as yet, but there has
been good deal of the dust lost out Of
our tents whenever they were left alone.
and you will never see this fellow at work,
| Ilfyou should stay here ten years. He has
not got it in him. Yet be has always dust
to lose at the gambling table every night.
Why, before that fellow came here, could
90 out and leave dozen pounds Of the real
s.uif'in my tent, and cone back and find it
safe; but il won't do to do it now,'' he said
sorrowlully, as though be was grieved to
find SO mnch dishonesty in the world.
Jones bade me good night, and walked
toward his tent, while stepped nearer to
The suspected person, and had good oppor-
,unlty TO examine him as he stood at the
card table.
lie was, as 7 have said, twenty -eigh,
years old, with small dark eyes, that never
seemed to be at rest; heavy beard md mus
lache, and very white teeth, which he
was at considerable pains to show. He
was about five feet eight inches high, and
rather strongly built, with certain reck
less appearance about him that denoted the
lowest set Of gamblers. He wen, by the
name Of Morgan. ! finished my examina-
ton Of him, and then repaired to my tent,
where after smoking, and relating the news
had heard, turned in and was seon
dreaming Of the dear friends | had left in
Massachusetts.
The next day we put our "cradlesn To-.
gether and commenced operations, oppo-
site BidwelI's range, bat cannot say thai
we made the amount daily that my SAN
euine friends had anticipated. At any
rate we worked easy, and managed to lay
up little; but if we had been obliged 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 week. We
made the acquaintance of most of the mi
ners al work in the neighborhoo 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
excuse that the climate was So bad, that
drinking was beneficial
nno n,,r.t,,r ,,tuf I,x, ,y.p Ira.l i,,r
our accustomed hour for getting up 10 break
fast, We observed large crowd gathered
around the store, and curiosity getting the
better ofus, we started To see what the mat
ter was. leaving one to cook the breakfast.
As we drew near could see the tall form
Of jones ningiing with the crowd, and ges-
jiculuting violently. ! enquired Of him
what had brought 50 many together, thus
early in the morning,
"Matter enough," he replied. "lere's
that id scoundrel of Morgan stole no
less than three thousand dollars from Dory,
the store-keeper."
SIS he taken?" asked, astonished al the
robbery.
ayes, we have him safe enough, and the
money ALSO" chuckled Jones.
After some enquiries, found that about
two o'clock in the morning, Dory was a.
Weakened by slight noise inside of the
tent In an instant all was quiet, but
thinking that everything was not right, he
took his revolver from under his bed, and
commenced search about in the dark
All al once his hand camein contact with a
mans head.
"Who is ihis?" he asked, and received,
for an answer, a tremendous blow, which
nearly stunned him, but instantly rallying,
he discharged his revolver repeatedly at a
form that darted passed him, and then fol-
lowed as swiftly as possible in pursuit, shout
ing ''stop thiel!'
Some dozen or two turned out, gave
chase, and succeeded 10 capturing Morgan.
after 4 desperate resistance, in which he
used his knife rather freely. About sixty
Yards from the store he had thrown away
the Two buck-skin bags that contained the
dust, md that was safely delivered to the
owner. They were now about forming o
| Jury to try him for robbery, aud twelve
Americans were accordingly chosen, with
old Jones as Judge. The trial was soon
over, and the Jury were not out more than
halfan hour before they returned, and pro-
nounced 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 mercifll man, decide that al
ten o'clock this forenoon, he be tied to q
tree aud six of our best marksmen load
their rifles aud have crack at him, and
may God have mercy on his soul. Mr..
-" Jones continued, IL appoint you,
with as many assistants as you want, to see
the law carried into effect"
Iintimated to the honorable judge that !
should like to be excused from performing
80 disagrceable duty, but, with savage
look he ordered me to 'perform the task be
had imposed upon me, and make no more
words about H."
Morgan had n fair trial. His guilt was
too evident, and as he lay in the store with
his feet and bands bound with strong cords,
looking dirty and ragged, with the blood
slowly dripping from his arm where ball
l.. II a e |