The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-07-02

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advise you, as a fellow countryman 40
have nothing 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 what offence has he been guilty?"
Inquired, scrutinizing the man still more
closely. sa
swell, we have not been able to prove
anything against him, as yet, but there has
been a good deal of the dust lost out of
our tents whenever they have been left
alone, and you will never see this fellow
at work, if you should stay here ten years
He has not got it in him. Yet he has al
ways dust to lose at the gaming table eve-
ry night. Why, before the fellow came
here, | could 60 out and leave dozen
pounds of the real stuff in my tent, and
come back and find it safe; but it won't do
to do it now" he said sorrowfully las though
he was grieved to find so much dishonesty
in the world aa .slg
Jones bid me good night, and walked
towards his tent, while | stepped nearer to
the suspected person, and had good op.
portunity to examine him as he stood at
the card table. 5t
He was, as | have said, twenty-eight
years old, with small dark eyes, that never
seemed TO be at rest, heavy beard and
moustache, 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 reckless
appearance about him, that denoted the
very lowest class Of gamblers. He went
by the name of Morgan. | finished my
examination OF him, and then repaired to
my tent, where. after smoking and relating
the news had heard, turned in, and was
shortly dreaming of the dear friends whom
had left in good old Massachusetts.
The next day we put our "cradles" to-
gether and commenced operations. oppo-
Site Bidwell's ranch, but cannot say that
we made the amount daily that my SAN
guine 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 bank
rupt act.
All went on smoothly for week. We
made the acquaintance Of most OF the mi.
ners 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 excuse that the climate was so bad,
that drinking was beneficial.
One morning, just as day was breaking,
our accustomed hour for getting up TO
breakfast, we observed a large crowd gath.
cred round the store, and curiosity getting
the better Of us, we started TO see what the
matter was, leaving one to cook the break
fast. As we drew near, could see the
tall form Of Jones mingling with the crowd,
and gestculating violently. | inquired oI
him what had brought so many people to-
gether. thus early in the morning.
'.Matter enough said he. Here'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.
"Yes, we have him safe enough, and the
money also," chuckled Jones.
ARer some inquiries, found that about
two o'clock in the morning, Dory was
awakened by slight noise inside Of the
tent. In an instant all was quiet. bu,
thinking that everything was moi right, he
took his revolver from under his bed, and
commenced march in the dark. All al
once his hand came in contact with man, s
head.
"Who is this!" he asked, and received
for answer, tremendous blow, which
nearly stunned him, but instantly rallying
he discharged his revolver repeatedly at q
form, that darted past him, and then fol
lowed as swiftly as possible in pursuit
shouting "stop thief!' ''. a. @s1 "
Some dozen or two turning out, gave
chase, and succeeded in capturing Nor
gan, after desperate resistance, in whicf
he used his knife rather freely. About six
ty Yards from the store he had thrown
away the two buckskin bags that contain
ed the dust, and that was safely delivered
to the owner. They were now abou
forming a jury to try him for robbery, ane
!, twelve Americans were accordingly cho
sen with old Jones as Judge. The tria
was soon over, and the jury were not ou
more than half an hour before they return
ed and pronounced him worthy of death
leaving it to the Judge to decide in wha
manner he should die. ! aai mai u'1a.
s"Well, boys, you have acted wisely
J and, as am merciful man, decide tina
} at ten o'clock this forenoon, he be tied Il
. tree and six of our best marksmen loa'
: their rifles and have crack at him, ant
!, may God have mercy on. his SOUL" y ~
b"Mr Z" Jones continued" al ap
, point you, with as many assistants a
you want, to see the law carried into Ell
{ Iiect." sil,isia ,be iHo"e a9i Y isp 'g-
nosI minated to the honorable Judge the
| II should like 10 be excused from perform
ing so dissagreeable duty, but with a sav
l | re jhoL he nrdered me IN Uperforn th