The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-08-18

sembled by candle-light, discussing the
event of the day,a Mexican boy named
Miguel, who was employed as cook,
was busily engaged in an out-of.the-way
room, noiselessly manufacturing "a key |
From timeto time he threw suspicious
glances about him, as If he feared This
work was beheld by other eyes than his
own. ei aat 9ts.i naa IJazgt hs,g -
The following day Miguel stole away
from campifor few hours, and proceed
ed directly to the cabin of Mary Bennett, |
who had just completed burying her hus-
band, aud was standing by the, door,
spade in hand. Miguel fastened forward
and placed KEY in her hand. Ioj-seT|
"Wait here," she said, entering the
house, Miguel sat down onfthe ground, |
and commenced drawing lines in the
'earthswith his fore6nger rs4lslsSfS.s
"What are you doing ?" inquired the
woman, reappearing at the door.iQ sjdr r
sim marking out my course" replied
Miguel; 81 don't care about staying at
the mines after you have paid me-" oI
s"Craven," she sneered, "here's your
hire, now begone." .a9raaK 70 ,a9z}H A
The Mexican reached forth his hand
and received several pieces of gold, and
Immediately turned away and. hurried
back to camp. The next morning he
was missing, and was never seen again
by those who had employed him. An
examination was made to see if anything
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 matter that caused any
concern. 9 G.Gi g.'t 4o {2flooweQ 9ti rs
During the occurrences narrated i had
5eensa sojourner at the camp near Black
Gulch, and had become acquainted with
Jim and Mary Bennett. Regarding me,
perhaps, with a more friendly feeling
than they did the miners, they had upon
two occasions offered the hospitality Of
their cabin when was canght outin a
storm. .Iuo3 ayil - g 1au 7uuf nari .3h
OF course did not admire the char
acter of Jim Bennett, for he was villain
of the worst dye, butt would defy any
one having ordinary susceptibilities not
TO become infatuated with her who pass
cd for his wife fui aa .eoi,qaa
She saw that admired her, ,and guard
ed herself accordingly, and never by act
or look did she compromise the relative
position she held to Jim Bennett. 7rn
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 dis
covered dead in their beds early in the
morning. There were no marks of vio.
lence on their persons, and the door OF
their sleeping apartment was found Sc
curely locked. These three men had
formed part of the gang that had hung
Jim Bennett. iti1, iEai .iHi jad' 4 j
There was great deal of investiga
ton, but itresulted in nothing further
than belief that the men died from suf
location or foul air. But when little
after, six more jurymen were discovered
dead, under exactly the same circum-
stances there was great excitement. A
! deputation Immediately set out for Moll
Benefits cabin, determined to hang her,
as they attributed the act TO her.5 Later
in the day the men returned. satisfied
from the evidence of others that Moll
Bennett had not been away from home
for a week. 4a yle1 rGi,ea o' 5q f'e
z I had lbcen whiting for party of Mis-
souri, men to pass by that Irmight join
them, and thus more safely cross the
Plains, for at that time it was dangerous
to venture far alone. the Indians being
very troublesome. ia t5i3ja;G d55I adi ]
Two days before Iistarted the las,
three men ofnJim Benuett's jury were
found dead in their hunks. x ~
| With oneIvoice thu entire miner com.
munity started for Moll Benefits, either
to hang her or to drive her out of the
country. ,t,.hf' 7d .5.s1i9 ,i IS '}0i bn
! joined the party, hoping 1 might be
able to appease the ire of these infuria'
ted men if they attempted any ill usage
Of Mary Bennett. But was spared all
anxiety 7onithis subject. Moll Bennetl
had disappeared, and the cabin she had
occupied was-a7 smoldering mass cot
ashes, having almost burned the very
earth it. was built upon. s The men nov
scattered, and pursuit began in various
directions, but each party finally returned
with no tidings of her they sought. siii
4 sIo xsGim~za y x91H - i7~sY.
i "a few Years later found myself in tht
] city of Mobile. One evening I was in
duced by friend to visit the circus, tt
see woman who was turning the head.
[ of all the men by her daring fests anC
4 beautiful face. go l'.'' ''.2- sii.' '9ii3h' VI
!; The reader will, no doubt, guess who
i recognized in this popular performer
! Yes, it was Moll Bennett; there was NJ
mistaking that splendid figure an9 ex
: quisite face. I scarcely slept that night
i for intended seeking her out the follow
, ing dav,and l spent the hours conjectur
ing how she would receive me. In th'
morning Hurried to the eircus-grounds
supposing / could best get information
there, where Sonora Maria as she wa
4 called in the bills) was staying Alas
! the grounds were deserted the compan,
had departed. For the second time Mar,
: Bennett had slipped away but this time
her destination was no secret. The com
| pany had gone to New Orleans. Al
. right; that was in my way. woult
tarry there few days, if only to lool
!; upon Mary Bennett again. e.a.saa
! A week later I was in the Crescen
Q City, only to arrive the day Mary Ben
E nett and tile circus company sailed 70
!, Vera Cruz az giara5-e} r,la,.s1
D Now, perhaps the reader will not be
, lieye me when say that my going t.
Mexico in the next, steamer was pure.
kl accidental. 1t will rather be- suppose
: that / was following Moll Bennett, an
!. accident had nothing to do with it; br
1 do declare that the fair horsewoma
' had nothing 10, do with my visit. {
course was glad Of the opportunity {
n transscting some confidential bushes
T. for Mr.. Valdes, as it would enable me t
+ see her who was very much Of the tim
n in my thoughts. Sd. 4yy. r5d,is
!, ] was three. weeks behind the circr
y company, so when l reached Vera Cru
0 they we're in Orizaba. My business W.
It transacted in a few days, and ! was
a liberty to go. where I listed until Il
.nlo1 r,opt 10 n