River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-03-02

agent with respect to life policy. In
the officers mind the whole thing was
clear enough. Mr.. Askern had been muir
dered to secure the 100000 life policy
for Mrs. Askern, whether with her ascent
or not was immaterial. PowelFs expect
alton was 20 get possessio~ OF the money
by marrying his paramour, II need be.
The other mans services had been secur.
ed by Powell, ana would probably be re-
warded when ne wife's policy was sc.
cured. The officer could have arrested
Powell at once, but he was anxious to
capture his confederate, and, therefore re-
Trained. Now, however the men evident
ly suspected the detective and would
recognize him again. Powell, too, would
be put on his guard, and perhaps both
men would succeed in GLIDING justice.
The detective, therefore, resolved on a
bold scheme.
The same afternoon it was announced in
all the evening newspapers that the men
who had murdered MIR. Askern had been
arrested and were in Jail. The next
morning the report was confirmed, and
the evidence fixing the crime on them
was said to be most condemning. The
evening after the announcement Powell
did not leave home, but the next evening
he went out about eight o'clock. lie pro-
ceeded straight TO the City Road and en-
tered basement where a cobbler was at
work. The detective had to walk far into
the roadway before he could see into the
door. The cobbler sat with his back to
the door, and Powell sat alongside. AT.
ter few minutes spent in conversation,
Powell arose and quilted the cobbler $
shop.
"You are safe, my man, the detective
said to himself, 81 needn't follow you, for
| know where to find you. This broad
shouldered fellow down here in this hole
| must scrape an acquaintance with.
lie stood on the sidewalk for moment,
and then gave a peculiar whistle. The
next minute policeman approached
from the opposite side Of the street, and
the detective and he spoke together.
The officer then took up position al.
most in front of the cobbler's shop, and
the detective descended the steps leading
toward it. He opened the door and on
tered. The cobber glanced up and then
went on with his work.
Good evening" the detective said
GLOW are We, how are YET! was the
response, "what can | do for you
The mans arms were barred to the ell
bow, and were hard and slnewy. tie
had shade over bis eyes which concealed
his features entirely.
81 want you to make me pair OF
easy slippers, the detective said, seating
himself right in front Of the oobbler.
The latter raised his head to look at
his visitor, and his face was fully DIS
closed. That one glance was enough for
the officer, who recognized in moment
the man who had met Powell in the pub
lie house near the Saddler's Wells Thea
ter, and whom he tracked down City
| Road and lost at Sloane street. Quicker
! than thought, the detective thrust his
right foot under the legs of the cobb,er,
/ and pushed him backward 60 the floor
at the same instant springng on him and
giving shrill whistle. The policeman
/ from without entered, and after a briei
struggle the cobbler vas handcuHed and
helpless. k
I'VE know all about it, the detective
said; Powell to save his own neck has
given you away. lie came down here
a few minutes ago on purpose to show us
the way"
The dirty soundrelp the man ex
-i,-s,,--,i, - in,iiug TITS teeth with rage
"and lie was the man that planned TIA,
whole thing.
The same night Powell was arrested
and lodged in Newgate. His accomplIce
who was known as Tom King, mad for.
merly been a sailor, though bred as a
shoemaker. Latterly he had been a
fence, and on several occasions had per-
! petrated daring burglaries in the country.
He had always evaded justice, however,
and for year past had ostensibly carried
! on the business of shoemaking, only,
however, to afford protection to a gang
| OF counterieiters who worked at their
nefariouG trade in therear Of the cobbleT' s
shop.
Powell was fully identified as theman
who had called on the insurance agent,
and both men were recognized by the
innkeeper at Leicester as the two visitors
on the night Of the murder.
| On the left hand of King was found a
hail.healed wound, and his hand cores
porded exactly with the bloody marks
on the stone Of the ratings. In Powell's
house were found pair Of boots which
titted the footprints outside the study
window, and the boots King wore at the
time of his capture Corresponded with
the other Impressions. King produced a
| dozen witness who sworo he was at work
IN his shop on the night of the murder,
and Powell brought the captain and mate
Of vessel to swear that he spent the
nj ON board their brig off Woolwich.
/ o. the trial, however, IL was proved 'hat
the brig sailed for Newcastle that very
evening, and the innkeeper and his bar.
tender and pot-boy swore positively to
/ the identity of King.
But what settled this question effect
ually was piece Of unexpected evidence
| produced by the prosecution.
DR.. Richard Learner deposed that he
| lived on the corner Of Bellgraye gate.
about hundred yards from Nh. Asken S
residence. On the night Of August 9TH
/ nc was out visiting patient and return
ed home about midnight. lie went into
his surgery, which was front room at
I the corner Of the building. His lamp had
gone out, but the gas-light at the corner
was shining into his room. He went to
the window to get the full glare on his
watch, as he wished TO see the time. IL
was precisely seventeen minutes pasl
twelve O'Clock. As he stood he heard
footsteps aud two men drew near the lamp.
One Of them stood while the other wrap
ped handkerchief around ms left hand,
which was bleeding. The latter then
climbed the lamp.post and lit cigar.
The other stood looking up at HIM The
light was full in the faces Of the men, and
the doctor saw them distinctly for the