Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-03-13
THE EVIDENCE OF CRIME.

THE EVIDENCE OF CRIME.
Mai McLain was q peculiar. man.
Possessing many cccentricities and eN-
treme ideas, he was called idiosyncrat-
ic by many, but nevertheless was u
jolly, good-natured companion at the
clubs. BY his friends he was looked
upon at times as being cratic, but his
liberality and good nature more than
counterbalanced his undesirable quail
titles. The king Of good fellows on oc-
casions, he was equally disagrecable
when he was expected most Of adj to
be cheerful and good humored. About
three miles from the quiet little viii
1age of Vernon he had spent the greater
portion of his days From, early boy
hood he had lived at the oldhonestead;
but, strange to say, he had never mar
ried. In the blessed state of bachelor
hood he had passed his life, and now.
at the mature age of three score and
self a helpmeet. He was satisfied with
his portion, and content, smiling and
chuckling over human events, had never
complained of his lot. So much for Maj.
McLain. ..- -
-,
Just to the right of the McLain man
sion lived Col. Mashburn.c 1t was an
ordinary farm cottage that had given
shelter to the colonel and his family for
many years. The luxury of the McLain
home was not to be found in the
humber dwelling Of his neighbor, but
it was home to the Mashburn family,
and they looked with disdain and con-
tempt upon the abiding place of their
bachelor neighbor. Though the dwell
ings were separated by only a short
distance, there was but little love lost
between the two families. 1t is true
that their lands adjoined and only a
few b,azed trees told the story of the
boundary, yet that distance that is said
to lend enchantment unfortunately
was not great enough to bind the fam
lilies in neighborly love.
Years previous to the time this story
is written bitter dispute as to the To-
cation of the line had caused q breach
to occur between the major and his
neighbor. AS time passed the chasm
widened and the quarrel became more
bitter. The county surveyor had been
called in in the interest of peace and
harmony, but his decision, which was
in favor of Maj. McLain, failed to pour
oil on the waters of discomfort, and hos
tilities were again resumed with greater
zest than ever before. 1t looked at times
as if there would be war, and the inhab-
itants of the little settlement frequent
JA- discussed the final outcome Of the
feud. I'LL -.
AS both men are now dead, / have de-
cided to tell the story of the manner in
which the dispute was finally settled.
The story may or may not he true, but
] will relate it just as it was told to me
by one who lived in the neishborhood
and was friend of both Maj. McLain
and Col. Mashburn.
Early one morning in May, many
years ago, Col. Mashburn left his home
and walked down to the contested line
boundary. He was in an unusually bad
humor that morning and had taken the
walk with the hope that it would ben.
eft him and aid his bad digestion. He
had spent restless night and was
feeling the bad results. When he
reached the line6of blazed trees ,that
hadlongbee regarded as the boundary
to his possessions he looked long and
wistfully at the surroundings of his
more prosperous neighbor. He con.
scientiously believed that he had been
imposed upon and his blood boiled mad
ly and he was in rage of passion.
Finally his feelings oyercame him, and
with an oath he sought the path that
led to the doorsteps of Maj. McI.ain's
palatial home.
Col. Mashburn walked rapidly up the
long hill. He was angry, and it was his
intention to have another talk with the
major and see if he could not either by
threats or pleadings bring him to terms
aAAANA ~'SSuA0 YoooC~SoiOA VI "AdC LIZ
thought was his own. a farm hand q,
work in the field looked up from his
pillow. paused and then continued to the
end Of his furrow. At the door Col
Mashburn was met by Maj. McL.ain
The two men glared at each other anG
then retired from view. The old negro
cook heard several oaths, closed the
door and went out into the cabin. tell
ing one Of the men employed about the
place that therewas going to be trouble
Mr.. Suttles, passing by on his horse
stopped at the gate, which was near the
house, and listened to the quarrel. The
story of the feud was old, and he paused
only long enough to satisfy himself
that the major and Col. Mashburn were
qnarreling and then spurred his horse
to catch the morning train to Abondale
Late in the afternoon Mr. Suttlcs re
turned. AS he passed the McLain home
he saw an immense crowd in the yard.
The sheriff told him that Mai. McLain
had been killed. A coroners inquest
was being held. That was all, and SUIT
ties hurried on to his home, thinking
of the quarrel he had overheard as he