The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-05-12

body was left hanging there to be the
sport Of the elements, or the prey of wild
beasts. There it hung, sad commentary
GU the savage nature and unruled pas
sions Of man, until his friends at st. Paul,
learning Of the occurrence, came and took
II down and gave it decent burial,
Years passed, and this story of early
days was almost forgotten. in the rush of
passing events. Wallace Had no relatives
at least none ever came to claim his
home, and it passed into the hands of
strangers. improvements were being
made on it, and among other things some
sheds and piles of straw were removed.
A boy was at work at this, and seeing
some glittering thing, picked it up AMI
found it to be gold watch, the large,
heavy cases well preserved, but the
works 80 badly corroded as to be worth
less. Near by was found large leath-
ern pocket-book which seemed to have
been well filed, but the contents dropped
to pieces Mt touch, and were so decayed
by dampness and time as to be unrecog-
nizable.
The watch was recognized by old set
tiers as the one that Wallace had once
owned. From all this it seemed evident
that the murderer had never carried off
the wealth for which the crime had been
committed. Nor was this all. The one
who related this tale to me was a friend
Of jackson, and had always believed in
his innocence. Long after the discovery
OF the watch and pocket-book, he was in
conversation with the attorney who had
acted as counsel for jackson at his first
trial. All the parties to the transaction
were dead, and they were talking the
matter over, as we will talk over by-gone
scenes. Said the friend:
"You, as an attorney, must have known
the truth Of the matter, and at this late
day it can do no harm to tell it. Was
jackson guilty or not guilty of the crime
OF which he was accused, and for which
he suffered death7"
Said the gray-haired attorney: ~ have
always made it point in defending Grim
inals, to know from them the exact truth
of the matter, 80 that may know how to
act to the best advantage. represented
this to jackson and said to him: If my
client is innocent can press my Witness
es on all points. If guilty there are some
things that it is best to pass over lightly
To this Jackson made reply: Il think it
will be best to pass them over lightly"
So even in this conviction on circum-
stantial evidence the decision of "Judge
Lynch" was found to have been just; and
If the sentence was not justifable, it was
more the fault of the times than of the
men who executed it.
ANOTHER CASE.
In Wanshara county, Wisconsin, in its
early days, occurred another case of
lynching which illustrates the wild and
lawless spirit of the times. If this spirit
was usually kept in check it only wanted
an opportunity to burst into life, only a
spark was needed to kindle the flame,
and it would spread, like the prairie fire,
until it was beyond the power of control.
AT this late day we are unable to give
the names of any of the parties, but can
vouch for the correctness of the facts re-
lated:
There was living in the pine regions of
this county a man who was generally
known as a desperate character, and who
was universally feared. For some law
less act Of his n warrant was issued and
placed in the hands Of the Wanshara
county sheriff, to whom was consigned
the undesirable task of arresting this
desperate and bringing him to trial.
This man, whom for convenience in men,
tioning we will call Baxter, had resolved
not to be taken, and being closely pressed
by the sheriff who was brave man,
drew pistol and shot him dead, then
coolly walked of, not even trying to es-
cape, but trusting to the reputation
which he bore as a bully and dangerous
man to save him from molestation.
But he was not the only brave or reck-
less man in that region, and it was de-
creed that he should not escape so easily.
The life Of an officer, engaged in the
peaceable discharge of his duties, had
been taken, and now it was determined
that the life of the lawless desperate who
committed the deed should pay the pen
atty. A night was appointed on which
to execute vengeance, and from the lum-
Der camps, from homes, and from, no one
knows where, large body Of men col
lected with determination to avenge the |
murder.
RIO be Continued '
When man gets above his business
he is bound to fall off.