Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-01-27


MR.. DORIoN HEARTILY GREETED US.
gether and permitted to read the pa
per, the judge adding some comments
in low voice. As they returned to
their seats, ! saw Mr. Garnett's face
wreathed with smiles.
YOU'RE SAFE" he whispered.
looked at Conrad. The face of the
fiend never shone out more plainly in
human countenance than in his, as
his lawyer communicated to him the
startling news.
81 have been made acquainted with
such additional and surprising disclos-
ures," said the judge, IN voice which
the whole room heard, las make l.. in
my judgment. both proper and nee
essary to end this case here, so far as
relates to the charge of abduction of q
slave. The gentleman who has just
come into court is the owner and occu-
pant of the plantation in Mississippi
formerly occupied by the deceased,
Pierce Bostock. In secret drawer Of
an old bureau left in that house when
he returned to Louisiana; Mr.. Dorion.
only few days since, found this pa
per. 1t purports to be the last will
and testament of Pierce Bostock, exc
cuted by him December o, 1853. It
frees and manumits the person de-
scribed in it as my beloved daughter
Coralie, child of the late Louise Bou-
FAINT and then proceeds to devise and
bequeath to her all his estate, real and
personal, wherever situated. He names
his unworthy son. Conrad only to
declare that he has by his unfilial con-
duct and his long confirmed evil courses
forfeited all right to any part Of the
testators property more than he has
already received"
That instrument has never been
established" Conrad's lawyer inter
rupted.
II am aware of that; and it cannot
be, in this court. But there is reason
TO think that it can be legally estab-
lished in the proper tribunal. MIR.
Dorion pronounces the signature OF
Pierce Bostock genuine. There are
three witnesses, as the law of Missis-
sippi requires-all of whom, strangely
enough. are also dead. as Mr.. Dorion
informs me. But he pronounces all
these signatures genuine, and he says
that numerous witnesses in that vicin.
ity will swear to them.
IF this instrument is the legal act
of the late Mr.. Bostock, not only Is
Coralie Bonfaut named In It free
woman, but she is a. this moment the
rightful owner of her fathers immense
estate.
whether it will stand in law, OF
not, have no authority to decide.
Other courts must settle that question.
And it would be improper and absurd
for me to attempt to pass upon the
charge brought here against Dorr jew
EFT until this instrument has been
legally examined and pronounced upon.
II have examined it and considered
IL far enough to see that q very strong
case can be made for its legality. with
all that would result from II. The
charge that is here made Is premature,
to say the least: nor do ! think that. in
any event, the defendant has been
guilty Of anything more than a tech
meal violation of the statute He is
discharged: also the lady"
The Judge smiled graciously upon us.
Mr. Garnett capered about the bar, and
Mr. Dorion renewed his greetings.
mingled with congratulations. The
popuIaS anger had now turned upon
Conrad Bostock and he and his friends
withdrew bv rear door. to escape be
ing hustled The tickle multitude pro-
posed so give me p triumphant ride on
their shoulders, and it was with some
difficultythat escaped their attentions.
We sadly needed rest. quiet and the
company of friends after the tremen-
dous excitement of the last few days;
and these we found at the hotel with
MIR. Dorion and his eldest daughter.
Nu A nTyTp YYVl