Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-04-19

about the fish pond, and took short Gu,
across the grove and struck the road
not hitting the north path at all. The
dead man had come from the village as
well, and on foot He had come and
attempted to return by the north drive
1t Graham was innocent who was
guilty
Not the slightest suspicion had been
directed elsewhere. It seemed hopeless
to look. questioned and cross.ques-
toned him. but he could not give me the
slightest foundation for clue or theory.
What | got came by accident. I asked
to SEQ the blood-stained clothing, and I
found it to be a single daub of blood on
a white vest. IL was curious mark.
such as had never seen before. and
when quietly investigated further I
discovered that the murdered man had
been struck on the back of his head and
fallen forward on his face. He had very
thick hair, and while the blow had
crushed the skull, he had bled but little.
The blood would not squirt from such
blow. The body had not been lifted,
and so how did Graham get that blood
stain Accident gave me the kuowl-
edge. l was looking the ground over
at Lossing's for the fourth or fifth time,
when one Of the dogs came and leaped
upon me in caressng way. Tossing
observed it and remarked
odd Fan was always very fond Of
Graham. and believe she misses him.
Here. Fan, lot me look at your paw.
All it's about as we'll as ever, isn't il ?"
what allied her paw ?" asked.
''She got terrible cut on piece Of
glass few weeks ago.
About the time Graham was mr.
rested 2"
Eyes"
Then it was her bloody paw that
made tho mark on his vest chat night !"
'.Good heavens. but it must. have
been !"
| had clue and hope Everything
changed in an hour and now believed
Graham innocent aud went to work to
secure proofs, L posted up to. Louis
vile and examined tho police records
for arrests. followed o score or more
of cases to their finish, but got nothing.
1t was my belief that white man COM
mitted the crime, aud that he meant
robbery, but was frightened of. re-
turned to the village and looked every
body over, but got no satisfaction. The
day of tho trial was coming aud was
in despair, but accident came to my aid
again. ] happened into the hotel barn
as tho landlord pulled lot Of rubbish
out Of stall. Hidden away with Il was
u fine saddle, and as it was brought to
light the man exclaimed
BLESS me, hero is the dead mans
saddle"
WAS it missing p asked.
at was stolen on the night of his
murder. That's the reason he went
down to Lossings on foot"
Who stole it? What for ? An out
slider, who stole the saddle for it's worth
woul} have s~rriedfit oil. AN insider
only would have stored ID Ia the stall.
Who was inside A white man and
two negro assistants Within an hour
| had ascertained that tho white man,
whose name was Foster, was absent for
an hour on the evening Of the murder,
and that sipcehe had acted very queerly.
[ arrested him, charged him with the
crime, and he did not hold out fifteen
minutes. His motive was robbery. lie
did not intend to kill his victim, but
only to stun bin. He had just struck
him when the dogs barked greeting to
Graham, and, overcome by sudden fright,
Foster dashed away and dared not re-
turn. lie thought he had only to keep
still to render himself safe, and, but for
my being present when the saddle was
found, he might never have been sus-
pccted.' Graham was cleared and Eos.
tor was hanged. The change had been
brought about by the fondling Of n dog.