Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-02-29

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at the bedside, and in his hand a knife
covered with blood. It was in vain that
Bradford protested his innocence, af-
frming that hearing the noise of groan-
ing, he had got out of bed and had gone
to the csc of his guest; that he had
snatched up q knife, the only weapon at
hand to defend himself, and that he had
entered the room only a few moments
before the two gentlemen, and for the
same purpose. His story was not be-
lieved, and he was convicted and exc
cuted. But it was true, nevertheless,
as it was afterwards proved by the
death-bed confession of the real muir
derer, the valet of the gentleman, who,
dying some eighteen months after the
execution Of Bradford, confessed that he
had murdered his master, and was
about to rob him, when he was dis
turbed by Bradford's footsteps. and he
had just time to escape to his own room
before Bradford entered.
A very singular case occurred in this
country at the close of the last century,
on the road between Albany and Sche-
nectady, N. T., where stood q
picturesque old Dutch tavern,
much frequented, and known
as the Blue Horse. A num-
Der of young men had gathered there
one afternoon, drinking together and
discussing the varied gossip Of the time.
Presently one, a popular young fellow,
Harry Blake by name, became engaged
in q somewhat heated conversation with
an ugly looking, short, square built
man by the name of Wickliff, which
shortly resulted in an open quarrel.
Friends interviewed, and prevented their
then coming to blows; but it was not
long before the quarrel broke out again,
and the older, Wickliff, uttered a most
insulting remark, whereupon his oppo-
nent instantly sprang upon him, and
being of remarkable strength, raising
him from the floor, flung him heavily t
the floor. Wickliff at first seemed
stunned at the foil, but presently ecov-
cred, got slowly to his feet, and shak-
ing his hand at Blake, said, with a
scowl: 'My boy, You may take your
measure for a coffin, for, after this, you
will need one," and left the room. The
others were glad enough of his depart
ure. But the quarrel had cast a gloom
over the company, and especially ove
Blake, that it wa not long before they
broke up. His companions tried to rea-
son with Blake as to the folly of contin-
uing q quarrel with such q man as
Wicklif; but he seemed out Of humor,
and presently. having a five mile ride
across the country to his home, he
mounted mis- horse, and bidding his
friends good night, started alone. Two
others shortly followed, and ~ they
were riding along, discussing tho quar-
rel, they suddenly heard a loud cry in
the distance, which was again repeated
.'There's foul play here!' they cried,
and, whipping up their horses, rode rap
idly in the direction from whence the
cry had come. AS they rode around q
copse of trees, q sight met their eyes
that made them shudder. There on the
road before them lay a human form, the
ground covered with blood, and bending
over him was a man grasping the han
die of a knife. whose blade was plunged
in the bosom of his victim. They
sprang from their horses; the mar
turned, and to their horror they recog-
nized their companion Blake, from
whom they had parted but a short time
before, and the dead man was Wickliff.
Harry Blake" they exclaimed; ga
murderer. Don't stab him again.
What have you done?."
One of them Immediately siezed Blake,
exclaiming: 1 charge You with muir
der!"
Blake stared. t.Me with murderp
Are you mad? Why, didn't kill him!'
"But we saw you with the knife in
your grasp-in his bosom; and there
he lies dead"
"Will you hear me?" cried Blake,
earnestly; II assure you that I came
here but a moment before yourself.
hearing some one calling for help. I
found Wicklif dead, with this knife in
his bosom, and was ~endeavoring to pull
it out when you came up. This, l
swear, is the TRUTH
But they did not heed his protesta-
tions, and, securing him firmly, carried
him before a Magistrate. by whom he
was committed for trial. The trial
itself could have but one result. The
quarrel, the threat, the discovery of the
accused with the knife in his hand the
knife plunged in the dead mans breast,
all pointed to but one person as the
AAuAoCLCA. DIdhc, uOWcHCFy Ulu not
even claim that he had committed the
deed in self defence. Had he done so
he might, perhaps, have escaped. But
he insisted upon his innocence, and
when he vas urged to confess and
throw himself upon the Executive
clemency, he sternly refused.
"No." he said, II cannot, for I am
Innocent" and with these last words,
his earthly career was ended.
Some months after the execution, a
prisoner under sentence of death sent a
note to the Judge who had presided at
Blake's trial, requesting to sec him at
once. He went, and entering the cell
where the prisoner was confined, he
found him tall, gaunt, with sunken eyes
and hollow cheeks.
"You," he said, presided at the trial
of young Harry Blake, and you SEN
fenced him to death, and through that
sentence you murdered an innocent
man. You have blood on your soul, for
I murdered William Wickliff!"
"You?"
eyes, 1 waylaid him. I killed him."
and he went on to give a full account of
how he had lain in ambush for another,
for whom he had taken Wicklif.. and