Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-10-25

discussed In subdued tones the terrible
tragedy.
Various were tho theories advanced
70 account for the crime which had
evidently been committed. Some said
that they had always believed old Cor
bin was a fugitive from justice; that
he had done something for which he
was in ling, and which accounted
for his &c disposition and his un-
sociabls
Tenn. rate." said old Squire Chit
tick, "l'll bot hame-string that the
feller who killed old Corbin has bin n
huntin' OF him all these years. To my
mind" the old fellow continued, as he
climbed up on the top of the rail fence
and seated himself as comfortably as
the nature OF the seat he had chosen
would adnit, "to my mind it's the
settlin' OF an old grudge; and when
that's said it's al said. That's my
ideer."
To the little group that stood about
him this view of the cGec soo.aed cos.
elusive enough, and was received with
approval. The old Squire. however.
was something Of Hawkshaw in his
way, besides being n man looked up
TO in the community, was bound TO
preserve the reputation he had so long
held for his depth OF Judgment and
soundncss of opinion on matters gen.
orally. So, after his first views had
been unhcsitatingly acquiesceu in, he
hedgingly added: "Course he might
been robbed-ho might a had money
in there" jerking his thumb over to-
ward the cabin, "but taint hardly
likely. Still, it might be. But he
added, conclusively, its either one or
tother-aa.I know II rs well as IL old
Corbin hiself had told mo just how it
happened.'
Finally the coroner, himself ply
sician, arrived. and soon impaneling
jury from those present, entered into
an investigation of the mystery. With
the meager facts bearing upon the
tragedy and which have already been
stated, the jury was not long in reach
ing the only verdict possible under the
circumstances, which was that the man
had heen killed or came to his death
by wounds inflicted by person or per-
sons to the jury unknown.
Uncle Archibald Wilson, by virtue OF
his acquaintance with the deceased,
was given charge OF the remains, and
with the assistance Of his neighbOrs,
had them conveyed TO his own home
and in due time decently inferred in
the neighborhood burying ground. He
was also made. or appointed by the
court, administrator OF the estate. As
the murdered man had no legal heirs
in that country, it became the duty Of
Mr.. Wilson 10 advertise, so as TO, II
possible, find any who might be living
in other parts OF the United States. To
this end he inserted the usual notices
In the leading papers, and a month or
so afterward received the following
letter. The epistle bore the post-mark
of q small village in Western New
York, and was dated July 5, 1854. 1t
ran as follows;
"AlR. WILSON Dear Sir. l have
just seen your ad in a New York pa
per, and replying thereto think can
give you the information you desire
as to the heirs Of James Corbin; and
also throw some light on the mys-
terious manner in which he met his
death. II is long story and l must
begin at the beginning.
Thirty years ago James Corbin
and myself were friends and school
mates. His fathers farm Joined ours.
He was an only child, while l was the
youngest OF family OF five. In the
village where we both attended school
in the winter, and where we went TO
church every Sabbath with our par
ents for years, lived Mary Dean, a
beautiful girl and the only daughter Of
Rev. Mr.. Dean, pastor OF the little
church where our families both wor-
shipped. Mary, as have said, was
a beautiful girl, and as good as she
was beautiful.
james and /, both then entering
upon manhood, became rivals for
MRry's hand and affections.
"lt was not long until It became APP
parent that was the fayorite one, and
from that time the intimacy which had
existed between US from our earliest
boyhood ceased. james never made
any threats either toward Mary or my
self He simply cut our acquaintance,
refusing to speak to either OF us when
chance threw us together; beyond that
he showed no evidences Of the hatred
he bore US,
"A year later we were married, and
happy in the love Of one OF the truest
and best wives, began life in earnest.
One night (would to God / had never
survived iO my wife and | were re-
turning from her parents in the vii
lage, whore We had been to spend the
day, to our own home on my little farm
In the neighbOrhoOd Of my fathers.
The country was rather new, and a
goodly portion of our road lay
through the woods. We were driving
slowly along, trusting mainly 10 our
good horse 70 pilot US safely in the
roed, when, OF a sudden, man on
horseback darted from the roadside
and struck me a heavy blow on the
Is ss,l6.l1-----s---5ss :.
NJ ~ " -75stss.l. Ryfs.
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