The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16
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which interested me at once, What
this2' | said, as my eyes lighted o
a startling paragraph:
MYSTERIOUS MURpER.-J. RaT
dolph, one of eur old and wealth
citizens, was this morning found dea
in his room, having been murdere
during the night. Edgar Morton,
clerk in his employ, and who, repor
SAYS, was soon to be married to hi
daughter, has been arrested for tn
murder, and circumstances are SAT
to be strongly against him.
Now, although | AM usually amoni
the first to hear OF criminal news
from the nature of my business, thi
was the first intimation | had receiv
ed that such murder had been com
mitted, having been out of town dur
ing the day. As | had been on th'
best of terms with Mr. Randolph ant
his whole family, it occurred to me a
once that my advice would be sought
And so this is the way that Edga
Morton repays his benefactor and th'
father of his affianced bride! Ie
no, it cannot be. | will stake my
life on that young mans innocence
As | spoke, there came 4 gentle
tap at the door, followed almost i'm
mediately by the entrance of lady
deeply yelled, who at once threw
aside her vail, disclosing the face o
my deceased friends daughter, Cecilt
Randolph
Excuse me, Mr. Ferguson, for en-
tering unlimited; but urgent bushes.
impeIs me. -
BE seated Miss Randolph I said
rising and handing her chair.
20, Mr.. Ferguson :" she sobbet
forth, burrying her face in her hands
That | should ever be obliged t.
come on such an errand as this?"
| endeavored TO quiet her, and par
tiallp succeeded, when l drew from
her what few particulars she knew
regarding her fathers death.
He retired last night, at his usual
hour, apparently in good spirits, and
no sound was heard during the night
TO cause alarm In the morning as
he failed to appear 1T breakfast, q
servant was dispatched to summon
him. Knocking at the door, and re
ceiving no answer, he finally opened
1t and advanced into the room. What
a sight did he then behold Ny
poor father lay upon his bed, with bis
throat cut from car to ear Death
must have come to him suddenly-so
as to prevent any outcry-
and the unknown assassin had no
trouble in making his escape"
But | said, II can't see why anv
one should suspect Edgar Of the mur.
der"
This is the most mysterious part
of the sad affair. When Edgar was
told of the murder, he turned very
pale, reeled, and would have fallen
to the ground had not support been
given him Some of the ignorant be-
holders of this scene thought his ac-
tions denoted guilt, and an officer was
summoned, who at once insisted on
searching his room A razor, on
which were several spots of blood,
was found concealed under the car
pet, together with an old suit of
clothes belonging to Edgar, which
were bespattered with blood. This
was considered sufficient evidence to
warrant his arrest, and he now lies
in jail, charged with the awful crime
Of murder Oh, Mr. Furgusonl if
you can do anything to save him, and
at the same time bring the guilty per-
petrator of this deed to justice, | will
amply reward you"
DO you know any enemies Of your
father, or of Edgar, who would be
likely to commit such crime either
for money or revenge ~ | asked.
"0h, sir" she replied, lit was not
done for robbery, as everything in the
room was as father left it the night
before His watch and pocket-book,
the latter containing quite a sum of
money, were found under his pillow,
where he always placed them, so that
the crime must have been committed
to crafty a fendish thirst for re-
Now, then. who of all your ac-
qua ntauccs could do such a thing 2"
Il cannot possibly say. Father
lad not an enemy in the world to nv
lnowIedge, or Edgar either, unless,
perhaps, it might be Conrad Smith
ey, my poor fathers book-keeper and
rusty clerk; but it would be impos-
;ible for him to do such a deed"
What reason have YOU to suspect
hat he is not Edgar's friend ?"
Only this: Some time ago, Con-
'ad, whom we have always regarded
IS one of the family proposed for my
land, and | told him it was not mine
o give i suspected as much he
and then, whilst bis face
rev dark, and his features assumed
N appearance perfectly fearful, he
ontinued, "but you shall never be-
ONE the wife Of Edgar Morton while
have life to prevent itn He then
about, and abruptly left nv
resence. | was considerably alarm
d, and thought Of speaking to father
bout it but during the forenoon be
eturned and begged my forgiveness
or the words he had used, and made
ueh professions of sorrow in regard
0 them that | freely forgave him, and
ave since thought no more Of the
natter"
The fact is quite clear to me- 1
aid, II know this fellow well, and
he sort of company he keeps, and /
hould not be surprised to find that
e had committed the murder. His
Ian included Morton's execution as
be murderer, the possession Of your
and and the estate, so there was no
lotive for small robbery-at least,
his is my reading of the ease. Now,
hen, | want to see the body of your
lther and the room in which the
eed was done"
well, sir" she said, rising and
to accompany me, you
ill find everything as it was when
rst discovered; the officers eonclud-
d not to disturb anything until after
le inquest, which takes place to-
borrow forenoon.i'