Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-24

PAGES apart as she bent her eyes stead
fastly on the green sward When she
raised them again Jim Bennett was
swinging by the neck to the pine tree.
Considering the irregular manner in
which matters Of this kind were per.
formed in those days, the proceeding
was conducted with becoming solemnity.
When life was extinct they cut the body
down, and offered to convey it whittier
Mary Bennett desired, but the woman
who could all the while remain present
at such dreadful scene and never shed
a teat or utter moan, was not likely to
accept any services at such hands. She
therefore declined the offer, and picking
up the remains of him who had been her
partner without any assistance she
threw it across her pony, and rode def
antly away. VT ii .A
That night, when the miners were as
sembled by eandlelight discussing the
event of the day, Mexican boy named
Miguel, who was employed as a cosk,
was busily engaged in en- outof.way
room noiselessly manufacturing key.
From time to time he threw suspicious
chances about him, as if he feared his
work was beheld by other eyes than his
own. v eNt# R6 " A Akl
The following day Miguel stole away
from camp for asfew hours, aud pro-
ceeded directly to the cabin of Mary
Bennett who had Just completed bury
ing her husband, and was standing by
the door, spade in hand. Miguel hast
ened forward, and placed key in her
hand s hii-. $50 rre b.
wait here" she said, entering the
house. Miguel sat down on the ground
and commenced drawing lines in the
earth with his forefnger. rs ,l..ra
What are you doing?' inquired the
woman, reappearing at the door.
I'm marking out my course" re.
piled Miguel, " / don't care absut stay
ing at the mines after you have paid
me" a4ir
Crayenl' she sneered, "here's your
hire; now begone. 'ni sif rttl 3
The Mexican reached forth his hand
and received several pieces OF gold, and
i'm mediately tnrned away and hurried
back to camp The next morning be
was missing and was never seen again
by those who had employed him. An.
examination was made TO see il any
thing had been stolen, but every man had
his own and no one had lost aught Of
his worldly goods, so the Disappearance
of Miguel was not a matter that caused
any concern, tdlle
During the occurrences narrated had
been sojourner at the camp near Black
Gulch, and had become acquainted with
Jim and Mary Bennett. Regarding me,
| II e. H. naIs
ihsn they did the miners, they had upon
two occasions offered the hospitality of
their cabin when l was caught out in the
storm.
OF course, did not admire the char
acter of Jim Bennett, for he was a vii
lain of the deepest dye, but could defy
any one having ordinary susceptibilities
not to become infatuated with her who
passed for his wife. -1a
She saw. that | admired her, and
guarded herself accordingly, and never
by act or look did she ever oompromise
the relative position she bore to Jim
Bennett.
A few weeks after the .disappearance
of the Mexican boy, the whole camp
was thrown into CONSERVATION and
gloom by the death of three miners, who
were discovered dead in their beds early
in the morning. There were no marks of
violence on their persons, and the door
of their sleeping apartment was found
securely locked. These three men had
formed part Of the gang that had hung
jim Bennett,
There was a great deal Of investiga-
ton, but it resulted in nothing further
than a belief that the men died from
suffocation or foul air. But when, a
little while after, six more jurymen
we're foupd dead, there was great ex-
element. A depgtstiop Immediately |
set out for Moll Bennetts cabin, deter
mined TO hang her, as they attributed
the act to her. Later in the day the
men returned satisfied from the evi.
dence Of others that Mon Bennett had
not been away from her home in week.
l had been waiting for a party Of
Missouri men to pass by that | might
Join them, snd thus more safely pross
the plains, for at that time it was dan
gerous TO venture far alone, the Indians |
being very troublesome.
Two days before ! started the last
three men Of Jim Benefits Jury were
found dead in their hunks.
With one voice the entire miner com |
munity started for Moll, ,Bennetfs, either
to hang her or drive her out Of the coun-
try. ~ie1
/ Joined the party, hoping might be
able 70 appease the ire Of these infuri-
ated men il they attempted any i'll
usage Of Mary Bennett. But was
spared all anxiety on this subject. Moll |
Bennett had disappeared, and the cabin |
she had oceupied was q smouldering |
mass Of ashes, having burned almost |
the very earth it was built upon. The |
men nov scattered and pursuit began in
various directions, but each party finally |
returned with no tidings Of her they
sought. ,faelIe Hlll lat
.
A few years later / found myself in |
the city Of Mobile. One evening / was
induced BY friend to visit circus, 10 |
see a borsewoman who was turning the |
heads Of all the men BY her daring feais |
aud beautiful face. rEf
The reader viii, no doubt, guess who |
l recognized in this popular performer.
Yes, i vas Mol Bennett; there was no
mistaking taat splendid figure and eK-
quisite face. scarcely slept that night
for / intended seeking her out the fol-
lowing day, and spent the hours con
ieoturing how she would receive ne. In
the morning / hurried to the eircns
grounds, supposing could best get in
formation there where Sonora Maria las
she was called in the bills) was staying.
Alas the grounds were deserted; the
company bad departed. For the second