The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-03-27

moned az a witness. 1t was known that
he. too. had visited the Buskirk home
stead as a suitor for Eva's hand, but that
of late he had turned his attention. to an
other lady, to whom he was paying his
devoirs.
The excitement consistent upon the
farmers violent death and Abner Ten
news arrest did not for one moment abate
daring his soiourn in Jail. To young
man who visited him he said
"Spare me, John. You know where l
WAS that night; you know what l was do
inc. If escape this time / will be a bet.
ter man. The murder of my honor would
send my father to the grave as quickly
as the shedding of nay blood by law Do
not come forward and try to save me by
sacrificing my honor p =,
"They will hang you If you do not tell
all" was the reply, "Let us swear to the
truth. Do not let Eva believe that you
killed her father"
The last sentence drove Abner Tenney
to the wall Of his cell with q groan. II
seemed to unnerve him.
"She viii. never believe 1t y he crled, a
moment afterward. "In her eyes l will
ever remain guiltless of her fathers MUIR
der, even 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 eagerness.
"He is still obdurate and declares that
we must not expose him."
"Can we save him without the expo
sure2"
"We mustl We shallp
The trio were youths of respectable pa
rents, but considered fast young men.
They had of late been Abner Tenney's
companions, much to the regret of the
few pious people who had noticed to IA
miliarity.
Look here" said one addressing his
companions, 81 hold myself in part re-
sponsible for Abner's situation. We
have led him into the habits that have
fastened themselves upon us. We must
save him"
The spokesman of the dissolute party
was young student of medicine, and it
was not long afterward that learned
medical gentleman of Cincinnati came to
the county. The body of Zimri Buskirk
was exhumed and examined.
John French stood by and watched the
professor.
"Welll" he said, at last.
"You say that she swore to hearing
Mr. Buskirk cry out after the thud oftwo
blows? ?"
$50 she swore."
"The first blow must have produced
instant death. 1t drove pieces of skull
far into the brain. A stab in the heart
could not prove more instantly fatal than
the initial blow"
"That is your opinion ?"
81 will swear to il"
The young man was satisfied, and the
body, minus the head, was returned to
the grave.
"If 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
lips as he passed from the house with the
professor,
From that day the young student and
his two friends we're not idle. They made
many trips from the county, and compar-
ed 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 throughout the rigorous cross. ques-
tioning to which she was subjected. She
had heard the cries after the blows she
was positive of this.
The other evidence offered by the State
was merely CirCumstantial. The defense
the professor who examined
the nature of the wounds, and swore that
the first blow produced instant death.
This produced asensation in court; it stag
gered Ellen Milliken's testimony, until
that hour believed invulnerable. The
blows that now followed from the defense
were hard and telling ones.
No alibi was attempted. The accused
was forbidden such plan, on the ground
that it would reveal the secret which he
was guarding so closely but the defense
became aggressive. Itproved that Hiram
Miliken, Ellen's brother, was not where
he said he was on the night 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
court room; the sheriff holds it at this
Look at the man Guilt is
written on his face. Heis trying to leave
the house. Catch him !"
The confusion that now ensued was in
tense Ellen Milliken, with a loud shrek
fell forward on the floor, where she was
allowed to lie, for all eyes we're turned
upon her brother.
Pistol in hand theyoung man was clear
ing path to the door, No one dared to
lay hands on him, for he threatened to
shoot the first one who touched him,and
ihus he reached the door leading to the
street,
On the threshold he paused and faced |
he excited occupants of the courtroom.
"You will never put me in Abner Ten
ley's placeP he cried, "If l did kill |
limri Buskirk, you shall not prove tand
lang mel"
The next moment there was loud |
'eport, and a human body, after sway
ng for an instant, fell heavily on the
loor
Hiram Milliken had taken his own
ife.
This tragic occurrence, as might be
imposed put an end to Abner Tenney's |
rial. 1t. established his innocence in
he eyes of all, and the guilty was be
Iond the punishment of an earthly tri-
)unal..
Upon her recovery Ellen Milliken un-
olded one of the darkest plots on record.
She confessed that her testimony was but |
! tissue Of falsehoods that she knew
hat her brother had killed the farmer for |
he purpose Of getting his money, and &C.
,using young Tenney in order to prevent |
lin from winning Eva Buskirk' Ellen,
,iqued at Tenney's refusal to court her,
lad entered into the plot with revenge
III eofrif Rut tba no mo bod failad