The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-06-22

ois Years Ago.
 Luther Lahn Mills, when he was sev. eral years younger, but almost as vel known, delivered lecture at Rockford III. Presiding over his meeting was 2 venerable looking man with white beard which hung well down toward his waist. MT. Mills was told that the chairmans name was Bibb, and that he was formerly lieutenant governor Of Ohio. After he had finished his lecture MT. Mills walked home with ont of the members of the reception committee. As they stretched alonf Rockford's almost deserted streets, under the light of the full harvest moon, MT. Mills asked:
 'Who is this man Bibb? They tell me he used to be lieutenant governor of Ohio"
 "What!' exclaimed his companion stopping in the road. Don't you know who Bibb is? Haven't you ever heard the story of Bibb?"
 "No, I never have"
 "Why, I thought every one had heard the story of Bibb! And so you really don't know it? Well, you mustn't live another hour without hearing it. Sit right down here and I'll tell you the story of Bibb."
 So the two sat down on the grassy, moonit bank in quiet Rockford, lit their pipes, and Luther Laflin Mills listened attentively while the farmer told his . tale.
 And this is the story of Bibb as relat- ed to MT. Mills those long years ago-a story which he loves best of all to re- peat because its hero was Thomas Cor win, candidate for president of the United States, noted lawyer, most fa- nous of stump speakers in antebellum days, governor of Ohio, minister to Mexico and member of congress.
 Bibb, in the early days of Ohio's his- tory, was active in politics. He was well liked, though regarded as eccentric. He was elected lieutenant governor af- ter filling minor positions. When Bibb stepped out of this office he had grown tired of the maelstrom of political life He loaded his family and household goods into few wagon sand came west settling down on farm in Winnebago county.
 He grew grayer in his new home, liv- ing quiet happy life, respected by all his neighbors. His family grew up about him, sharing the respect in which the father was held. In the course Of time Bibb's eldest daughter had blos- somed into beautiful womanhood and became engaged to one of the honest young farmers of Winnebago county.
 The wedding was celebrated under the Ohioan's roof in right good old-fashion- ed style; but later in the evening half intoxicated charivari party paid call, waking the echoes with horn, pan and drum. Old Bibb had left Ohio to get away from just such noise and confu- grily exclaimed:
 "Get off my land!"
 The merrymakers laughted at him.
 'I'll give you just three minutes to leave my property"
 There was more laughter and annoy ance. Bibb went into the house.
 "Your three minutes are almost up, he said threateningly, returning an in stant later.
 More noise, more beating of pan and drum.
 Promptly upon the expiration of the three minutes Bibb again stepped to the door-this time with shotgun in his hand.
 "Bang bnng!" twice spoke the old gun.
 Bibb had killed two of the first young men in Winnebago county.
 Quietly stepping back into the house, he put the gun back on the old rack, kissed his wife and his daughter, whose wedding night was thus darkened by double tragedy went to the barn, silent ly hitched up his rig, drove to Rockford and gave himself up to the sheriff.
 Winnebago county in the space of less than an hour was at fever heat The fathers whose sons had been shot down led mob against the jail, but the sher- if by cool action saved his prisoner from the infuriated farmers, so Winne- abgo county settled down to nurse it's deep wrongs and heap maledictions up- on the head of Bibb.
 And the newly made wife spoiled her honeymoon and eyes by weeping.
 A special grand jury was summoned, and Bibb WIS indicted on two charges of murder. There was no session of court for six months, so Bibb made him. self as comfortable as possible, and the countrymen talked over the tragedy again and az ain as they worked in their fields. About a week after the shooting there rode into Rockford stranger on roan mare. He WAS tall, smiling and wore a black sombrero. He went to the village hotel, handed his mare over to the host Ter and said he intended to stay while. ! No one knew who the guest was or whence he came; bt each morning he rose at o'clock breakfasted, saddled | his roan mare, rode out into the coun- try and returned in the evening. Dur ing the day he made it his business 10 | call on the farmers. He dined with this family, he got drink of water at that house, he took supper with the next | family.
 And wherever the mysterious stran- ger went he made friends.
 No man had the fund of stories on tap that he did, no man in all Winnebago | county could tell stories as he could. The antics he played, too with his fa- cfal muscles were wonderful to behold Fear, humor, sadness, joy, chased over his countenance at will, enlivening and
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