Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-08-11
ice on the fire / had kindled. But that did

not quite put it Oat. .l
The judge charged according to law and
evidence, but evidently leaned on the side of
mercy. The jury foun9 verdict of guilty,
but unanimously recommended the prisoner
to the mercy of the court. My client was
sentenced to the shortest imprisonment the
court was empowered to give, and both jury
and court signed petition to the Govern
ment for an unconditional pardon, which
has since been granted, but not before the
following incident occurred:
Some three months after this l received
an account for collection from wholesale
house in New York. The parties to collect
from were hard ones, but they had property,
and before they had an idea of the trap laid,
/ had the property, which they were about
to assign before they broke, under attach
ment. Finding was neck ahead and bound
to win, they 'caved in and forked over
three thousand seven hundred and ninety
four dollars and eighteen cents (per memo
randum book in good money.
They lived in Shawneetown, about thirty
| five or forty miles Southeast of Moore's prai-
ric. received the funds just after bank
opening, but other business detained me un-
til after dinner. then started for c.,
intending to go as far as the village of Mt.
Vernon that night.
haG gone ten or twelve miles, when
noticed splendid double team of horses
attached 20 light wagon, in which were
seated four men, evidently of the high strung
order. They swept past as if to show how
easy they could do it. They shortened in
and allowed Inc to come up with them and
hailinG me, asked me to wet or in other
words to diminish the contents Of a jug of
old rye they had aboard. They asked me
how far was going. told them as far as
Mt Vernon, if my horse didn't tire out
They mentioned a pleasant tavern ten or
twelve miles ahead as nice stopping place,
and then drove on.
| / did not like the looks of those fellows,
nor their motions. But / had q brace of
revolyers and nice knife; my money was
not in my valise or in my sulky, but in a belt
around my body. l drove slow in hopes
that they would go ON and would see them
no more. 1t was nearly dark when / saw a
tavern sign ahead. At the same time saw
their own wagon standing before the door.
/ would have pressed on, but my horse need
ed rest hauled up and woman came to
the door. She turned as pale as sheet when
she saw me; she did not speak, but with a
meaning look she put her finger on her lips
and beckoned me in-she was the wife of
my late client.
When entered the party recognized me,
and hailed me as an old travelling friend,
and asked me to drink. respectfully, but
firmly declined to 90 so.
"By thunder, you shall drink or fight "
said the noisiest of the party
Just as you please drink | shall not, "
said !, purposely showing the butt of Colt
which kicks six times in rapid succession.
The party interposed and very easily
nn mi n
cigar, which was reluctantly refusing but q
glance from the woman induced me to &C
cept. She advanced and proffered me
light, and in doing so, slipped note in IN!
hand, which she mus. have written a mo
ment before. Never shall forget the
words. They were:
Beware, they are members Of the gang
They mean to rob and murder you! Leave
soon; will detain them"
did not feel comfortable just then, but
tried to do so.
Have you any room to put up my horse 2
l asked, turning to the woman.
"What-are you not going on tonight p
asked one of the men I'VE are."
NO" said I. ~ shall stay here tonight
"Well all stay then, guess and make
night of it," said another of the cut-throats
You'll have to put up your own horse
mere u lantern, salu me woman.
II am used to that" said Gentlemen
excuse me o minute; I'll join you in drinl
when come in"
Good on your head More whisky, ole
, gal,' shouted they. @
went out and glanced at their wagon
, 1t was old fashioned, and "linch- pins" Sc
cured the wheels. To take out my knit
and pry one from the fore and high wheels
, was but the work of an instant and threy
them as far in the dark as l could. To unit
my horse and dash off was the work of a
|, instant. The road lay down a steep hill, bu
my lantern lighted me somewhat.
, had hardly got under full headway
when l heard yell from the party had s
, unceremoniously left. l put whip to m
horse. The Lext moment, with shout
, they started. threw my light away, an
| left my horse to pick his way. A momen
, later heard a crash-a horrible shriek.-
: The wheels came off. Then came the rus
a of horses, tearing along with the wreck c
' the wagon. Finally they seemed to fetc
!. up in the woods. One or two shrieks
4 heard as swept on, leaving them far bt
Q hind. For some time / hurried my horse
3 you'd better believe l did. 1t was littl
d after midnight when got TO Mt. Vernon.
e The next day heard that Moore's pra
q rie team had run away, and that two me
d out OF four had been so badly hurt that the
}, lives were despaired Of, but didn't cry
n My clients got their money. didn't tray'
that road any more.