The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-03-15
WHOLE NO. 439.

WHOLE NO. 439.
"Who Murdered Downie." -
! About the end Of the eighteenth century,
whenever any student Of the Marischal
College, Aberdeen, incurred the displcas-
ure Of the humber citizens, he was as
sailed with the question-"Who murdered
Downie ?" Reply and rejoinder gener.
ally brought on a collision between stown
and gown" although the young gentle.
men were accused Of what was chrome.
logically impossible. People have right
70 90 angry at being atigmatized as muir
derers, when their accuscrs have proba-
bilitv on their sides but the taking off,
Of Downie occurred when the gownsmen,
50 maligned, were in swaddling clothes.
But there was time, when to be brand
ed as an accomplice in the slaughter Of
Richard Downie made the blood run to
the cheek or many youth, anu sent him
home to his books thoroughly subdued. -
Downie was sacrist or jsoitor at Marischal
College. One Of his duties consisted in
securing the gate by certain hour; pre-.
vious to which all the students had to As.
semble in the common hall where Lords
prayer was delivered by the principal
Whether in dscharging this function,
Dowaie was more rigid than his predeces-
or in Office, or whether he became stricter
in the performance of it at one time than
another, cannot be ascertaincd, but there
can be no doubt that he closed the gate
with austere punctuality, and that those
who were net in the common hall within
minute of the prescribed time were shut
out, and were afterwards reprimanded and
fined by the principal and professors
The students became irritated at this
strictness, and took every petty means of
annoying the sacrist he in his turn, ap.
piled the screw at the other points Of the
academic routine, and fierce war soon
began to rage between the collegians and
the humble functionary. Downie took
care that in all his proceedings he kept
within the strict letter Of the law but his
opponents were not 80 careful, and the
decisions Of the rulers were uniformly
against them, and in favor of Downie.-
Reprimands and 6nes having failed in
producing Cue subordination, rustication,
suspension, and even the extreme SEN
tence Of expulsion had to be put in force;
and, in the end, law and order prevailed
But secret and deadly grudge continued
to be entertained against Richard Downie.
Various schemes Of revenge were thought
Of.
Downie was, in common with teachers,
enjoying the leisure of the short New
Years vacation-the pleasure being no
doubt greatly enhanced by the annoyance
to which he had been subjected during the
recent bickerings-when as he was one
evening seated with his family in his off.
cial residence at the gate, q messenger in
formed him that gentleman at q neigh
boring hotel wished to speak with him
Downie obeyed the summons, and was
ushercd from one room into another, till at
length he found himself in q large apart.
ment hung With black, and lighted by a
solitary candle. After waiting for some
time in this strange place, about fifty fig.
ures. also dressed in black, and with black
masks on their faces, presented themselves.
They arranged themselves in the form of
court, and Downie, pale with terror. was
given to understand that he was about to be
put no trial.
A judge took his seat on the bench, a
clerk and public prosecutor sat below
jury was empaneled in front; and wit
nesses and spectators stood around
Downie at first sat down the whole affair
as joke; but the proceedings were con.
Quoted with such persistent gravity, that
in spite of himself he began to believe in
the genuine mission of the auful tribu-
nal. The clerk read an indictment charg-
ing him with conspiring against the liber-
ties of the students; witnesses were ex-
amined in due form; the public prosecu-
tor addressed the jury; and the judge
summed up.
"Gentlenen," said Downie, "the joke
has been carried far enough; it is getting
late, and my wife and family will be get
ting anxious about inc. If have been
too strict with you in time past, am sorry
for it, and assure you will take more
care in the future"
"Gcntlemen Of the jury" said the Judge,
without paying the slightest attention to
this appeal, consider your verdict; and
| If you wish to retire, do So"
The jury retired. During their absence
the most profound silence was observed !;
and except renewing the solitary can.
die that burnt beside the judge, there was
not the slightest movement.
The jury returned and recorded yer,
dict Guilty.
The Judge solemnly assumed large
black cap and addressed the prisoner:
Richard Downis! The jury have
unanimously found you guilty Of conspir-
ing against the liberties and immunities of
the students Of Marischal College. You
have wantonly provoked and insulted
those inotfensivc leges for some months,
and your punishment will surely be con-
dign. You must prepare for death. In
fifteen minutes the sentence Of the court
will be carried into effect"
The judge placed his watch on the
bench. A block, an Ak, and bag Of saw.
dust were brought into the centre Of the
room. figure more terrible than any
that had yet appeared, came forward
and prepared to act the part Of doom
Ister.
1t was now past midnight, there vas nc
sound audible, save the ominous ticking o
the judges watch. Downie became more
and more alarmed.
"For Heavens sake gentlemen" said
the terrified man, "lct me 60 home,
promise that you never again shall have
cause to complain"
Richard Downie," remarked the judge
I"You are vainly wasting the few moments
that are left you on earth. You are in the
hands Of those who must have your life.-
No human power can save you. Attempt
to utter cry, and you are seized, and
your doom completed before you can uttel
: another. Every one here present hat
sworn . solemn oath never to reveal thu
proceedings Of this night. they are known
for which we have met is accomplished WI
Shall disnersa nnknnXn to anY one Pre-