Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-09-04

came down stairs and opened the door, bur
ly fellow touched me on the shoulder and
whispered:
"'I arrest you for the robbery of the Far
mers' Bank of K, and the murder OF Mr..
Richards
"He placed the handouts on me and es.
corted me here; and new / have told you all
know of my case, and, so help me God, it is
the truth. My name is Howard Burton l
have no parents.
This is the substance of what Howard Bur-
ton related to me, on that Christmas eve, in
his cell in the jail at G. had not interrupt
ed him during his recital, but had listened
very attentively to every word. was much
interested in the young man, who was about
my own age, and who felt was innocent OF
the horrible crime with which he was charged.
remained with him until long after mid
night, and then, charging him to converse
with no one on the subject Of the murder as
yet, but the next day being Christmas, l
thought I would 60 to K. and learn what 1
could, as knew my client would not be ex-
amined that day, but was sure he would the
next. Justice then was much swifter than
now. On my arrival at f., / went directly
to the bank, and found two or three detec-
tives there, and some of the officers of the
bank. Nothing had been moved except the
body of the murdered man. He was found
lying on the floor with his skull crushed and
his throat cut from ear to ear. Some Of the
drawers had been rifed, but aside from this
there was nothing to indicate robbery. There
was missing from the safe nine thousand dol
lars, but the locks afforded no evidence OF
having been tampered with. l found that
belief in Burton's guilt was quite general. l
proceeded to look around to see some indica.
ton of violence being used, but the locks Of
the safe and vault were in perfect order.
There was window in the presidents office
that looked out into narrow passage that
divided the bank building from lawyers
Office. 1t was securely guarded by an iron
grating, and I felt that the assassin entered
the bank in the usual manner, viz, through
the door, There was no trace of the assassin
and robber, as l said, but felt that the &C
cused man, my client, was innocent OF the
terrible crime of which he was accused. The
cashier had gone to C. and lodged a formal
complaint against Howard Burton, and the
examination would be held the following day.
1 stood at the window in the presidents
Office, staring vacantly out, hard at work
thinking, when my eve noticed on the sash OF
the window in the lawyers Office just across
the passageway, little scrap Of paper with
the word paint" written on it. A sugges.
tive thought flashed through my mind as
1 walked leisurely out Of the bank and step
ped into the law Office next door. l was
slightly acquainted with its occupant, who
welcomed me and invited me to seat. We
talked of the frightful occurrence of the pre-.
vious night for some time, and at length l
said, rising to go:
$50 you have been painting little, Mr..
Harris?"
"Yes, sir; did you observe my new sign ?
Kelley, the painter, has young German
working for him who is really an artist. He
did all the work here, and it is almost worth
what he charges to have Fitz Vogel's pres:
ence in the Office He is witty, original
Dutchman."
"When was the painting done? ?" asked.
call done yesterday--be careful OF your
coat"
l bade Mr.. Harris good-day, and left his
ofice. had learned who painted that win
dow, which was just what most wanted to
learn, without asking leading question, or
letting Mr.. Harris know was interested in
Mr.. Richards murder any more than he. |
made up my mind to see the German Vogel
without loss of time, and find out if he saw
Mr.. Richards after young Burton left the
bank. went to the paint shop, but found
no one at work, all hands keeping Christmas.
! learned where Vogel lived, and was soon in
conversation with him.
you painted Mr. Harris sign and office,
did you not ?" asked.
Eyes, sir"
."Well, what time did you finish up there
last night?'' .-..
CAT six o'clock, sir" ..
"Did you paint after dark"
eyes, sir; after dark painted the outside
of the window, about halfpast FIVE; the man
in the bank lighted the gas, and it shone so
brightly that I finished the window last
evening"
"Did you see the man in the bank handle
any money!? -.
The German looked quite puzzled at this
question, but answered:
eyes sir; noticed him counting a large
pile" 49,
"What kind of looking man was hep
"Well, a good-looking man it was Mr.
Richards. If you don't know him, | will
describe him to you"
I answered that I had seen him, and then
inquired what he did with the money.
"He made bundle of it and handed it to
young man, telling him to take it some
where I could not hear all he said. In
addition to the bundle, he gave him what |
Judged to be few dollars in change, and told
him to come back in the morning. Then the
young man went away. By-and by Mr.. Rich
ards put out the gas, and then suspended
work and went home"
did you see Mr.. Richards again ?" |
asked.
Yes, l saw him in the cigar store as |
passed" ..
concluded my examination of Vogel with
the question:
"Did you know Mr.. Richards was MUIR
dered last night, and the money in the bank
stolen?"
The German turned pale, and exclaimed,
with much excitement:
Murdered! no. is it so? You don't think
it was me? My wife Kathrina knows came
straight home"
20, no!" I said, ri don't think it was you.
You must not, however, tell any one you have
talked to me, or it may result in your being
taken to court" He promised not to speak
of it, and left him.
was now certain of my ability to clear
my client, as l could prove he was sent on the
mission to G. next wanted to find some one
who had seen him on the train, but knew