The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-07-28

"Ihe German, Peter GfOnt, who muir.
dcrcd Mrs. Curtis, hns been \. ntcnced
70 DO hung on the second Friday In mex,
month. 0roat, though stranger, WINS
supposed ~ be q respectable man, and
one not Mt NIL capable of perpctratin4
such crime. hut the evidences of his
guilt arc most conclusive. The morning
after the murder, his wife was found
washing bloody shirt, also n knife
stained with blood WINS found hidden
near woodpile. Besides, goods belong.
| ing to the murdered woman, were found
III Groat's house. The only thing miss.
ing In Il curious old snutf.box, of some
black wood, quantity carved Ia the shape
Of toad. Her name, Hepsibnh Curtis,
Ii engraved OH the inside hut with.
out this, the evidence is strong enough
10 hang him."
'.Poor fellow" murmurctl Mr.. Mar
shall. ns he laid down tho paper. ut
makes one dread to rend the news--one
comes across 80 many horrors.
Papa! papa! you needn't mind about
the kite now cried Tom, rushing In
with shining eyes. "Uncle George Just
| called me over To his house il going
fishing, nnd says lie will take mo along
May | go?'
IF mamma is willing"
"She Is: asked her And Two been
digging grubs mud fish worms--for bait
yon know. But see what nice bnit
box I've got"
IAN old snufF.box. Where did you
get it2"
"Myron Mason gave IL to me-
WHO il Myron Mason?"
"Oll, a new man Uncle George got to
work for him III his garden. He's gather.
ing the pears and trenching the celery.
Myron was a tramp who came along,
| but he II real nice. Tho box IL nice,
too See whnt funny shape II is."
"A tead! Quick! Let mo see. Toni"
Mr.. Marshall Ind not closely exam.
incd the box until now. and it was with
trembling fingers TINT he opened it.
"Hepsihah Curtis, was the name en-
graved Oh the inner covert
Mr.. Marshalls face was white, hut his
voice WINS calm. Ms hc said:
tom, just run over and tell your
uncle George to come over here few
minutes want to talk with him OH
little business"
Three days later, Myron Mason, aims
Jasper Armand, was arrested for the
murder Of Mrs. Curtis.
He made no resistance: he told no
falsehoods; he simply confessed the
whole affair, stating TINT he Ind mnr-
dered the woman out Of revenge. Ten
years before tho two Ind lived in the
Same town. He Ind always been wild
and di solnte, but had been tho be-
trothed Of Mrs. Curtis sister, gentle
and lovely woman. Mrs. Curtis had
opposed tho match, knowing that it
would cause her sister life 81 misery.
Also finding that Armand belonged to n
gang Of counterfeiters. she promptly
gave evidence against him.
He was condemned to ten years i'm.
prisonment. This he bore patiently.
mentally vowing that, when released, he
would al once wrcak vengeance on the
woman who had foiled his plans and
blighted his life.
When the time had expired, and the
prison doors opened " let him pass out,
he found that the woman he loved was
dead, and that tho woman he hated was
living in Haywood. Thither no went.
He had seen Mrs. Curtis 60 to town. and
had concealed himself il the woods to
await her return. He did not take the
articles she carried merely for tho sake
VI robbery, but TO have suspicion point
ito fingers 1t aomc other party. AT the
conclusion of his confession, he said thai
he had no desire Of conccaling il any
longer. His life was made wretched by
| the horrid crime he had committed, and
death and exposure were not unwclcome.
| The next day after his confinement IN
the jnil, he was found dead III his cell.
Hc had ended his life hy poison.
A for Peter GroAt, he was Mt once re.
leased, and all tho inhabitants Of Hey,
wood strovc to express their regret and
| regard for him. but to these, Peter sadly
shook his head. saying:
"He did care 10 live in blaze where
Dc people vas 50 ready 10 polieve him a
| pad man = 50 he sold his little home,
packed his goods. and with his wife and
children. moved to the fur West. wher,
il is to I've hoped. in spite Of sweet char.
ity's sake. he il more careful in enter,
tanning hcniehtcd travellers.