The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-11-03
WooDsFIElD MONROE COUNTY, OHIO NOVEMBER g. 1885,
My wife slept soundly again and, as


My wife slept soundly again and, as
soon as judged it judicious, / commen-
ced to snore. The sound had hardly left
my nasal organs when Job Gilbrand again
made his appearance in the doorway, and
close behind him came McCargan. They
had removed their shoes, and their tread
was poiseless. Gilbrand clutched his
kuife in his right hand, and it was half
raised as he crept forward. Not mus
Gle in my body moved-not even my
heart-and my nerves were like steel
1 waited until 1 could see the cat like
cleaning of the villains eyes-until 1
could hear his quick, deep breathing
until his murderons knife was lifted for
the death strickland then / freed my
right arm and raised my pistol. The
movement was instantaneous, and my aim
sure, for the muzzle of my weapon was
within two feet of his bosom. l fired,
and he started back with sharp groan.
In moment / was upright in my bed,
and, more quickly than l can tell it, 1
fired two shots at McCargan, who had
stopped as his companion reeled back,
but who fed towards the door as l fred
at him. r
My wife was awake, but I paid no at
tention to her cries. Quickly as possi-
BILE l leaped out of bed, and rushed to-
wards the hall where Nc Cargan had dis
appeared, for rGilbrand had fallen to the
floor, and 1 considered him safe. And
so was the other safe. s.
| found him upon the hall floor almost
lifeless. He could not speak, and, be-
lieving that his weakness was real, I hsr-
-ied back to my room and struck light
In as few words as possible informed
my wife of what had happened, and when
l told her that one of the villains lay upon
the hall floor, so that she could not leave
the room without passing over him, she
had the good sense to hide herself under
the bed clothes. .se -qas lsu5iiH
At this point my man-servan., a stout
Irishman, who did the duties of groom
and gardener, came stumbling over the
body in the passage, and wanted to know
what was the matter, called him in and
told him, and together we held an exam
nation s, a. -s -{esgy gAi b9rae.!9 tsa
Gilbrand must have died almost in.
stantly, for the ball had gone directly
through his heart. When We found Nc
Cargan he was just breathing his last
! One of the bullets / had fired at him had
entered his bosom, Immediately below
the sternum, and the other had passed
i through his neck, severing the right ca
rotid artery. g5sucs eit saa SSH
i BY this time the household was al
aroused, and for few minutes we had {
: strange time of it. But managed tt
j get my wife calm, and when made then
:. understand that the danger was all ovel
; the others became quiet. Michael and
! moved the bodies down into the love-
!, porch, where we found upon examination
that the villains had gained thei
entrance by prying off the hasp of th
| back-door with erow-bar.G As soon a
! it, was daylight / sent for the jailer, bid
Il ding him bring man along with him =
f. 1t so happened that the jailer had ais
: the Office OF deputy sheriff aud coroneI
, so that he was just the man for the bust
ness. He came, and in due time th
: bodies were removed from my premises
and he assured me, as he took them ava
that he would rather act rs coroner tha
j as jailer upon such customers. aa o7
t There was wonder and exciteme t fo
while and l was lion; but finally tn
s town became quiet once more, and m
! adventure with the horse-thieves was on
a ly thing to tell to travellers. My viii
: soon regained her wonted composure {
nerve, but she said | must never allow an
o other such thing to happen without tellin
her all my fears and suspicious beforehan
I and as she said must, of course I had t
y give her the promise, though / gave
e with the hope that such a thing would ney
t er happen beneath my roof again. Z,
y