Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-09-10


due time they both appeared. Slade
peaceable enough, and very gentlemanly.
After hearing the case, the Court inn
posed fine of S25, which was cheer
iully paid by the defendant. and he de
parted, inviting us all to come and have
drink. Not long after that Slade was
again before us, charged with the same
offence. This time the fine was doubled
and paid with the same degree of alac-
rity which had marked the previous
payment Slade did not seem to p:otit
by these lessons, for be was frequently
before us, and was each time fined sum
double that of the preceding levy.
'tOn one occasion when the fine had
reached the sum of $400, Mr.. Slade said
he had not that amount with him, but
would bring it in the next time he came
to town. He acknowledged our power,
and didn't care for money, as he.was
man who made it easily. Well, he came
to town several times alter that, but did
not offer to pay $500. 1t was not in his
nature to long remain quiet, aud soon he
was again in trouble for like offeace.
Our Marshal brought him to the court
room, which was a portion of grocery
store, with barrels of -four and grain
around the floor and bacon and hams sus-
pended from rafters. We used soap
boxes instead of chairs, aud were not
very imposing assemblage. Mr.. Slade
came in peaceably enough, and stood
quietly while the Court directed the Mar
shall to read the warrant. AS the Mar
shall pulled out the document Slade, quick
! as flash, sprang at him and jerked 1t
out Of his hands, at the same time level
ling a revolver at the heart of his Honor.
It was all done in a second, aud the six
or eight henchmen of the tough had also
drawn their pistols at the same time.
Now, said Mr.. Slade, Il am about tired
of this business. l am not going to be
drained any mort, and am not going
to recognize your authority, nor shall !
pay that S400. shall hold you per-
sonally responsible for my personal safety,
aud ii any of your committee attempts
to touch me | will blow your heart
out.
"While he was speaking was think
ing, and, before he had concluded,
quietly turned and walked out, as il
thinking of something else. / walked
out on the street, and the first man met
was member of our Vigilance Com
mittee | explained the situation to him,
and asked him to get on his horse and
ride to a camp about two miles away
and tell the boys VIC needed them. He
set off in post haste, and | turned back
toward the court room. Just as | turned
around | came face to face with Shade
and his followers, who had walked
boldly out OF court soon after l came
away. Come in aud have something,
Sanders, called the irrepressible. said
to him, 'Slade, get on your horse, and
go home as fast as you can
"'What do you meant Why do you
tell me thatl demanded Slade.
/ d" Never mind what [ meanf re
Piled, get on your horse and go home
HE didn't get on his horse and 60
home, bat he got on his horse aud rode
all through town, bringing up at last at
| the court room. He was inclined to be
very proud OF his defiance of the orders
of the Court, and was insulting to his
Honor, VINO was still there. He was
staggering around the store, when |
| happened to look out of the window and
| saw that the house was surrounded by
armed men. The next minute they were
in the room, aud one of them was say
ing: we want you, Mr.. Slade.' lie
| turned pale and weakened at once. A
crowd of his captors surrounded him,
and left him safe in their keeping. [
went home, and was not there five min
utes when one of the vigilanteS came up
and said: 'Mr. Sanders, the boys have
about concluded that they won't
be bothered with Mr.. Slade any
longer, and as there is no place to
keep him safely, they are going to hang
him whether the Court wills it or not
/ hurried to the court room aud saw
the Judge aud the Marshal and several
others, and after a conference we agreed
that as Slade was bound to hang whether
by our wishes or not, it was better to
have him executed by order of the Court,
and thus preserve our hold on the COM
muuity. We sentenced him to death for
high treason for melting others to re-
bellion aud for himself seeking to over
throw our form of government. When
Slade heard of this he sent messenger
for me to come to him at once and make
a speech in his behalf. l knew that 4
would be worse than useless for me to do
so, and refused to go on FOOLS errand.
Then he sent me to our Judge with
similar request, but the Judge, knowing
that he was powerless to prevent the
execution, declined to see him. So Mr.
! Slade was taken to hill overlooking
gulch, and moose from a gallows FUSED
to slaughter Sheep slipped around his
neck and barrel placed under him.
| Just as he was about TO be swung off, the
noise of horses hoofs was heard and
a mounted woman appeared in the dis
| lance coming at a breakneck speed. 1t
was SHADES wife; but by the time she
arrived upon the scene, around which
two thousand people were gathered, the
barrel had been kicked from under him,
aud Mr.. Slade was no more.
"That Is the story of the execution,
aud singular one it was"
During the recital of these stirring
events Senator Sanders seemed to forget
his surroundings and to be living over
again the scenes which be was depicting
to his interested listeners. Commercial
| Gazette.