Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-11-22

/ none should possess her hand unless he was
rich. Yes, Edward Montrove resolved to
sell his daughters happiness for base gold
I Mrs. Montrove, on the contrary, was willing
to allow Melissa to place her affections upon
whom she pleased, provided, he possessed an
/ irreproachable character. Having known
4 William Newton from childhood up to man
hood, and his character had always been per-
fecty stainless, she was not adverse to his
union with her daughter Thus matters stood
when the company left the village of M
/ for California.
William Newton, sanctioned by Mrs. Mon
trove, woed the bIushing maiden in secret
with success, whilst Charles Gardner openly
poured his tale of love in her ear, but was
rejected. Her father, who had previously
given Gardiner his consent TO the match, was
surprised and somewhat angry when he learn
ed that Melissa had rejected the proposals of
Gardiner.
Never mind, never mind" he exclaimed,
as the latter gentleman told his tale of mis-
fortune, there is time enough yet; rest as
sured that you will prove successful at last"
Several days had elapsed since the discom-
future Of Gardner, when one day Edward
Montrove beckoned Melissa one side and en-
quired the cause Of her aversion to Gardiner.
She frankly confessed the love she bore to-
wards William Newton, and beseechngly re-
quested him to satisfy that love.
Impossible, child" he sternly replied, and
then, as his rage increased he said What!
the rich and accomplished Charles Gardner
set aside for William Newton, who is little
better than a beggar? Nonsense you shall
wed none other than Gardner, and moreover
| forbid you speaking to William Newton,
except in the presence of myselfp
With blasted hopes Melissa turned away
from her cruel father while tears glistened in
those once brilliant eyes, resolved to obey her
sire in respect to conyerSng with Newton for
the present. She however, entertained a
hope that in after years, if William should
obtain a modest fortune in California, her fa-
ther would repent Of his rash conduct and
consent to her union with Newton. For sew
eral weeks things went on in this manner,
Melissa never conversing with William, who
had been made acquainted with the commands
Of Montroye through the medium Of Mrs
Montroye.
Charles Gardiner assiduously pressed his
suit but was met in cold, formal manner by
Melissa. The two rivals, who had not been
on very intimate terms, now avoided each
others company as much as possible.
On the evening of the I'd July, the COM
pany camped in beautiful valley, some three
miles above the crossing of Horse Creek, or
Fish Run, as it is now called-a small stream
rising in the mountains to the right, and emp
tying into Sweet-Watcr several miles below
Independence Rock. At night, VIM. New
ton and another young man by the name of
David Staten, were placed as a guard over
the stock. About midnight, William New
ton rushed into camp frahtically crying:-
"Arouse get up! thieyesl murderersn Soon
the whole camp was in confusion-women
screaming; men, hali-dressed rushing from
the tents, rifle in hand, expecting to encoun-
ter at every step horde of untamed sayages.
As soon as the excitement had partially sub
sided, Newton conducted them short dis
tance to where lay tie dead body of David
Staten He had been stabbed in the left
breast in the region of the heart The only
clue to whom the perpetrator Of the horrid
deed might be, was huge Bowie knife found
close to the dead body, stained with the blood
and which, upon examination was recognized
as William Newton's This was considered
sufficient; William was bound hand, foot, and
a guard placed over him to prevent the posi-
bility Of an escape, he, the while protesting
his entire innocence. His most bitter enemies
on this occasion were Edward Montroye and
Charles Gardiner
On the following morning his examination
took place, and no evidence being presented
by which he could prove his innocence, he
was sentenced to be hung at 10 O'Clock that
day. For an instant, deadly palor over
spread his features, as he heard the sentence
pronounced, but instantly gaining his wonted
compoSure, he desired, as a last request, that
he might converse with Melissa for half an
hour. This Edward Montroye Indignantly
denied him. At half past niue O'Clock
there being no tree of sufficient height in the
vicinity to answer the purpose-a wagon
tongue was elevated about ten feet with
stout brace placed under it, A rope was
then passed through the staple at the end of
the tongue. William Norton was then led
to the spot-the rope was placed around his
neck, and he was informed that if he wished
to speak he had half an h0uf 20 do it in. lie
then spoke in calm tone, as follws:
Friends and Companions: | am now
standing, as it were, on the verge of the
grave am here, before you, convicted of
a henious crime and doomed to an gnomini-
ous DEATH | now look around me and per
ceive familiar faces-I see men who formerly
greeted me with smiling comtenances, deno-
ting friendship, now turn with inefable horror
from me. Yes, | clearly perceive that YOU
all consider me a murderer. But | am inno-
cent; aud | have the happiness of knowing