The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-01-28
SIXTEENTH vOLUME---NUMBER sOl.
A Strange Story.

| Wondertm CAain Of CircuD,stantial Evidence.
in the West, became acquainted, on board steam
boat with Mr. Hamilton, who had been men,
Der of the Legislature from his district, and was
again candidate for that Office. After passing
their time pleasantly, and becoming well ac-
quanted with each other in the course ofthe trip,
Hamilton, on landing, invited the doctor to
pass to his house in the village, which was
kept by his sister, and tarry with him while he
stayed in that part of the country. The doctor
remained with them short time, and then de-
parted on the land inspecting tour into the in
terror, which was the object of his visit to the
West.
On leaving the village ON horseback, Hamilton
accompanied the doctor to show him his way, but
becoming interested in the conversation of his
companion, and not being particularly engaged
at home, he continued with him when, among q
number of branching roads, they lost their way.
After journeying on until dark in hope of reach
ing some house where they might obtain the re-
quisite direction, they reached, just at night fall.
the banks of river on which they found the en-
campment of three stout laboring wayfarers, with
their families and wagons. They asked permis-
sion to spend the night with the party, and spent
portion of it around the fires, engaged in con-
versation their various plans of emigration and
settlement.
At daylight preparations were made for sepa-
ration, and DR.. -- received from one of the
three men the direction of the desired road. He
told him there were two roads, called the supper"
and CLOVER" roads, but the clover" one was that
which he should take. He took the one advised,
and started with Hamilton They went a short
distance together, when Hamilton bade him good
by and left him. But before he departed the
doctor told Hamilton that he knew he was in
embarrassed circumstances, and wished to aid
him if he could. He offered to give him $500.
This Hamilton refused, but finally accepted loan
conditionaLy, to be refunded punctually at the
specified time.
He felt grateful for this kindness and to re-
ciprocate his good will, according to his humble
means, took breast-pin from his shirt, and Civ
ing it to the DOCTOR said jocularly, that he hoped
to see it some day adorning the bosom of some
fair daughter of the West. In return for this
the doctor took neat pen-knfe from his pocket,
on which was silver plate with his name en-
graved on it, and on parting gave it to Hamilton.
Hamilton had gone but short distance from
where he had left the doctor, when he heard the
sharp crack of rife and Immediately after a
deer bounded out before him and fell dead on
the road. Hamilton got off his horse to examine
the animal, and in doing so got the cuffs of his
shirt sleeves and his pantaloons and waist-coat
bloody. lie again mounted his horse and reached
home. AS soon rs he did so he changed his
clothes and gave them to his sister to wash, de-
string her to do at once. That day he went
round the village and collected together his va
rious bills which he paid. At night, after clos
ing his office, he stopped at the village tavern,
on his way to see young lady to whom he was
engaged to be married. Several persons came
in while he was there, and declared that MUIR
dered man had been found on certain road
Hamilton Immediately exclaimed: "Heayensl
it must be my friend, the doctor"
From the tavern he continued on his way to
the house Of his betrothed, and while there her
father came in with three police officers, who
rested him for murder. He was taken to prison,
and was told the circumstances which led to sus-
pecting him. He was told that it was known
that he had left the town with the doctor, and
the last person with him; that he had
been in difficulties before bis return, but had ON
that day paid all his debts; that his pistol and
breast-pin had been found beside the body of the
murdered doctor; that he had pretended to lose
his way in a country which was well known to
him; and finally that he had come home with
blood stains on his Clothes which he had given
to his sister with orders to wash Immediately. On
hearing this story recounted, Hamilton threw up
his hands and exclaimed that she was lost
man"
lie was tried, convicted and sentenced. The
day for his execution arrived, but Hamilton was
too i'll to receive the final action of the law and
was respitcd. And before bis respite had ex-
pircd Hamilton had died in prison.
All these facts had of course, satisfied the pub
lie mind that the verdict was just and that Ham
ilton was the murderer-but about three years
afterwards one of the three men with whom our
travellers had bivouaced on the bank of the river
was tried and convicted, in the far West, Of mur-
der. Before his execution he confessed that he
was the person who had slain the doctor-that
he had misled him as to the road-that he had
stolen IIamilton's pistol from his holster during
the night, and left it by the doctors body, and
that he had heard in the chat round the camp
fire that the doctor had money with him, and was
engaged in the purchase of land.
CHARITY AMONG THE JEws--It is but fair
to acknowledge that the Jews are charitable