Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-04-09
Marrow Escape OF a man from Murder :
A Thrilling story.

The Rochester MINI Union, in an.
nouncing the poslponement of the
trial Of Whitney aud st ley, charged
with the murderaspf Ableitner, some
time ago, relatesthe following thrill
ing story:
"We have been informed of cir.
cumstance with which this trio were
connected, which has not heretofore,
we believe, been made public, bat
which possesses q degree OF interest
fully iustifying its publication. The
facts we gather from a brother of the
assailed party, and highly respected
citizen, Mr.. II. W. Chamberlain.
During October last, Mr.. Abner M.
Chamberlain, residing in Elmira, this
county, had taken several loads OF
wheat to the st. Charles m rket.-
When he had delivered the last load
he designed selling, he drew his money
for the whoie lot, amounting to several
hundred dollars. II was near night
when he was rea y to leave for home,
and by the time he had reached piece
OF woods through which his road led,
it had become quite dark; but not so
dark as to preveDt him from discover
ing, near the road side, the figure of
a man, who promptly hailed Mr..
Chamb berlain, aud inquired whether he
was on the right road to Chatfiela and;
being answered in the affirmative, he
then asked permission to ride. Mr..
O. checked his team and offered the
applicant the favor he asked. The
man placed himself 10 the rear part OF
the wagon, but there being ample
room in the spring seat, the owner
insisted that the man should come
forward aud share his seat. After some
hesta tion, he consented, with evident
reluctance, however, and placed him
self on the left side of Mr., Chamber
lain.
After proceeding few rods, his com
panion quietly remarked, "you sold
your wheat to-dayY This question
plainly revealed to Mr.. Chamberlain
the dangerous character and purpose Of
his companion, aud he replied --"No |
did not sell, but left my W eat in store, F"
Edwards, flor it was undoubtedly him,
promptly replied:--' You're id
liar You have over seven hundred dol
lars in your pocket !"--and before these
words were fully uttered, he had, with
his right hand, drawn a revolver, aud
with his left seized the lines. Cham
berlain is powerful, brave man, aud
fully comprehending the peril of the
moment and the importance of instant
action, he dealt his adversary a terrific
blow under his chin, which sent him
overheard.
The revolver discharged one of its
barrels when the would.be robber aud
murder reached the ground. The
horses instantly took fright, and started
at high rate Of speed--the reins hav
ing been thrown down when Edwards
m tde his exit. The track was very
narrow for some distance, and it re-
quired skillfnl driving to avoid preci.
pice on one tide; but the horses fOrtu.
nately kept the track, and after flight
OF about three quarters of mile, Mr..
Chamberlain succeeded in making his
way along the tongue of the wagon,
and, mounting one of the horses, OBJ
tanned possession Of the lines and con-
troll of his team. 1t has since been
ascertalued, by confession OF one OF
the parties, that Whitman and Staley
were lying in ambush near the point
where Edwards made his attack, aud
we're prepared to aid in the murdsrous
work. The escape of Mr., O. FROM the
danger threatened by his companion,
and subsequently the peril he was in
during the fight Of his team, was mi.
raculOus.