Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-10-10
PROOF OF THE MURDER

--Netr AWA ADcs
PROOF OF THE MURDER.
At one time I had strange case put
into nv hands. 4 msn was supposed
to have been foully murdered. he was
a traveller, ~ho had stopped at an inn in
lonely country place, and was there
said to have been murdered for his
money. The Landlord was held to be
tn, guilty party, though there was moth
ing but suspicion and his previous bad
name TO tasten it upon him.
This much 1 was told by my chief
when he placed the matter in my hands.
He had learned this. and nothing more,
from those who had come to employ
some one to investigate the mystery. l
was told to go aud DO my best, and l
went.
Invent first to the individuals by whom
wss employed. and of them learned all
I could of the particulars of the affair.
This did not take me long, for they were
few, indeed.
Az inn, standing in an isolated spot,
in the midst of a forest, had long borne
an evil name. There were many dark
whispers concerning it, and more than
one bslated traveller was supposed to
have lost his life there.
4 few days before traveller had stop
ped there for the night, and was not
known to have gone away again. More
than that. the landlord drove a new
horse which some were ready to swear
vas the one the traveller had ridden,
changed only by few jockey tricks.
Ny duty was to endeavor to find out
the truth of the matter if possible. It
would never do for me to 60 there with
nv calling known, as it would be sure to
defeat all. Dut there was NO need of
that. Twas no novice in my profession,
and had all its tricks at heart. would
play the part OF tourist, in search of
some quiet spot where could spend a
few days in rural enjoyment. With
everything perfected in the character /
was to play, was on the point of setting
out, when another party appeared upon
the scene.
It was the br other of the missing
man.
He hal not returned at the time ex.
pectcd, and his friends were anxious for
his safety. His widest fears were
aroused when he learned all. He de-
clared that he would go to the inn at
once in company with me. But this
knew would never do. His anxiety
would ruin all. His manner could not
help putting the guilty ones at once on
their guard, So prevailed upon him
to stay behind, promising him to report
progress from time to time.
With matters thus arranged, set out
for the Inn. went on horseback as the
supposed murdered man had done. I
could not help thinking, as rode
along, that perhaps the landlord might
try his hand upon me; for to all appear
ances l was a very quiet, inoffensive
looking traveller. But l was we'll armed
aud ready for him should he attempt
anything of the kind.
Arriving at the inn, the landlord re-
ceived me in person. No sooner didmy
| eyes fall upon his countenance than /
decided at once that he was a villain.
| a more sinister-!ooking face I don't
think I ever beheld. The name on the
creakiug sign was Saul Farman.
I stated my wishes to him, and was
told that the house and all it contained
! was at my disposal. He would do the
| best for me that he could. So bar.
gain was struck, and I was soon dom.
iciled in my quarters. Then I went
quietly about my errand.
There was no positive proof yet that
the missing man was dead. Still, in my
own mind, there was no doubt. 1 wal
sure that I had seen very many of hif
effects. His brother had described them
too infinitely for me to be mistaken.
Thus day after day went on. I had ne
fears at all for nay own safety now. ]
had given him to understand that wa
the pastor of a church who had beer
granted leave of absence to recruit my
health. If he believed this, he knew
we'll that was not game worth the pow.
der. Such class are not supposed tt
have a great amount of ready money
about them.
One day, the brother, impatient al
not hearing from me, came to the in1
to make discoveries fcr himself. was
alarmed at his appearance. for I wa.
afraid it would spoil all. Before he
could do any mischief, I determined t.
get him out of the way. as I was afraid
he would excite the landlord g suspicious
and therefore suggested that we should
go out shooting. To this he agreed, TO,
he wished to see me alone, where there
would be no chance of our being over
heard.
The landlord provided us with two
d-fashioneu guns. and we departed
taking our way toward the river, which
ran some half milo from the house
Arrived upon it's bank, we sat down t.
have q consultation as to what was bes
to be done. described infinitely to hin
what discoveries had made. and he wa
for arresting him at once. But TO this
objected. There was no positive proc
of his brothers. death. More evidence
if possible, must be obtained. die
not believe that jury would convic,
him on the evidence 1 had got. ...,.
While thus lazily discussing the mat
ter, I CHANGED to glance across thu
stream, and beheld q rabbit standing OF
the opposite bank. At sight of it I re
membered the ostensible object or
which had come, and raising the CUR
I discharged it in that direction. I DOM
know whether the rabbit was harmed o.
not, but the piece kicked 80 that it sen,
me upon my back. To this day DOM
know but what the landlord meant e
kill me, by putting in 20 tremendous I
80 = f@s5s s}.ssf sz,3zT 81. ,sgS.