Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1899-08-09
Lexington Rokbrdge County, Virginia Wednesday August 1859


back. The murdered man had bee,
seated when he was shot, for his chat
was overturned just as he had falle,
from il. Peterkin, who was about G.
years old, lived alone with his niece,
pretty girl about is years old. She i
was who discovered the murder. WheY
she had sufficiently recovered from bel
alarm, the niece, Mary Peterkln, arous
ed the neighbors.
cat first it was thought that til.
motive of the crime had been robbery
out when the police discovered thai
the safe, the door of which was unlock.
cd and half way open, contained 81, $50
and that the old mans watch had moi
been taken, that theory had to be aban.
doned. For several days the case was
q mystery. Then it came to the knowl.
edge OF the chief Of police that Hascall
Reindeer, the only son Of a widow,
whose father had been postmaster Of
the little town, had been seen around
the house and had spoken unkindly Of
old Peterkin. Reindeer was put under
arrest.
"When l had learned this much. {"
said the judge, "tte trial Judge, whom
we will call Blank, looked up from the
legal books and said, 4 will admit the
testimony objected to-
"While Judge Blank was reviewing
the law questions looked al Mary
Peterkin. She was seated in tho rear
OF the courtroom and was an exceed.
ingly pretty young woman, the pallor
OF her refined face illumined by large
blue eyes. She was in deep mourning, /
which but enhanced her beauty.
proceed exclaimed Judge Blank. |
"The witness on the btand-a police
officer--then testified that be had found !
small revolver with an ivory handle
N some bushes just outside of the win
low OF the room where the crime had !
been committed.
Were there any marks on that re- I
divert asked Horace Dash, counsel
or the prisoner, the man I just point
d out to you. H.
Yes, replied the witness. Il
"'What were these marks?'
"'The initials III. p replied the
illness. T.
"'Did you ascertain who owned that !.
stoli' asked Lawyer Dash. 1.
" Yes; Mary Peterkin.'
San exclamation Of surprise went
ound the little courtroom. Mary :
eterkin started up in bewilderment "
d then fell back into her chair r
" Silence in the courtroom ex-A
aimed Judge Blank. !"
"With a face paler than that Of Ell
er the prison or the neice OF the r
lrdered man, Lawyer Horace Dash, :,
lnsel for the prisoner, SAID to the :.
mess. "Step down. :"
'The next witness called was o WON. y
who had formerly been employed r
old Fsterkin as housskeeper. She =
exceedingly nervous, and her voice =
mbled when she swore to tell the W
tn. There was malignant express
a on the face Of the counsel for the 81
soner when he asked the witness:
: DO you know Mary Peterkin: "
4 do, was the reply. .ssaea
: She is the niece Of the murdered "
NJ :. o.o.. a'
She i', replied the woman in q =,
spsr. rego. ~
You once lived with the dead man -
his niecs,' ra-u9u
4 did, ssi
"Did uncle and niece ever quarrslP j..
Must l answer that asked the q"
A
woman, turning toward Judge 90
nix.
You must sternly replied the
90.
Yes. They quarreled,' faltered
witness.
What about?' asked the counsel
The prisoner.
'She-Mary-wanted to marry q
her uncle did not approve of.
All eyes were turned toward Mary
'rkin. who; with an expires ion Of
or on her face, sat orouchel u in
chair. Every one in tina. curt
a seemed to realize that the test
y already addused again 4 tie