The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-15

wife was sick, the day after better, the
next day after that worse, and so on
for weeks. Thomas Crane watched the
premises nights for chance to become a
burglar, and spent large part of every
day at the Jackson homestead.
It happened as might have been ex-
pected. Lizzie Jackson became the wife
of Thomas Crane, after an engagement
of one short month, late in December.
He told her of his fearful oath before the
marriage. She was shocked, even though
her husband was following the murderer
of her brother.
'It isn't long now, barely a fortnight.
and you may put what, evidence you
may have in the hands Of the authori-
ties and be free yourself, then. Be brave
and true only little longer she said:
That night the evening paper con-
tanned the following item:
"We are glad to be able to announce
that Mrs. John Land is able to travel.
The doctors have informed her, however,
that o change OF climate is absolutely
necessary. Mr.. and Mrs. Land left for
Florida this morning with their two
little ones. Mr.. Land will return in Il
few days"
Thomas Crane laid down the paper,
kissed his bride. and said sadly;
DUTY first, you know. | must break
into John Lands house tonight"
An hour later Crane was inside the ex-
press messengers house. His heart
ached as he looked around him. Priva-
ton and sacrifice everywhere. Little de-
vices to make comfortable, OF the posi-
bility of which the rich man who was
looking it over had never dreamed.
Thomas Crane was ashamed of his sus-
picions. He half turned to go, but the
vivid memory of the dead eyes of man
looking into his nerved him to do what
he felt was mean and treacherous. 81
swore it," he said, and he remained.
The desk in which John Land kept his
papers was easy to find and easy to open.
Bundles of letters were cast aside, old
account books were not opened. Pres
emily a neat bundle was found. The first
paper was "The Last Will and Tesla.
ment of John Land" The next was an
envelope closely sealed, and addressed to
the lawyer who had written the will. 1t
was indorsed, ITO be opened only at my
death" But Thomas Crane opened 1t.
Inside was another envelope indorsed,
'To be opened only when some person
shall have been indicted for the murder
of Charles Jackson, January 7, 1881"
Crane opened that also. 1t was long
and circumstantial account of the MUIR
der and all facts connected with it.
Mrs. Lands brother was dissolute
fellow, who was disgrace to the whole
family. He had been with Land the
whole of the day before the murder. A
package, said to contain $4,000. had been
found at night to contain only 81 200.
The express authorities did not suspect
Land, but they did suspect his brother
in-law. They boldly claimed that he
had changed packages, having had access
to the envelopes in which money was
sent. They offered to retain Land in
spite of his carelessness if he would get
the money back. The bank to which the
money was sent agreed with the express
managers. The whole matter should be
hushed up on the return of the money.
He returned home to fiod that his wife's
brother had gone away, no one knew
where. He must have the money, or he
must face disgrace and dishonor. He
had seen gentlemen draw five thousand
dollars from the bank while he was there.
Ilc ItSOlfGA w Stt iilta va, u
| gambler, usually successful one, and
would go home late at night. Land re-
solved to watch for him. He told those
| who had given him time that he would
find his brother-in-law during the night,
esecure the money and get him to leav
town. He mistook Charles Jackson for
the man witch the money, and was being
overpowered by him when he managed
to get his knife and escape by killing
him. A half hour later he robbed the
half drunken gambler without
difficulty. The robbery, re
ported the next day, sank into insignifi-
canoe beside the murder, and had
scarcely been heard of outside of police
circles. The five thousand dollars which
Land presented at the bank next morn
ing was expected there; Land believed
his wife's brother was suffering no in
justice in being supposed to have given
it up under threat, and so he said he
had. Land closed with solemn pro-
testation that the man who had changed
the money package was also responsible
for the murder.
And Thomas Crane shook his head and
said:
81 believe he is right, and shall try
to find the man."
But he had the following message sent
to the city through which the passengers
for Florida would pass the next morning,
for all that:
ARREST John Land for the murder of
Charles Jackson, in this city on January
7, 1881. Full and complete proofs of
the crime are secured"
A -. Il