The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-20
CHAPTER XVII.

The authorities immediately sent to
Wills Hill, where Martin Lee had hid
himself. But there was no sign Of the
sailor, nor wasthere any evidence that
any one had been there.
When the officers reported this, rumors
Of sll kinds we're circulated.
First, it was said that although no sign
of Martin Lee was found, hole was
there large enough to bury adozen in.
Janet Lee and her mother, after making
way with Martin Lee, had called in the
witches aid, and had buried him so deep
he never could be found till judgment
day.
Second, it wassaid Martin was, like his
sister, -in-law and niece, in league with
the devil, and had been caught by the heel
by the evil one and dragged down into the
earth, and thus was in hell then, where ak
witches and their familiars were sure
to 20.
Third, the hole was deception. It was
freshly made, as all could see, and Mar
tin was near at hand, and concealed him
self in it, but whoever put foot near it
slipped and fell into it, and was in danger
of being dragged into the bowels of the
earth. The officers, knowing this, and
fearing for their lives, reported no one
was in sight.
The manner in which the devil figured
in all these stories demonstrated the hold
that fear of the evil one had on all the
people of Salem.
There we're sensible men and women
who were amazed at these stories, but
! they were discreet. They knew that to
attempt to set the public right would but
subject them to suspicion. They wisely
kept their own counsel, and were thus
undisturbed at their own firesides, where
as, had they avowed boldly what they ef-
forwards averred, they might have saved
human lives, and lessened the period of
the greatest folly ever known in Amert-
can history.
Where was Martin Lee? If he was
| GERS of the law asked. And If he were
alive, why did he not make himself known?
! If he were alive, yet did not show him
self, and save his relatives from death on
| the scatfold, what was his crime before
| he killed John Winslow' horse and sheep?
| These we're the questions the authori-
ties propounded, and which remained un.
answered.
Now, however, a new witness appeared.
This was Indian Joe, who related with
great minuteness of detail how he wit
messed Martin Lee cut the horse and
lambs throat. Questioned why he had
not made the truth known at once, Joe
answered he stood in awe of the cruel
man. He feared that the man who did
these things would kill him. He also
feared, in case no stranger could be
found, the crime, would be laid upon
him.
So now all Salem knew that Martin
Lee was great monster. and had always
been monster, and was we'll cut of the
waT. And because his own people had
made away with him, it we're we'll TO hang
them all together.
When the gossips had agreed on this,
fresh sensation awaited them.
| Daniel Meade and his wife Grizzle
went before the judge and made oath
that the man who murdered their only
son was in truth Martin Lee. Questioned
why they had not made this known at
the time, they both answered they did
not know it was Martin Lee until sub.
sequent events; the arrest of Janet Lee
| and her examination and the testimony
| submitted revealed the truth; how the
| ailor they had lodged. and was now
| murdered by Janet Lee and her mother,
had quarreled with and shot II Bsir son.
Then the gossips of Salem had more
to talk about than they could do justice
| TO in week.
On the evening of the day that the
landlord of Globe Inn and his wife
| charged Martin Lee with the murder of
their son, Giles Ellis walked into Glohe
Inn quietly. and seated himself at table
near the FIRE, where he could observe all
who entered, himself in the shadow.
There we're many customers that even
| ing. but Giles Ellis did not remain to
keep them company. His errand was
with the landlord and his wife. He was
| in the inn. solitary visitor there. when
the landlord poured him out glass of
| wine, and stood near him, at his custom
er's service.
Grizzle Meade sat near by. Giles Ellis
took up the wine, looked at it critically,
slipped it slowly. and saving. Here's