River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-08-16

One of the male domestics volunteered
the following statement:
He stated that he had been aroused out of
his sleep by the barking of one of the
house-dogs, and that he had risen, fearing
lest some one was trying TO enter the house
| for an evil purpose.
He opened the principal door, and
| looked round about. following around the
rays of his lighted lantern, which he
| held aioft over his head. But, as il was
lantern useless. and so cast il away from
| him.
By and by, close by the grand portico,
he distinctly saw dalk figure creeping
amongst the laurel bushes.
/ Before, however, he could reach him,
/ another figure, in whom he fancied he
recognized his master, had met the first
man.
Then he heard angry voices, and next
shot, upon which the first man dropped TO
| the ground, while the other vanished, he
knew not whittier.
| The whole matter had not occupied
more than few minutes and on fastening
1 towards the scene of the catastrophe, he
found the young Lieutenant lying in a
pool of blood.
Upon mis- cry for help, and after re-
peated ringings al the dOor-bell, his mas
| ter, dressed and armed with a revolver
stepped forth to him.
After hearing this story, the inspector
( ordered Danesbrook to enter vehicle
waiting for him. The gentleman repeat
ed, over and over again, his pfotestations
of innocence; bat no attention was paid
| to him, and he was carried off to prison
| myself remained behind to comfort
and attend 10 the wants of the unhappy
wife and wounded man.
As Mrs. COttrell insisted upon remov-
ing her son, litter was prepared and
brought, the almost dying officer was
placed upon it, and accompanied by me
to his mothers dwelling.
His future treatment, ifsuch could be
of any possible use, resigned into the
hands of the lady's own doctor.
Everybody seemed convinced of Danes
brooks guilt, except his own wife, who
vOuehed for his innocence, and thus con-
WINGED me of her deep attachment for her
husband; showing that our suspicious
with regard TO the young Lieutenant
were entirely without foundation.
she left home, and engaged lodgings in
the town, in the prison of which her hus-
band was confined
As often rs she was permitted 10 do
so, she visited him, and she eXerted all
! her means in order to free him from his
/ captivity.
/ She offered considerable bail for him
but that, Of course, was not accepted.
I Every one shared the general prejudice
against the unfortunate prisoner. Under
these circumstances it seemed almost GER
tain that the jury would bring him in
| "Guilty," and in that case DanesbrOok
would either be sentenced TO life-lorg
Punishment, or have TO meet an awful
death at the eXecutioner's hands.
a few weeks before the trial was To
take place, the young officers doctor
came To see me, and made some interest
ing facts known TO me respecting the case
of the wounded man, who was, contrary
to all expectations, still alive, but in con-
slant danger Ny colleague begged me
To attend consultation with him and
celebrated surgeon, whom he had already
summoned.
at the appointed time, | proceeded to
Mrs. Cottrclls residence, where | found
both the surgeons waiting.
We entered the darkened chamber, in
order To satisfy ourselves more surely as
to the state of the young man, who pre-
sented to us a sorrOwful picture, such as |
prayed never TO see again.
His consciousness was entirely gone.
His right side was wholly paralyzed; so,
also, was his tongue, which could utter
only unintelligible sounds.
He knew neither his mother, nor any
other person.
After a long and careful examination
of the patient, the London surgeon drew
us apart. He proposed performing GER
tain operation upon him, st which | and
my colleague shook our } eads.
"He will never survive it. | said.
Never chimed in my colleague, with
an air OF conviction.
I'VE will do our best 10 make him,
answered the great man. 'If his mother
consents to il. il had better be done at
once"
Of course Mrs. Cottrell snatched at the
proposal, as ii afforded her faint ray OF
hope; and the operation was performed,
and, as thought, successfully.
We dared to hope now, although the /
danger was by no means past.
Meanwhile, DanesbroOk's trial was fast
approaching. He was still in prison
but his position was not so
perilous now, as his supposed victim still /.
lived. Yet the Lieutenant's complete re- /
covery was matter of great doubt in all /
our minds.
An agent of the law had waited upon /
me, in order to learn from me whether /
Il. IL
to appear as principal witness against the +
prisoner.
After talking over the matter with my I
colleague, ] answered in the affirmative. /
In consequence of this, solicitor accom- +
panied me TO the Cottrell's residence. The |
invalid was still under my care, and | felt /
il requisite for me to be present at this
interview, in order to prevent his being
over-excited in any way.
In our presence the mother prepared +
her son for the object of our visit.
At first he seemed hardly to compre-
bend her; but after time our questions
awakened his slumbering memory, and
his recollections became livclier each mo-
ment; his replies clearer and more decid
ed.
We were all most eager 10 hear his
statement-a statement which would CON
firm the guilt or otherwise of Ugly Danes
brook.
"What were you lettering about ShrOp
Hall for on that memorable nightl" asked
the lawyer, after few introductory
words. Il must impress upon your mind
the necessity of speaking the truth, as
YOU will have 10 swear to your words
II was there TO meet some one, re-
piled the Lieutenant, after some hesita-
ton.
At midnight Whom were you there
to meetl'
a womanis good name and honor are
at stake. You must, therefore, excuse