The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-09-14
rant he was as quick-witted as any
body before this hurt"

/
'How long ago was it intficted?"
"a year. or more. An operation
by skillful surgeon would restore
him to his right mind"
While that may he so,the chances
for it were extremely dubious. We
were charitable as far as our means
would allow. but we were all poor
When Joe had been with us about
two months a miner was robbed one
night of his little hoard; then sec
ond was robbed Of his provisions; Il
third had his revolver stolen: and
men came to us and declared their
belief that onr Joe was the guilty
person. We could not believe this,
but agreed to watch him. For sew
eral nights we took turns at spying,
but. while, he did not leave the cab
in, another theft was committed.
For q month we were completely up
set by the mysterious doings around
lis. On pwo occasions some one
prowling around at night was fired
on, but he got safely away. In spite
Of all we could say the suspicion
kept growing that our Joe was the
guilty party. We let men into the
cabin to see that he did not leave
his bed, hut it SO happened that on
those particular nights no deviltry
was committed. 1t was suggested
that he be driven out of the camp,
and when we refused to countenance
any such step. two-thirds of the
camp held aloof from us.and reports
were circulated to our detriment.
One morning a miner, who was
supposed tn be the richest man in
the camp, was found weltering in his
blood. He had discovered a man in
his tent the night before, and had
boldly clutchcd him. In the strug-
gle he had been stabbed in three pla-
ces. and was severely though not
mortally wounded. The surgeon was
Ecalled to dress his hurts, and in his
presence and that of dozen Others
the wounded man declared that he
had recognized the would-be assas-
sin as our Joe. All of lis had slept
soundly that night, and while we
believed in ,Joc's innocence, we could
not be positive that he had not left
the cabin. The miners knocked off
work and went growing around,and
about ten o'clock in the forenoon a
!. rush was made for our cabin. They
had determined to hang Joe. The
three of lis cot out our revolvers to
defend him, and the angry moi
was held at bay ON the slope for a
few minutes. We had placed Joe in
side, and had noticed that he did
not seem bit alarmed. While We
were holding the mob and parleyine
Joe climbed out of window on the
other side and was running away
when they caught sight of him
Such action seemed conclusive of his
guilt. and pursuit was instantly
made and Il hot fire opened. Joe rar
straight for d cliff about thirty feet
high, and as he reached the brink ht
J threw up his arms and went over
We picked him up off the rocks be
low seemingly dead, and the revenge
) of the crowd was satisfied. An houl
later, when the surgeon announced
that Joe still lived. there was some
growing, bul no one interfered with
us as we bore the bruised and bro
ken body to our cabin. 1t seemed
to me that he was completely smash
ed, although he had no large bones
broken.
On the third day after the acci
dent Joe opened his eyes and we saw
that he WIS conscious. Twcnty-foul
hours later be asked the surgeon
where he was, what had occurred
and why Dawson was not there
Then we all knew that our Joe had
got his right mind back. 1t was &
; week before we questioned him. Their
we learned all | told you at the out
! set. The last thing he remembered
was counting that money in Chica
90. For two years he had been like
man in his sleep. When the caml
got hold of all the particulars every
body was .MiIlers friend, and par
ticnlarly so as the real thief was fl
nally discovered and punished. Mil
! Ter remained with MS until spring
J and then. set cut for the mines on tho
Upper Arkansas with some of .oul
boys. In camp not twenty miles
from usshe saw and identified Davi
, son. who had been there for a year
The miners would have lynched tht
fellow, but he cut sticks too rapidly
. and n week later his dead body was
found in a guleh two or three miles
. away. where the Indians had tum
blcd it after securing his scalp
Her York Saa.