The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-10-29
Seltrt Sfurg.
PARK MOULTRIE.
BY CAPTAIN CHARLES HOWARD.

The finding of Randolph Rhett dead
in his library, on the evening of October
Goth, 1858, gave rise to considerable ex-
citement. The sudden taking off of so
prominent member of the Carolina
Legislature as Mr.. Rhett, was to be de-
plored by the entire State, and when it
became known that he had been mur-
dered, thrill of horror shot through
every heart.
Mr., Rhett's library was situated on the
ground floor of his spacious and magnif-
cent mansion. The eastern windows
looked out upon a beautiful palmetto
grove, while the southern ones revealed
the lovelness of flower garden.
The legislator had never married, but
his roof sheltered lovely girl who bore
his name, His nephew, young Georg-
ian named Park Moultrie, resided with
him. The youth was reading law under
the colonel, as Mr.. Rhett was called
throughout the State, and ii was he who
had found him dead among his books
illegal napers.
When the student entered the room
leght o'clock on the fatal morning, he
md his uncle bowed upon the desk,
{ ;weary person mapping He did
IImaniIest any surprise at this, for the
colonel often rose at four; read or write
till seven, to fall asleep again in the po-
sition | have, in word, described
Moutrie-l am writing from his testi-
mOny elected at the inquest-took le-
gal volume from the book case, and
threw himself into Il chair near one of
the southern windows, the sash of which
was raised. He opened the volume at a
page where several slips Of paper had
been placed by some one, and a sudden
breath Of southern breeze lifted them
from the book. One piece alighted di-
reCtly beneath the colonel, and the youth
thought to recoyetit, without discOmmo-
ding his relative. He eft the chair and
was putting his hand beneath the fau-
teuil, when he noted dark red spot on
the carpet.
As it looked like blood he started and
tried to waken the colonel. Failing to
do so by gentle shaking, he raised his
head and saw the unmistakable stare of
death his eyes. There was red stain
on his well-irOned shiTt-frOnt-it was
the wound of the life-destroying dagger.
The colonel had been dead several
hours. Park Moultrie could see this at
glance.
He did not rouse the house until he
had examined the room. The coloneps
money had not been touched; his papers
were intact; then what motive prompted
the murder? Revenge? Colonel Rhett
had no ayowed enemies who would
stoop to the level Of the midnight assas-
J. He did not fear the stealthy blow,
My foes are chiylrous," he was wont
say when they want revenge, like
ntlemen, to the field of honor they
i'll call me-"
Park MOultrie found bruised daisy
leaf on the window-sill IL bore the inn
print Of shoe-nails, and it told the
youth that his uucle's assassin had
gained the house through the flower
garden. He had preserved the leaf, and
Inhibited it to the COroner's Jury. /
I'VE said that the papers Of the de-
ased were found intact. But a mys-
ry now bothered the minds of many.
will, which the colonel was known to
I'VE written, could not be found, though
,.Ie ransiOI was searched thoroughly a
dozen times. At last, deeply buried
among some old letters, a codicil was
fouId. Ii was dated a year before the
murder, and read thus:
'COdicil to the will of Randolph
Rhett; | bequeath 10 my nephew. Mar
ion Rhett, who, when last heard from,
was in Richmond, Va, the sum of twen-
ty thousand dollars, on condition that he
takes charge of my plantation and man
ages it for my child, Viola. / appoint
him executor of my estate, and guardi-
an of my child. The other items of my
will, namely, five thousand dollars TO
Park MOultrie; the remainder of INV
property, exclusive Of the beouest To
Marion Rhett, to Viola"
This codicil was properly signed with
the well known autograph of the distin-
guished CarOlinian, and it was thought
that he had misplaced the will,
u do not know much about this cous-
in of mine, said Viola to Park Moutrie
several days subsequent to the funeral
81 have heard father speak Of Rhett
who has disgraced the family by marry
ing a travelling actress; but | have for
gotten his christian name. Marion
sounds like it, though do not think that
is It, Shall write to Richmond?D
!1would advise you TO do s0,r said the
student. 1t is proper that your fathers
affairs should be attended 10 at once"
and he added as he turned away
II am curious to see this Marion
Rhett-this unknown cousin of mine" "
That night Viola dispatched letter Ia
ie capital Of the Old Dominion, and a
eek elapsed before reply came:
The letter which she received wa,
gned Marion Rhett" The writer ex.
tessed sorrow at the colonels sudden
sath, and much surprise at the fortune
tnat had befallen him. 81 am conins
down in few days" he wrote; "and
will have no rest until the assassin /,
hung"
Il adjudge him a young man." sait
Park Moultrie, studying the ehirogaph,
Of the ViFgnian letter. eAny0une mai
about my own age-llOtIr aud twenty /
D had expected t0see man IN tire neigh
Ofi thirtyasik 9,f. ,uoU n1dF
Oneesening, seherai days after tlIe re
-se 3ilu1s sat nj bns ml0lfflq sdi ooqu
.bsrpdasm s31siai sdi b54i539y rsa