The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1861-05-30

reached forward to one OF the out
stretched hands, as it lay, palm up
on the grassy ground. and licking
lit like an affectionate spaniel
evineed attachment and grief, and
In a language stronger than words
could ever have done.
Of course this painful discovery
put an end to our journey to Frank
linton for that day; and gathering
up the scattered property Of the
murdered man, and leading the ex-
cited horse, we returned to my
friends plantation-calling on the
way, upon the neighbors and i'm
parting the startling news to them.
A cold-blooded murder like this,
was a circumstance that had not ag-
itated the community, Of Boque
Chitto for long time; and Squire
Hendricks being widely known, and
deservedly popular, it created no
small degree of excitement.
During the investigation that fol-
lowed, it transplred that the lawyer
was, at the time of death, in poss-
ession of a sum ofmoney, which he
had collected for a client; and on
the morning of the murder, was
taking 1t to the bank at Franklin
ton, to deposit, for the benefit Of
his employer. This money was
missing, together with his gold
watch. No doubt, of course, re-
mained that the deed was perpe-
trated by a highwayman. But not
withstanding several suspicious per-
sons were arrested, nothing was es-
tablished against them, and they
were discharged.
At length several weeks had
passed away, and although the
community were continually on the
gui vive for the detection of the vii
lain, the excitement in great de-
gree had subsided.
The month ofMarch arrived, and
l began to turn my thoughts north
ward; and in anticipation of the
homewar, journey, l had disposed
of my horse. In consequence of
this, I was for some time indebted
to the courtesy of my friend for the
use of the animal which had be-
longed to the murdered lawyer, still
| in the keeping of my friend.
One day during the Spring ses-
sion of the Circuit Court Of the
county, 1 happened to visit the
town; and stopping opposite the
court house, to speak with my at
torney, my horse, being well known
as having been the property OF
Hendricks, naturally attracted con-
siderable attention. All at once
the horse sprang to one side with
such force, as almost to throw me
from the saddle aud trampled up
on the feet of some of his friends.
and snorting loudly, seemed sud-
dently to be filled with terror.
As soon as ! could recover my seat,
looked about the crowd for the
cause of this extraordinary conduct.
At this moment I perceived a per-
son approaching, evidently to as
certain the cause of the gathering.
I had frequently seen this man be-
foro, and knew he was the keeper
of a dining saloon in the place
Though not man much thought
of, he was looked upon as an hon
est and harmless sort of a fellow
This man came up; and as he drew
near, the horse exhibited the ut
most alarm; and snorting wildly,
sprang, in spite of the rein, through
the crowd, and trembling violently,
endeavored to escape in an oppos-
ite direction. This strange bshav
Tor of the animal was remarked bv
all; and several voices exclaimed in
the same breath:
"It's Bill Nevins! the horses
afraid of Bill Nevins!"
''By gracious !" cried another,
"who knows but Bill, here, killed
the lawyer? say, old fellow, 60 up
to the critter, and let him smell the
blood on yer hands"
From his first appearance, I had
kept my eye upon this man; and no
sooner had he caught sight of the
horse, than I observed q peculiar
expression on his face; and when
the last words were uttered, "a
deadly pallor spread over his fea'
lures, and he almost staggered, al
he replied
"Who says I killed lawyer Hen
dricks? It's q lis"-and turning
abruptly, he attempted to walk
with all the apparent nonchalanc'
he could assume, in the direction
of his saloon. AS If an electric
shock had struck me, the convic
ton of that mans guilt rushed up
on my mind; and forcing the fright
ened animal across the court-hous,
square, till I overlook him, / ben
forward in my saddle and shoutet
in his ear;
] aBdg Nsuins /! I SAY you murder
cd Squire Hendricks!
u Had o thunder bolt struck tn
!, guilty wretch, he could not hav.
fallen more suddenly to the ground
He was not hardened in crime; AM
this abrupt accusation of murde