Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-12-04

tured It, The whole previous atmosphere
was changed. Whatever of interest had beer
conferred In the trial was now all concen
trated in this new development coming out
OF it. The audience, first bending forward
at last rose in their seats to get a better
view Of the wealth there displayed. At a
rough guess / had put on exhibition about
two thousand dollars in quartz specimens
being gold in a form never before seen in
that part of the country.
The district attorney felt his case slippine
away from him. The introduction of such
evidence was an indirect contradiction to
his differences regarding my floating about
and suspicious habits" 1t was plain that
had been mysterious there was some.
thing which would justify mystery He OBJ
lected to such things being put in as evil
dence.
But the things" had done their work.
10 was finally necessary to call the court to
order ere the trial could lie resumed. The
judge laid aside his spectacles, but retained
the richest lump ON the bar in front of him
and his eyes would glance occasionally in it,
direction l continued my story: II did
not find this claim. My partner, who is here
In court did, long before met him. | acted
for him as guard on the claim while he was
necessarily absent carrying the rock to "The
Bay" to be worked. Mr.. Pratt found me on
the ground | was guarding. 1t was true we
had no tools visible or notices ND. because
these might have excited observation. and we
were not, as to regulations for holding such
ground, protected by any law. Mr.. Pratt
insisted on meddling with the ledge from
which this gold was taken. He insisted on
meddling with it at the very place where we
had dug out the pieces you see before yon
Now, what was to do9 Let him do so or
notf'
mol" roared out voice In the audience
"Order in rcourtia cried the sheriff Rut
that Nor was powerful expression of the
prevailing sentiment.
continued:
Nov, gentlemen, did not do as YOU think
did. Here comes what l know il tho i'm.
probable part of my story. 1t would be far
easier Tor me to say that did shoot Pratt in
defense of what considered mine than that
ne shot himself. That is exactly what he did
uo-Dy accident. He had the drop, on me
MS niger on the trigger, warning me not to
interfere with him, when his foot slipped
from the rock on which he was standing; he
Tell over backward, his pistol was DISCHARGED
ana by the fall and the shot he got the two
wounds In his head. Well, was frightened |
nearly to death at the time myself. saw IN |
moment all the appearances would be |
against me. had to keep secret tbs locality |
u the claim. My partner was away, i |
vent up to Pratt, and found him
IS supposed, dead. / didn't know
What to do, 50 covered him Wis,
rush and went home / couldn't rest that
light for thinking about the body up there.
iow It would be discovered and our claim
nth It, and between the two-of the Az
hould be In to keep our claim a secret. and
ccount satisfactorily for Pratt's death undar
DO circumstances-I got up in the night and
rent up to the body. intended to roll n
own the hill and pitch It into the river 10 |
ct It out Of the way. Thank God. 1 found
ratt alive. Now, gentlemen, that's all INV
orr and whether you believe me or not. IA
* yosln you would not possibly do as l have
one under the ciFcumstaneesp az I'll
u think can, sopch for what the eent,e-
.Sn says" sid . voice near ma II was that
Blanche Seton.
This hppearance OF . beautiful woman IN
y court N connection with the trial was
fe1 more phenomsnai than the ouarfn
hers vas an szEsr crsning forward q neel,
ID then profound hush 70 hear her next
Afssr hsins sworn IN . = witness, she con ,
nSsd ~.