The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-01-09
THE FATAL HORSESHOE NAIL.

On the evening of June 20, 1887, a
peddler on horseback stopped at the
smithy of one John Steele, on the out
skirts of the town OF Tickhili, near Dom
caster, England. Several persons were
in the smithy at the time, besides the
blacksmith and his son Richard. The
peddler asked Steele to shoe his horse as
quickly as be could, as he wished to
each Doncaster early, and get bed at
his old place; for the next day being
Statues" or fair, number of visitors
would be looking for accommodation.
While the smith was attending to the
peddler's horse, another stranger arrived,
Also on horseback, and likewise desiring
the smiths service, as his horse had cast
shoe.
The two strangers and the loungers
got into conversation, and the peddler
finally opened mahogany case which
was suspended by a strap from his shoul-
der and exhibited his wares, which con-
sisted of rings, gold and silver chains
watches, and so forth. On the last
cOmer's hearing that the pedd er was
going to DOncsster he offered to accom-
pany him, as he was going in the same
direction, adding that as he was stran-
ger the peddler might take him to some
house where he could getaccommodation.
The peddler replied that he was going
to The Travellers Rest" on the out.
skirts Of Doncaster, as it was q good
house and he knew the landlord.
When the smith removed the shoe
from the horse OF the last conner, he ex-
amined it closely, remarking that it had
been made in Holderness, pointing out
the fact that the nail was peculiarly made,
having a hall spill in the head, and say
ing that that was holderness fancy.
cpl keep this nail" the smith said,
and be drove it as a wedge into the han.
die of a small hammer, where it passed
through the head.
The peddler sent for a fagon of ale,
and they stood drinking and talking for
some time. When the blacksmith joked
the peddler about being in such hurry
when he came in, he laughed and said:
80, that's alright. I've made up my
mind to sleep in the big clubhouse,
where | have slept before; it's comfort
able, and you take anybody you like in
there, you know" the peddler added.
with q wink.
When the two men were ready to de-
part the peddler took large wallet from
the valise on his saddle bow and paid the |
smith. The peddler seemed to make a
rather ostentatious exhibition OF his wal. |
let, which was crammed with bank notes
and gold.
The two men rode off together, and
the smith cleared his place and closed for
the night.
In due time the peddler and his new
friend reached the Travellers Rest"
and told the landlord they would sleep
In the outbuilding in the rear, in which
there were several beds. The landlord
said there was good accommodation
there, and promised to make them COM
Portable. The peddler retired first, and
The stranger remained behind to have
supper and linger over his ale. At
eleven o. clock he went to the eut-build>
in g. and five minutes later the landlord
the light put ont.
Next morning neither the peddler nor
his friend appeared, and the landlord
went to the outbuilding to arouse them.
BE found the door open. and on entering
he room discovered the peddler in his
Ihirt lying on the floor at the far end, in
pool of blood. His head was battered
n, and near him was lying hammer