The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1857-08-07

] II
cy OF the court. My client was sen.
fenced to the shortest imprisonment the
cour, was empowered to give, and both
jury and court signed petition to the
Governor for an unconditional pardon,
which has since been granted but not
before the following incident occurred; I;
Some three months after this,l receiv.
ed an account for collection from q
wholesale house in New York. The
parties to collect from we're hard ones,
but they had property, and before
they had an idea OF the plot laid, | had
the property, which they were about to
assign before they broke, under attach
ment. Finding was neck ahead and
bound TO win, they "caved in and "fork
ell over" three thousand seven hundred
and ninety -four dollars and eighteen
cents (per memorandum book, } in good
money. They lived in Shawneelown,
about 35 or40 miles southe asi OF Moore
prairie. | received the funds just ate :
bank opening, but other business de.
tanned me till after dinner. then
started for c., intending to go as
far as the village OF Mt. Venon the
night.
/ had gone along ten or twelve miles,
when noticed splendid team OF
double horses attached to light wagon
in which we're seated four men, evident.
ly OF the high strung order. They
swept past Is il to show how easily they
could do it. They shortened in and
allowed me to come up with them, and
hailing me asked me to "wet or in 9th
er words diminish the contents OF a jug
Of old rye they had aboard, but | ex.
cused my self with the plea that had
plenty on board. They asked me how
far | was going. told them os far as
Mt. Vernon, il my horse didn't tire out.
They mentioned pleasant tavern ten
or twelve miles ahead, as nice stop.
ping place, and then drove on.
did not like the looks Of those fellows
nor their actions. But | was bound to
20 ahead: had a brace OF revolvers
and nice knife; my money was not in
my valise, or my sulky, but in belt
around my body. | drove slow in
hopes that they would 60 on. and
should see them no more. Ii was near
ly dark when | saw tavern sign
ahead. At the same time | saw theil
wagon stool before the door. | would
have pressed on but my horse needed
rest. hauled up and woman came
to the door. She turned as pale as g
sheet when she saw me-she did no
speak but with meaning look she pu
her finger on her lips and beckoned m'
in; she was the wife OF my late client
When entered the party recognize,
me, and hailed Inc as an old travelling
friend. AMI asked me 10 drink. re
spectlully but firmly declined to d
so.
"By -, you shall drink or fight!
said the noisyest Of the party.
"Just as you please, drink shall
I not' said |, purposely showing the but
l. Of colt which kicks six time in rapi,
c succession.
{ The,pauy interposed nd very easl
i quelled the assailant. One offered m
t cigar which reluctantly refused, br
e a glance from the woman induced m
II to accept. She advanced aud profiere
e me light, and in doing so slippad
note into my hand, which she mu
a have written with pencil amoment b,
{ fore. Never shall forget the words
!, they were:
"Bewaie, they ora members Of I'll
d gang. They mean TO rob and- murd,
j. you! Leave soon, will detain theml"
n ! did not feel comfortable just thel
but tried to do so.
a "Hove you any room TO put up m
d horse?" ! asked turning to the woman
"What-are you not going on I,
I. night?" asked one OF the men; we arc
u "No," said |, al shall stay here tc
" night"
}, "Ws,l all stay then, guess. an
). make night Of it," said another OF n
cut.throats.
s "You'll have to put up your ow
= horse-kere's lantern" said.the VI
o man.
'r 81 am used to that" said. Ger
o tlemen excuse me a minute; ri joi
d you in a drink ,chen come in,"
t "Good on your head More whisk y
s old gall" shouted they.
1t Iwent out, glanced at their wagol
4. i, was old fastened; and "lync pin
y secured the wheels. To take out n
r knife and pry one from the fore al
Or hind wheels,wa, but the work OF an i
ID slant, and threw them as far OF in Il
Of darkness as / could. To unite n
{. horse and dash of was the work OF
i moment. The road lay down a ste,
hill, but my lantern lighted me som
e. what.
ut Ihad hardly got under full headwa
ly when Iheard y yell from the party Ih
50 so unceremoniouly lef,.I put whip to n
b. herse. The next moment with sho
n they started. threw my light ava
and left my horse to pick his way.
ng moment later. heard a crash-a hi
n rible shrek. The wheels were off.
" Then came the rush OF the horses te,
p ing along with the wreck Of the wage
N. Finally they seemed to fetch up
re the wood. One or two shrieks hsa
to as weept on, leaving them far behi
ID; For some time. hurried my horse
Al you'd better believe I"rid!" 1t wa
n little after midnigh, when / got to \
on Vernon.
oil Tho next day Iheard that at Moor
n Iprairiela team run a away that two m
of' out Of four had been so badly hurt tn
'er lives were dsspsired Of; but ] did
&c cry. My clients got their money
Ito but Ididn't travel that road any mo
nd Friendship is a silent gentlem
'ss that makes an acquaintance;
ow true heart dances no hornpips on |
ne ,n tongue.