Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-10-26
Gales and Sketchfs.
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ROBERT FAIR.
WAY.
FROM TIE OVERLAND MONTHLY.
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY.

FROM TIE OVERLAND MONTHLY.
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY.
Robert Fairway was true to his resolu-
ton. Gathering about him his newly ac-
quired wealth-for he realized a large sum
by the sale of the Rancho-he invested
largely in growing real estate in San Fran
cisco. Freed from his infatuation, he APP
piled his mind to his profession. The study
of criminal law became with him pass
ion, and in a few years he rose to the high
est rank in the practice of that branch Of
the law During that portion of his life
was intimate with him. and from friend
ly letter dated at the hotel at Placerville,
and written to fill in leisure hour,
gather the main incidents narrated in the
following chapter. He was sent for from
far and near, and his fees were enormous
but he had the reputation of clearing his
clients. He could sway juries by the tor
rent of his eloquence. In the prime of
life, he had attained the highest distinction.
Already had his name been spoken of in
connection with the highest offices in the
gift of the people. Men looked up to him :;
crowds hocked to hear him honors poured
thick upon him. But one day he disap-
peared-went out from among the pres
ence of men as though the earth had swal-
lowed him-went out like flame that is
eXtinguished-an from that hour to this
no man has known what became of him.
Those who follow this history to its end
will be the first to lift the veil of the SEEM
ingly impenetrablc mystery that has sur
rounded his fate.
In May, 1862, cold blooded murder
was committed under circumstances of
great atrocily in Place County, and Span
lard, known by the sobriquet of Spanish
Joe, to who msuspicion attached, had been
arrested for the crime. The circumstan-
ces attending the murder will be remem-
bered by many, as we recall the principal
incidents, the crime having caused wide
spread comment and interest at the time.
The man so toully assassinated had resi-
ded for a short time in the neighborhood
of Placeryille-or as it was then known,
llangtown-and although peculiar in his
habits, was Il peaceable, orderly citizen,
living alone in II cabin about a mile from
the town. Living by himself, was the
custom with many in those auriferouS
days, he had never been known by any
other name than that of Baltimore Dave,
he having spoken of the City Monu-
ments at his native place. Dave was in
the habit of coming to town only once in
Il week. to sell his dust and buy his little
supplies; daring other times working his
claim, which yielded fair wages. He had
little to say, made few acquaintances. and
was generally liked torspossessing the vir-
tue of minding his own business. His
cabin stood in aravine some distance from
the trail, and in an untrequented part of
the gulch. Dave was missed from his
usual work for week or so, but it excited
no remark. rs in those days it was no I'M
usual thing for a man to pack up and be
off to other places without any notice.
But on one Saturday afternoon white
faced miner rushed into town and pro-
claimed the news that he had called at the
cabin to borrow pan, and had found the
body of Dave lying partly under his bunk,
having evidently been dead some time.
There were no inquests in those days, but
Il crowd Of miners and others repaired TO
the spot, and upon investigation discov-
cred that the poor fellow had been shot rs
he sat upon the edge of his bunk, smoking
his pipe. A thorough investigation dem
onstrated the fact that the assassin had
fired three shots through the window. ev-
cry one of which had penetrated his body
but the most horrible feature of the mat
ter was the strong probability that the
man had lain there, helpless, dying, and
alone for days-no one could tell how
long. The reaction against lawlessness
had just set in at that time throughout the
State; and after giving decent burial to
the remains of the unfortunate man, the
officers of the law commenced vigorous
search into the mystery surrounding the
crime. 1t was found that the Spaniard
spoken of, had on the night of the Sd of
May, borrowed from the Monte saloon n
pistol, which he returned the next day {;
and the balls found embedded in the
woodwork of the cabin. correspondent with
its bore. 1t was also ascertained, that on
that night he had been seen going out OF
! town in the direction of Dawes claim A