Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-11-16

inc Danh tnu bAe water. Inc tracks OF
several moccassined feet were discovered
about the wagon, aud could be traced to-
ward the town as far as the bridge. But
here they ceased. On the bridge, which
was of planks, and free from soil, they
were lost sight Of. The wearers had
probably exchanged them for shoes, and
beyond, in the frequented road, tho track
could no longer be followed
BY the time the people returned to the
town with the body of the poor murdered
man, the whole community was aroused,
and the utmost excitement prevailed. His
death was considered as a very great pub
lie loss; aud in fact such it was, as he
had not only brought much money into
the place, but had made himself and bis
wagon almost Indispensable to the coun-
try about.
Hundreds volunteered TO assist the
sheriff in searching for the plundered
goods and the murderers, and for weeks
the woods, negro-quarters, and, in fact
every spot likely to be used for the con
ccalmcnt of the property, for miles about
the town, were searched. But all in
vain. Not trace could be found by
which the perpetrators of the bloody deed
could be followed.
| At length the merchants, who con-
sidered themselves the greatest losers by
the death of the peddler, vino had been so
valuable customer, dubbed together,
aud offered reward of one thousand
dollars for any clue by which the murder
might be detected, and five hundred dol
lars, payable on the day of conviction,
for each of the murderers.
| This reward again stimulated the
search, and many innocent persons were
arrested, and Afterwards, on proving ali
bis, were liberated without formal trials.
Nearly three months had passed away,
AID although rumor. as is usual Oh such
occasions, was busy with coujectures, and
evil minded persons took advantage of
the murder, to throw out dark hints
against those for whom they might hold
a secret malice, nothing satisfactory had
been developed. But about this time
suspicion began to fall upon an individu-
al named Phil Newcomb, or "Uncle
Phil, as he was generally called
| Uncle Phil was an old bachelor, who
was considered scarcely compos mentis,
aud who lived some seven or eight miles
from the town, in the heart of the piney
woods. The old man had for his only
companion negro, about his own age.
The two supported themselves by making
shingles and hunting. and had always
been looked upon as honest and inoffensive
: people. While the country was being
searched, therefore, for clues of the muir.
f der, no one ever thought Of searching
: Uncle Pills cabin. But one day some
: young men from Alexandra, who were
out hunting, were oyertaken by show
err. in the vicinity Of the shing le-maker't
cabin, and sought shelter in it from the
) rain.
While they were waiting for the storm
to pass. they observed hanging from a
joist overhead, and partially concealed BY
blanket, several pairs of buckskin
mocoasins. At the time, they thought
, little Of the circumstance, as those arti.
Giles were worn by many Of the piney
woods people. But several days after.
when some casual reference was made t.
the murder of Abrams, the young mer
remembered the moccasins they had seer
at Uncle Pills, and spoke Of them. One
Of the deputy sheriff. happened to be pre-
sent, and observing that it would be vel
, enough to give the old man call, i'm
mcdiately started for bis place.
The moccasiDs, four pairs, were found
as the young men had described them
aud Uncle Phil, when questioned sbou
t them, seemed to hesitate at first about
giving correct answers. Atlength how
+ ever, he asserted that they had beer
found by his negro Sam, who. he said
c would tell him all about them.
Sam was called in, and when the off
S Ger demanded to know where the mecca
sins came from, the negro answoreC
promptly
81 found EN-, marster."
8 :" But rlicrc did you find them p per
S sisted the deputy.
= ." found EN-, master, in Swan creek
D under dc bridge, two or three days artel
c dat peddler done been killed"
5 But Why" sskod the white man
}. :" did you not bring them TO town, and
: give them up to the sheriff? They arc
y doubtless the same as we're worn by Tho
c murdcrers of Abrams p
C "Causc, marstcr, | tell yer, de fact
is, marstcr Phil, here, and | though
d them ar uloc'sins would be 30 nice when
e cold weather come, VIC 'cludcd wo'd hang
t 'em up in dc smoke and say noting about
g whar we got 'om to nobody" and tho ole
@ fellow saic this with such manner o
n truth and simplicity, that.ihe officer wa
C satisfied that be knew nothing more, and
II had really found the moccasips, as h
IF had asserted; and taking the Articles viii
III him, returned to town.
J. But as well convinced as the deputy
e sheriff might be Of the innocence Of Phi
IF Newcomb and bis man Sam, there wer'
D those who persisted in asserting that tlcs'
Df men knew more about the murder thar
~ they chose to acknowledge. There wer
10 even those who declared it their opinioi
that they were really concerned in th'
d bloody deed. Suspicion thus fairI.
Ic aroused against them, the current 0
l. public opinion began TO set strongl,
Of against uncle Phil and Sam and finally
j. on making thorough search Of thei
ID premises, various articles, belonging +
" the murdered mans assortment, wcr
p found, and they were arrested and con
I; veycd to shejail