Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-01-04
THE FINGER OF FIRE.

Imagine mob of men rs wild as Il
pack OF hungry wolves. whose frenzy
has been fired by the scent of blood.
and in its midst fellow being bound
hand and foot, with the moose of the
lynchmen around his neck. | came
suddenly upon such scene III one of
the settlements of the Rio Grande.
whittier had journeyed from England
10 find IL brother whom had not seen
for many years.
As | refined up my horse near the
crowd and glanced over the excited
spectacle an Involuntary cry left my
lips as | recognized in the victim him
whom l had come so far to see.
He saw and knew me instantly, and
though no word came from him. his
pale, mute lips appealed to my heart
for help.
My appearance caused hesitation
on the part of the lynch leaders.
| quickly learned that stranger in
those parts had been killed that morn
ing near small body of water short
distance from the settlement. and that
my brother had been caught in the
very act of striking the deathblow.
Not one of the spectators seemed to
have any doubt of his guilt, but who is
10 hardened as to condemn his own
brOther?'
| shuddcred as / realized Almont's
peril, and In my own heart judged him
Innocent of any crime.
He is my brother" cried.
lark" shouted one of the Onlook-
crs, 1.-THE brother of the murdered man
is here for justice. Up with him, boys"
"HOld!' l commanded. rising i'm my
stirrupS as | spoke; blood calls for
blood. Let me have hold of that rope"
The mistake in my identity had sug-
Eested way in which l might enable
my brother to escape. and L resolved to
attempt it at whatever risk. FOrtu-
nately, there was little family resem-
blance between MS.
Urging my horse forward. the crowd
parted, allowing me to reach his side,
when l dismOuEtcd, ostensibly to ex-
anime the slipping moose.
1T will do, l said. loud enough to be
heard by all. Now help me to lift him
on the back of my horse. We want to
do this job i'm some shape"
Willing ones sprang to my assistance.
but III the brief interval | cut the pris-
Oners bonds and arranged tie Moose so
that 1t could De thrown off Us soon as
his arms were free.
knew few horses could match mine
in speed, and once he had cleared the
throng my brother would be compare
lively safe
lie understood my Intentions. and the
moment we lifted him upon the horse
he wrenched his arms free. threw off
the moose, dropped into the saddle. and
giving the animal Il smart blow dashed
through the crowd like a whirlwind.
and in few moments was beyond
pursuit.
OF course there was loud wailng over
his escape, but | appeared SO anxious
for his recapture that no blame was at
tacbed to me. TO carry out the decep-
ton had the body of the stranger care
fully buried and remained in the place
until deemed it safe to depart.
1t was nearly three months before 1
met my brother in London. whittier he
had fled, and then he thanked me with
tcars i'm his eyes for my daring assist
ance i'm his escape from the lynchers.
To my surprise, however he evaded
the subject of the murder saying SIM
ply that no crime had been committed.
j did not feel like pressing the matter.
so the affair was not mentioned again,
though it has haunted my mind ever
since.
Last week my brother died with no
kindred near him and tO-day's post has
brought me Il manuscript containing
startling revelation.
In justice to my brothers name, as
well as for my satisfaction, l am
prompted to give TO the public one of
the strangest confessions ever made.
The following is his account as he wrote
1t for me:
"Whe1 this is read shall have
passed beyond the tribunal of man. so
! wish to Impress upon you that | am
about to record faithfully an expert
cnce which l sincerely hope will fab to
the lot of no other person.
81 was alone in my room late one
dark, stormy night, when i heard Il rap
on the door which fancied at first was
but the wind shaking ii on its hinges.
But it was repeated louder than before.
babe the applicant, whoever it might
be- to come i'm, without looking up from
the book which held my attention.
"a moment later the door was opened,
and with the gust of wind, which sent
every light object i'm the room flying
topsy turvy, a man entered the apart
ment with quick. cat-like steps.