Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-01-22
A Story Of the Lead Mines.

In the Spring of 1928 there came
to the Lead Mines, from the State of
Pennsylvania, a man over whom
there seemed to be cast a cloud OF
deep trouble, the particulars of which
his lips never revealed. He was &C
companied by daughter aged about
II years, q b.ithesome and comely
girl, who soon ingratiated herself in
to the good graces of the sturdy set.
tiers, and in the course of time was
regarded by them with the deepest
affection. She was q tender, loving
creature and moved about from hut
to hut like an angel sent from heaven
to administer to the wants of the
sick and comfort the downcast and
distressed. The year following the
arrival of the father and daughter in
the lead mines death laid it's icy
hand upon the former, and the young
girl was left an orphan, yet not with
out loving protectors whose arms
were open to receive her. Soon af-
ter the death of the parent there
landed at Galena, with other adven-
turers, a young and handsome Mis-.
sourian, who wore fine clothes and
sported a considerable amount of
lewelry. Circumstances sooD threw
him into the company of the young
lady above described, and attracted
by her beauty and winning manners,
he set himself about the task Of gain
ing her affection and was net long in
accomplishing that object. The or.
phan girl plighted her faith with that
of the Missourian and three months
after they first met they were made
man and wife. No sooner had the
nuptial knot been tied than the hus-
band began to abuse and maltreat
his young wife. The red departed
from her cheek, the ripping laugh
which sounded like music was heard
no more and the happy, animated ex-
preston which lighted up her coun-
tenance was supplanted by a look
which betokened the sorrow that was
ranking in her bosom. Friends OBJ
served the change and were not long
in divining the cause. The true &C.
cupatlon of the husband became
known soon after their marriage
He frequented gambling dens and
was himself the proprietor of one of
the worst gaming houses in the city.
Indeed it was thought that he was
the instigator of many of the crimes
that were committed in this section
yet so adroitly did he lay out his
plans that no tangible evidence could
be secured against him. One morn
ing q neighbor called at the house of
the gambler for the purpose of speak
ing a word of comfort to the unhap
dy wife. Although some time after
the breakfast hour the curtains were
down, no smoke issued ftom the
chimney and an ominous silence pre-
vailed about the place. The mystic
rious disappearance Of the husband
excited the suspicious of the neigh
bors that all was not right. The door
of the gamblers residence was
forced open and the PROSTATE form
of the wife was found upon the floor,
which was soaked with blood from a
gaping wound in the neck of the VIC
tim. Mute were the lips of those |
who witnessed the horrible scene,yet !
q determination to follow up and |
wreak vengeance upon the murderer
revealed itself upon the faces of the |
sturdy miners present. The remains
were tenderly cared for and the clods
of the valley which covered her
grave were moistened with the tears
of many sincere mourners. Three OF
the most sagacious miners were put |
on the trail of the murderer. Like |
sleuth hounds they followed him,
scenting his every step. On the |
third day following the tragedy he |
was discovered in piece of woods
near Hazel Green and brought
back to the city. An impromptu |
court was organized, the man was
tried, found guilty aud sentenced to
death. The trembling wretch was
dragged to the door of his own house,
the scene of his awful tragedy, and |
after being allowed sufficient time in /