Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-04-15


tent. The only person | saw about the
place was chap fast asleep on bench
outside. When the mules were packed
and when l left he was in the same
place.
"After travelling slowly good mile
saw about a dozen men coming over the
road shouting. They soon overhauled
me and told me must go back again;
SO / 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
saw about twenty men gathered to-
gether, and ! heard one of them say:
They've got the Teller. ! guess hell 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 l looked at him all over, and
yer; what does all this mean? don't
want no fooling around me: you had
better understand that
Taking me unawares, half 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 l thought. The spectators
had now increased somewhat, and | was
/ placed under guard. The crowd began
1 to discuss the affair, and soon | heard
voices calling for Judge Lynch and
/ twelve jurymen.
after this l 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
storekeeperY
This made me angry, and | replied:
/ you or any other man that says | 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.'
1.-THE storekeeper swore he left me
alone in the tent, and that when he re-
turned he missed his goli dust; that
had disappeared, and he went out front.
Finding man fast asleep on the bench
he awolSe him to tell of his loss and to
hunt up some of the nearest miners to
help catch the thief. Il believe that's
the chap standing there (poin ting to
mel.
1.-THE sleepy man testified in corrobo-
ration of the facts as stated then the
party who went after me made their
statements, slightly exaggerated, un-
favorable to me. l tried to get in a
wprd or two in my defense, but was told
to hold my tongue.
"Mr. Knight, a towny OF mine, rode
up on horseback and spoke a few words
in my favor, saying there must be some
mistake in the matter, that he had
known me for years, and that l 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
was we'll known.
"Iis news spread like wildfire, and
had good friends in those parts. There
was soon considerable hustling about,
besides tackling on revolvers. Some
borrowed without leave twelve mules
attached to two big schooners just ar
rived, and started in 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 1T 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 looked about me, but there
was not one friendly face could recog
ni2e My thoughts were any thing bu
pleasant. The hum of voices gradually
ceased as all tried to catch the verdic
from the judges lips, who announced
Gentlemen, the jury have decided the
criminal guilty of theft; but if he viii
tell where he has hidden the dust the
jury agree to let him off by kissing thu
whipping-post.' If he will not confess
he must hang
'For u moment there was dee|
silence, and then came the conviction
. that my only chance for dear life wa
in delaying the proceedings, in hope
some of my friends might arrive in TIM
'. to interfere for me. | had but fain
hopes of it, for at the time | was no
aware of the action taken by Mr.. Knight
81 spoke in slow, measured words t.
: the Judge and jury; | urged my right t
be heard, taking it for granted that
was to speak in my own defense.
talked as never had tstlxed before, an,
| don't know how long | should hav
hept on If had not been interrupted b
puny pale-faced, Insignificant, mean
looking pup, who cried out: That
enough-we don't want to hear any NOR
bosh. String him up, boys; his time
come
4 ''ln few moments they had my arm
tied behind me, and l was led under
, small pine tree; rope was thrown owe
one OF its broken, dilapidated branches
the slip-noose was made in bunglin
fashion. and slipped over my head an
around my neck The judge gave m
half an hour to live, to consider owe
:. matters. aud said: 4 could then han
with my eyes wide open and see myse
: die
"As the Judge left me with the crow
in circle about me | noticed the mul
riders arrive. hitch their animals, the
; come toward the pine tree. recognizes
their faces as those of my friends