Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-04

LAST night you said to your wife that
it was monstrous such blow should be
dealt to you by feeble old man. You re-
peated, Feeble and odd He is over sewn
ty If he should die to-nightI''
81 spoke those words. God forgive me
for theml'
Last night you gave your wife an opiate
to insure that she should not wake while
you committed the crime you had deter
mined upon. Do you deny that?''
81 do not deny it. Ny wife was in need
of repose, and 1 gave her sleeping
draught."
''All this is clear evidence of your guilt.
Your repeated denials aggrayate your
crime. By your own deeds and words you
stand convicted. Confess your guilt"
81 am innocent"
How feeble was my defensel Sitting as
Judge upon another man 1 should have
pronounced his sentence. There was but
one sanctuary for me-secrecy. There
was but one escape for me-that Samuel
Fleetwood should be arrested and proved
guilty of the crime. One comforting sug-
gestion presented itself, the missing
money. I had it not, and knew not where
it was determined to convince myself
that I had not uncOnsciously secreted ii
ia my room. Careful and laborious was
the search I made. I left not drawer
unopened; looked in every possible nook
and corner; l examined every article OF
furniture; and I breathed prayer OF
thankfulness that l searched in vain.
Then l finally decided upon my course of
action. I would keep the ring and the
cord about me; not even to my wife would
I utter one word concerning them. When
Samuel Fleetwood was caught I should
be safe. Until then / must play my part
and pursue my usual way, with a dead
weight of terror in my heart Making
everything straight in the room, / rejoineG
my family.
Upon the events of the few following
days, l need not dwell at length. An in
quest was held, at which I and all in my
house were examined. The jury returned
a verdict of wilful murder against Samuel
Fleetwood-against the man would have
trusted not only with untold gold, but
with my honor and the honor of those
most dear to me.
Sad were the days. There was no tall
of the marriage OF Eunice and Harry Mr.
Mortlock left my house, but remained in
the neighborhood. The police hunted in
vain for Samuel Fleetwood. In converse
ton with my wife we strove to discover q
motive for his crime. He was a man
whom we had always thought apSoIuJeIy
careless, almost scornful, of money.
owed him, indeed, a sum of more thar
fifty pounds for wages, which, when 1 haC
spoken to him about it, he had begged
me to retain until he had use for it. HI
had no one dependent upon him. HI
bore no grudge against the murdered
man. What, then, could have been his
motive?
A word about my uncle's will. None
being found, it was for me, as next of kin
to take out letters of administration. Bu
delayed to do so, and my wife approved
of the delay. We both considered that
any sign of haste would be indecent
Meanwhile Ioffered large reward fol
the apprehension of Samuel Fleetwood
and the bills were posted throughout the
country. So things went on until fata
day arrived.
How we'll remember it'll All the Incl
dents of that fatal day remain with me al
indelible memory.