Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1890-04-04
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wrong and subject TO extreme penalty.
Several similar cases were cited to
chow that when once dogs become
sheep-killers they wax abnormally fer
tile in tricks to avoid the suspicion OF
guilt.
II was In evidence that, unlike many
other instances where two or three
dogs band together to kill sheep,
Brown had never been known TO take
another dog into his confidence, but
had stolen away from home alone; also.
that having once throttled sheep in
this distant pasture and made meal.
he kept away from the place for long
time afterwards. evidently under the
conviction that this was the safer pro-
cedure on his part
From this piece Of caution and good
Judgment II had resulted that several
Innocent dogs had lost their lives. For
the irate farmer In whose pasture
Brown had chiefly committed his
depredations. had repeatedly set traps
and laid poison in the carcasses OF the
slaughtered sheep. which had pur-
posely been left exposed. He counted
on the marauder's return, and hoped
thus TO capture him. But Brown had
resolutely kept away from all tempta-
ton to indulge in second meal. but
several innocent dogs. smelling the
quarry from aiar, had been lured to
their death.
In a number OF cases their sorrow
Ing masters had been able to testify
that, on the night when the slaughter
took place, their dogs had been at
home chained up.
In the course OF six or seven weeks.
when the excitement and vigilance
reused by the former foray had sub
sided somewhat. Brown would pay the
flock another visit. He throttled but
one sheep at visit, and even in this
particular evincod more prudence than
many such peccant CANNES exhibit.
A great deal OF the evidence against
Brown was largely circumstantial, aud
although altogether 1t made damag-
ing mass OF testimony, the boy who
noted as his counsel would probably
have cleared him, but for single wit
ness which the prosecuting attorney
was able to produce.
This witness was boy about four
teen years OF age. who had set limo
OF mink traps along a brook, in a
woody valley between Browns home
and the pasture where the sheep had
been killed. The lad suspected another
boy OF robbing his traps, and very
early une morning had hidden himself
near the brook to lie in wait for the
supposed pilterer.
Unwittingly he became the agent OF
Browns detection, for as he lay con-
cealod, he saw a large dog come down
the hillside from the direction OF the
sheep pasture and approach the bank
OF the brook. 1t was not so early and
dark but that he could distinguish that
the animals paws and mouth were
red with what seemed TO be blood.
But In a moment. he asserted, the dog
bounded into the brook. and began to
rnn up and down in the water, sousirg
his nose and entire head more than
twenty times, and indeed, continuing
In the water for ten or fifteen minutes
till not stain was left upon him!
The lad was very sure that the bath
had not been taken for the pleasure o.
tho thing, since the morning was sc
chilly that as he lay watching, hi
teeth chartered from cold.
He identified Brown as the dog which
he had seen ut the brook. So positive
had he been that the dog had beer
killing sheep, that later In the morn
ing he went up into the pasture, ant
found q freshly torn carcass, as he hat
expected.
Browns counsel being quite unable
TO shake the adverse strength OF thi,
testimony, the case went to the jury
The Judge charged them that as the
accused bad shown himself fully a
shrewd and tricky as boy could have
been under such circumstances. HI
must be held accountable for his crime
and that no plea that he had actet
"merely from instinct" would be al
lowed in that court. The jury re
turned G verdict OF guilty and th'
judge formally sentenced Brown to b.
hanged.
Brown. who had willingly and OF hi
own accord accompanied the boys Il