The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-07-01
CHAPTER VIII.

men were already convened in the library,
and to that room the officers at once re-
paired with their prisoner.
A number of persons were already pres
emf in the spacious rooms, among them
being Attorney Dobbs and his son Arthur,
a rising young lawyer of near Robert
age. DR.. Norcum was present, and De
tective Selars sat near one Of the library
windows, gazing apparently out on the
lawn.
The prisoners sister and n number OF
other ladies were on the floor above with
the bereaved daughter of the murdered
man.
Sheriff Cobb stationed tanning at the
front door of the residence, with orders
to admit no one else to the house without
his approval. why" he observed, curl
osity will bring so many that they Will
overrun the house.
Attorney Dobbs had visited Robert in
Jail and assured him that he had faith in
his innocence. He also bore message
from his son to the effect that he would
undertake his defense.
When all was in readiness the sheriff
threw open the door leading to the cham
Der of the murdered man and the jury
viewed the remains.
Dr. Norcum was duly sworn and depos-
ed that the bankers death was caused by
the blade of knife or sharp instrument,
which had been thrust in his breast with
such force that the heart was unquestion-
ably pierced.
Would his death have necessarily been
instantaneous" asked Arthur Dobbs.
Nearly So" was the reply; there
might have been a groan, perhaps cry
of help, but nothing more
There was, for l heard distinctly the
last words he uttered. They were these:
Help. Murder"
The one who made this assertion was
Herman Craven, who had entered the
room unobservcd and stood motionless
near the door.
You will be examined later, Mr.. era
ven," said the coroner Then turning to
the jury, he said: Gentlemen of the jury,
are you satisfied as to the cause of
death?"
All expressed themselves as thoroughly
SO, and after viewing the orice left by
the keen blade Of the knife, the party re
paired to the library.
Now, Herman Craven, if you will be
The coroner administered the oath, and
as Herman's statement was merely a
repetition of the words he used on the
night of the murder, i'll the presence of
the sheriff, DR.. Norcum and Detective
Sellars, it is useless TO chronicle it fully
here
Are you certain, Mr.. Craven" asked
Arthur Dobhs, that the cries you heard
emanated from the lips of your uncle:"
absolutely certain was the reply. 1t
is impossible that | could be mistaken
there. And those two words | supposed
indicated that he had been seized with q
sudden attack Of acute pain from which
he sometimes suffered. His rheumatism
was Of the inflammatory order. When my
cousin and | entered the room he was
gaSping his last. His murderer stood be-
fore us with that bloody sheath knife that
Coroner Field has, clutched in his hand. "
'fDid you not know before YOU descend
cd the stairs, Mr.. Craven, that Robert
Campbell was below
Il did not, sir"
Had not your uncle Informed YOU that
he was expecting him, and with money
with which to take up Il certain note!'
''Iic had not?'
What do you know of a bag of coin
that the prisoner has informed me he
brought with him to redeem this note:"
Nothing, sir; nothing whatever. |
know that after the murder he had nos
session of that note, and that the note
bore the Endorsement, Paid this eight
zenith of August, eighteen hundred and
hfty-sevcn,' to which my uncle's signature
l.
tanned it,
DO you know of any reason why the
prisoner should have sought the life of
your uncle?"
Il know, sir, that he has possession of
that note of ten thousand dollars, and that
there was no bag of coin here when nv
cousin and | entered this room. | know
also that he sought Miss DeROsette's
hand in marriage. | know further that
he sought ii in vain, for the reason that
my uncle had often stated to me that his
ardent wish was TO see his daughter and
myself united"
Here sharp, quick cry drew all eyes
iii the direction of the door
Miss Hattie had entered the room. lean
ing on the arm of the prisoners sister.
and the cry cmanated from her white Inns.
Robert Campbell was on the point of
denouncing Herman's statement as false
when he caught a swift, meaning glance
from the eyes of the detective, who had
not left his seat near the window, and
he said nothing
Did you not hear the door bell sounded
twice during the evening, once not five
minutes before you descended the stairs =
The door bell was not sounded after |
retired, or | should have heard it. l had
not long retired and am a light sleeper"
You found the front door locked when
you ran from the library and down the
street, as you have described, crying muir
dcr?'"
Il did"
The windows of this room and Of your
uncle's chamber, you say, were raised?"
They were. Ny uncle, presumably, had
left them so TO admit the breeze"
might not some other hand have thrust
that blade TO your uncles heart, and the
prisoner here but have drawn it forth?"
That is for the jury to determine
have no wish that any other than the muir
dercr of my uncle should suffer for his
untimcly taking off. Mr.. Scllars and my
self made a thorough search of the prem.
ises as he will inform you. There was
literally nothing found to inCriminate any
one else. l doubt not that if Miss De
Rosette and myself haG not FASTENED
down stairs Robert Campbell would in 8
moment more have fled. probably bearing
his bloody weapon with him. As l have
stated. he would have attacked me. l ac
cuscd him Of committing the crime. Whc
else could | have accused? There ht
stood, his cOuntcnance the picture Of 81
cnraged fiend, and still bent over my un
cIe's body, the dripping blade just with
drawn from his heart, blood covering hi:
hands and clothing. 1t was the life blood
Of my dear old uncle. Gentlemen, know
no more
You know you have Hed-lied like
a
Il submit, coroner" spoke up the louj
voice Of the detective, that the prisoner
should not be allowed TO denounce a wit
ness in that manner. II is outrageous
You should protect your witnesses.
Sellars had arisen to his feet, and ht