The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-08

johnson was then released and told
10 go west. where there was moro Dom.
Having regained his liberty johnson
concluded he would not admit the JUS.
lice OF tho claims OF n half dozen squat
ters TO q whole county OF land, and so
went TO the legal authorities and made
complaint. Bennett and his friends
hearing OF this thought best to leave the
county temporarily, and in wandering
about became bowildercd, were over
taken by Il severe snowstorm and u
number were frozen TO death, while
others were SO affected by tho frost
that they were crippled for life. Ben.
nett, himself, however, was possessed OF
such n vigorous constitution that he es.
capped unframed, and in the presence
OF his dead and dying companions he
vowed vengeance.
johnson hearing OF these threats cor.
ciudcd to leave tho country, and accord.
ingly set out for Mahaska county, where
ho hoped to DO beyond the reach OF his
enemy. During all these adventures
Kit had been his faithful and constant
companion and ally, and when ho
located on Middle creek, in Mahaska
county, she was still with him, possessed
OF all tho beauty and grace which dis.
tinguished her at tho time OF their
arrival Mt the capital city two years
previous. Persons who had seen her
with johnson at Iowa City in 1911 re-
newcd her acquaintance at the humble
cabin on Middle creek, and while they
noted no change in her personal
appearance they did detect n decided
change in the relations existing between
her and her guardian.
In his wandcrinrs johnson had fallen
in with an organized gang OF horse.
thieves, and about the time Of his re-
moval to Mahashn county, either
through ambition for leadership or
through hopes OF gain, or, what after
proved to be the most probable consid-
Grafton, through 4 desire to gain power
full confcderatcs who would assist him
in his fcud with Bennett, became one
OF their number. By some means the
girl found this ont. She disapproved OF
his association with the gang, and, John
son refusing to yield TO her admonition,
forever forfeited her esteem and lost his
influence oycr her. While in Iowa City
and all through tho vicissitudes Of the
Buchanan county episode he seemed
to absolutely possess her good will and
confidence; now he could only control
her by threats and menac
During Johnson's absence on business
with the gang Kit formed the acquaint-
ance OF 4 young man named Peck, and
4 strong attachment soon spraug up be-
tween them. Through Peck's influence
n neighboring family induced the girl
to leave her lonesome cabin and take
up her abode with them. When John
son returned and found his cabin de-
serted he did not manifest much con
Germ, but when he afterwards learned OF
the attachment which had been formed
between Kit and Peck during his alb
scncc, and, that nm several occasions
persons from Buchanan county had in
quired for him, he became suspicious
and angry. lie compelled Kit TO re-
turn 10 the cabin, assumed arbitrary
control over her conduct, and on several
occasions threatened to kill her.
In 4 few weeks johnson had occasion
TO leave on another expedition, and
while gone Peck and Kit were married.
In a lew days Johnson returned, and
that night he was shot dead through 4
crevice in the cabin while standing in
front OF the fire. Peck was suspected
by the authorities as the guilty party
and was accordingly arrested and lodged
in Jail.
The case attracted general interest,
and, Col. Thompson and Judge Hall,
subsequently members of Congress,
volunteered TO defend Peck. The Judi
cial district was SO large and terms OF
court occurred ut such long intervals
that Peck was compelled to lie in jail
more than 4 year awaiting trial. In the
meantime Pcck's attorneys, hearing
hat some OF Jchnson's friends con
templated having Kit arrested rs an ac-
complete in the murder, induced her to
speedily and quietly leave the country
and accept q temporary home with IL
OF Halls relatives in another state.
A short time before Peck's case came
up for trial 4 stranger mysteriously APP
pcared one evening at the place where
the accused had lived prior to his ar
rest. His words, which he addressed
to the man OF the house as he sat on his
horse at the gate, were lew and to the
point. They were these: II am from
Buchanan county; my name is Bennett;
do not question Pcck's innocence
know he did not kill johnson; l know
who did"
With these words he rode away.
Peck was acquitted OF the crime, his
lawyers having no tronblc to prove an
alibi. lie was informed what had be-
come OF Kit during his imprisonment,
his counsel for prudential reasons not
having told him before, and it is need
less to add that they were soon reunited
in their rude Iowa home.
In 1910 they removed to California,
where most probably to-day descend.
ants OF "thc queen oil n thousand isles"
live in blissful ignorance OF the v~icissi-
tudes through which their ancestors
passed during the pioneer days OF
Iowa.
Surprise to All.
After using Mothers Friend two
months l was so speedily and easily re-
licvpl that il WAS n SrrDrisn tn thoSn ot-