The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-08-24

having been called away by my patients in
the town of Auburn, but l reached his bed
side shortly afterward. 10 my judgment, no
, amount of care or medical attention could
have prolonged his life more than a few
days.
lSigned) KARL LIE6NER NJ D.
THE STATEMENT OF THE DECEASED
was then introduced to the jury follows:
People of Californis VS. Bartholomew
Graham-Statement and dying confession
of Charles p. ellison, taken ia articulo NOR
f'S by George Simpson, Notary Public:
On the morning of Sunday, the 14th day
of May, 1871. l left Auburn alone in search
of the body of the late Gregory Summer
field, who was reported to have been pushed
from the cars at Cape Horn, in this county,
! by one Leonidas Parker. since deceased 1t
was not fully light when ! reached the track
| of the Central Pacific Railroad Having
mined at al early day on Thompson's Flat.
at the foot of the rocky promontory. now
called Cape Horn, | was familiar with the
zigzag paths leading down the steep prec-
pice. One was generally used as descent,
the other as an ascent from the canyon be-
low. L chose the latter, as being the freest
from the chance Of observation. Itrequircd
the greatest caution to thread the narrow
gorge but finally reached the rocky bench,
about l .000 feet below the grade of the rail
! road. 1t was now broad daylight and |
commenced cautiously to search for Sum
merfeld's body. There is quite dense un-
dergrowth Of shrubs thereab bouts, lining the
interstices of the granite rocks so as to OBJ
scure the vision even at "a short distance.
Brushing aside thick manzaIita bush, |
beheld the dead man, at the same instant of
time that another person arrived like an APP
partition upon the spot. 1t was Barlholo-
NEW Graham, known as Black Bart We
suddenly confronted each other, the skeleton
of Summcrfeld lying exactly between US.
Our recognition was mutual. Graham ad
vauced and l did the same; he stretched
out his hand and we greeted one another
across the PROSTATE corpse.
Before releasing my hand. Bart exceimed
in a hoarse whisper, Swear. ellison, in the
presence Of the dead. that you will forever
be faithful, never betray me. and do exactly
as bid you as long as you live =
| locked him full in the eye. Fate sat
there cold and remOrseless as stone. | hesi
tat with his left hand he slightly raised
the aI e's Of his coat, and grasped the han~
die Of navy revolver.
'Swear' again he cried.
As | gazed his eyeballs assumed a green
ish tint, aud his brow darkened into a scowl.
AS your confederate answered; never as
your slave
BE it SOP was his only reply.
The body living On its back. with the
face upwards. The vultures had despoiled
the counteuance Of every vestige Of flesh,
and left the sockets of his eyes empty
Snow, and ice. and rain, fad done their
work cffectually upon the exposed surfaces
of his clothing aud the eagles had feasted
upon the entraiIs. But underneath, the thick
beaver cloth had served to protect the flesh.
aud there were some decayinG shreds left of
what had once been the terrible but accom-
plished Gregory Summer6eld. a glance
told us all these things. But they did not
interest me so much as another spectacle,
that almost froze my blood. 10 the skeleton
grip of the right hand. interaced within the
clenched bones, cleaned the wide-mouthed
vial which the object Of our mutual
visit. Graham fell on his knees aud at
tempted TO withdraw the prize from the
grasp of its possessor. But the bones were
firm, and when be finally succeeded in se-
curing the bottle. by a sudden wrench, 1
| heard the skeleton fingers snap like pipe
stems.
Hold this moment. whilst 1 search the
| pocket he commanded.
l did as directed.
He then turned over Che corpse. and
thrusting his hand into the inner breast
pocket, dragged out a roll Of MSS, matted
closely together and stained by the winters
rains A further search eyentuated in hnd~
ing a roll of small gold coin, set of der
ringer pistols. rusted double edged dirk,
| and pair of silver mounted spectacles.
Hastily covering over the body with leaves
and branches cut from embowering shrdbS,
we shudderngly left the spot.
We slowly descended the gorge toward
! the banks of the American river. until we
arrived at a small but questered thicket.
where we threw ourselves upon the ground.
Neither had spoken word since we mad left
the scene above described. Graham was
| the first to break the silence which to me
had become oppressive.
Let US exatnine the vial, and see If the
| contents are safe
/ tdrew it forth from my pocket and handed
it to him.
Sealed heremetically. and perfectly se>
cure,' he added. Saying this he deliberately
wrapped it up in handkerchief and placed
it in his bosom.
What shall we do with our prize 2 l
inquired.
I Our prizel' As he said this he laughed
derisivelv, and cast a most scoruful and
threatening glance toward me.
1eS, l HIilfI Oui ptlES.
Gibson retorted Graham, you must re-
| gard me as a copsummate simpeton. or your
! self Goliah. This bottle is mine. and mine
only. 1t is great fortune for one, bpt of
less value thaa toadstool f)r two. | am
willing to divide fairly. This secret would
be of DO service TO a coward. lie would not
dare to use it. Your share of the robbery
shall be these Mss; you can sell them to
some poor devil of printer, and pay your
self for your days work.
Saying this he threw the bundle of MSS.
at my feet; but | disdaiBed to touch them.
Observing this. he gathered them mp safely
and replaced them in his pocket. AS you
are unarrned.' he said. it would not be safe
| for you to be seen in this neigborhood dur
| ing day light. We will both spend the night
here. aud just before morning return to
Auburn. l will accompany you part of the
| distance