Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-04-19
A Troubled Conscience

Last fall a man calling hImself Mccain
stopped at the house of Mr.. W. H. Roblnet,
near Higginsvllle, and applied for work.
Mr.. r. saw that the man was no ordinary
tramp, and gave him employment. Mccain
was an honest, steady worker. and was very
well educated, and seemed to be a man who
had once been we'll to do In worldly goods,
but was at present In Strengthened circum-
stances. BY his gentle department be soon
won his way into the affections OF the entire
family. At times he was moody. and SEEM
cd to have a heavy weight On his mind, but
nothing was thought OF this by the family,
who supposed he was grieving over his past
m%lsfortunes.
A few days ago Mccain told Mr.. Robinet
that he Was tired OF the life he was living /;
he considered MIR. r.. his friend, and had a
confession to make, after which Mr.. R. could
act as he thought best. He then detailed
the following story: His name was Raw.
msnd,and he. Was the son Of Il planter in clay
county, Alabama. About two years ago his
iather' an old man. had q difficulty with a ten
ant' VINO was young and STRONG. The tenant
told Mr. Raymoad that he did not want a fuss
with an old man. but If he would send one OF
bis sons down to him, they could settle the
matter. The old man went home and told his
son. who loaded Il gun and went TO see the ten
snt, who met him anu called him vile names.
he raised the gun to his shoulder once to kill
the tenant, but changed his mind, lowered the
weapon. and started home. The tenant think
Ing him afraid to shoot, proposed to some of
his friends, who were present. that they would
capture Ray mond, and they all made . rush
toward him with that intent. Raymond then
whlrled around and fired, and the tenant WAS
Killed. Scarcely stopping to consider what he
had done, he made his way to the woods, where
he wandered about for seven days without food,
except such as the woods Afforded. At length
he Cam to = house, where he got food. and to
Tue proprietor he told the story CT the killing.
A lawyer was sent for, and ufter due delibers-
ton he and the planter both advised him to
leave ths state. Raymond then struck out GU
foot, and walked to st. Louis, and from thence
to Higginsviile. working wherever he could
find employment. and going by the manic of
Reveis or Mccain.
After hearing the story Mr.. Robtnet told
Raymond that he considered it his duly as a
good citizen TO deliver him to the authorities, as
he (Raymond) intended surrendering himself,
and if there was any reward! offered for his
SSAA> +"A "a "Cli Lave IL III II
one else. Last Monday they started to town
together, talking the matter over, when NJ r
t:ob!net told him that If he wanted to escape
he could do SO. Raymond voluntarily came to
town. when Mr.. Robinst swore out a warran;
Tor his arrest, and Raymond was placed in Iall
where he is at this time.
Mr.. Robinet tele4 raphed to the state cflcers
OF Alabama, and learned that there was a re-
ward Of $3.50 offered for the arrest Of RAYMOND
tie has also written letters to different parties.
and ID daily expecting answers. The story il
certainly Il strange one. and We believe it true
In every Particular. AS there could be no induce
inrnt Tor the man to tell 4 falsehood. His secret
was AIS own. and he would scarcely have told
IL hsd lie not known that there were many cir
cumstunces in his favor. HIS voluntary con-
fsssion and surrender will 60 far to mitigate his
crime, and as he seems to be II conscientious
industrious, aifable man. We hope his punish
m-nt may fall lightly.