The Shasta courier., 1870-04-23
SHASTA COURIER.
| Continued from first page. I

ds Lowry turned 10 MIN ard SAID
= It's grand successive never made
miss hit -
The balance Of the night was consumed il
the attempt of the murderers to cover W
their awful crime. Page was sent up tn,
mountain with Lowry to take charge of thu
body of Magruder, whom they tied up il
his blankets. then took him up to the top o
the ridge sRd threw him over precipice O
sevenor eight hundred feet The two broth
ers were wrapped up in their blankets, ant
also taken up to the top of the ridge anC
thrown down on the other side, and Aler
and Phillips were tied up in the tent and dis
posed of in the same way. All of the ami
mails except eight horses, including the sixty
mules, were taken into canon off the road
and killed. A large FIRE was made and every
thing was burned, including the entire camp
equipage, saddles, strapping and blankets,
guns and pistols. After everything had been
burned, all of the scraps of iron from the
saddles and harness, such as straps, rings,
bits, ETC., and all of the pistol and gun locks
and barrels were carefully taken up, placed
IN bag, and thrown down the mountain
Morning came, and not vestage of the muir
der was to be seen. This would have been
the case at any rate, as there were two feet
of snow on the ground After breakfast, the
murders divided the dust. giving Page a
quarter and at once resumed their Journey
1t was agreed that the party should pro-
coed with much haste as possible to Elk
City, and when within forty miles of Lewis
ton to cross the river and 90 to Puget sound.
The river at all points, however, and es-
pecally at the proposed place of crossing,
had been swollen to turbulent height on
account Of late rains and SHOWS in the noun
tains, and every attempt to find safe ford
proved fruitless. When within thirty miles
of Lewiston, with only one days rations
left, and the river still swelling, a meeting
was held in which it was concluded to pro-
ceed to that town the next night, steal boat
and go down the river.
The next night, about 10 o'clock, the four
men rode to the outskirts of Lewiston, and
Lowry and Romaine went in search of skiff,
while Howard and Page remained with the
horses. Hardly had they arrived when the
wind commenced to blow perfect tornado,
the river became fearfally rough and stormy,
and all attempts at navigation were abandon
ed. After the return of Romaine and Lowry,
it was at once resolved to go into town, put
up their animals, and leave ali of their traps
in charge of an acquaintance, and take the
stage for Walla- Walla, which left that nj ight
at II o'clock, Lowry being delegated to 60
and purchase the tickets and disguise him
self as much as possible.
AS the night wore on, the storm increased
in its violent fury-the rain fell in torrents
and rude blasts of wind howled bitterly
through the forest beyond.
1t was halfpast eleven, and Hill Beechev
had not yet retired. 1t had been his custom
to retire at nine O'Clock for years, this night
having been the only exception since his res.
idence at Lewiston. His clerk was prepar-
ing the way-bill, when three distinct knocks
came heavily upon the front door,
Come in at the end door ~ shouted
Beechey, fairly awaking Judge Berry, who
was snoring sound in a chair in front of the
hearth
a tall, weH..bufYt man obeyed the summons
and went up to the clerks desk. when
does the stage go to Walla Walla ?' he in
euired, in low tone.
Mr.. Hardin, the clerk, replied 4" 10 half an
hour"
" Give me four tickets /" demanded the
stranger, in a louder tone of voice.
What namesT inquired the clerk, pro
ceeding to put them down on the way bill.
John Smith," replied the stranger in ar
unpleasant voice.
The other gentlemen, sir-what are theil
names?"
bill Smith, my brother" he said il
Harry Jones and his brother Tom" How
mach is it 1'T
IS Four of you-sxty dollars, SIR"
The stranger flung three twenty dollar
gold pieces down upon the counter and said
''We'll get in at the post Office" and took
his departure without throwing glance al
any one else in the room.
8 Ell bet a hundred dollars the stage will
be robbed before it gets ten miles from town, y
remarked the clerk; "what do you say
Judgef''
If you'l lend me hundred, I'll bet the
same way" laughingly replied Judge Ber-
~. But" he continued. addressing him.
self to Beechey, 'did you ever see the fel.
low before2 He was so completely disguised,
with his hat over his eyes. and his scarf
around his face, that l could not distinguish
- feature. But he acted like somebody who
knew the place"
Beeehey was lost in thought. The absence
of his friend Magruder-and his dream
flashed through his mind. Then he remem.
bered that Mrs. Magruder had received a
letter the day before, stating that her hus.
band would not leave Bannock City for
twelve days. But he muttered through his
teeth
"a robbery at least-there are too many
Smiths and Joneses"
There's something wrong, sure, Mr.
Beechey." said the clerk; ''what had we
better do?''
"Hill Beechey sprung to his feet and
said; Hardin, you 60 up to Wells, Fargo
and tell them not to send any treasure to
night. Let the man in the next room sleep
He's got good deal of DUST and it will be
safer for him TO lie over day. The Judge
and will go up to the post Office.
They arrived just in time to see the man
who purchased the tickets and his three com
panions, get into the coach. They we're all
three disguised alike, each having a scar
around his face and hat slouched over the
eyes Bot the quick vision of Beechey rec
ognized the features of both Howard and
Romaine He whispered to Judge Berry a.
the stage started.
Lloyd Magruder has been murdered"
"What makes you think so?" asked
the Judge. '' Did you recognize any o
them I"
1.-Two of them Doc Howard and jim
Romaine. They have'done away with Magru
der. The man who bought the tickets wa
Chris. LowryI It's all plain to me; anC
mark me, Judge Berry, you'll never SCI
Lloyd Magruder again. They all had heavy
clnteenas and money belts, you noticed; nov
IN furnish stock if you and the sheriff viii
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