Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-11-16
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND, GoRN1Ne NovEMBnR le $50

maker aud his negro, were two, at least
Of the murdcrers of hopest Abrams ant
so great was the excitement ON their ar
rest, that it was difficult for the sheriff
and the more moderate citizens, TO saw
them from being lynched by the mob.
4 During tho examination before tn
magistrate the prisoners declared thei
innocence of crime, and their ignoranc,
of anything relating to the murder; bn
insisted that they had found the good
discovered on their premises, in a hollow
log, on the bank of Swan creek, where il
flowed through the piney woods. Tho
spot they described was examined, ans
other articles, which were identified u.
having belonged to the peddler, were
found.
1t was now proposed to force confes-
sion from the black, by torture. He was
therefore brought from the prison, and,
after being tied to tree, was whipped
severely, and then hung by the throat
till he finally promised to confess any
thing they desired. TO save his life he
was willing to depose to anything and,
under the dictation of tho mob, the ne
gro declared that himself and master were
the real murdercrs Of the peddler; but
did not implicate others as being con-
nected with them.
This confession, however, could not be
used as positive testimony against uncle
Phil. But, as circumstantial evidence,
coupled with tho other facts, it was con-
sidered by the jury that sat upon their
trial, sufficient to convict both of them Of
the murder and robbery Of The Jew.
They were therefore sentenced to suf-
fer the penalty Of the law, and were to be
hung on the last Friday Of the following
month, which would be October.
AT this period was resident of AL
exandria, where had been for several
years engaged in business. as an apothe-
cary and druggist and had been accus-
toned to furnish various goods in my
line to the honest jew Some Of the ar
ticles | had sold him on bis last visit to
the town, | had recognized among the
goods found at the cabin Of Phil New
comb, and had testified to them on the
trial But for my life, | could not be
satisfied Of the guilt Of the simple shin.
gle-maker. There was no doubt in my
mind that he came by the things in th,
way lac stated, aad no other; and the
confession Of poor Sam, extorlcd by th,
lash and the rope, was regarded by M
as altogether fabrication. In fact tb
old negro, after the trial. acknowledge,
it as such But | was alone in this be
, lief; aud found it useless to attempt an,
measures to obtain Communication Of thu
sentence Of the court against the unfor
tunatc prisoners.
The middle of October had arrived
and passed, and the fatal Friday wa
close at hand and still no circumstance
had occurred to change the tide Of public
opinion. Unclo Phil and his faithful
servant and friend, would soon suffer fo
a crime / was satisfied they we're limo
cent Of As the time drew nearer,
again endeavored to convince my friend
Of the fatal error they had made and as
sured them that the time would certainl,
come, when they would be forced t
agree with me, in the entire innocence o
those simple aud imbecile old men Blu
, feared that time would come too late Il
! save them.
1t came, however. Through singu
, lar circumstance. / was made the Lapp,
medium through which the whole mystic
! rious affair was brought to light. and tw'
innocent aud harmless fellow being
snatched from the hsngman's nooGe.
u Thursday morning--the day previou
to that appointed for the execution 0
I Phil Nowcomb and Sam. and while tn
! sounds Of the workmcn engaged in III
erection of the fatal scafiold we're dis
} tinctly heard in my place of business
young msn called upon me, and produc
ing from his pocket. a peculiarly shaped
: white. cut-glass bottle. which had con
: tanned perfume. inquired if could Pre-
! pare for him similar article.
| Immediately recognized the bottle
as the same ! had frequently rcflled wit
particular kind Of choice and expen
siye perfumery Of my own invention. 70
Abrams. lie sold good deal Of it I
r his country customers, and filed thei
little TASKS from this bottle. ] had file
it for him the last evening he was soc
alive.
, ] have always been somewhat note
} among my intimate friends for having
peculiarly strong control over my feelings
J But l must confess, that on the sight {
t that well-known bottle, and catching
scent Of the familiar odor, had all
, could do 10 constrain my astonishmcr
! and joy, for instantly thought had !
! my possession clue to the real murder
{ crs Of our peddler.
, by the by, should not neglect to say
that had never manufactured for an
D other Of my customers this peculiar soi
) Of perfumcry, aud Abrams was the onl
person who had disposed Of it to Others
Yea" said /. endeayoring to conce.
| my emotion by smelling at the bottle, "
G think / can come pretty near the thing
e But, my dear sir, have the kindness I
] step into tho Darkroom with me while
c prepare it,"
D And leading the way to my private |:
c boratory, | handed him chair an
: seating myself opposite to him, with ii
+ bottle sill in my hand, fixed my ey'
5 sternIy upon his face, aud, with all III
frmncss Of manner ! could command, d.
r mauded:
0 Where, sir, did you gel his Jottlel
c At first the young mans face fushC
: scarlet red, but only for an instant. Il
the color DISAPPEARED u suddenly a. d