The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-08

sunset, some months before, while passing
nom carlisle to his home with one thou
sand dollars he had drawn that afternoon
from the bank. 1t was lonely spot and
there was not house within sight Of IL
!. he was jogging leisurely along, when
light wagon drawn by two horses dashed
up beside his buggy, and three of the four
men in it jumped out, while the fourth
held the reins. They were all masked
One of them seized his horse by the bit
and stopped him, the second snatched the
lines from his hands, and the third climb
ing half into the buggy, and taking him by
the arms, demanded his money. He said
that he Instantly shouted as loud as he
could; when the ruffian dealt him savage
blow with a slung-shot which knocked
him senseless; and when he came to him
sell again, both robbers and money were
gone.
He recognized only one of the four; the
man that struck him. As he drew back to
give the blow, his mask dropped, and re-
vealed the face of Joe Slifer, the prisoner
at the bar. He knew it, he was positive
Of it, and all the ingenuity Of the cross-ex-
animation could not weaken or shake his
evidence on this important point.
No other witness was called for the pros
ecution; none seemed necessary. The pris-
oners lawyer got up and made plausible
statement to the jury that the complainant
was mistaken about recognizing Joe Slifer
on the occasion referred to; that Slifer
was not there at all, but that he was at
Norcott, fifty miles north of Carlisle, at
the very hour of that robbery, and that he
should prove it by at least two witnesses.
He sat down and called out "Caleb Wye"
and everybody leaned forward expectantly.
The witness came forward with a slow,
limping gait, leaning on a cane. He was
man of middle age, and
dressed in suit of sombre black, with
white choker about his neck. His hair
was silver grey, and as he mounted the
stand, and leaning on bis cane, turned pla-
cidly to the prisoners counsel, he present
ed an appearance which would attract at
tention and respect anywhere.
Isaw him and though | did not betray
any surprise, / know that my heart gave
tremendous thump. For saw the bilious,
thin face, the crooked nose and the SCARED
forehead of the dodger whom I had seen
twenty-four hours before in the doorway
Of the saloon. With this difference, how
ever, the hair of that man was almost
black, while this mans was silver gray.
edged my chair quietly up beside that
of the District Attorney, and while the
man was testifying, managed to whisper
in the others ear without attracting the
attention of the witness.
The latter testified that he was dealer
in ready-madc clothing at Norcott, and
one Of the firm of Wye & Peasants. That
on the day testified to, of the robbery,
both he and his partner were at their store
at Norcott, and there was an unusual call
for goods. Joe Slifer was then in town;
they knew him well, and had often en-
ployed him to help in the store. On this
particular day they sent for him; he came
Immediately; and he remained at the
store, waiting on customers, from two
o'clock till eight, without once leaving it.
Mr.. Peasants was in court, and could tes-
tify to the same facts.
The first question of the District Attor-
ney made the fellow start and shiver.
t'Are you in disguise, sir %
"Wh-what m stammered the man.
"Have you silver-gay wig over your
dark hair I"
The man looked amazed and thenfright-
ened, but said nothing; and before he could
recover his seli-posession, the District At
torney had stepped forward and removed
the wig, revealing smoothly brushed head
of dark brown hair!
"What does this mean ?" he asked stern
aOnly fancym was the surly answer;
Tve worn that wig Tor years"
"Haye you, indeed2 Did you wear it
Ill day yesterday ?"
ayes, SIR" was the confident response.
"Wherep
"At Norcott, to be sure"
"All day?" g,
"Certsinly, I was there the whole day."
"When did you arrive here at Carlisle 2"
SAT 7.20 this morning"
Tho District Attorney gave me trlum-
ohant wink; and when he stated to the
,ourt that he desired this witness to be
detained till the close Of the trial, the sher-
nj was directed to take charge of him.
Mr. Caleb Wye came down from the stand
With his wig in his hand, and took a seat by
he sheriff, looking decidedly more bilious
han had yet seen him appear.
Mr.. Peasants was now loudly called for
1y the defence; but no one came forward.
The unexpected reception which the last
witness had met probably chilled the ardor
,f his confederate, and he wisely chose to
Keen in the background. This, then, was
nj Of the defence, and my evidence at once
blew it to the winds. Hooked directly at
NJ. Wye (so-called) when / was telling
the Jury when, where, and under what
circum stances had seen him the previous
dav and I saw him tremble like an aspen
leaf. The jury convicted the prisoner
without leaving their seats, and the wit
ness was locked up for further consldera-
tion. -,
/ left Carlisle the next morning, and
heard nothing more Of this affair for sew