The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-03-19
AZ will swear to it.v

The young man was satisfied, and
the body, minus the head. was re-
turned to the grave.
s'if be will not sacrifice his honor
to save bis neck, | will save it for
him, aud bis father need not know the
truth"
These words passed from John
Ffench's lips as be passed from the
house With the professor.
From that day the young student
aud bis two friends were not idle
They made many trips from the coun-
ty, and compared notes on their re-
tura.
The trial came az last aod the ac-
cused plead mot guilty. in a firm
voice.
Ellen Milligeu repeated her testi-
mony, so damaging TO the defence,
aud adhered to it through rigorous
cross questioning to which she was
subjected She had heard the cries
after the blows sne was positive Of
this.
The other evidence offered by the
State was merely cireumstantiai
The defence introduced the professor,
who explained the nature of the
wounds, and swure that the first blow
had produced instant death This
produced q sensation in court. 1t
staggered Ellen Milligen's 3 testimony,
until that hour believed invulnerabIe
The blows that now followed from
the defence were hard and telling
ones.
No 0libi was attempted The ac-
cused had forbidden such a plan, on
the ground that it would reveal the,
secret be was guarding so closely I;
but the defence became aggressive.
1t proved that Hiram Milligen, Ell
lens brother, was not where be said
he was on the night Of the murder.
As the young man was not under ar
rest, the court forbade the introduc-
ton Of such testimony, when John
French arose aud exclaimed
II do now accuse him Of the mur-
der Of Zimri Baskirf; nv affidavit is
in the court room the sheriff holds
it az this moment. L1ok al the man
Guilt is written on bis face He is
trying to leave the house. Catch
nim 7,
The confusion that nov ensued
was intense. Ellen Millgeo, with
loud shrek, fell forward or the floor
where she was permitted TO lie, for
all eyes were turned upon her BROTH
er.
Pistol in hand the young man was
path to the door. No one
dared to lay hands on him, for be
TO shoot the first one who
touched him, and thus be reached the
door leading TO the street.
Ga the threshold he pansed and
faced the excited occupants OF the
court room.
"You will never put me in Abner
Teapey,s plseerp be cried III did
kill Zimri B1skirk, you shall not
prove it and hang me -
The next moment there was loud
report, and a human body. after
swaying for an instant, fell heavily
upoa the floor.
Hiram Milligen had taken his ~n
life
This tragic occurrence, as might be
put an end to Abnar Ten
ney's trial. It established mis- inno-
cenee iu the ewes OF ell, and the gull
ty was beyond the punishment of an
earthly tribunal.
L pom her recovery. Ellen Milligen
unfolded one of the darkest plots on
record. She confessed that her tes-
timonv was but tissue offalsehoods;
that she knew that her brother had
killed the farmer for the purpose OF
getting his money, and accused young
Tenuey, in order to prevent MIN from
winning Eva Buskirk Ellen plqued
at Tenney's refusal to court her, had
entered into the plot with revengefnl
spirit. But the game he'd failed
OF course, the minister's son was
released. and Ellen Milligen left the
country between two DAYS, She died
several wears later in den Of infamy
in the South.
Abner Tenney led Eva Baskirk to
the altar several months sitter his re-
lease, and became one of the solid
men OF the Bouth | believe be is
still living, but his father, the minis
ter, is dead and the secret which ne
guarded so zealously at one time is
no longer one.
II was simply this Despite the
holy influences under which be bad
been raised, be had departed from the
path of rectitude and become a gam
bier. along with John French and his
On the night of the
murder of Mr.. Buskirk, the quartette
were in the midst of carouse which
the yon,h refused to confess for the
sake Of his father, who never dream
ed of bis wild life.
But John French had saved the
Young man whom be bad led into |
vice, and kept him from the gallows
Tepnev's secret was told bv him af |
Ter be bad made a man of himself /; /
but it puzzles many people who know
i not to this day.