The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1866-11-23
Circumstantial Evidence; OF the Fatal
Resem blalce.

into state of horror and excitement by the
cold blooded murder of one Ut Its most re-
spected citizens, who was found in a grove
about hall mile from his house, shot thro'
the chest. He lived long enough TO reveal
the name Of his murderer, which sent
dceper thrill OF horror through the commu-
nifty than the event itself.
The physician who was summoned to his
aid a personal friend Of tie deceased, saw
at a glance that medical skill was useless
After trying in vail, to stanch the flow of
blood, he bent his ear to the pale lips,
saying:
Tell ne, fyou can, who it was that shot
you "
The dying man turned his fast glazing
eyes upon i young man who was standing
few feet from him-a look OF terrible re-
preach piercing through the gathering mlsts
of death.
Richard Blake!'
AS he said this, his daughter Susan, who
was kneeling beside him, sprang to her feet
exclaimiDg
''No-oh, no 1t cannot Dc liz uid
not hear your question Alright, doctor ask
him again.
Doubling himself whether his ears had
not deceived him, DR.. Grey said:
My dear friend, this Is a terrible charge.
Do YOU mean to say that Richard Blake is
your murderer
There was a death-like stiffness among
the group that surrounded him. Every ear
was strained to catch the reply:
''Yes!"
With the utterancc Of this Ole fatal SEN
tence the spirit departed.
Unable to endure this accumulation of
horrors the daughter Of the murdered man
and the betrothpd of the accused fell sense
less upon the body Of her departed father.
As tor the young man so solemnly accus-
ed by the lips now rigid In death, he stood
dumb aud motionless, in reality by horror
and anlazement, but as those present be-
lieyed, by the smitlDgs OF guilty con
science.
When the officers of the law approach
ed to take him into custody, he submitted
without resistance or the least remon-
STRANGE.
When Susan awoke from her death like
swoon, and recalled her fathers dying
words, the conviction sank heavily upon
her heart that, maddened by the taunts and
reproaches of the choeric old man, Richard
had given him the WOUND that had terinin-
atcd SO fatally; but her very first interview
with him diSpelied this terrible fear, and
she expressed the frmest conviction of his
entire innocence. This siding with one uni
versally believed to be her fathers murder
er, was severely commented upon the CON-
munity but In spite of this the heroic girl
remained firm and steadfast, cheering and
sustaining the mind Of the prisoner with
the assurance that his innocence would yet
be proved
As the day for the trial approached, she
reused herself from the grief occasioned by
the loss of one of the most indul gent Of Ia
theirs. The best of counsel was obtained
ana every means taken to unravel the myS
terry that surrounded the whole of this IN
tricate affair
What tended to increase the popular
feeling of indignation against the accused,
was the fact of his near kinship TO the de-
ceased he being the orphan sen Of his
only sister, reared and educated by him
| with all the care and tenderness of tat ner.
When Richard grew from an active, bright
eyed boy to a strong stately youth, seem
ingiy endowed with more than usual excel
lent qualities of both head and heart, the
! old gentleman not onl ~ viewed the attach
ment that sprang up between him and bis
daughter without disapprobation, but with
| evident pleasure. 1t Is true that of late
| there had been some trouble between them,
| on account Of Richards determination to
! abandon the profession of medicine, to
which he had been educated to become an
! artist, tor which he had strong incina-
| ton and no lttle genius; but no one ac-
! quaiuted with the parties anticipated any
serious difficulty.
The papers had sent an account of this
terrible tragedy throughout the country.
and the painful circumstances attending II
made the trial one Of peculiar interest. 1t
had spread a deep gloom over the commu-
nifty where it had occurred The deceased
! though be had been noted tor the early
wildness of his manhood, had been univer-
sally beloved and respected. Though
somewhat hasty in temper, he was GENEROUS
and public spirited, and ever ready to lend
a hand to the needy and unfortunate AS
for the prisoner, with the exception of two
years spent in Il neighboring university, he
had grown up in their midst. Some OF
those now to sit in Judgment upon him had
known him when he was happy boy, and
as he grew in years, had pointed him out
to their sons as an example worthy of theil
imitation.
The dying words Of the deceased had
made a strong impression on the commune
ty, still there were many who entertained
the nope that, upon the trial something
would be developed which, if it did not
prove his innocence would at least palIiate
his guilt.
A mumur Of pity arose from the dense
crowd that filled the court as the prisoner
was brought In. Confinement and anxiety
had done the work of years that pale,
haggard face, looked little like the glad
smile and eager glance so familiar to many
of them In other days He evidently felt
keeniy the ignominy of his position, for his
cheek flushed and his glance wavered be-
I meath the curious eyes that were fixed upon
hun. But 1t was only for a moment.-
Ralslng his eyes they fell upon the pale
countenance Of his betrothed Had it been
possible, very gladly would Susan have ia
ken scat at his side sharing bis shame
and proving to all the world her conviction
oI-hls Innocence. AS it was she gave him a
reassurlng smile, which endued him with
strength and fortitudc to pass through the
ordeal before him.
The counsel for the accused left no stone
unturned to destroy the array of evidence
| that was brought forward-but as the trial
proceeded, the hopes that some had cher
ished grew fainter aud fainter, until num-
Der who took a personal interest in the pris-
oner,, and who supposed he had committed
the deco IN the heat Of passion, urged him
TO confess and throw himself upon the mer-
cy OF the court. But this the accused. uer-
slstiI 8 IN his Innocence, steadfastly refused
to do.
Besides the divine dooIaro.;on of ~ -