Squatter sovereign., 1856-03-11

nave been cleared, but the prosecution had
he close, and threw ice on the FIRE | had
kindled. But they did not put it quite out.
The judge charged according to law and
evidence, but evidently leaned upon the
side of mercy. The jury found verdict
of guilty, but unanimously commended the
prisoner to the olenlency of the court. My
client was sentes,eea 70 the sh5etest sirsl-
prisonment the court was empowered to
give, and both jury and court signed Pc
tition to the Governor for an unconditional
pardon, which has since been granted, but
not before the following incident occurred
Some three months after this, ] received
an account for collection from a wholesale |
house in New York. The parties to col
lect from were hard ones," but they had
property, and before they had any idea of
the trap laid, had the property, which
they were about to assign before they |
broke, under attachment. Finding that |
a was neck ahead, and bound to win. they |
caved and paid over three thousand seven
hundred and ninety-four dollars and eigh- |
teen cents (per my memorandum book) in
current money. They lived in Shawnee
town about twenty-five or thirty miles south
east of Moor's prairie. received the
funds just after bank opening, but other
business detained me until after dinner
then started for c., intending to 60
as far as the village of Mount Vernon
that night.
Ihad got along at fair pace about ten
or twelve miles, when | noticed double
team of splendid horses coming up behind
me, attaced to light wagon, in which
were seated four men-evidentiy of the
high strung order. They swept past me
as if to show how easy they could oft then
shortened in,. and allowed me to come up.
They hailed me and asked me to wet, or
in other words to diminish the contents Of
jug of old rye they had aboard, but ex-
| eused myself on the plea that I had plenty
aboard. They asked me how far was GO
ing, told them as far as Mount Vernon,
if my horse did not tire. They mentioned
pleasant tavern ten or twelve miles ahead
| as nice stopping place, and then drove on.
did not like the look OF these fellows,
nor their actions. But was bound 10 go
ahead. had brace of revolvers, nice
knife, and my money was not in the va
lise in my sulkey, but In my belt around my
body. drove slow in hopes they would
90 on, and | should see them no more. It
was near dark when I saw tavern sign
ahead. At the same time saw that their
wagon stood before the door. I would
have passed On, but my horse needed rest.
| hauled up, and woman came to the
door. She turned as pale as clean sheet
when she saw me-she did not speak, but
with meaning look, she put her finger to
her lips and beckoned me in. The wo-
man was the wife ofmy late Client.
When entered, the party recognized
me, hailed me as if was an old travelling
friend, and asked me to drink. I respect
fully, but firmly declined TO do so.
by Cd you shall drink or fight" said
the noisies: of the party.
"Just as you please, drink will not .
SAID l proposely showing the butt of a
s.colt," which kicks six times in rapid sue
cession.
i The others interfered and very easily
quelled my opponent. One offered me a
cigar, which would have refused, but a
glance of entreaty from the woman induced
me to accept it. She advanced to proffel
me light, and in doing SO, slipped lins
into my hand which she must have writer
in pencil but the moment before. Never
shall forget the words-they were-"Be.
ware--they are members of the gang. They
mean to rob and murder you Leave soon
I will try to dstaln Them"
i didn't feel comfortable just then but
T tried to look so.
"Have you room to put up my horse 2"
asked the woman.
4 ''What, are you not going on tonight
asked one of the men. ave are!''
), "No, shall stay here p
i "We'll all stay, reckon, and make I
/ night of it - SAID another.
j ''You'll have to put up your own horss
heres a lantern" said the woman.
: .fm used to that" said I. "Gentlemen
excuse me moment. I'll join You in drini
when / come in.
Good ON your head !; more whiskey oil
r gall" shouted they.
J, l went out glanced at their wagon;
sIwas old fashioned; linchpins secured tn,
/ wheels. To out with knife and pfy on
! from the fore and hind wheel only took M
!, an instant. ] threw them as far off in tn
+ darkness as could. To unite nv hors