The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-08-08

the alleged murder2"
mo! I'll prove that the deceased was
not"
There was marked sensation IN court
as my name was called, and I was SOL
emily sworn to tell the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth.
''At ten o'clock on the night of July Is,
1875" began. circumstantially, II was
walking along the river bank, on the side
of town opposite the Spanish Town road,
and Just above the falls. I wouldn' t
trouble myself, if I we're you''- turning
to the District Attorney-''to ask what l
was walking there for, because it ism t
anybody's business
II appeal to the Court!' screeched
the little rascal, springing to his feet, sit
I'm to be insulted in this way"
keep still, will you?" said his Honor,
land let the witness proceed" 1 had
made favorable impression at the start,
and it gave me confidence. l resumed
1t was warm moonlight evening, and
the mist rising above the cataract was
less dense than usual.so could see toler-
ably we'll. Just at the brink, on a over
hanging rock, saw tall bent figure in
gray clothes, wearing a SLOUGH hat-a
very bad hat; 1 don't see more than
hundred worse in this ROOM" There
was smile all round, and then the DIS
trict Attorney asked me if had known
the deceased, Mr.. Thacher, in his life
| time. l replied that I had not-had
never seen him.
"Remember that, gentleman Of the
jury" said he, with conceited smile
remember the witness had never seen
nor heard of the deceased. We don't
mean to controvert the witnesses state
ment on that point sir" he added, ad-
dressing the counsel for the defense, and
Sinking as if he had got hold of a
good thing which he would hold in re-
serve as final crusher.''
"Cuss you!'' roared the Judge, keep
your mouth shut, will you? The witness
will proceed"
II approached this person on the rock"
I continued, and said, Good evening" ;"
Bet five dollars it aint!'' said he,
turning sharply about.
At this time there was general snigger
from the spectators, and Dave Thrasher's
widow, who sat near, looked up with a
sudden hope in her face that was cheer
full to see. l resumed my testimony:
"'Do you see that oak on the other
bank2' continued the man on the rock,
pointing to conspicuous pine.
II thought the fellow must be a mani
&C, and l did not know just what to an.
swer; but presently replied that was
not certain whether saw it or MOTT
depended upon circumstances. she was
silent for some moments; then he SILVER
ed and chartered his teeth
"'Snow before morning. said he per
haps so,' said |, non committally: seems
thickening up, but that may be an opti-
cal illusion.'
"Thcn he wanted to know IF remem-
bered what year General Jackson was
elected President-'wasn't it in scr
told him did not recollect. After q
while he said carelsssly:
They're talking, here at the bluff
about running Ben Franklin for next
President
II made no reply. Then he came up
to me and land a hand on my shoulder.
"'See here, stranger said he, is there
any subject you feel at home onl Have
you got any hobby-any opinionss'
81 am not sure replied: some peo-
pie have opinions, and some don't have
any. Some that do have them don't have
them all the time; and those that have
them all the time often forget them
well, l swear. said he disguised,
I'm. going to jump over these falls-bet
you five dollars wilt
II said nothing and he continued: 4
shall be exactly three seconds and half
getting to the bottom--won't l, nows'
Possibly. Maybe little more than
that maybe a little less-maybe lust
that I don't remember jumping over
airy cascades myself
ale gave me one look, laid off his
hat, backed up to the brink of the preci-
pice, and dropped himself down, hanging
on to the edge with his hands. Then he
let 60, falling three hundred feet irto
the boiling whirlpool belowr
MAY it please the Court" shrieked
the little District Attorney, lunging for
ward upon his hind feet. Il want to put
one question to this witness now! You
say, sir, you had never seen the deceased
Mr.. Thatcher up to the moment you met
him on the rock--and never heard of
him-and never heard Of his relations.
Now, sir, on yeur oath, on your Bible
oath, sir. how do you know this man
You saw go over the falls was Dave
Thatcher How do you know it. sir.r
:" 1 don't know II. 1 know it was not
he. For Just before he let go the rock
he looked up at me with his POSE above
the edge, and sid:
"'You think I'm Dave Thatcher, don't
your"
Il told him he might be, or be might
not.
Just so. said he desperately, as his
fingers began to slip. Bet you five
dollars aintr.
There was good deal of loose talk in
court after this, but the spectators would
not listen to il, and Bob D-was
triumphantly acquitted, being horne
through the town on the shoulders of the
jury. to the music Of brass Dand ana
the cheers Of the whole population.
But Dave 1natchers widow persisted
IN putting up handsome hesdstone
over the remains Of the unknown dead,
and 49, - - n