The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-02-29

49, ~ vas tu6 klltcSG hlllln tIltt UPX
Cured roun' yer sence '53, wen the
Dodsoms cum agin' the Beasley boys"
The combat ended, men went to their
usual occupation with many comments
but little evidence of excitement: and
now that the coast was clear, Sheriff Smith
arrived and arrested Cap.
AT the examination, the same afternoon
for justice was swift in those days-the
following testimony was elected:
That given by Jerry Parker who had
heard the words of both parties in front
of Macs was most important. Among
the miners the whisper of SANDER
against a pure womans name was held
to be q justification for homicide and
that alone, without the personal abuse
heaped upon Cap, would have insured
his discharge
1t was also ascertained that only two of
the brothers had fallen by Caps hand
The other had been seen exchanging shots
with kentuck. Just before he staggered
out OF the saloon, and it was thought that
the two men died at nearly the same mo-
ment A red shirted miner. carving q
thoughtful countenance. observed that
"prap's them two who draw'd each others
souls one minute shuck hands tie lie xt OH
the road to h"
Jerry Parker testified that Cap while
coming up to the express office, had been
insulted repeatedly by the Johnsons, who
We're stationed at the different saloons.
waiting his arrival; that he turned after
he had passed and walked quietly up to
where the men stood, bearing his usual
unrutllea countenance, and in IA calm.
i -, !
to be drawn into trouble. the stain of two
homicdes forced upon him - already
darkened his name among the people ;
they knew that, although the victim of
| one was their brother, he had taken his
life from no i'll will-not until he had used
every means to avoid violence, and had
been forced from every attempt at paciti-
cation.
II bear no malice toward Won boys"
said Cap, "and hope You will 90 away
and allow me to pass in peace This
was uttered without giving the slightest
attention to frequent Interruptions. such As
"cowardlv cur,' "No fight in him +"
Takes to water ike a spanielr' Cap
now betrayed some excitement, added in
. tone Slightly raised, II tell YOU men
not TO molest me; | have been uuiullu-
nate heretofore, and will not he forced
into another of those affairs" The John
sons interpreted the manner of utterance
and meaning of the words expressive of
fear, grew louder IN their abuse. employ
\ ing the most offensive epithrts, and finally
\ made some course alluSion to Dawn
\ From that moment until the end Of the
/ tragedy he was insane.
Cap was discharged; but the next Grand
Jury indicted him for manSaughter, GER
tain members of the gambling fraternity,
/ which was then powerful and respectable.
and which the .Johnsons were AL promi-
nent members, having worked steadily to
that end. The required bail was furnish
ed. and Cap still lived with US; but the
4 interval till the day of the trial was the
darkest and most unhappy in our lives.
I Dawn now devoted all her thoughts TO
him. Her life was changed from impulse
to quiet. and the whole atmosphere in
which she moved continually associated
/ itself in my mind with the idea of a
4 whisper in an empty hall.
When the dav Of trial came, she took
her hat and went away alone over the
\ hills toward Cottonwood, and did not re-
turn till evening.
The testimony, that dav. was about the
same rs that taken at the examination,
only that new feature was developed by
the S-questioning Attorney Knight,
seeing his best and perhaps only chance
To convict, attacked tie strongest point in
favor Of the prisoners acquittal, with the
question concerning the relation existing
4 between Cap and Dawn.intending to show
tha she had no honorable claim upon him
! strong enough t. give hun the right to
! take another's life in defence of her good
| name.
/ When the character of the testimony
was becoming more delicate every mo-
ment, the prisoner, unable to bear up
4 any longer, requested through his counsel,
I to be permitted to make a statement
4 This request being granted, the prisoner
! stood erect, and said;
! Il have not asked this privilege for my
own sake but for hers had resolved
never to tell this story: but the circum-
/ stances Of the last few hours have com
| hined 20 force it from me. II will remove
All doubts as 70 the purity and Innocence
Of that poor child; whether or not it i'm
! proves my own name matters but little
now. Most OF vou know my history since
! | came here in ~; not one is acquainted
with il before that time. | am native
! OF MARYLAND, and came to this coast in ~
long before the discovery of gold-be-
ing then only tWentv-three Years old.
Five months before leaving home. be
+ came engaged to a lady Of Washington
city; but the parents being moderately
wealthy, opposed the union. We We're
yonng, passionate, and deep in love, and
| taking advantage of the absence of the
old folks, one evening. we were married
in the presence OF a few young friends,
under the rool OF her parents. One of the
servants informed them of the unusual
proceeding II progress. and, shortly after
the ceremony, the mother greatly excited
and the father. perfectly calm presented
themselves. He Informed me very quiet
ly and coldlv, that he should make no at
tempt to prevent me from taking my
prize away. and providing for it; and in
the same cold, formal manner, requested
US to leave.
| had intended to do this, but we thought
he would act with some fatherlv consider
alton for his child after the deed was done
| held small position under government,
with moderate salary-enough to pro-
vide for us comfortably. Her father had
some influence. and he used it to effect
my removal. He succeeded, and not long
after we We're in the midst of poverty.
After struggling for several months, con
cluded to seek some new place, and en-
deavor to build up new home. | OBJ
tanned passage as common sailor, for
the outgoing voyage, on board the bark
Mollie Dean, engaged in the early Cali
fornla coast traffic. and one morning left
my dear young wife alone, believing that
her fathers hostility would cease, and that
he would take her home again as soon as
was out Of the way. When we cast an
chor at Monterey, six months after, nv
clothes were scarcely sufficient to cheat
nakedness; and it was just as well that
the pockets had been ripped from my
pants for patches, not having dime to
put in them.
Success came after a time, though never
very lavishly. Yet always had plenty,
and forwarded money to my wife when
ever the opportunity presented itself I
heard from her, though, and it was not
till after Marshall found gold that letter
came from Washington, signed by Mrs
Combs brip OipU ma ppUs from bona