The Shasta courier., 1869-11-06
An Incident of Early Mining
Times i'm California.


derer through the tall pines that surround
ed the St. Charles Hotel, in the little min
ing camp of Alta, and the rain battered
upon crowd of miners that were hasten
ing with loud outcries toward large log
house that stood close to the hotel.
Hang himl Hang the murderer of
Ella, the Prairie Flower" were the shouts
that mingled with the meanings of the
wind, and were family echoed back from
the high, bleak cliffs that arose near by.
Herbert Tudor, the supposed murder of
Ella Tracy, was sitting upon bench within
the large room of the log house, awaiting
his trial Around him crowded more than
hundred miners, with scowling faces
the Vigilance Committee of Alta. He was
bound hand and foot, and he looked pale
and careworn. Every man among the
crowd believed him guilty. Yet Herbert
Tubor was an innocent. A chain of cir
cumstantial 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 arrived
in the camp. She was fair girl of eigh-
teen, full of life, fresh and glowing, with
ripping golden hair, and large blue eyes,
from which beamed 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 we'll received by the parent
and his daughter, and upon each visit was
asked to call again. He became frequent
visitor at the house, and soon it was re-
ported throughout the camp that he was
engaged to be married to the "Prairie
Flower"
John Clements often accompanied Her
bert, whom he hated, because he, too, had
aspired to the hand of the fair Ella When
it became known that Herbert was about
to lead Ella to the marriage alter, his rage
knew no bounds He went to Elias house
and unfortunately found her alone. With
passionate vehemence he poured his tale of
love into the ears Of the shrinking maiden
He swore to kill her if she would not coa-
sent to be his wife. She said 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 entered the room. Although
nearly blinded with rage, John saw the
silver sheen of knife that protruded from
the belt of Herbert, who was bending over
the Printing maiden. Quick as thought
he snatched the knife from the belt and
buried it in the bosom of Ella. The next
moment he withdrew it, and the blood of
tbe dying girl crimsoned the garments of
the terror-stricken lover. A few seconds
afterward Herbert dropped the form of
his betrothed and spr ang to his feet. He
felt for his knife. 1t was gone. Looking
up, he saw the murderer advancing toward
him with uplifted weapon.
az know shall hang for the murder of
Ella, but it won't make bit of difference
if kill you too," cried John. Herbert
was defenceless The only way to save his
life was instant flight. Dashing past his
assailant, he rushed out of the house, fol-
lowed by the murderer At the threshold
the latter stopped and threw the knife at
Herbert, who was rushing down the only
street of Alta.
A devilsh thought rushed through the
mind of the murderer.
Stop him stop him p cried he to
some miners that stood in front of the
hotel. Stop him, he has killed the
Prairie Flower ~
The miners saw the bloodstained man
rushing down the street, and they Instant
rushed after him. Herbert had also heard
these words of fearful moment He turned
and gave himself up to the miners.
am innocent" was all that he said.
Well see about that, my goodlooking
fellow" cried one of the miners, named
George Hosmer, who was Herbert's enemy,
drawing apistol, "We belong to the Com
mittee, and III make short work of such
coveys as you are. Come, Jim, run down
to the fiat and call miners meeting"
continued he, turning to his companion,
who instantly obeyed the command.
want fair trial, George Hosmer,"
said Herbert, holding out his hands to be
bound.
"All O. K, you bet" replied his captor,
with sneer, as he bound the hands of
Herbert with handkerchief
1t was noon on the following day. The
trial was over, and the jury had retired to
back room of the log house. An ominous
silence prevailed in the large room there
was no doubt in the minds of the miners
but that the jury would bring in verdict
of guilty
Soon the jury returned.
Do you find Herbert Tudor guilty or
not guilty p asked the chief of the Wig
lance Committee
Guilty p came like death-knell from
the lips of the foreman
Herbert bowed his head, and few hot
tears stole over his cheek-he was thinking
of his home in the distant States, of his
parents and brothers and sisters, who would
mourn his untimely end. The voice of the
Judge reused him from his painful
thoughts.
Herbert Tudor, prisoner of the Com
mittee of Safety and Vigilance if you
have anything to say against the verdict of
your fellow miners, say it now"