The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1871-06-24

committee soon commenced work
amongs. the wealthiest citizens OF
San Francisco. and by appealing to
the terrors of few and the sympa.
thies Of all, succeeded in raising
one-half the amount within the
prescribed period. shall never
forget the wocbegone faces of Cali
fornia street during the month Of
October. The outside world and
the newspapers spoke most learn
edly Of money panic-a pressure
in business, and the disturbances
in the New York gold room.
But to the initiated there was an
easier solution Of the enigma. The
pale spectre Of death loo oked down
upon them all, and pointed with
his honey finger to the fiery tomb
of the whole race, already looming
ur in the distance before them.
Day after day, I could see the
dreadful ravages Of this secret
horror; doubly terrible, since they
dared not divulge it. Still, do all
that we could, the money could
not be obtained. The day preced-
ing the last one given Summcriield
was summoned before the commit
tee, and full information given
him Of the state Of affairs. Obdu-
rate, hard and cruel, he still con-
tinued. Finally, proposition was
started that an attempt should be
made to raise the other half Of the
money in the city Of New York.
To this proposition Summerfield
ultimately yielded. but with ex-
treme reluctance. 1t was agreed
in committee that I should accom-
pany him thithcr, and take with
me, in my own possession, eviden-
ces of the sums subscribed here,
that proper appeal should be
made to the leading capitalists,
scholars and clergymen of the me-
tropolis, and that when the whole
amount was raised, it should be
f paid to Summerfield, and a bond
taken from him never to divulge
t his awful secret to any human
! being.
with this he seemed to be salts
, fed, and left us to prepare for his
3 going the next morning
: AS soon as he left the apartment
f the Bishop arose aud deprecated
t action that had been taken, and de-
| nn,nceH IL "a oh;t.Aiah o,J ob,,rl
e He declared that no man was safe
e one moment while that diabolical
wletch still lived. that the only Sc
:, curity for us all was in his imme-
n diate extirpation from the face OF
q the earth, and that no amount OF
money could seal his lips or close
; his hands. 1t would be no crime
/. be said, to deprive him of the
Il means OF assassinating the whole
: human family, and that as for him
v self, he was for booming him tc
y Immediate death. With unanim
e ity that was extraordinary, the en-
tire committee conceded.
@ "a great many plans were pro
e posed, discussed and rejected, hav
II ing IN view the determination o
4 Summerfield. In them all ther,
| was the want Of that proper caution
e which would lull the apprehension
Of an enemy; for should he for a,
= instant suspect treachery, we knew
y his nature well enough to be salts
- Ged that he would waive all cere
= - monies. and carry his threats into
le immediate execution.
a 1t was finally resolved that tn
, trip to New York should no, b
IS abandoned, apparently. But tina
,f we were to start out in accordanc
At with the original programme; tha
* during the journey some prope
,e means should be resorted to by m
ia to carry out the final intention q
o the committee. and that whateye
= did should be sanctioned by then
,e Oil, and full protection, both in la,
and conscience, afforded me in an
m stage OF the proceedings.
t., Nothing was wanting but my ow,
~ consent. | asked the privilege G
d meditation for one hour, at th
lg hands of the committee, before
he would render decision either wa
n. During that recess, the above argr
he mentation occupied my though
Tne .ime expired, and I agai
ed presented myself before them.
nd did not deem it requisite to sta,
ID, the grounds OF my decision; I sig
OF nltied my assent, akd made instar
r. preparations to carry the plan t
TO execution.
,et 'having passed on the line of til
e. Pacific railway more thau once,
was perfectly iamiiiar with all i
windings, gorges and precipices.
re l selected cape Horn as the or
ITS best adapted W the purpose, an
the public knows til
n rest.
nv Having been fully committed
ed two tribunals of the Law, | mai
liz this appeal to my fellow ne
he throughout tue State, and ask the
If confidently not 10 reverse the juds {
mt ment aiready pronounced"