The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-08-10


Tuesday morning, l think"
When the coroner arrived, we Pro-
ceeded to Edwards house, where til g
usual inquest was held.
The country physician testified that
death had resulted from q fracture Of the
skull, with some blunt instrument.
A neighbor-one of two men who found
the body-tes titled that he found near by
a round stone, OF three pounds weight,
stained with blood.
| testified concerning the Will.
Ross Edwards again admitted that his
uncle had told min he would make such
will; that he knew he often changed
his mind; yet denied that he had any
knowledge OF the murder.
"Wnere were you during the early
part ofruesday nightp' asked the cor
oner, eyeing him sharply.
'Let me see. took walk across the
fields to the river and had swim. got
back by nine, think"
"Did you meet any one on your way to
the river or coming backW
"Not SOUL"
The verdict OF the coroner's jury was
unfavorable to Ross Edwards, and he
was taken to Wellington, briefly exam
ined by q magistrate, and committed to
jail.
l remained behind to see if any new
facts could be learned, and it is singular
that the constable and coroner, with
their prisoner, had been gone halt an
hour before thought Of the will. Then
sought the two countrymen who had
discovered the body of Mr. Edwards,
and asked:
"Were there any indications that he
had been robbed?"
"Yes," they both replied, "The pock-
cts were turned wrong side out"
"Wnatl Was the inside pocket of his
coat turned wrong side QUIZ"
Eyes, and little memorandum-book
lay on the ground, nearly covered with
dust"
"Did you see anything that looked
like a villa good-sized paperW
"No, nothing but the memorandum
book. 1t had little money inside. We
handed 1t over to Lucy, just as we found
it,"
Here was new and singular fe ature
of the case. Where was the will? Had
Ross Edwards been so stupid as to take
it with him after committing the murder,
to make sure Of it2 lfso, he could prob
ably be found in the room he occupied
that would be piece of evidence that
would establish his guilt beyond all
doubt.
"Ah, how short-sighted men are when
they commit crime," mused. "Eveh
the shrewdest iof criminals are sure to
leave some clue"
fastened back to Wellington, and
found Mr.. Brush.
ssDid you search him?" asked.
"Yes," he replied. IL took all his ef-
fectS-knite, pipe, tobacco and pocket
book with fifteen dollars and twenty
cents in it,"
"Nothing in the shape Of a willW
"No."
"lIad he any opportunity to throw
away after his arrestW
"No, Pm certain of that. l watched
him Ake cat"
''rhen get a search-warrant and we
will 80 out to the Cross-Roads and take
a look at his room in the tavern.
This was done ut once, and we went to
the Cross Roads that afternoon, when we
made a careful examination Of Ross Ed
wards room, and everything in it. No
will was found, nor did any OF his clothes
y "He must have more cunning than /
gave him credit for,"I remarked to Mr..
Brush, as we mounted our horses to ride
back to Wellington. "Where can that
will beW
Within a month the county court was
in session, and Ross Edwards was tried
for murder. Yes, and to the astonish-
ment and indignation of everybody, he
was acquitted. Not because even the
jury believed him Innocent, but because
the evidence against hem was not con-
elusive.
"He is the luckiest murderer ever
heard Of" l SAID to several brother at
torneys, and they all agreed with me.
Not long after Boss Edwards was set
at liberty, the daughter Of the murdered
man called on me and said she desired
to contest the will, and would place the
case in my hands. She stated that her
father was probably not In his right
mind when he made his will; that he
often had peevish spells; that he fire.
quently flew into passion about moth
ing; and that she had done nothing
Whatever to offend him on the morning
tnat he started for Wellington, with the
ayowed intention of making will that
would disinherit her.
Lucy was q rather handsome young
lady, not over twenty-five, with black
eyes and a clear complexion. Her man.
ner was candid ana earnest, and was
soon convinced that if her father had
uOL Uccu ouc DIV lbd6b Uell6t6u
him to be SO, and l readily agreed to
take the case. We were in consultation
half an hour in reference to what wit
nesses might be summoned to testify to
the old mans eceentrlcities of char-
acter, and she had risen to go, when l
said:
"Why. how forgetful have been! Un-
less the will is produced, there Is no use
contesting it,"
"Why, have itw she replied.
To my astonishment, she deliberately
drew from her pocket and handed to me
a legal paper, which Immediately rec
ognized as the missing will.
Where did you get this?' I asked,
almost with vehemehce.
A puzzled look came over her face-a
fush-then she turned deathly pale.
"Where did you get this~ again de-
manded,' as a fearful thought flashed
across my brain.
She tottered few steps, sank tremb-
ling into chair, and covering her livid
face with her hands. calculated:
"Merciful heavenl What have done?"
"What have you dope~ echoed, with
some severity. s.Pll tell you, girl. You
have murdered your father"
mo, no, nayen'tW she said frantic
ally, while she clasped her hands and
looked up imploringiy into my face.
tkOb 7 didn't Ell hin11 gnoro pnatt G.,,,o