Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-08-18
DROVER'S ESCAPE.

Many years ago, before tie era Of
railroads. and when hlgnwaymen
abounded along the great Southern
route from Kentucky 10 New Orleans.
noted Kentucky drover, who had
been 10 the ''lower country" with a
large drove Of horses, which he had
sold for cash, was oyertaken by night,
on his return. near Springfield. IN the
county OF Robertson. Tennessee He
remembered that little dist lncc ahead
was quiet inn he had never stopped
at and he determined 10 spend the
night there.
As lie rode up 10 the house, the land
lord received his horse and led him
away 10 the stable, while he invited
the droyer 10 enter the sitting rOom.
Here lac found two young men. one
Of whom. from his resemblance ia the
landlord, he recognized as his son; the
other, somewhat older. from his man
pers, appeared also 10 belong to the
family. Immediately after supper the
son mounted horse and stating that
he was going 70 Springfield To stay all
night rode on. The Kentuekian, hay
Ing looked after the comfort Of his
horse. requested the landlord TO show
him u his room.
As the traveller slipped off his gar.
mcnts, he felt Tor the leathern belt
about his waist 10 secure that It was
secure This contained his gold, while
his paper money WIS la a large wallet
carried, IN a pocket made for the pur-
pose. ia the inside Of his vest De
posting these articles beneath the pill
low be e1linguished the light. and
threw himself upon the bed, and soon
fen asleep
How long he had been in this state
81 forgetitilness be- could not tell, when
be- was aroused 60 wakefuln IS by the
sound of some person endeav0ring 10
open the window near the head of his
bed
Slartled ~ this suspicious appear.
ancc u things. tie droyer cached To-
ward the chair on which he had thrown
his clothes for lds weapons. when, 10
his dismay. he remembered that on
his arrival. when preparing 10 wash
on the dust of his journey lac had laid
them aside within the bar.
Scarcely conscious 81 what he WAS
doing. tile dpfrnseless druyer Slipped
from thr foot II the led and hid him
sslf ~ the darkness behind a lot ~
clothing suspended from the walls of
ille house aud watched tho man. who
was noM slowly and cautiously enter
ing the room lie even fancied he could
tipi,A.t she reflection % the dim light
upon nn appraised knife. as the man
approached the bei But great WIS
lis rriirf when. instead of an attempt
az murder thp Intruder carelcsSly shut
ilcd 81 his clothes. aud. throwing him.
sclf into the h,tl thc draver had Just
vacated. was soon buried IN deep
siumbef
No, knowing what To make ~ this
strange affair. the droger determined
a. dress himself call up the landlord.
and have this singular Intrusion eX
plain,d Hr had reached his clothes
aud Slipped on his trousers. aud was
moving toward the door when Steps
WUnr heard cautiously crossing the cut
rr rtsnfn Once more be sought the
shelter 81 the dresses. which complete
j. sgroenvd his person. aud awaited the
entrance - the persons. whoever they
might ho Presently the door ~ the
room was silently opened. ans two men
made their appearance II WAS not
50 dark bui that tws drovpr could read.
Us distinguish them 10 be- the inukecpcr
aud ihc man hc had seen at the supper
table
Step lightly. tel you whispered
the landlord. ~ar you'll wake him M"
"wsSt-." replied the other. with
90 cath. "A man that SHORES like that,
] reckon. ain't ..sily awakened, lcr
scared. old man."
"Sfatpdr fcI,,..s-d the first speaker
"Ng man ever told John Garner before
be was scared Hcrc-give me she
knife, You secure the muney-it's un-
der the pillow Il saw him put Il there
nud TO do the rcstr'
The old man was 81 advance. aud
as hc stood between The window and
the drovcr. the latter could see his
form bent over the bed while his haE,i
seemed 20 be searching beneath the pill.
low.
"slcre. 1871 take H. Here's the wal
lot aud here's the belt My God. bow
heavy il is aud he passed the money
a. his companion. before the other had
got reached theh ctlsidc.
',tp old man then put his hand e. his
bosom. aud the trembling drover saw
him draw forth the long blade the
other had given him. For an instant
the murdernus weapon WAS poised
over his head. and then descended upon
the person 1T the poor wretch 10 the
bed A half Etifipd groan few gasp
ing sohs escaped the dying man, con.
yulslve tremor Of the bedclothes. and
all was quiet.
The murderer paused In his bloody
work FOR an instant. az II to satisfy
himself that life was extinct and
then. with iiendish dclibcration. drew
down the cnvcrlct. and, TO make all
sure passed the knife from car to ear
| across the throat Of the victim. Then
the william quickly moved from the
roufn
! As soon as the sound Of his footsteps
had died In the distance the horror.
stricken drover escaped through the
window and ran With all his speed 10
the neighhOring village, where, arous-
| Ing the people Of the hotel he told his
/ fearful story. 4 small crowd was
| soon collected about him and when
/ enough Of the facts had been gathered
/ they accompanied him TO the scene Of
/ the foul murder.
| All about The house was still but on
approaching the stable light was dis
! q tlaN