The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-01-23

plclon oil tho scene which was soon tC
transpire aud In which he was 10 beal
so conspicuous part. lN WI
On arriving st the residence OF Mr.
keyes they learned that he was in O
rear lot OF his farm. This lot was on
the borders OF small forest, aud had
in its enclosure large and deep spring
OF water. On their meeting Mr.. Keyes,
few moments were spent in talking
the matter over. Judge Whittlesey
was reminded Of the liability OF his
bail for the missing money. and that
unless 1t could DO recovered they were
ruined men. They asserted that they
felt justified as bonds-men TO take any
measures within their power however
extreme, TO obtain the missing funds
and save themselves from bankruptcy.
Finally they said: "Judge Whittlesey
we are entirely confident you we're new
or robbed; that you have the money
now in your possession, or on your
premises, and unless you Immediately
prodace IL, or lead us forthwith to tho
place of its concealment, we have de-
termined to drown you at once in this
pool Of water l.
In great perturbation Judge Whit
tlesey solemnly protested bis innocence
and called God TO witness the truth Of
his assertion. But the hour of retribu-
tion had come--as il always will come,
sooner or later In this world or the fu-
ture. In moment they seized him.
bound his arms behind him with cord
they had provided for the-purpose. and
plunged him at once into the deep,
pool of water. After allowing him to
struggle there few moments, they
drew him forth nearly exhausted by
strangulation. They then questioned
him anew. asserted their certainty that
he had the money, and il he would re-
store il. they would cave his life.
With q positiveness most unaccount-
able, Judge Whittlesey again in the
strongest terms asserted his entire In
nocence OF the robbery. But Fair
banks aud Keyes had become desper-
ate, aud once moro assured him OF
their determined purpose 10 take his
life on the spot unless he revealed the
secret Of the place OF concealment Of
the fund.-. Again and Immediately
they engulphed him in the dark and
muddy pool; and this time they held
him there so long, that 10 their great
alarm, they thought him dead indeed !
However, after long efforts, they sue
ceeded in restoring him TO life again.
But when the power OF speech was re-
stored, the Judge, 10 the astonishment
Of his adverssries, still marvelously re-
asserted his innocence OF the crime,
and positively affirmed that neither he
nor his family knew anything al oil
OF the missing money.
His bondsmen we're in an extremity.
and know not what 10 do. They real
" had no design to take the life OF
Judge Whittlesey, but purposed only
to frighten him, aud thus compel him
TO disgorge the stolen money. It is
true they were 10 danger OF drowning
him, in which case their own lives
would be jeopardized; and Indeed,
they had in their harsh aud violent
measures already gone 20 far that un-
less they succeeded in causing him to
acknowledge the robbery, they were
exposed to the extreme penalty OF the
law. And yet they felt entirely conf.
dent Of his guilt; aud in their utter ex-
tremity determined on another attempt
10 make him confess, even il his and
their lives were lost in consequence of
the effort.
Fairbanks at that time was n bache-
lor, aud turning 10 Keyes, said: Come
Keyes. help me put him in onco more,
then give me whatever money you have
about your person and take care Of
yourself for your family's sake. have
40 one dependent upon me ADD want
no witness present 10 see the couciu.
sion Of this tragedy. sHALL DROWN
HIN aud then flee 10 Canada, and will
address you from Kingston, and inform
YOU where 10 write 10 me The two
friends solemnly shook hands aud took
fnal leave OF one another, aud Keycs
turning, made pretence OF withdraw.
ing FROM the scene of the apparent
tragedy. Then facing Whittlesey
again, who stood trembling with fear
of immediate death, Fairbanks ap-
preached and exclaimed, "Now, Judge
this is your dual hour, aud death is at
hand. II i put you in again aud you
still persist in denying the robbery,
you will assuredly die"
He seized him abruptly again, and
plunged him headlong into the deep
pool before him. Judge Whittlesey
become convinced as he entered once
more the cold waters Of the spring, that
these men were in right down earnest
to take his life in their desperation,
aud that his last moments were gath.
ering their darkness around him, ,strug-
gled bis mouth TO the surface OF the
pool, and cried out vociferously: "I'll
own il I'll own itr' Whereupon
Keyes returned and aided Fairbanks
ia dragging the Judge from what APP
pesred 10 be his watery grave faint
ing, struggling aud exhausted. He
owned mp the whole robbery al once,
and said the money was then undOubt-
edly in his wife's possession on her
person, or under tile OF the hearth
in certain chamber
After his confession 10 was agreed
that Keyes should remain with the
Judge near the spring, while Fairbanks
should immediately repair 20 Mr..
Whittlesey's mansion 10 obtain corrob-
orative proof OF the truth OF Judge
Whittlesey's acknowledgment. Rap
idly and without turning TO the right
or left, Fairbanks passed. through
the streets OF the village with coat of.
pautaloons rolled above his boots, GOV.
cred with mud and dripping with wet.
aud bis eyes wild with excitement, the
people gazisg and wondering on what
errand he could thus he hurrying in
such strange plight. Rapidly eDter.
ing the house, he inquired for Mrs,
whittlesev, and was informed she was
in her chamber. He few to the door
and demanded admittance. Mrs. W.,
replied that she was dressing aud he
could not enter.
Without n moments hesitation Fair
banks placed his heavy foot against
the door, and il flew with rapidity from
its hinges Mrs. whittlesay on seeing
him enter in that violent and unaccns-
toned manner. was instantly fillcd with
alarm and threw terself violently on
the bed. without ceremony Fairbanks
drsgged her 10 the floor, aud throwing
the bedding apart. there discovered
the long lost and long searched for
money. Mrs. whittlesey. filled with
alarm, cried out: you've found il
You've 60. 10 NY God. have come
70 this?' The bank bills bad been deft-
ly aud slyly quilted in a pair " drawers
TO he worn undoubtedly by Mrs. Whit
,lesey on their expected journey, foI
safety M 4
Fairbanks seized the drawers, rolled
them mp. sbd speedily retHrned 10 the
spriug where Keyes aud the Judgs
we're impstiensly awaiting him. Al
three then in company started Cor the
village and the whittlesey residcnca
And tyuly A strange spect4cls thew pre.