The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-04-11

bit and ate my lunch, while the store
keeper disappeared out to the rear OF the
tent. The only person [ saw about the
place was chap fast asleep on a bench
outside. When the mules were packed
and when l left he was in the same
place.
after travelling slowly a good mile l
saw about dozen men coming over the
road shouting. They soon overhauled
me and told me / must go back again;
so 1 just said: What for? What's up
now?'
zone of them said: You'll find out
soon enough when you get there They
took my mules by the head and turned
them about, marching me off with them.
"When we got pretty close to the tent
1 saw about twenty men gathered to-
gether, and l heard one OF them say:
They've got the Teller. l guess he'll re-
pent before he gets through with u.s.
"They unpacked my mule, opened my
packages and scattered them about,
without finding any thing; then one big
burly fellow came up to me rather
roughly and ordered me to take Off that
red shirt. / looked at him all over, and
then / said: Hold on moment, Will
yer; what does all this mean? L done
want no fooling around me; you had
better understand that
''Taking me unawares, half a dozen
of the feIlers grabbed me from behind,
laid me on my back before l could re-
sist, and then they searched my person.
Finding nothing, they looked rather
foolish, as 1 thought The spectators
had now increased somewhat, and was
placed under guard. The crowd began
to discuss the affair, and soon l heard
voices calling for a Judge Lynch and
twelve jurymen.
after this was led into the circle
that had been formed and stood before
the court. The Judge, he looked at me
very severely, with his eyebrows lower
ing. With bass voice put on for the
occasion he growled out: What did you
do with the gold dust you stole from the
storekeeper?'
''This made me angry, and | replied:
you or any other man that says l stole
is liar
"'That's enough; we don't want to
hear no more from the culprit in the
court at present. Fetch along the wit
neSSeS.'
''The storekeeper swore he left me
alone in the tent, and that when he re-
turned he missed his gold dust; that
had disappeared, and he went out front.
Finding man fast asleep on the bench
he awoke him to tell of his loss, and to
hunt up some of the nearest miners to
help catch the thief. 4 believe that's
the chap standing there (poin ting to
me).
1.-THE sleepy man testified in zorro boz
ration of the facts as stated; then the
party who went after me made their
statements, slightly exaggerated, I'M
favorable to me. 1 tried to get in a
word or two in my defense, but was told
to hold my tongue.
''Mr. Knight, towny of mine, rode
up on horseback and spoke few words
in my favor, saying there must be some
mistake in the matter, that he had
known me for years, and that 1 was
above suspicion. His testimony was
valueless, and he was looked upon with
doubts as to his character. Fortunately
for me, he had the good sense to hurry
at full speed for Nevada Forks, where l
was we'll known.
ellis news spread like wildfre, and I
had good friends in those parts. There
was soon considerable hustling about,
besides tacl1ling on revolvers. Some
borrowed without leave twelve mules
attached to two big schooners just ar
rived, and started in a hurry for the
tent, while others footed it in hot haste.
The whole precinct was aroused. Men
left their work, knowing som ething
was up, some with curiosity to see a
man hanged, and it was not long before
complete line of men could be seen
hurrying toward where was.
1.-THE Judge and jury with the specta-
tors joined in the arguments over my
crime 1 looked about me, but there
was not one friendly face could recog-
nize. My thoughts were any thing but
pleasant. The hum of voices gradually
ceased as all tried to catch the verdict
from the judges lips, who announced:
Gentlemen, the jury have decided the
criminal guilty of theft; but if he will
tell where he has hidden the dust the
jury agree to let him off by ''kissing the
whipping-post." If he will not confess,
he must hang
''FOr moment there was a deep
silence, and then came the conviction
that my only chance for dear life was
in delaying the proceedings, in hopes
some of my friends might arrive in time
to interfere for me. 1 had but faint
hopes of it, for at the time l was not
aware of the action taken by Mr.. Knight
81 spoke in slow, measured words to
the Judge and jury; I urged my right to
be heard, taking it for granted that
was to speak in my own defense
talked as never had talked before, and
I don't know how long 1 should have
Aept on if l had not been interrupted by
a puny, pale-faced, insignificant, mean
looking pup, who cried out: That's
enough-we don't want to hear any more
bosh. String him up, boys; his times
GOMEZ
''1n few moments they had my arms
tied behind me, and 1 was led under
small pine tree; rope was thrown over
one of its broken, dilapidated branches;
the slip-noose was made in a bungling
fashion, and slipped over my head and
around my neck. The Judge gave me
half an hour to live, to consider ove1
matters, and said: L could then hane
with my eyes wide open and see myseli
die
Gas the judge left me with the crowd
in circle about me l noticed the mule
riders arrive. hitch their animals. ther
come toward the pine tree. 1 recognized
their faces. as those of my friends.
Hope now sprang into my heart.
saw that one and all had stern looks.