Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-09-17
An Incident OF Early Mining Times IN
California. ~

dCrcr, through tho tall pines that sur.
rounded the ST. Charles Hotel at the little
mining camp Of Alta and the rain pat
tered upon crowd uf minors that were
fastening with loud outcries towards q
large log house that stood close to the
hotel.
Hang him Hang the murderer OF
Ella, the Prairie Flower" were the
shouts that mingled with the moanings
Of the wind, and were family echoed
back from the high, bleak cliffs that arose
near by.
Herbert Tudor, the supposed murderer
of Ella Tracy, was sitting upona bench
within the large room Of the log house,
awaiting his trial Around him crowded
more than hundred miners with scowl
ing faces-the Vigilance Committee Of
Alta, Ho was bound hand and foot, and
he looked pale and careworn, Every
man among the crowd believed him
guilty. Yet Herbert Tudor was an limo.
cent man. A chain of clrcumstantial
evidence had woven its iron links around
him chain which he was powerless TO
break.
The facts Of the case were as follows;
Herbert Tudor and John Clements were
warm friends until Miss Ella Tracy ar
rived in the camp. She was a fair girl of
eighteen, full of life, fresh and glowing,
with ripping golden hair, and large,
blue eyes, from which beamcd u light
that rivaled the glory of the summer
sun. The miners called her the Prairie
Flower Herbert became acquainted
with her at her fathers house. He was
well received by the parent and his
daughter, and upon each visit was asked
to call again. He became frequent Wis
~ hn
cd throughout the camp that he was en-
gagged to be married to the "Prairc
Flower"
John Clements often accompanied Her
BERT whom he hated, because he, too, had
aspircd to the hand ofthc fair Ella. When
il became known that Herbert was about
to lead Ella to the marriage altar, his rage
knew no bounds. He went to Elias
house, and unfortunately found her alone,
With passionate vehemCncc he poured his
| tale OF love into the ears of the shrinking
maiden. He sworo TO kill her if she would
not consent to be his wife, She said that
she would rather die than wed him, and
he was about to lay violent hands upon
her, when he was dashed aside by Herbert,
who at that moment had entered the room.
| Although nearly blinded with rage, John
saw the silver sheen of "A knife handle that
| protruded from the belt of Herbert, who
was bending over the iainting maiden
| Quick rs thought he snatchcd the knife
from the belt and buried it in the bosom
of Ella. The next moment he withdrew
it, and the blood of the dying girl Grim
soncd the garments of the terror. stricken
lover. A few seconds aftcrwnrd Herbert
dropped the form of his betrothed ant
sprang to his feet. He felt for his knife
| tns lao 1,
derer advancing towards him with uplifteC
! weapon.
! al know I shall hang for the murder o
Ella, but 1t won't make a bit of difference
if | kill you too!' cried John.
Herbert was defenceless. The only way
to save his life was instant flight, Dashinl
| past his assailant, he rushed out of tn,
house, followed by the murderer. AT tn
threshold the latter stopped and threw tn
hmIrU "a IIvI pvIU, nlI,- Iva .,..i.i.-o A.
the only street of Alta.
A devilish thought rushed through tn
mind of the murderer
"Stop him, stop him cried he to som
miners that stood in front of the hote
Stop him, he has killed the Prairi
Flowerl"
The miners saw the blood-stained maj
rushing down the street, and they instantly
|
these words of fearful import. lie turnc(
and gave himself up to the miners
=" / am innocent" was all that he said.
Gwen see about that, my good looking
fellow!n cried one of the miners, nance
George Hosmer, who was Herbert's enemy
drawing pistol. ave belong to tn
Committee, and wen make short work o
such coYeys as you are. Come, jim, rul
down to the flat and call miners meet
ing" continued he, turning to his com
panion, who instantly obeyed the com
mand.
al want fair trial, George Hosmer
said Herbert, holding out his hands to h
"Ail 0. X, you bet" replied his captor
with sneer, as he bound the hands o
Herbert with handkerchief.
u
1t was noon on the following day. TIL
trial was over, and the jury had retired Il
n back room of the log house. An omi
nous silence prevailed in the large room
there was no doubt in the minds of tn,
miners but that the jury would bring in |
verdict of guilty.
Soon the jury returned.
"Do you find Herbert Tudor guilty o.
not guilty?" asked the chief of the Vigi
lance Committee.
Guilty came like a death knell from
the lips Of the foreman.
Herbert had bowed his head and few
hot tears stole over his cheek-he wa
thinking of his home in the distant States
of his parents and brothers and sisters
who would mourn his untimely end. Tn
voice of the Judge reused him from hi
painful thoughts.
Herbert Tudor, prisoner of the Com
mittee of Safety and Vigilance il yol
have anything to say against the verde
of your fellow miners, say it now"
Herbert rose with calm face and said
"They have given the verdict according
TO their own honest conviction. do no
blame them for finding me guilty Of muir
der Everything was against me- Yet
repeat again that am an innocent man
He paused and wiped away the mois
ture that had started into his eyes.
Have you anything more to sayS
asked the Judge.
"Yes," replied Herbert, in afirmer tone
"Will you allow me TO address few word
to the principal witness against me 7"
The Judge nodded his head in tn
affirmative.
"John Clemonts" began the prisoner
turning to his former friend and com
| y
a deed which only our Father in Heaye
can pardon. Do not look at me wit
such a scowling face and vengeful eyes
: | am now. beyond your vengeance.
know that | must die an ignominiou
death know that within few moment
l will stand before the Judgment seat {
the Almighty, and with these thoughts o
, my mind freely and fully forgive you fC
what you have done to me. / do NJ
care TO live, for you have robbed me {
the dearest treasure that have on eartl
J God says: Forgive thine enemies It
! a hard, hard command TO obey. | ougl
not TO have said that you have robbed m
of my joy-no, Ella has only gone betoI
I me- and within few hours | shall rejoi
} her in a better world. John, once my be-
4 and truest friend, do you still recolle'
/ that a few years ago, when in the heat {
: battle at Cerro GordO Mexican VaoueT
I had thrown the lass0 over your head an
| shoulders and was dragging you TOWARD
! the chaparral,. / jumped from my hor'
{ and cut the deadly cOilS AT that tim
I you said, Herbert, | owe my life 10 you