Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1899-06-23


ing-room.
The cabinets in which the coins had
been placed were found broken open
and ransacked. and no traces OF Mr.
Hughes treasures were to be found.
Near the body OF the murdered man
lay short New Zealander's club, with
blood upon 1t. This usually hung In
the hall. with similar weapons, which
composed trophy. But the fact
which told most against Luke was a
large clasp-knife which was known to
have belonged to him buried in the
dust-heap out In the back yard The
stains upon this also bore witness to
the purpose for which 1t had been
used.
At the trial William Luke pleaded
Not Guilty" but circumstances
pointed very suspiciously against him.
Edward Bartlett, the footman, gave
evidence which told greatly against
the prisoner, though the young fellow
showed an evident wish to say all he
could in his favor
Under cross-examination, Bartlett
had to own that he had several times
heard Luke say that ut was quite
time the old beggar-his master-was
knocked in the head, and that If he
had a heap OF coins like Mr.. Hughes
he would not be long before he sold
them and went of to Australia"
The day before the murder Luke had
been much put out by his masters
finding fault at the way in which the
silver was kept, and he said to Bartlett
In the pantry that he had had enough
OF Mr.. Hughes nonsense, and he did
not intend to put up with 1t much
longer. Bartlett swore that Luke was
much upset throu yhout the day on
which the dinner-party had taken
place, and had been drinking freely,
though he had not taken enough to
make his behavior noticeable.
The two maids, Sarah and Anne
Dodson, also gave evidence, but there
was nothing particular to be elected
from them.
The jury, after prolonged trial,
brought In verdict of Guilty" and
William Luke was condemned to death.
A week before the execution was to
take place, however, it was rumored
that the police had fresh suspicious, |
and that there was reason to believe
that Luke was not the guilty man
after all. So far did these rumors
prove correct that Luke was reprieved,
but detained during her Majesty's
pleasure.
Much to the worlds establishment, !
suspicion seemed to have fallen upon
the young footman, Edward Bartlett
and still more were people surprised
when 1t was reported that neither he
nor Anne Dodson the under-house-
maid, was to be found
The day after the conclusion OF the
trial they had left their respective
lodgings In Lewes, and nothing more
was known of them. Weeks passed by
and still the police were unable to dis
cover the slightest trace of the miss
ing man and woman.
Sarah Dodson, the elder sister. was
arrested on charge of completely: but
she was soon set at liberty again, as
there was not the slightest evidence
against her. She persisted in her orig Z
nal statement, that she was in total S
ignorance OF the whereabouts OF Ed S
ward Bartlett and her sister, Anne. ;
md also denied any knowledge of !;
here ever having been any more than :
ordinary friendship between the pair ;,
Had there been any love-making be-
ween them, Anne. she declared, would =
AVE been sure to confide In her.
Meanwhile the public grew clamor-
nus for the pardon of William Luke. c,
8 fresh evidence OF his innocence c
anne to light and circumstances IL
'hich had been overlooked during the n
rial and which pointed most suspi- +,
iously towards the guilt OF the miss
az couple were now brought forward =
Luke was accordingly pardoned, and
Is many sympathizers raised money "
nough to purchase for him the good y
i'll OF smaH business in London. az
Much was said and much was writ
IN to the papers about the ineficiency "a
the police. How two people could W
lddenly disappear without leaving a n,
ace bShind them was mystery ~
hich caused not only perplexity to a,
10 chiefs at Scotland Yard. but I'M :.
sinoss to society in general. -
reward OF one thousand pounds :"
as at last offered for any Information 's
hich might lead to their arrest, and NJ
minute description was given OF 10
cm and posted up In every town and
eport OF the kingdom. Edward of
trtlett was described as being nina "a