The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-05-09
the lower court was affirmed. .rhs gov.
ernor was asked to grant a pardon, but

ernor was asked to grant pardon. but
he refused.
Nothing was left for the poor man
but to swing, unless we could find eW.
dence that would clear him in the ewes
of the public, who were loudly clamor-
ing for his death, and would have
lynched him in spite of us If rumor
had gone abroad that he was to be set
free.
Meanwhile had sent for a Chicago
detective, a man not known in those
parts, who succeeded in getting en-
ployment on the farm Of the elder STAY
err, and was thus brought more or less
in contact with the suspected son, who
still resided with his father.
But nothing came Of this till the day
fixed for the execution came so near
that I became wretchedly nervous lest
should be compelled in the line of MY
duty to hang an innocent man, for 4
now, after many conversations with the
condemned, came firmly into the belief
that he was not guilty of the heinous
crime.
At last the dreaded death warrant
arrived which my duty compelled me
TO read to the prisoner, and at the
same time assure him there was no
longer any hope; and in the painful
performance of this requirement I fair
ly broke down and wept like a child;
and so did his counsel; though the poor
fellow himself bore up bravely, and
even tried to console us.
AS 1 left the prison with my friend
Graham, I was met just outside by
my detective, who brought the well
come news that he had actually dis
| covered the dead girls missing jewelry
| on the person of Eben Staver-that he
carried 1T carefully concealed in his
bosom-and that he had caught him
In the act of examining and weeping
| over 1t when he thought himself con-
| cealed from human eyes.
Upon this information I lost no time
In acting. Graham at once swore out
warrant, and I served it myself.
All is discovered, Eben Staver," I
said, as I placed my hand upon his
shoulder, land I now arrest you for
the murder Of Ida Carlton!'
CHASTITY and quivering, he sank down,
dumfounded, at my very feet.
1 Immediately searched him, and
found the missing jewelry.
Behold" said I sternly, "the proofs
of your crin;e!"
| AS soon as he could command his
voice he Immediately confessed that
he was the sole author Of the foul
deed, for which an innocent man was
on the point of being executed.
When taken before a magistrate, he
| persisted in his confession, though re-
peatedly cautioned against incriminat-
ing himself
AS this news began to spread, and
new excitement to agitate the public,
l hurried him off to prison, to protect
him, as I had previously done Adam
Wheeler, from summary vengeance.
When questioned as to his motive for
killing his afianced, Staver declared
that he knew of none, Except that
Satan had got possessi n of him.
He was never brought to a trial; for,
a week later, he was found dead in
his cell, hanging by his suspenders to
the bars of his window.
When, in consequence Of this timely
revelation, Adam Wheeler regained his
freedom, the same people who were
lately so eager to tear him to pieces
Wed with each other in doing him hon
or.
He was earnestly urged to take up
his abode in the county town, and
finally consented. u.
BY means of public contributions, a
fine shop and set Of tools were fur
nished him; and being a good, honest
industrious mechanic, he at once started
upon prosperous career, which he has
continued to this day, and is now
known and respected as one of the best
citizens Of the place.
I have only to add, in CONCLUSION,
that I am the happier to-day for having
been the means Of saving an innocent
man from a degrading death, and that
shall always lift up my voice against
the evil practice Of lynching, and
against the assumption of absolute
certainty in any case OF mere circum-
stantial evidence in which there is
possibility of a fearful mistake