Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1857-02-26
THE BRIBERY.

n town In which the following incidel
occurred, for the Judge is still liliu
n there, aud he may have reformed ell
n this. The town was on the Mississiy
e pi River, and at that time in its ii
e fancy: and was infested by a band {
reckless men who robbed and mur
dered when they could, and spen
the rest ofthe working hours in gan
bling. Charles Masters moved int
the place with his wife aud flm;ly
and opened a store. He was a fla,
young man, not over thirty years o
age, and possessed firm, pure spirit
aud stout kind heart. One of hi,
first efforts after becoming acquainted
with the leading people of the place
was to rid the town of tie miserable
cut-throats who infested it; and to
this end he pointed out their haunts
and endeaYored to make the public
officers do then duty. He had sew.
eral of them arrested, but though the
proof of their guilt was as plain as
the sun at monday, yet he could not
get one Of them convicted.
At length it was determined among
the gamblers that Charles Masters
Should abe pat out of the way, and
three OF their gang agreed to murder
him. 10 this end they waylaid him
as he was going to his house one
night. and when he had reached the
place where they had concealed them-
selves, they rushed out upon him and
tried to stab him. But the young
merchant proved too. much for them.
he had been warned of bis danger.
and he was prepared. He walked at
night only with a double barrelled
pistol in each hand. On the present
occasion, he shot down two Of the as
sa6sins, and as he presented the pistol
to the head of the third, he fled,
But tie young man was not free.
On the very next day he was appre-
hended for murder At first he on
ly laughed at the idea, but ere long
he found there was something seIi.
Gus in it. The sheriff informed him
that if he would leave the place, and
never retlrn to it again, he should be
let OF; but this Masters scorned to do.
He demanded trial, and he was in
form d that he should have it. The
court was to sit in about two weeks,
and until hat time expired he vas
confined in the jail. His wife and
eldest child suffered much, but kind
friends cared for them, and did all
they could for their comfort.
The greatest difficulty Masters Ia
bored nnder WAS in finding lawyer.
The only lawyer of any eminence in
the place bad been retained on the |
other side But in this fortune had |
favored him most signaily. Sergeant
5. Prentiss Glanced to pass through
the town on his way to defend a
naa on the charge of murder in
distantt0wn, and he promised to be !
on hand TO defend Masters. He
had known the young merchant, and
his sympathies were awakened at
)nce in his behalf.
The day of trial at length came
,n. The prosecution had straighten-
ID every nerve, and as yet the de-
ence had gained but very little testi-
nony. No one had been present, I
save the prisoner aud the principal !
at the time the two men
we're shot, and evidence could not be !
obtained as to the evil habits Of the
-wo dead men; for, though many knew
hem, meme dared to testify.
PrenusS came, and be called to
see the prisoner.
81 see they mean to condemn
you," remarked the lawyer, as he sat
down upon the low pallet.
"0fcourse they DO" returned Mas
Lers. "They fear me here, and those |
who do not fear me, fear to testify !
for ME, save to my own charaeter.-
They dare not say one word against
the desperate characters with whom |
we have to deal"
: 'Are you acquainted with old Nash,
The Judge?'' Prentiss asked.
Somewhat, returned the prisoner;
'and l think he is hard man. | |
know he gainbles much, and | fear he |
has an interest in some of the gam
bling houses here"
$50 / thought" said the counsel,
with meaning shake of the head |
But never rnind,' he added, 81 viii
see what | can do tonight. Things