The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-02-06

Dut IL was Out now, anu tue young
man lying in the county Jail reiterated
his innocence, but still refused to make
known his whereabouts and occupation ON
that night. = : = : & 49, $780,
It was strange that Ellen Millkcns
testimony should remain uncorroboratcd
in its essential particulars; but there were
several parties who had seen the accused
near the scene of the crime at late hours
Of the night. He did not deny this, but
presistently refused to explain his pres
ence there.
His father visited him, and begged him
to unburden himself; but to him he in
vsriably returned the same answer:
"Were I to tell you, you would feel as
badly as though l had committed the
murder"
The young man was visited by many
acqua;ntanccs, to whom he would not
reveal his secret, and it at last became
more than half suspected that he had
aecompliccs who had concealed the
money, not one dollar of which had, as
yet, been found.
Ellen Millikcn continued to reatfirm
her statement. She. was confident that
she had heard Buskisk call on Abner
Tenny in tones that left no doubt on her
mind that he addressed his murderer. As
the time for the trial approached, she lost
her reluctance, and openly declared that
she kneu that the accused had committed
the crime.
Her brother, not having been at home on
the nig ht of the murder was not summoned
as witness. It was known that he, t 20,
had visited the Buskirk homestead as a
sutton for Eva's hand, but that of late he
had turned his attention to another lady,
to whom he was paying his devoirs.
The excitement consequent upon the
farmers violent death and Abner Ten
ney's arrest did not for one moment abatc
during his sojouru in Jail. To q young
man who visited him, he said:
"Spare me, John. You know where l
was that night; you know what was do
ing. If I escape this time will be bet
ter 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 me
by sacrificing my honor!'
"Thcy will hang you if you do not tell
ALL" was the reply. "Lct us swear to the
truth. Do not let Eva believe that you
killed her father
The last sentence drove Abner Tcnnev
to the wall Of his cell with groan. It
seemed to unnerve him.
''She will never believe it!' he cried, a
moment atterward. I'm her eyes will
ever remain guiltless OF her fathers muir
der, ever 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.
"What does he say now?" was asked,
with eagerncss.
"Hc is still obdura'c, AM declares that
We must not expose him."
Can we save him without the expos
urea"
1--WE must! We shall2"
The trio were youths OF respectable
parents, but considered fast young men,
They had OF late been Abner Tenney's
companions, much to the regret of the
few pious people vino had noticed the
familiarity.
Look here,'' said one, addressing his
companions; II hold myself in part re-
sponsible for Abner's present situation
We led him into the habits that have
fastened themselves upon US. We must
save him!"
The spokesman Of the dissolate party
was young student OF medicine, and it
was not long afterward that a learned
medical gentleman of Cincinnati came to
the county. The body of Zimri Buskirk
was exhumcd and examined.
John French stood by and watched the
professor.
"We'l?" he said, at last.
"You say that she swore to hearing
Mr.. Buskirk cry out after the thud Of two
blows?"
$50 she swore."
1.-THE first blow must have produced
instant death. 1t drove pieces of skull
far into the brain. A stab in the hear
! could not prove more instantly fatal than
the initial blow
THAT is your opinion2'
IL will swear to It,"
The young man was satisfied, and the
body, minus the head, was returned to
the grave.
"lf he will not sacrifice his honor to
save his neck, will save it for him, and
his father need not know the truth"
These words fell from John French's
ps as he passed from the house with the
professor.
From that day the young student and
his two friends were not idle. They
made many trips from the county, and
compared notes on their return.
The trial came at last, and the accused
plead "not guilty." in firm voice.
Ellen Milliken repeated her testimony,
SO damaging to the defense, and adhered
to it through the rigorous cross.qucstion-
ing to which she was subjected. She had
heard the cries after Tue blows; she was
positive of this.
The other evidence offered by the State
! was merely circumstantial. The defense
introduced the professor, who explained
the nature of the wounds, ana swore that
the first blow hadproduced instant death.
This produced sensation in court; it
staggered Ellen Mil'iken' 8 testimony. un-
! til that hour believed invalnerable. The
blows that now followed from the defence
we're hard and telling ones.
A>o "Aot was "tlCuipACus uc aCCuSCu
had forbidden such plan, on the ground
that it would reveal the secret Which he
was guarding so closely; but the defence
became aggressive. 1t proved that Hiram
| Milliken, Ellen's brother, was not where
he said he was on the nj ght of the MUIR
der. As the young man was not under
| arrest, the court forbade the introduction
Of such testimony, when John French
rose and exclaimed:
II do now accuse him of the murder of
Zimri Buskirk! My affidavit is in the
courtroom; the sheriff holds it at this
moment. Look at the mani Guilt il
written on his face He is trying TO leave
TIE house. Catch himl"
The confusion that now ensued was in.
tense. Ellen Millikcr, with a loud
shrek, fell forward on the floor, where
she was permitted to lie, for all eyes were