The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-05-29

ly be by the excited community, :uto broad
strands of guilt, and the young man was
rcmantlcd by the mag gistratc for regular
trial at the next term of court.
There were few who believed that he
might be innocent. When it became gen
orally known, that he had been sultor for
Eva Buskrk's hand without the sanction of
her father, revenge was added to the motive
Of the murder Ellen Milligcn's word was
believed; she was Il girl of violent passions,
but her veracity in this case was not drag
gcd into question. She acknowledged that
she loved Abncr Tcnncy-lIcncc her rcuc-
tance to testify; and after the preliminary
examination, she said that she regretted
having revealed the secret.
But it was out now, and the young man,
lying in the county Jail, reiterated his inno-
cencc, but still he refused to make known
his whereabouts and occupation, Oh Mut
night.
1t was strange that Ellen NIilligcn's testi-
mony should remain uncorroboratcd in its
essential particulars but there were sever
al parties who had seen the accused near
the scene of the crime mt that late hour of
the night.
lie did not deny this, but pcrsiscntly re-
fused to explain his presence there.
His father visited him, and begged him
to unburdcn himself but to him he invari-
ably returned The same reply:
'Wcrc to tell you, you would feel as
badly as though had committed the muir
der"
The young man was visited by many ac-
Quaintanccs, to whom he would not reveal
his secret, and it ut last became more than
half suspected that he had accompliccs who
had concealed the money, not ono dollar of
which had, as yet, been found.
Ellen Milligen continued to rcai1irm her
statement. She was confident that she had
heard Buskirk call on Abncr Tcnney in
tones that left no doubt in her mind that he
addressed his murderer. AS the time for
the trial approached, she lost her reluctance
and openly declared that she knc,r that the
accused had committed the crime.
Her brother, not having been at home on
the night Of the murder, was not summoned
as a witness. 1t was known that he, too,
had visited the Buskirk homestead as a
suitor for Eva's hand, but that of late he
had turned his attention to another lady, ito
whom he was paying his devoirs.
The excitement consequent upon the
farmers violent death and Abncr Tcnney' 3
arrest did not for one moment abatc during
his sojourn in Jail. To a young man who
visited him he said:
''Spare me, John. You know where |
was that night; you know what l was do
ing. If escape this time will be better
man. The murder of my honor would send
my father to the grave as quickly as the
shedding of my blood by the law, DO not
come forward and try to save nc by sacri-
ticing my honor!"
''Thcy will hang you if you. do not tell
all, ," was the reply. Tct us swear to the
truth. Do not let Eva believe that you
killed her father"
The last sentence drove Abncr Tenncy to
the wall of his cell with groan. 1t seemed
to mncrve him.
"She will never believe it |" he cried n
moment aftcrward. "In her eyes l will
ever remain gulltlcss of her fathers murder,
even though they hang me for the crime. :"
The young mans visitor left, and joined
two other men Of his age in the corridor Of
the Jail. .s
"What does he say now 2" was asked
with eagerness.
''Eie is still obdurate, and declares that
we must not expose him."
"Can we save him without the expos
urc2" l..
The trio were youths of respectable
parents, but considered fast young men.
They had Of late been Abner Tcnney 8 COM
people who had noticed the familiarity.
'Look here" said one, addrt .sing his
companions, 81 hold myself in part respon-
sible for Abncrs present situation. We
led him into the habits that have fastened
themselves upon lis. We must save him /"
The spokesman of the dissolute party
was young student of medicine, and it
was not long aftcrward that learned mcdi-
cal gentleman of Cincinnati came to the
county. The body of Zimri Buskirk was
cxhumcd and examined.
John French stood by and watched the
professor.
"Well 2" he said at last.
"You say that she swore to hearing Mr..
Buskirk cry out after the thud Of two
blows7"
$50 she swore."
''The first blow must have produced in-
stant death. 1t drove pieces Of skull into
prove more instantly fatal than the initial
blow"
''rhat Is your opinion ~
81 will swear toit."
The young man was satisfied, and tho
body, minus the head, was returned to the
grave.
eff he will not sacrifice his honor to save
his neck, l will save it for him, and his
father need not know the truth"
These words passed from John French 8
lips as he passed from the house with tho
Professor.
From that day the young student and his
two friends were not idle. They made many
trips from tho county, and compared notes
on their return.
The trial came at last, and the accused
plead 'not guilty." in firm voice.
Ellen Milligen repeated her testimony 80
damaging to the defense, and adhered to it
through rigorous cross-qucstioning to
which she was subjected. She had heard
the cries after the blows she was positive
Of this.
Tho other evidence offered by the State
was merely circumstantial The defense
introduced the Professor, who explained the
80 H., H. Il L.