The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-01
MYSTERY OF THE RING.

OF THE klNb.
Cornett soon spread the alarm and tn
coroner appeared. When the murdered
mans face was washed a bullet hole was
found in the right temple. The coroners
jury returned a verdict TO the effect that
John Thornton had come 10 his death at
the hands Of some person or persons to
the Jury unknown. II was a mystery 10
which no clue could be found until Haw-
kins. the man who had last seen Thorn
ton alive appeared. He told about his
visit TO Thornton and his chat about th9'
ring. It was then noticed that the ring
was gone, and robbery was supposed to
have been the motive OF the MURDER.
While the mystihed miners and villagers
discussed the strange killing and ad-
vanced various theories as TO its cause
and as to the assassin, a curious colhcl-
dence happened at the Thornton home.
The wife of the murdered man handed
her mother a gold ring and told her 10
nut IL on Johns finger; that she wanted
him buried with the ring on the niger,
! where he had worn it. Those who heard
nj his incident and had heard hawkins
tell Of seeing this same ring on Thorn
toms finger the night before coupled the
two incidents and thought they had ound
a solution of the mystery and had discov-
cred the assassin.
Mrs Thornton was asked where she got
II shook II out OF Johns clothes she
answered. ~I7conscious Of the part the
ring was to play in Leading 10 ner accusd-
ton Of the murder.
There was talk on every side. The wife
Of the dead man was believed 10 be the
assassin or an accomplce. Her several
attempts TO kip her husband were recall
ed. as also her assertion that she wouo
never be happy until she had drunk
John Thornton's hearts blood.
GOSSIP LED TO ARREST.
The gossips told Of Mrs. Thornton's
past. and the dark spots in her career
were magnined until she was made a
dend in human shape. The moro they
talked the moro firmly convinced were
they of the woman's guilt, and no other
theory was considered and no other clew
was sought. Her guilt was fully estao-
lished, according to all accepted theories.
and on Monday a warrant was issued for
the arrest of Mrs. Thornton on the charge
Of murder In the first degree. In some
respects the case resembied the great
MAVERICK murder sensation, but a merci-
fll and mysterious spirit or power re-
vealed the truth and saved Mrs. Thorn
ton from the awful fate Of Mrs. May
brick.
In HaIl charged @1th her husbands
murder. Mrs. Thornton seemed asfou1ded
ard Unable to realize the situation or TO
understand why size should he accused
Of nurler. But her protestations of inno-
cence and oxpress;rns of asoonIsnment
were all accepted as a part Of the tragedy
which a fiendish woman had committed.
Her guilt was regarded as curtain and
the unfortunate woman had no defenders.
She soon found that her only hope was
In higher power than man. and tnar
in order 10 prove her innocence she must
find the murderer.
In her adversely she had lost her friends.
She felt assif n. the world mad deserted
her. and In her wretchetness she sought
relief In PRAYER. Imp,cring Almighty God
To be merciful and reveal to her the MUIR
derer OF her husband and free her from
the charge OF guilt and open her prison
doors. the detected woman fell asleep and
dreamed that her dead husband bad re-
turned to her. When he appeared before
her she asked him II he could 10. tell her
who killed him. He bowed his head ana
told her 10 send for her cousin. George
Ray. and accuse him.
DREAM WAS VIVID.
The dream seemed so real TO the i'm
prisoned woman that when she awoke she
could not control her emotions. she was