St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-09-13
'fYou keep them well groomed, too"
"Faith, an it's but little grooming they

stYou keep them well groomed, too.''
"Faith, an it's but little grooming they
want ! Co. = u. - r. :. -
Il suppose they can travel fast"
you've just hit the nail on the head. You
should just have seen them the day they came
down here from New York; why they ,didp't
sweat a hair, an it's good twenty miles, too. .
':1ndeed! they did not then belong to the
| mo, indeed. Sure, and Mr.. Richard Mel.
vim brought them down with him when he
| came" - -'.
''They were not at all distressed, you say?'
..Divil bit; they looked as fresh as if they
had just come out Of the stable" =: J.
''Did Mr.. Melvin arrive here in the daytime
or night time? ?"
'.It was dark night" .-,,..-7r
Il see you come from the old country; here's
quarter to drink my health-good day !"
Good day, and God bless you, sir! And
may the holy saints presarve you"
houses in the neighborhood, and inquire il
there was an inn anywhere in the neighborhood
but all my inquiries were without any result
l then set resolutely to work to search for my
self, for was perfectly satisfied there must be
some such place in the vicinity.
For day or two, my efforts were entirely
unsuccessful, but one morning, while wander
ing by the side Of the river, noticed the marks
of horses hoofs, as if coming directly from th
riuer. l Immediately procured boat, ane
rowed directly across-the river was not very
broad there. then skirted the opposite bank
until should come to another landing place
After had proceeded quarter Of a mile,
reached a spot where again the marks of hors
es' hoots were plainly to be traced; this; time
however, the direction was tos0ords the river.-
The impression was plain, the horses at this
point had embarked on boat or raft and had
been conveyed to the other side at the point
from which had started .:.-.-.. :"
l made my boat fast, and looked around me-
l found that was on q small island, which
was so thickly studded with green trees that
could see but very little in advance Of me-
Taking, however, the horses hoofs as my guide
I-came upon an old dilapidated stone building
which had evidently been built long anterio,
! to the Revolution. It seemed to be entirely
unoccupied, for all the shutters were closed
and thick grass and weeds grew in profusion
l first of all directed my steps to a sort o1
clubhouse, and here l was rewarded by sight
which made my blood tingle in my veins, being
nothing more than the impression on the gravel
Of club-foot These Impressions were very
frequent, and my conclusion was that Mr.
Richard Melvin paid frequent visits to this
uninhabitable dwelling. next proceeded te
try all the doors and windows, md found then
! all fastened down. I, however, soon effected
an entrance by means Of one of the windows
The first thing that met my gaze was long
candle and box of lucifer matches. These
were placed in a small recess. Although il
was daylight, lighted the candle and bega1
to explore the house. ! first Of all examined
the upper portion of it, but found nothing.
then examined the ground floor with the same
success. did not feel discouraged, for fell
almost satisfied, from the fact of the candle
being there, that such would be the result.
| next proceeded to examine the cellar, ant
had not descended halt dozen steps before
heard a faint groan. rushed forward anc
entered o spacious vault, supported by massive
pillars. In a corner Of this damp, dark ane
dismal dungeon, reclining on heap of straw
with manacles on his wrists and ankles. saw
an old man, with a long, flowing, white beard
: who, was satisfied, was Mr.. Reuben Melvin
l held the candle over his head, and saw tha
he was sleeping. At that moment, heard tin
sound Of footsteps behind me, and turning roun<
saw that it was Mr.. Richard Melvin advancing
towards me with all the ferocity Of tiger.
A terrible struggle ensued, but was tn
younger man of the two, and finally succeeded
in overpowering, and afixing the manacle
with which he had loaded his poor brother, o,
his wrists and feet
The joy of the poor old man, at his release
knew no bounds. In very few words, he in
formed me Of all that had passed. On tn
night Of his disappearance he was seized b.
his brother and Il confederate, and conveyed
to this prison without heing able to give tn
slightest alarm. While there, he had bee1
compelled, under threats of instant death, t.
not know. His brother had visited him ever
day. bringing him supply Of food, but h
could not have lasted much longer, as he wa
getting weaker and weaker daily.
Everything had turned out exactly as I ha
!; expected. The trembling characters of tn
signature to the will, and the fact that it ha
i; been ante dated, convinced me that it had bee
obtained by force. I then argued that th
chances were that Mr.. Reuben Melvin was no
J dead, but in some place of confinement. Thi
place, was satisfied, must be near Oak Lea
Manor, as it would be impossible to conve
} him any long distance without detection.
was also satisfied that Richard Melvin mus
} have been in the ncighborhood long before tn
York, and it was to discover if my opinio
WAS just, that paid visit to the stables
The poor old gentleman was conveyed bac
to his residence, and was soon gratifed wit
? his daughters presence. Young Appleby wa
, Immediately released from confinement.
; appeared, by his statement, that, on the even
J ing of the old gentleman's disappearance, whil
, cross ing the garden le had been assailed by tw
men, and had tainted from loss of blood whe
: he recovered, it was morning, and that yer
! moment, he was arrested on the charge Of ha,
! ing murdered Mr.. Reuben Melvin, and tn
} watch and purse belonging to the supposed de
ceased, and placed in his pocket by Richar
. Melvin, served to give some eoloring to tn
charge.
l may add that, in a month or two, Charlott
+ Melvin and Leonard Appleby were married
Richard Melvin died, after two years confnt
, ment in the State prison, where he had bee
condemned fer life He died, however, with
+ out revealing the name of his accomplice, an
: he has never been discovered.
y NJ Hon. George Durham, formerly
democratic representative from Clay Go
v Al r Il