, 1888-12-07

a small diamond stud glistened from his
scarf. Clearly, then, the murder was not
committed for gain.
NO STRUGGLE.
Mr.. Vannice was not given an opportu-
nifty to fight for his life.r The regular
features in death, the undisturbed condi-
ton of his clothing, the mittens on his
hands, and his position when found all
point to the fact that he was taken una.
wares.
THEORIES AND CLUES.
Theories and clues of the crime are
numerous, but connecting occurrences of
the day the only mystery about the affair
is the identity of the murderer.
A THIEvING TRAMP.
A few minutes after s O'Clock yesterday
morning Mr.. Vannice's youngest daugh-
ter ran into the adjoining residence of
Mrs. Argesheimer, and much frightened
asked that lady's aid in dealing with a
tramp who had entered the house and re,
fused TO leave. The abodes, by the way,
are north of the convent, at the head Of
Central avenue. Mrs. Argesheimer ac-
%companied the child home and ordered
the unwelcome visitor to decamp. He
sullenly refused to aye-until fed, and
was finally given something to eat. In
broken English he told Mrs. Argesheimer
that he was a goldsmith Just arrived from
Denver looking for employment. He
had been idle three weeks and had eaten
nothing for several days.
THEFT FOUND OUT.
Soon after the tramp's departure Mr..
Vannice returned home and quickly dis
covered that the man had taken a sum of
money-afterwards learned to have been
$l3-from a purse belonging to a lady
visiting the family.
THE PURSUIT.
Nh. Vannice, who has had not a little
experience with criminals, concluded to
arrest the robber himself. He obtained a
description OF the man from Mrs. Argos
heimer, and was given the direction taken
by him in leaving.
Deceased then hired a rig and borrowed
a six shooter at the Xxi barn, speaking
OF his intentions to capture the tramp.
He was seen alive by two persons after
leaving the city. On the Post ranch road
he met the mail carrier and asked about
his man. Jake. the postman, had met
the tramp, when the latter left the road
and headed westward. Vannice followed
the trail and on the roadHabove the fort
met Earnest Logan. he again inquired
for the tramp, but learned nothing new
The interview with Mr.. Logan occurred
between IL and II o'clock. Soon after
this the self-constituted officer doubtless
overhauled the fleeing thief.
THE MURDER.
The most plausible theory of the muir
der is that having his prisoner the captor
became careless and laid his weapon on
the buggy seat.
As the pair drove along the lonely road
the sight of the revolver put the thought
OF murder into tie black heart of the
brutal assassin. Inch by inch his hand
moved stealthily towards the weapon.
was perhaps drawn back in fright when
the prospective victim unconsciously made
movements that prolonged his existence.
Finally the hand of the tramp firmly
grasped the revolver. How he must have
gloated over the helplessness of his com-
panion, Brute put man to flight as with
1ho,,lioh lol;horofiuanaea tha ala ro,..lo
of the murderous weapon was placed al
most against the head of the ~unsuspicious
victim. Then the shot was fred. The
murdered man fell over, the
frightened horse jumped and per-
haps the human fend recoiled
from the sight of his bloody work. He
soon recovered. however, brought the
horse to a standstill and deliberated on
what course to pursue as the life blood of
poor Vannice formed a clotted pool in the
public highway. His plans laid, the
heartless wretch acted without hesitation.
He spoke to the horse, now gentle once
more. 1t, obeying, moved off the road
about 200 yards to the west. The muir
derer stepped out, fastened the ends of
the reins to a spoke. picked up the weapon
and left the scene as hastily as possible,
nervouslY glancing about and drawing a
sigh of relief when observing that no
human being came within the range of his
vision.
THE TRAMP.
Rrom Mrs Aroaobainar Tur TuAppp