People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1899-06-08
,eavy door farther on. It took more
% wrench and chop and p,.n out the
ell door. A dark figure was crouched

~ dOOAs n ddi n ~ uAt 40 NlOuNlNu
n the corner silent as death.
mighty still, are your" shrieked |
he leader, Johnson Martins own
cousin, and the heir to the farm if |
he was hung. Come out here, you
murderer"
A dozen hands laid hold on the
;rouching figure. 1t was dragged,
hauled, carried, out into the yard.
String him up. Here's a ropel
Quick!"
Then woman's shriek-awful,
olood-curdling-rang out once, again,
again. The crowd fell back. Good
God! What did this mean?"
They stood the figure up and raised
lanterns high over it second. 1t was
woman-a terror-stricl;en woman.
with her brown hair Embossed, falling
over mans suit of clothes.
A mighty shout, and in among them
dashed horsemen, the burly sheriff
at the head. He threw himself from
his foam-fecked animal and strobe to
the side Of the girl.
Men," he said, Il do not know the
meaning of all this, but | know that
you have come here for the purpose of
taking the law in your own hands
and | want to tell you that it can't
be done. Your votes elected me to
office and to you, as well as to the rest
Of the people, am responsible for the
faithful performance of my duties.
shall protect my prisoner with nv
life, If need be, and see that the law is
allowed to take its course"
But you haven't got the murderer.
This girl has helped him to escape"
said the leader of the mob.
THAT is the part of this proceeding
that | do not yet understand, but |
am responsible for his safe-keeping
and pledge you that he will appear at
the trial"
The mob began to dispense, the men
who had come with the sheriff depart
ed to their homes and the sheriff was
left alone with the governness. He
turned to speak to her only to find
that she had tainted.
The day preceding the trial of John
son Martin was drawing to a close
and the sheriff was discussing the
case with his jailor. From the night
OF the raid on the Jail nothing had
been seen or heard of Martin, al
though searching parties had secured
the whole country, encouraged by the
large reward offered.
"Well, l guess the fellow was sure
enough guilty and was afraid to stand
trial." said the jailor.
Ssh! Here comes the governness.
Don't let her hear talk like that, for
she still believes he is innocent and
positively asserts that he will be at
the trial." said the sheriff, Just as
Florence entered the door.
"A gentleman to see you, sir" she
said, and withdrew, her place at the
door being taken by the subject of the
discussion, Johnson Martin.
well, Martin, I'm mighty glad to
see you again for more reasons than
one. 1t certainly will be strong
point in your favor, at the trial to-
morrow, your returning to face the
music"
That's what l returned for and |
now surrender myself to you again."
People had come for miles to attend
the trial and the old court room was
not nearly large enough to accommo-
date the crowd. Everything was in
readiness and the judge instructed the
attorney for the state to commence.
AFTER outlining to ,he jury what the
state expected to prove, the attorney
for the prosecution called for the first
witness.
Lawrence Ellis: please take the
stand and be sworn"
"A slight young man, under the me-
dunn height, but with frame muscu-
lar and well built, stepped forward.
You may tell the jury what You
know concerning this case, in your
own language, but be as concise as
possible" 80
MY name is Lawrence Ellis ace
twenty-three, and / live in K. Some
weeks ago was engaged by Robert
Grifhn, brother-in-law of the prisoner,
10 secure evidence against the muir.
uerer OF the parents of his wife.
Il met with little success until the
night OF the raid on the jail when I
succeeded in capturing the defendant
as ne was escaping. | took him TO NV
room, fearing the mob, and during the
night he convinced me that he was in
nocent' He explained many things
that had seemed strange to me and
assisted by his suggestions. have dis.
covered the following facts to which
l not only swear, but will substantiatc
by positive proofs.
"On the night of the murder John.
son Martin returned home and enter.
ed the house just in time to get
glimpse of the assassin as he leaned
through the window. He did not rec.
ognlze the man, but noticed that his
coat, catching on a nail on the win.
uow frame, was pulled back and par.
TALLY of of his shoulder. Here is the
piece of cloth that was left hanging
on the nail and / wish to submit Il as
evidence in this case"
just at this time there was a CON-
motion was noticed near the door
caused by a man trying to force his
way out.
stop that mani"
IL was the clear ringing tones of the
young detective, that startled the
crowd, as pistol shot might have
Bring him to the bench!"
1t was the judge who uttered this
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