Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1885-09-26
WAS 1T SUICIDE

WAS 1T SUIOIDE2
esquire Jackson's hung hisselfP
The darkey boy who brought my break
fast tray announced this startling item
with face two shades lighter than
usual, and with a tremor in his hands
that shook the coffee in my cup.
l looked up incredulously.
"Hung himself?"
: "Yes sar. Las night, sar. In de or
chard, an dey do say dat Miss Lowry
don't 60 for to get no life surance now,
for shure !"
"By Jovew said |, under my breath
that's so If the old man did commit
suicide his fifty thousand insurance is
gone. Well, it's queer, anyway" and
/ settled to my breakfast and paper.
My meal was scarcely finished when
Jim Henderson, the accepted lover of
Miss jackson, and an old friend Of
mine, entered the room. He glanced
hurriedly about, and spying me, dash
ed forward to greet me.
"The very man Of all the world
whom | most wanted to see! Duke,
you have not been here long enough
for any one to know your profession,
and you can help me immensely if you
will. | know it's your vacation, but,
old boy, for my sake and LOUIS | want
you to take hold of this case. Will
you 2"
Cease? My boy, of course | will !;
but what case? Do you mean the sui
eide of your prospective father-in.law 2"
"That's it, exactly You've heard of
it?'
Eyes, but what case is there !? If he
suicided, Miss Lou loses his life insur-
ance. P.n detective, not a lawyer
| cannot sue the insurance companies.
mo, no understand that, replied
jim; "but see here, the old man did
not commit suicide"
"What? ?" said |.
"He did not commit suicide ! The
old man was murdered"
!. -.'By love, that's serious charge"
said |, drawing nearer to my friend /;
"but why do you say so? If murders
been done it's within my profession,
and I'll do my best to find it out. Now
tell me about the affair.
"Come to my office" said Jim, "and
I'll lay the matter before you. This
is too public place"
Leading the way he left the room,
and we repaired to my friends sane
tum across the street. There snugly
seated in the back room, over our
cigars he told me the history of the
case he wished me to take in hand.
"Duke, Squire jackson was to be
my father-in-law in just two weeks. He
was a quiet man, not wealthy, but with
a great notion for life insurance, and
as his health had always been good he
had no trouble in obtaining all he could
pay for. I suppose that he has about
fifty thousand dollars now standing.
Aside from that his property was of
small value, not to exceed ten thousand
dollars.
The old gentleman has always liked
me; Lou was the only child, and, ma
turally enough, he counted upon her
having his wealth when he was dead.
But he had no intention of dying yet,
for only day before yesterday he talked
with me long time about what i'm
provements we should make when |
came to live in the old house with him
and l know that he looked forward to
our wedding with as much joy as a
child. Moreover, Duke, he could not
have hung himself as he was found
this morning, for the rope was tied up
on high branch, and he could not
reach it without climbing. The fact
is, my friend, some other man tied the
rope, and some other man hung him.
But whom do you suspect 7" said l
"who could have a desire to kill SC
quiet a man? Who could gain by it
There is no gain, only loss by his death
so far as | can see"
CHATS it" declared Jim, excitedly
"only loss But suppose that some one
would be better pleased by our loss
LOUIS and mine-than by our gain
ud not that afford motive?'
"Ah, that's so" had to admit.
carl Mott loved Lol, or her money
before | ever met her. She refused
him again and again, until it wa
known that she had accepted me. Thel
he left her, but before he went he swor'
to be revenged for her treatment o
him. He was in New Orleans tive
years. One week ago he returned.
saw him upon the street but he would
not speak to me. He is in town now
Duke, | believe that man killed SPUR
jackson, and hung him, intending t.
defeat the collection of the life insur
ance, and prevent Lou from receiving
the money her father intended for her
| believe Mott to be the murderer 0
Mr.. jackson
| was silent for few minutes. The
said:
Give me three days time. 1 mus
thoroughly examine the spot where tn
body was found, the tree, the rope
everything. Introduce me as doctor
II know enough of medicine 10 pass
Point out this man Mott to me, an
then wait. In three days from this
will meet you here again"
We arose and walked together dow
the village street. As we passed
group of men in front of the postoftic
Henderson touched my arm.
"Note the man with the blue tie.