The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-20
Lees il his brother John would take his

Lees il his brother John would take his
part, and not join with others against
him. Then John few into towering
passion and babe Martin begoce, lest he
should surrender him TO the sheriff. Then
Mistress Lee and Janet interfered. and
that made master worse. He said he
| wished Martin Lee we're dead, and for his
part the sooner he was out of the way the
| better. Then Janet Lee. who is proud er
than her father, as all know. said # 'twere
true that Martin killed the Marshal's S
horse and sheep by cutting their throats
| in that cruel manner, she could see him
we'll out of the way; that it would be a
| blisteriug disgrace-hls presence in Sa-
| lem. But it would never do to let nm
hang"
When Ann ended, Janet said, in an
audible voice: Heavens will be done!
We are greatly wronged by this malicious
creature"
AS for John and Dorothea, they stared
at Ann in amazement. They were so
dumfounded that neither could spenk.
The magistrates consulted again, and
Deputy Danforth spoke in solemn tones:
Janet Lee, the evidence is deemed
sufficient to Justify the charge of witch
craft" Then he paused, as murmur
rose, for many there we're surprised at
the decision of the magistrates, and did
not hesitate to express their wonder.
But" he continued, there is another
and more serious charge prepared
against you"
he spoke to the magistrate on his left,
and the magistrate, looking at paper he
held in his hand, addressed Janet Lee:
Janet Lee, although diligent search
has been made, Martin Lee is nowhere
to be found. Ann Bigger swears John
Lee wished him dead, and you agreed,
but said it would never do to let him
hangl Dorothea Lee admits the brothers
quarreled; that they parted in anger.
Janet Lee has been found on Wills Hill
at night, when all others avoid it. All
these things warrant the belief that Mar
tin Lee has been put out of the way by
his own people, to prevent him from suf-
fering the consequences of his crimes,
and the evidence warrants US in holding
Janet Lee on the charge of witchcraft and
murder"
During the delivery of this speech,
Janet, Dorothea, and John Lee looked at
the magistrates with paling faces. When
the last word was uttered, Dorothea Lee
amazed all present by throwing all near
her aside, and confronting the magis-
trates, as she cried, in voice that was
heard by those outside:
DO not hold Janet! 'Tis I who am
the guilty one! IT'S who was on Wills
Hill9 Janet is as innocent as any of you
who sit in judgment on her! I will pro-
claim it with my dying breath! It was /
who went to Wills Hill, and it was from
my neck, not Janet's, that Ezra Easty
plucked the handkerchief"
Dorothea's avowal amazed all who
heard her, but it fell with crushing effect
on her husband, who rose, staggered like
one drunk, then putting forth hand, as
if reaching for something to steady him
self. sank back upon his seat, and bowed
his head upon his hands.
Again the magistrates consulted, amid
the confusion and murmers that ensued,
and once more the voice OF the magistrate
commanded silence.
1T is the opinion Of my associates that
the extraordinary circumstances you have
witnessed justify us in ordering Janet
and Dorothes Lee to be confined In 1ps-
wich Jail until such time as they shall
make final answer to the charge OF witch
craft and murder.
Long before he concluded, Dorothea
Lee tainted dead away. Then confusion
,eigned in the old Meeting House.
CHAPTER XVII.