Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1894-09-06

down the copy tube to the com DOS.
ing-Toom. l read rapidly. as an editor
will, taking but small account OF the
matter SO long AS 1t ran smoothly,
while l had too much confidence in
him to question the accuracy of his
statements only realized that he
was writing u great story--the
greatest he had ever done. He
seemed inspired with the very in.
nermost thoughts OF the murderer,
and under his touch every trivial in-
cident came out with distinctness
and coherencv that made the cause
and method OF crime perfectly plain.
First he described tn scene with
accuracy OF detail that would have
been impossible for one who had not
studied it closely. The selection of
the spot he explained by the fact
that the bright electric light stream
ing through the windows OF the
power-house, made 1t impossible for
the passer- by to see into the shadows.
Thus while impene:rable darkness
screened the assassin, ample light
guided his blow, and, moreover, the
rattle ana roor OF the machinery near
by drowned all sound OF the struggle
or the falling body.
The blow on the head, he demon
strated. must have been from a sand
bag, while the wound through the
heart could only have been made by
one OF those long, fine bladed stilet-
toS OF Italian make. Furthermore,
the fact that this peculiar weapon
was driven home with firm hand,
after the victim had been stunned by
blow or the head, indicated pre-.
meditated and deliberate murder,
while the theory Of robbery was dis
proved by the fact that the mans
valuables had been untouched. The
only tenable theory, therefore. was
that the motive Of the murder was
revenge.
"a more mastery analysis of a case
l never read. but here he branched d
oil into what l at first supposed to
be purely Imaginary speculations as
to the wrong which had led the MUIR
derer to seek the lite OF the unknown
man. These seemed purposely vague
at first. but gathered in strength and
certainty. until concluded that he
must have some good foundation for
them. Starting with hypothesis, he
soon began to state them as facts.
He described how the dead man, a
once trusted friend, had entered the
home of another; how, by subtle wiles
and deceit, he had stolen the love of
wife: then followed an elopempnt and
the breaking up CT that once happy
home.
"He told with the bitterness OF
truth how the scoundrel had deserted
the weak and erring woman and left
her to perish alone; how the idea OF
revenge had filed the mind of the
wronged husbands; how, himself un-
seen, he had followed every move
ment Of the intended victim fol
months and carefully plotted his de.
struction; how he had decoyed the
doomed man to the city and to the
very SPOT where the murder was com,
mitted: and how he had destroyed
the only clews--a couple of letters in
the pockets Of the dead mdn-and
finally made his own escape. the Sc
crct safe in his own heart alone.
''As l read this remarkable tale
through, the convict on forced it up.
on me that this was the absolute
truth. Ii the writer himself had
committed the deed, he could not
have described it more graphically.
Suddenly the thought flashed over
me-could he describe such crime
thus without having, in fact. com.
mitted it?
I'VE were alone in the room. l
glanced at Jones apprehensively. He
was writing rapldly-tiercely His
eyes we're fixed, but he seemed to be
looking, through and beyond the
paper across which his pen flew, at
something fascinating - terrible.
When he finished, it was with a
start, as il waking from a trace l
glanced at the last page, where was
final confirmation OF my fears
"'My God, Jones' is this true:' |
managed to say.
Every word of it. as l live,' he
repeated, firmly, IL family.
"'Then you have written the war.
rant for your own arrest said.
"His head dropped on his desk, but
he said not a word.
"'Jones' said ]. finally shaking
him by the shoulder to arouse him to
an understanding of my meaning,
enough to hang you Is already in
type: in our hour the papers will be
on the streets: in another hour the
police will be after you. Go-make
the most of your start"
1T wa; as ! predicted" said the
city editor, after pause. Before
daylight. detective called on nee to
ascertain the source OF that story. |
simply pointed to Jones' name on the
assignment book, and they went
after him.
ibid they catch him." asked the
cub reporter. eagerly.
'sThey found him in his room, with
a s:!letto through his heart" said
she city editor Willard A. Hol.
comb. in the san Francisco Argo