Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1883-09-08

When 7 called upon her l found her in
the drawing ROOM. She WAS dressed in .
simple dress of black, and wore a bunch OF
pale violets at her throat. She appeared
radian,ly beautiful in her sombre attire.
"Mr. Reynolds, l want you to b. my
friend" she said softly, locking With her
great blue eyes into my very soul.
IF you trust me, I shall try to prove my
friendship" l replied, taking her hand
Mr.. Reynolds, in your heart you know
that Charles is innocent; you also kno"
that circums.antial evidence alone convicted
him. / call OF you now to a~pprehend the
guilty parties and make the proof of
Charles innocence evident His silence
during the trial told heavily against him
oh, if he had only spokenr' she sobbed
You are right; twas his logged silence
that sent him to prison. But with your
help he will not remain there long"
What do you mean p abe said eaRe3!5.
Il mean just this: the morning after the
robbery, this handkerchief and sleeve butt
ton. both marked with your initials. we're
found on the floor. Can you tell me how
they came there?'
"Mr. Reynolds, you are my friend l can
trust you; you shall know all" she said
earnestly, contiauing. Charles and l are
lovers, unknown to my father, who would
not tolerate him in the house had he q sus>
piciou of this. We have often met and
in~terchanged tender words. The night Of
the robbery fathers cashier, Mr.. Ellinie,
came 10 the house to ask a loan. Father
directed him to wait in the parlor, and
| called me to assist him in counting the
money required. he took the money, and
while he was comforting with Ellinde in the
parlor Charles passed the door of the room
l was in and, seeing me as he passed, came
in and took me in his arms. Approaching
footsteps caught our ears. and releasing me,
we fed from the room. Fortunately the
light was not burning in the hall. In the
excitement of the moment my sleeve but>
ion must have become unfastened. and,
unnoticed, dropped TO the floor. l am sure
this alone kept Charles from swearing that
he was not in the room that night"
Covered with bushes, she ceased.
Now are you sure you have tod me
ALI"
Positively everything" che replied ,
Can you offer a reason why he could
have remained silent about the ripgY' ]
asked.
II do not know what could have prompted
him in that, but" her face Frightening
you must 30 to him; tell him you know all
perhaps be will tell you then" she suggest
ed.
Thank you; you can rely on me. Il
Charles is really innocent, he shall be free
inside of twenty>four hours" l said 8
babe her goodnight.
Before going to the prison l VEN to tn
Office, and found a note awaiting ne from
the chief of police. 1t stated briefly that
was to report at headquarters and tax.
charge of a squad Of men to raid a gambling
den at half past eight o'clock. 1t lacked
but ten minutes of that now, so very unfor
tunately, l had to defer my interview Will
Charles Simpson until after the raid. These
raids are made periodically. with the inten
%tention of stamping out this curse of socie,
ty.
Reporting at headquarters, l found ter
%oficers awaiting me. Probing each mar
with the duty he was to perform, we left III.
Office, separately in the direction of the der
selected to be raided.
We soon worked our way in through thu
skylight, and found q large number of me,
gambling. As soon as the gamblers foune
the police about, they became panic stricken
and made desperate attempts to escape
Some sprang through the windows. carrying
the glass and sash with them; others, b,
means of a ladder, reached the roof, AM
scrambled over the housetops in every di.
%rection.
l noticed one man, in particular, VIII
made strenuous efforts to escape. The fel
low led me- q lively chase over the differen
roofs but it availed him nothing. as l ha.
officers stationed near by. Finding he coul'
NOT es9ps. he turned, drew q revolver. an,
began firing on me. l drew mine, and
lively duel began at the third FIRE he fel
and rolled from the roof to the street belov
When I reached him l found his face GOV
cred with blood, and he was grooming pite
ously. 1t was evident the man was dyin1
so | had i'm removed to the receiving hos
pital. Returning to the den. l found th
gamblers shackled, and Immediately marcl
; ed them to central station.
AS was preparing to leave the ofic,
after making my report, the prise n gurgeon
!. messenger hastily approached, and inform
! ed me that the wounded gambler was dyin
and wished to see me.
! went at once to the hospital AID Disco,