The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-01-03

Hester out for drive, intending to be
back by tile time Willard should arrive
bnt when he arrived she was still alb
sent, and consequently he was most un-
reasonably indignant. When she came
home she apologized for the delay, say
ing she bad not intended staying so
long. Willard, in his anger, said to
Tracy: Knowing that / had M en-
gagement with Miss Fields, 1t would
have been gentlemanly in YOU to not
have interfered.'
His tone more than his words irri-
tated Tracy, and he replied hotly;
@Since when, Mr.. Moore, have you be.
come the ruler Of my actions!"
"Come, gentlemen" said Hester, mo
quarreling, if yon please. II there is
any blame, will bear it.
I beg your pardon, Miss Fields,
said Jack Tracy, Il should not have
spoken SO in the presence of lady,, and
with q how he took his leave. When
he had gone, Willard Moore sad: Il
nm very sorry, Miss Fields, that spoke
50 hastily: can yon pardon me?'
"Oh. yes," said she; "bnt it is too
bad for you two to quarrel, and espe-
cially over poor me.
That night jack Tracy mounted his
horse aud rode off, and did not return
till o'clock the next morning.
At 8 o'clock the same evening
Maurice Dale, ut his own home, retired
to his room, and was also there at half
past IL O'Clock, for he was heard
| ut that time, getting q drink of water
at the we'll.
At . quarter past 10 o'clock Willard
Moore was sitting reading, with the win
dow raised, as the evening was rather
warm.
There was the report of pistol and
His friends, hearing the sound of the pis-
tol, rushed to him, but he was quite
dead.
The news spread rapidly, and sus-
picion was at once directed to Maurice
Dale as the murderer and the next day
| he was arrested.
He announced himself as ready at
once for preliminary hearing. Said
he, Il can prove an alibi," SO he was
taken before the nearest Justice and
the evidence in the case brought out.
His parents and hired hand testified
TINT he was nc home at o'clock that
evening and that he was at home at
| half-past H. Witnesses stated that it
4 was sixteen miles from his home to that
of Willard Moore, with some rough
country between; and the Justice de-
cided that from the evidence it was
clearly shown that he could not have
committed the crime, that he could not
have gotten home in an hour and a
quarter, distance of sixteen miles.
So he was nc Quilted and the acluittal
was generally believed to be just one.
Maurice Dale then sought m inter-
view with Willard Moore's father.
Said he, ARREST Jack Tracy. Find
where he was at the time of the muir
der
On inquiry being made it was found
that Jack was absent from home from
dark until | o'clock. and the only &C.
count he could give Of himself was that
he was simply riding. His horse
showed signs of having been ridden
quite hard.
| So lie was arrested, and a. his prelim-
mary examination it was shown tllat
only on the day Of the murder he and
Willard Moore had quarreled; that he
carried o thirty-two caliber revolver,
and that the shooting had been done
with that sized weapon. The circum-
stantial evidence was strong against
him. The popular sentiment soon be-
came strong against him. The Justice
Criminal Court, which would convene
in the following September, six months
hence and he decided it was not bail
able case, so Jack was obliged to go to
the county jail.
| Before starting for the county town
with the Constable, and while standing
disconsolate and almost heart-broken
with the turn affairs had taken, Hester
came mp to him, with tears standing in
her eyes, and, stretching ont her hands
to him, she exclaimed: "Isnt it
awful and her white, drawn face be-
tokened her agitation and suff, ring.
| Hester said Jack, holding her
hand tight in his, whatever comes,
you will always believe me innocent Of
this crime?"
Il will, dear Jack, she replied.
"Thank God for that" said Jack.
fervently.
At that moment Mr.. Fields came up,
and placing his strong hands on Jacks
shoulders, said, We will stand by you,
Jack, the little girl and L, placing one
arm around Hester's waist. I've will
do all that mortal can do to prove yoar
innocence
Then the officer came and took Jack
| I.,& ,rln n
cuffs, and the sullen looks Of the people,
he was happier than he had been for
many DAYS, for he now knew that Hes
ter, brave Hester, loved him. As he
walked away his bearing was rs proud
rs a kings, and he certainly did not
look like a murderer.
Maariee Dale had not attended the
preliminary examination, not being
subppnaed as witness. When he
learned that Jack Tracy was in prison
he smiled his wolfish smile and said,
He will hang!"
Poor Jack felt greatly discouraged
when he found himself in his gloomy
cell. What an ending of oil his bright
dreams of q happy, contented life. He,
proud, with keen sense of honor; he,
thrust into cell, awaiting trial for one
Of the most lastardly crimes that could
be committed. lie said to himself,
Though ! am innocent, the evidence
is SO oycrpowering that ! believe they
will convict me. .
The second day of his i'm, risonment,
Mr.. Fields came to linn, accompanied
hy one OF the best lawyers ot the Vest,
man with almost Il national reputation
as q pleader. The three discussed the
affair for long while, bnt could find
nothing OH which to base a hope. They
! talked over all the incidents OF Maurice
Dale's arrest, but they We're obliged n
admit that it WAS not possible for him t.
have committed tn deed: and the only
other theorY they could foria WIS that
he hal etaef hired some one To do it,
or that Willard Moore Ind other
anaaf.a ula LnaW,lg ~ tl.a threat Y