The Penn's Grove record., 1884-09-27

mltted or some murdered man louuu ny
the wayside; and when Nutter returned
with his report that sever men lived
there, that the three robbers were a
part of that band, it repaired no long
speeches to bring the company to a
decisive stand.
Locked in for the season by wretched
roads impossible for teams, 10 miles
from the nearest settlement-Sutter's
mill-the discovery Of a nest OF vipers
already at work IN our very midst,
caused each one to feel it to be impor-
liant that no time be lost. The two
Frenchmen were warned not to move
out of their house, not to communicate
by sign or otherwise with any Il dur
ing the day. Meanwhile word was
quietly gwen to such as could be relied
upon to act. Egyptian darkness reign
ed that evening when Nutter opened
the door where the even armed men
sat around the supper table, and charg-
ed them with the theft. In an instant
hands moved to the reyolvers by their
sides, a shrill whistle by the sheriff
checked them, and when 20 brave men
armed like themselves came through
that door and stood around them they
surrendered. The excitement was in
tense
Ex-Judge Russell, Of Oregon, was
there at the time, and as | declined to
take the responsibility in the presence
of one skilled in law, he took the
bench. A court was organized, jury
impaneled, prosecuting attorney and
prisoners counsel appointed, in order
that everything should be done fairly.
The result of that first trial was that
nothing beyond the act of robbery was
proven, and the three on Sunday morn
ing received a service of 80 lashes on
the bare back, although none doubted
that they deserved hanging. They had
escaped the gallows.
One of these meD-they called him
French Charley-a short, stout, restless
fellow with a face that might index the
soul Of a fend-vociferated in his
native tongue against all the partici-
pators in that act. Soon it came out
that there were 20 member Of the
band operating otherwise. This lawful
Charley" wa the lieutenant. Hevow-
ed death to judge, jury and all concern
ed. This being interpreted fired the
populace. Prudence forbade thefurther
execution Of the sentence, i. e., Danish
ment from the diggImgs. 1t would
have been like letting a pack Of blood
hounds loose to prey upon the villagers.
The excitement was attended by the
most %tormentIng anxiety as the court
sat with open doors day after day,
determined to do nothing rashly. Men
were out in all directions, travelling
slowly IN foot, yet getting over ground,
notifying all to come and look at the
prisoners, who did not seem to be un-
easy, being confident they World not
hang without clear and conclusive evil
dence. This. they believed, could not
then be produced.
Little did they dream that their days
were even then numbered and that they
would be buried, three in one grave.
with their boots on and the hempen
/ collar around their necks, and that from
this awful fate should grow the name of
Hang Town.
The desired witness vas moving
~leisurely along, little thinking that his
voice would seal their death-warrant.
Once he had been assailed. Once the
knife cleaned above him and he fell.
/ When he revived he was alone, his
money gone, but the face of the would
be murderer had been indelibly engray-
ed upon his mind. AS he entered the
court room in conversation with a
friend he caught sight Of this Charley
at once; his cheeks paled, and he stood
for the moment transfixed. Bystand-
ers noticed all this, and managed to
draw Charley's attention.
The robber looked, and in his turn
was surprised, but it vas not mute
astonisnment-he did not look long.
There are scenes in some lives that fix
themselves with unyielding tenacity
memory. This hardened sinner said
that his innocent life had been as a
man-o-wars-man. He had been "A
SLAYER, robber and pirate, and when
asked to confess said that he had never
ceased to see blood from lifetime of the
first murder, lie had not lost sight OF
that face which lie left for dead. All
eyes were riveted on him as he sprang
toward the newcomer, exclaiming:
you alive, you here.' And tearing
open the shirt bosom his eye caught
sight Of the scar his knife had made, as
he exclaimed: II am a dead man, This
settles my case!' And It did. Three
times tried for his life, and cleared
through a flaw in the Indictment, he
had found conviction where he least ex