The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-01-31

the mystery that surrounded the whole af
lair. This he could not do, even to his own
satisfaction, much less that of the stern
judge, or the indignant and outraged com
| munitv. 1t was discovered that the day be,
fore he sailed, he had bought a quantity o'
chloride of lime, corresponding to the amt
that had surrounded the body.
This additional fact was scarcely needed
to raise the irrit1tion and resentment of the
people to the highest pitch. 1t wa: with
great difficulty that few of the more sober
and influential men succeeded in restraining
The popular voice and clamor to mete out
speedy and retributivc Punishment to the
"bood-thirsty and stony-heartcd wretch,
without waiting for the slower process OF
the law. 1t was to no purpose that Captain
Lodcr declared that the chloride Of lime
was purchased to be used as disinfectant
| when his vessel reached the Southern lati-
tude. They closed their eyes to so probable
an explanation of that circumstances, not
withstanding it was the custom with cap
tans at that time Of the year, when about
to. sail South. -
The prisoner being Temanded to await the
action Of the Grand Jury, an indictment for
murder was unanimously found against him
and with calmncss he awaited his trial.
Nothing els. was scarcely talked or tho't
Of, in the mean time--his apparent callous-
ncss-his undoubted guilt. Indeed, opn-
ions upon the murdcrous deed were so free
~ spoken, that it was matter OF great
doubt whether an impartial jury could be
obtained in the county.
Times chariot wheels rolled slowly on,
and but three days intcrvened ere the great
murder trial was TO commence. The priso-
ner was sitting on the edge of his rude bed,
resting his head upon the table, with his
arm extended across his eyes, as if TO ex-
clude the light. The past was fitting be-
fore his mind, and mis- memory carried him
back to the happy scenes Of chi!dhood-the
ambitious struggles of youtt-the bissiul
hours Of n newly welded iifc-the es;range-
ment aud repeated quarrelS that followed in
a few years, between her hc had sworn to
love and protect, and hi:nself-dsSensions in
which he was to blame-the staange man.
ner in which the murdered corpse was found
the suspicion that was instantly directed TO
him-the chain of dark and fearful eircum-
stances that seemed to hopelessly fasten the
deed upon him, and him alone-thc forebo
ding and gloomy future that seemed to rise
up aud mock him. a.
These thoughts, thus crowding in upon
his mind, overpowered him, and the strong
man wept, for the first time since his arrest,
bitter, scalding tears coursed rapidly down
his furrowed and sun-burnt checks. He
had brayed death amid the storm tossed
waves, def. him when he had been swept
from his frail bark and carried down deep
into the angry OCEAN, for then his memory
would have been untainted By the foul
breath Of suspicion-but H0'e, to die thus
oh it was horrible thought.
Deeply absorbed in his own thoughts, he
needed not the sound of many feet hasten
ing with quick step along the corridor which
led to the iron grating that formed the door
Of his cell. 1t was thrown opcn-a voice
exclaimed "You are free,"-and the cell was
Immediately filed with his neighbors, their
familiar faces wearing a smile OF JOY.
lie heard them not-saw them not-hls
upilfted eye had Int upon a female form--he
knew il well. lie sprang 10 his fee gazed
for moment with an intensity that seemed
to start the very eyeballs from their sockets,
and the ne X moment husband and rife were
easped n each oIner arms. d
That was an affecting moment, one that
rivalled in power the most moving scenes of
the drama. Not a face that bcheld that
meeting but was suiiu>ed with tears. lie
asked no qucstions--only drew his embrace
still closer, as though he doubted his own
senses, fearful les: all he saw, ali lac felt, was
but dream.
Their friends silently Withdrew and left
the reunited pair alone for an hour. She
told him how she left on visit to her rela-
tivcs in Maine Immediately after his depar-
ture for the South-how she had not men
toned it to him, owing to the angry feelings
nd Eel. IL .otx l.,tl IL
allowed themselves TO participate on that
day-that her resolution to leave home was
in fact taken suddenly, ami without a word
to any Of her neighbors; she heard of his
arrest and her supposed death, through
newspaper several weeks old, which she
clme across by accident, and with the ut
most possible haste, she, accompanied by
one Of her brothers, had travelled night and
dav without q moments respite.
We will not pry into the mutual confes-
sions OF that hour--but they left the dark
walls of the prison, entwined in each others
arms, and with the deepest affection beam
ing from their eyes. lie abandoned the sea,
bctook himself to agricultural pursuits, and
from that date more loving and devoted
couple could not lie found.
But, asks the reader, who was the MUIR
dercd woman that was found in the wood :
That mystery was not solved Tor years. 1t
was at last discovered through the confess
sion Of thief and murderer, who was
hung in distant city at no very distant
date.
He stated that at the time of this murder
he had been stopping in the neighborhood,
burglarieS, thcfts, DC, as oppor- |
tunity permitted; that he had formed a LissOn |
with a woman who temporarily boarded at
the place; that the latter, two o. three days
before the children's excursion tc the wood,
had left in a light wagon, accompanied 10y
him, for Providence-while driving through
the wood, he in a tit Of jealousy, struck her
senselesS from the vehicle, and then took
her life. Alarmed lest he should be discov
cred, he hastily hid her in the thick brush, !
but returned to the spot at midnight, when |
he buried her near an unirequented thicket, |
and then fed from the scene of his crime. |
The resemblance between this woman and
the captains wife was surprising strange; |
but if the features had been perfect the diff |
ference in the person would have been at
once apparent. Thus was solved the mys-, 4
terry attending one of the most remarkable
cases of eircumstantial evidence that ever
'f b! /
SINGULAR PREsERvArIoN.-The Buffalo
Courier states that gentleman in that city
received the unexpected news on Tuesday
the 13 inst, that the steward on
the schooner Iowa had been almost miracu-
ously saved. His name is Theodore La
Corgny, and he writes from Detroit, giving
the particulars Of his escape from the wreck,
lie says that, at the time of the wreck he
was in the cabin, and, as the water was
running in quite freely, he went on deck.
The sea was breaking over the vessel, and
he was unable to stand. lie bethought
him of the provision box, and by some meaps
succeeded in reaching it. He crept into it.
and in few hours found himself on land,
the lake on one side and a forest on the
other There was nothing in the box ex-