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


committed to answer the charges of murder
and robbery at the January term of the court
"Can you not think of some one you know
who saw you on the train from K. to G. on
the night of the murder?" said I.
"No, sir; not one that l knew; but per
haps the conductor will remember me. He
had to change a five-dollar bill for my fare
and grumbled little about it.
"I will see him at once," said l., starting tc
"Do so, do so," said my client, excitedly
"Call to his mind the young man who had
pen over his ear. I remember that on leaving
the bank hurriedly, I neglected to remove the
pen, which frequently carry over my ear
after the manner Of clerks"
I went directly to the depot, and learned
that the conductor I was in search Of would
arrive in about an hour. I waited, all impa.
tience, and upon his arrival asked him if he
would do me the kindness to walk up to the
Jail and see if he could identify Mr.. Burton
He willingly consented, and upon arriving at
the prisoners cell, I introduced him to my
client. The conductor gazed steadily at young
Burton moment, and then said:
"Mr. Burton, be kind enough to put on
your hat"
Burton did so, and again he looked at him
sharply, without change Of countenance.
"Now, sir, please put your left hand in your
waistcoat pocket"
was afraid the conductor was not going
to identify him, but as young Burton put mis-
hand into his waistcoat pocket, the lapel OF
his coat was drawn back, revealing upon his
breast unique Masonic pin, the badge Of
Knight Templar.
II fully identify him as the person for whom
I changed fve.dollsr bill on my train which
left K. at six o'clock on the evening of De
cember 24th, and am ready to swear to it in
any court of justice. Yousee, sir" exclaimed
the conductor, 1--WE learn, in our business, to
remember faces, and noticing pen over this
young mans ear, laughingl gly advised him to
take it down. But what called my attention
principally to him, was the fact that he wore
Knig ght Templar's badge. I stopped to ex-
anime it. You see it is very curiously made
pin, and he remarked that he was not strictly
entitled to wear it it had formerly belonged
to his father, who was now dead. I shall be
most happy to give my testimony in your be-
half, Mr.. Burton. And now, if l can get out,
l will bid you good-evening, gentlemen" so
SAYING, the gentleman withdrew.
1 saw that could prove an alibi, and thus,
undoubtedly, clear my client but was am:
bilious to do more. wanted to arrest and
convict the guilty party. The next thing for
me to do was to see the keeper of the cigar
store, at which my Dutch painter, on his way
home, had seen Mr.. Richards after six P. NJ,
on the night of the murder. On the follow
ing morning I took the train for K, and on
my arrival went directly to the cigar store,
and then spoke to the man behind the counter
of the murder.
"O," said he, "poor man, poor man, ne was
in my store about an hour before they found
him dead"
"Indeed," said I "did he trade with you p
20, yes, sir; why, he came in here, as tell
you, and bought some cigars on that very
night on which he was killed, and stopped a
moment to chat with me. Then he looked at
his watch, and said, 1T is quarter past six.
must 20 in and lock up the bank and 60
home.' Just then his man servant came in,
and said:
"Mr. Richards, have a note from Miss
Clara. for you, SIR
"Well, Thomas said he, Il suppose it is
for money that usually is the subject of her
perfumed notes to me; come into the bank
moment
"In little while I saw the servant going in
the direction of Mr.. Richards house, and in
about an hour afterward, his master was dis
covered in the hank dead"
This from the cigar storekeeper. I did not
let him know I was attorney for the accused,
and was soon turning my steps toward the
late residence of the deceased. was admit
ted by his servant, Thomas, and was soon con-
versing with Miss Clara, to whom l conided
my relations with Burton. I asked her what
time she sent Thomas to the bank the night
her father was murdered.
ri did not send him at ALL" she replied,
evidently surprised at the question.
"Well," said I, 1--WE are going to acquit
Howard Burton, and to take his place we
want to find out who did the crime. Now,
Miss Clara, are you sure you did not send
Thomas to the bank the night Of the MUIR
derT
81 know very well I did not" was her an
swer.
'Then," I replied, "either the keeper Of the
cigar store is mistaken, or your servant Thom'
as is the murderer of your father"
She did not look as much surprised as | ex-
pected, at this assertion.
"Mr. g." said she, "the night poor papa
was murdered, Thomas came through the
hall and started to go up stairs. wanted
him to mend the fire, and called him into the
sitting-room. AS he entered, noticed large
dark spot on his cheek and one on his collar.
half suspected him when I heard how anx-
ious he was to tell the court about that unfor-
tunate little difficulty between papa and
Howard Burton, but did not say any thing
about it to any one, they were all so sure
Howard was guilty"
| told her to treat Thomas as usual, and
not to speak of our conversation to any one.
After receiving letter she wished to send to
Burton, took my departure to G. Imme.
diately on my arrival there, I went to my
client, and communicated to him all l had
learned, and delivered the letter. The poor
fellow was supremely happy, and invited me
to tea with him in his cell. He ate heartily,
and smoked cigar with evident enjoyment.
I took the first real nights rest that night |
had since the death of Mr.. Richards. had
previously sworn out warrant for the arrest
of Thomas, to be served as soon as the jury
should pronounce my client not guilty. The
District Attorney opened for the people in an
elaborate and very able speech, giving the
details of the case, and then proceeded to ex-
anime the witnesses.
Thomas the servant was the first called.
He swore to the quarrel between Mr.. Rich
ards and Burton, and that he heard Burton
threaten Mr.. Richards life. Nothwithstand-
inn nloselu cross examined him I failed to