The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-08-01
A MISTAKEN IDENTITY

been sharp enough ana lucky enough to
get off with them. The mountain peo-
pie lose a razor backed hog now and
then and raise no row; but when a thief
has the nerve to come along and run off
n mule the situation assumes a serious
aspect The bulwarks of American lib
erty totter to their foundation, as it
were, and it is high time that the Ameri-
can eagle be unclaimed and encouraged
to scream his loudest Every farmer in
the Cove was out at night and on the
watch, and although they may have diff
fered on religion and politics, all were
agreed as to what should be done with
the thief in case he returned after more
mule meat and was captured.
The above can be imagined as scene
first. Scene second opens with your
humble servant approaching Glen Cove
at 10 o'clock of a starlight night. If l
could have had my way about it should
have done the approaching act several
hours earlier; but towheaded boy who
was carrying $4,000 freckles on his face
gave me a wrong steer on short cut,
and was lost for two or three hours. |
had heard nothing of the excitement at
the Cove, and felt no fear except of the
farmers dogs The first building came
to looked to me like a large log house,
and turned off the trail and approached
it. | was close up before discovering
that it was barn. ] WIS a'nllt to turn
away when several men stepped into
view and hearty voice sung out:
Throw up yer hands or We'll riddle
ye"
The man who won't throw up his
hands sooner than be riddled must want
to get out of this world by painful pro-
cess.
Now, then, some of ye tie him! Look
out fur tricks. If he'un makes move,
be ready to bore him!'
didn't attempt any tricks, and when
they had tied my hands behind me and
fastened leading rope around my body,
the leader said:
We'll take him down to Crocker's
and see if Jim's boy kin Identify"
There were five sturdy mountaineers,
each armed with a gun, and l WASH t
saying a word | realized the situation
by the help of some remarks dropped as
we passed along, and | felt that it was
useless to protest until the proper mo-
ment came. About ten rods below
Crocker's house was a fine, large tree,
and as we passed it the leader of the
band remarked:
We'll dangle heun from that ar limb
up thar"
1t was nice, large limb, growing at a
convenient height. and would no doubt
present a good appearance while doing
the dangling act.
What may be called scene third took
place at Crocker's A gun was fired as
we arrived, and in the course of a quar-.
ter of an hour five more farmers arrived.
They had been out on watch also, and
this was the signal to rally. 1t was while
waiting for this rally that asked one OF
those who had captured me:
do you suspect me of any crime? Are
you looking for robber or murderer"
Suspect! In course we suspect" be
replied.
But isn't it possible that you have
made a mistaken"
Reckon not; but we can soon find out
Crocker's boy Jim got a far sight Of
heun by daylight, and he'll tell"
Very well. If the boy says he ever
saw me in these parts before you may &c
ahead and hang"
Great was the rejoicing when the othe1
party arrived. Not man of them hae
the least doubt that was the party
wanted, and two of them insisted thai
valuable time could be saved by hanging
me at once.
"Yes, that's So" replied the leader
but we'd cut the fun too short. Better
save he'un for an hour or two. Bring
him into the house"
Crockers boy Jim was lad of 12, ant
l no sooner laid eyes on him than felt
presentiment of evil He had beer
routed out of bed to identify me as the
person he had seen hiding in the wood
on the day the last mule was stolen. II,
made short work of it. He looked a
me for ten seconds and then said:
Hes he'un! I'll sw'ar to it on fort,
Bibles!"
Dead shore?" asked the leader.
Yes"
That's 'nuffi Up he goes!'
1t was high time for me to do som
talking. | told them who l was, tn
route had come, the people l had met
and | asked them to look over my papers
They said it would be throwing tim
away. and that it was selfish in me
want to delay matters. and guess the
would have had their way about it bu
Tor Mrs. Croker. AS they started t
lead me out doors she said:
Look yere, boys, don't make no mis-
take. Our Jim may hev mistook. He'u
Tells smooth story, and it may be right
II haln't but TO miles back to Dobson's
whar' he says he took supper. and one Q
ye' should ride over"
The men grumbled and growled, but
was finally decided that one of then
should go. was seated on rude stool
The rope tied fast about my legs. and W
sat there to await the return of the mes
senger. Jim was questioned again an
again. but he stuck to his first declare
ioh could give them my route TO
The last three weeks. and the name O
every town. village and cove, and hat
letters to prove l had been to thos
places But for young Jim being so sur
OF my identity. could have convince
mem They were doing the fair thing
however, by sending messenger back
and had no fears of the result It wa
uayllght before he returned, and he ha
TWO men with him During the intervs
was examined, cross examined an
turned wrong side out The creates
aoubter was an old man who had lost hi
two mules.
Look at he'un," he exclaimed, point