Arizona republican., 1891-12-09
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC.
MY LONGEST DAY.

George Parsons and 1 were enemie. ,,or, tbe first; we did not affiliate a. L,vs in the village school, and as wt ,.ssad together into the higher grade. ,re became even less friendly. We did r,t rse our fists on each other, but with, !, sqrb breast there still ranked the re. ,rombrance of unsettled old scores, Ioraron we bestowed our affections upon ,bs slme lady, Laura Marshall was not sco1uctte, but it seemed to take her a lpr time to make up her mind which cne was to be the happy man. When Tor choice was announced Parsons was s,riops and we had bitter words before witnesses.
 About the time of our marriage Par .ors and 1 began business in the same line This was unfortunate, and had sitber been aware of the others inten. ton. is doubtful if we would have be- ,ome competitors in so small a place; asit was we never missed an opportu- pity to injure each other It was a fool ish feui between us. but such silly quar- rels are common in every country yil- age,
 Ithiuk Laura worried over the mat fer more than any one else, and often attempted tO heal the breach between us, but it wilened every day. George however, was as agreeable to her as he was bitter to me.
 One day our towuspcople were startled bv the announcement that Parsons had disappeared. His business affairs were prosperous and everything in good order. He was rcticent sort of fellow, but had be left of his own accord he would naturally have left some word with his clerk or at his boarding place, but none could be found. As time passed the mysterious disappearance became the one topic of conversation in our village.
 On the morning it became known discharged our servant maid for a fre- ouent neglect of duty. She was cha grined at her dismissal and soon spread stories that were founded partly on facts. Ny wife had been seen in earnest con yersation with Parsons the previous day; We had a little tiff at the tea table, and l had not returned home that night till quite late. 1t was plain to be seen that public opinion was forming against me, asit became necessary that some one must be suspected to give the gossiping tongues an occupation.
 In less than a week some boys found a mans body in the river just below the village It had apparently been in the water but a short time, but the face had been eaten by eels or beaten out of hu- man shape. The skull had been broken by blow, and the medical examiner proved, Co bis own satisfaction at least, that the man had been killed before be- ing thrown into the water. It seemed toreQuirc no effort to identify the re- mains as those of George Parsons, and it was but natural that my arrest should follow
 ] was as willing as any one that my trial should take place at once, confident that my innocence would somehow be provel, despite the circumstantial evi. cence which was gathering against me. Accordingly the case was entered at the term of court then in session. As l re- call tine testimony do not think sin gle witness, unless it be our former servant te..3sd to anything but the truth.
 My wife had fallen i'll, but her testi- mony, even if it could have been ad. mltted, would have proved more against than for m. 1t was easily determined that Parsons and were unfriendly: that We had QUareled; that was jealous of my |..' for sueaking to him, and tha; H|or.l he D my business advantage anH doUes.l. peace to have him out of tle way.
 Cog.' have proved that passed the hours from til II o'clock on the night mat Parsons disappeared in walking upon lonely road, all the other testi. Mony would have proved worthless, but '"" mot TememJcrmeeting single per son abroad that night after o'clock. When returned home the streets were 0sssTJed was harassed about business ma'ters, veyed with my wife and suffered rom headache, but when l explained 'l!s It W#s evident that my story was not credited
 My counsel was an old and tried friend I my youth, but he did not possess the "Ol'lty to show the jury the flimsy char %1'er oi the evidence of the prosecution. ~ was against his advice that the case A"' Dseu put on trial so early, but SO V'uuoeht was l of acquittal that did L'' realize on what precarious ground '''o' felt that in some way my inno- ',uce zen, would be proved, although I stood S'lhost alone in my belief. The trial was a brief one, and the arguments of tue lawyers were soon finished. To these S1 anu the charge of the judge l listened m uNe one Tn trance, The jury passed Ou' and a few friends came to me with 'vEuS ot cheer and hope.
 . q Hark' the jury is returning. Surely sD'y cannot have made up their minds ' So snort time to condemn a fellow ,''n ,- to lie Imprisonment. In response " " S request from the judge I stand up anu @ lace the jury. There is not a It IT,snaIy countenance among the twelve. VCHa'g'y near the ominous word "Guiltyr ;, ""'Cn the foreman speaks. The shock ,5 9 so unexpected that 1 scarcely realize ,.p ,.T meaning of the judges cruel words ~ o, Hv pFonouuces the sentence of impris- ,-nt --Isnt Tor life. The hour is late, ard o1 o,,I 's anxious to be at home. He has no ,tDIIpasslon ,oIplon for me, They lead me back ,r;ly ,ny ceil' and, thanks to some unknown [ '''Hu sl who drops a potion in my coffee, 70, o'on Tall asleep. Exhausted nature ''I stand the strain no longer.
 ,,5 "ui aroused in the early morning, y.,n v,T lew friends come in to say fare ,'vn' they realize the situation mora