The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-10

thought there might be Il mistake
were howlcd down nfter tho publica-
tion of This confession
"But jackson had somo money,
and spent it freely to demonstrate
the truth of his story He sent out
mon to different parts of the country
and advertised widely, offering a
large reward for Happy jack Will
son or for information leading to his
discovery. His father came to his
aid, and won't in person to Earlboro
and othof> Eastern points in search
of the missing man. A reputable
witness was found who declared he
had seen Ward and Wilson at Earl
boro on the day named, and saw
Wilson put aboard tho train, motto
ing it particularly because Wilson
was in beastly state Of intoAica-
ton. He also identified Ward as
one of the mon, and photograph
of Wilson was declared by him to bo
tho likeness Of the man he had secn
put aboard tho cars This put new
life into Jackson's friends, and their
oxertions to discover Wilson were
rodoubled
"The trial came on, however, and
Notwithstanding the most strenuous
oxertions made by tho lawyers for
the defence, it looked exceedingly
dark for the men. | was ono Of
them, and although morally con,
vinced of their innocence ! could see
no hope for them unless Wilson
could be found and such thor
ough search had been made for him
without any result that 1 had little
hope of that. We won't into the
CT a, just hoping something would
tul. up IN our favor.
"Ghe witnesses for tho prosecu
ton went on the stand and piled up
testimony against the men until it
seemed unsurmountable and unan-
swerable. All our cross. .examina
ton failed to shake them in the
slightest dcglee Every ono of
them was certain the body was that
of Happy Jack Wilson, and never Il
doubt seemed to enter into their
minds or those Of the crowd which
filed the little court room to the
doors and drank in tho testimony
with avidity. Many dark looks were
showered upon the accused, and it
was evident if the jury brought in Il
verdict of guilty the sheriff would
have difficult work in saving them
from the bands of the people.
"Weil, the defence made as good
showing rs possible, but it was lii, q
we could do. The county attorney
made the closing speech, which was
a owerful plea for justice, and mar
shallod the evidence against tho mon
with terrific force. There was no
hope for them. The verdict Of gull
ty could bo seen upon the faces of
the jury.
"And now came tho sensational
part of the affair Just as the coun-
ty attorney closed his speech loud
cheer was heard in front Of tho court
house, and confused yelling, which
soon crystalized into tho cry, CLAP
py Jack? Happy Jack' Here's
Wilson? and through the crowd,
which pressed back and formed
came the tall, lank,
lean form of Happy jack Wilson.
He had found him tho day before 25
miles south of Tecumseh, visiting q
sister, and by driving all night had
arrived in time. Far removed from
railroad communication, and without
and few neighbors, Will
son had known nothing of the search
being made for him, and was aston
ished at tho report of the finding ofhis
body.
81 need not attempt to describe
the sensation his appearance Gro
"ted, nor could l if I would Jack
sons wife threw hor arms around hor
husband, and that cool, collected
man gave won't to his feelings in
tears. The old father hugged HIM
and tho children kissed him, and
those who minute before wore
rendy to hang him pressed round to
600 who yuoulI ho tho fret 70 onp