The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-06-10

But without avail He began to grow
urgent in his demand, and his brow
would cloud like a tempest~ridden sky I
whenever we approached him on the sub
ject. Finally, ascertaining that no per-
suasion could soften his heart or touch |
his feelings,a a sub committee was appoint
ed to endeavor if possible to raise the /
money by subscription. Before taking |
that step, however, we ascertained beyond
all question that Summerficld was the sole
custodian Of his dread secret, and that
he kept no written memorial OF the form
ula of his prescription. He even went
so far as to offer US penal bond that his
secret should perish with him in case his
demands were complied with.
The subcommittee soon commenced
work among the wealthiest citizens OF
San Francisco, and by appealing to the
terrors of few and the sympathies OF
all. succeeded IN rising onc-half the
amount within the prescribed period. l
shall never forget the wo-begone faces OF
California street during :he month OF
October The outside world and the
newspapers spoke most learnediy OF
money panic-a pressure IN business, ana
the disturbances In the gold room.
But to the initiated there was an easier
solution of the enigma. The pale specter
of death looked down upon them all, and
pointed with its bony finger to the tiery
tomb of the whole race already looming
| up in the distance before them. Day at
ter 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 preceding the last
| one given, Summerfeld was summoned
4 before the committee, and full Informs
tion given him of the state of affairs OBJ
duIate, hard and cruel he still continued
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 proposal Summerfcld ul
tinately yielded, but with extreme reluc
tance. 1t was agreed in committee thai
should accompany him thither, ans
take with me, in my own possession, evi
dences of the sums subscribed here tina
proper appeal should be made to tho
leading capitalists, scholars and clergy
men OF that metropolis, and that, whe'
the whole amount was raised, it shoult
be paid over to Summcrfeid and bonc
taken from MIN never 10 0iN tHC sc
cret to any human being.
With this he seemed to be satisfied
, and left US to prepare for his going .h
next morning.
As soon as he left the apartment, tn
: Bishop arose, and ..deprecated the actio
that had been taken aud characterized
2 as childish, and absurd. He declare
t that no man was safe one moment, Wills
, ..that diabo,ical wretch" still lived an
t the only security for US all, was 'in hi
e imm sdiate extirpation from the face c
: the earth, and that no amount of mono
$ could seal his lips. or close his hands.
o would be no crime, he said, to depriv
!, him of the means of assassinating til
e whole human family. and that as for hin
o self he was for booming him to immed
: ate death.
y With unanimity that was extraord
e nary, the entire committee conceded.
:, A great many plans were PROPOSED
It discussed and rejected, having in vie
e the determination of Summerfeld.
T. them all there was the want of prop
e caution which would lull the apprehe
C sions of an enemy; for should he for 9
e instant suspect treachery We knew h
IS nature well enough to be satisfied, that
IS would waive aliSceremonies and carry b
'e threats into immediate execution.
st Itwas fnally resolved that the trip
New York should not be abandoned, a
le parently. But that we were to start o
t. in accordance with the original pr
Of gramme that during the journey, son
u proper means should be resorted to
re me TO carry out the fnal intentions of 4
Il i 1 i. 4
be sanctioned by them all, and full pi
lg lection both in law aud conscience affor
y ed me in any stage of the proceeding.
~ Nothing was wanting but my own co
90 sent, bnt this was difficult to secure.
= = At the first view, it seemed to be
= most horrible and unwarrantable criI
- :, to deprive fellow being of life, und
2, any circumstances but especially
-. where, in meeting his fate, no opportuni
:. was to be afforded him for preparation
Z repentance. 1t was )oua time before
= could disassociate, in my mind, the t
>, IDEAS of act and intent. My studies h
= long ago made me perfectly familiar wi
s" the doctrine of the civil law, that in
ha der to constitute guilt, there must be
: union of action and intention. Taxi
"A tue property Ol utiotHef uiau Is not the
a. unless, as the lawyers term it, there
"a the aaimus firanaf. So in hoinieit
- - life may be lawfully taken in some
~ stances, whilst the decd may be excus
- in others. The sheriff hangs the fell
!. and deprivcs him of existence yet J
- body thinks ofaccusingt the officer OF M
,st - l..,:,,sl +, a,
ed sno ~ :, 80 ~. -. i;fo
- too sacred TO be taken away under
= circumstances. The point to be cons
= =. cred was thus narrowed down into 3
80 grand inquiry, whether snnmerfield y
properly to be regarded as horfis hum,
Il 1