River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-03-07
A Desperate Villains Fate.


.'Riordan, are you ready?" shouted a
threatening male voice, about midnight
in front of a small and rather dilapida-
ted frame house, situated in the dense
wood extending south of Knoxville,
Ten.
The door of the house was opened, and
tall and slender young man stepped
out
His face was very pale, he trembled
visibly, and his whole appearance indica-
ted that he was greatly frightened.
No sooner had he descended from the
low yeranda in front of the house than a
short but powerful built man, about forty
years of age, with a most brutal express
sion of countenance, c0llared him, and
with savage oath, exclaimed:
"Riordan, ought to cut your throat,
>neaking scamp that you are"
For Gods sake, ScTibner, don't kill
me-" cried the young man, piteously.
you did not show up to- night, RiOr-
dan
Il oversight myself, Scribner. was
acting in good faith toward you-'
Are you ready to go now!'
''Yes, Scribner."
"Then come on
THAT internal Doctor, Rockway, can
send you and me to the gallows.'
Had we net better leave this part of
the country instead Of"
Instead of killing him." exclaimed
Scribner, with a scornful laugh. No
YOU white-ivered coward. l amt going
to leave here Knoxville ard surround
ings are good enough for me-"
But DR. Rockway has large family,
pleaded the young man.
DO you, fool, perhaps, expect that
Rockwav will make you his son-in-law!
You, who ravished his daughter Bella?"
cried scribner sneeringly. Why, ii /
let him know that it was you who did
that, he would not only forgive me for
stealing his best six horses, but he would
collect all his neighbors, and they would
burn you alive"
Riordan shuddered, and made no reply.
Scribner added: "NO; the old fellow
must eIioi You knock of his door and
when he opens it tell him that very
sick man needs at once his professional
services. | shall stand close behind you.
and l shall fire two pistol-shots at him
Then YOU fire, and in the darkness it will
be easy for us to escape. An hour after
warG we shall meet at the Abingdon
cross-road. Now, Mr.. Riordan, ifyou are
so chicken-heared as to finch, shall have
another bullet for YOU"
Riordan faltered out that lie was ready
TO do Scribeners bidding, and they SET
out for the house of DR.. Rockway.
The latter was very wealthy man.
He lived with a large family in an ele-
giant manion about one mile from Knox
VILE Notwithstanding his large fortune,
he devoted himself with the utmost
energy to the practice of his profession.
In times gone by he had been noted
for the cheerfulness OF his disposition.
But about a year ago great misfortune
had befallen him and his family, and
ever since he had been gloomy and mel
ancholy. His beautiful daughter Bella,
Girl OF sixteen, had been brutality out
ragged by an unknown rutfian upon return
ING one evening from a neighbours house
Notwithstanding all efforts the perpetra
tors of this dastardly crime had not been
discovered.
Tie was, as we know from the lips of
the villain Scribner, the young man
Riordan. who, though descended from a
decent family, had become horse-thiet
and highway robber.
He had seen Bella once and had fallen
in love with her. Under the influence OF
liquor he had committed the infamous
outrage.
He knocked at DIR. Rockwav's door
4 female voice, which he recognized as
that of his beautiful victim asked iron
within:
"Who is there.H
is DIR. Rockway In? A very sicE
man needs his professional services a
encen
"Where is he:'
Call the doctor at once"
The door opened, and female form il
white night-dress appeared.
1t was Bella. She was always marco
at night with small pistol.
For Gods sake, stand back, cried Ri
ordan to her.
At the same moment Scribner, wh'
stood behind Riordan, fired at the girl
but missed her.
Miss Rockway, believing that Riordal
had shot, fired at him. Her bullet enter
cd his left breast.
Scribner ran away at the top of hi
speed. The docter was at once in alarm
lie himself came with light, and exam
ined the wound of the PROSTATE anC
grooming Riordan.
You have but few minuets 10 live,
he said to the young man.
The latter than made a clean breast o
his crimes, and expired imploring Mis-
Rockways forgiveness.
Scribner was arrested next day, an'
summarily hung.