Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-13
GUILTY, OR NOT GUILTY.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

and II was understood that some very
important cases were to be tried.
Robert Newman and others had been
indicted for the burning OF George
Browns cotton gin. Newman's case
being the first on the docket, Judge
Lincoln proceeded with the trial.
The court room was crowded. Doubt
less some few had gathered through
curiosity; another class, while not ex-
pecting any immediate riot, were loyal
men. and were there because they
wanted to see the law enforced There
were yet third division Of whom we
shall not speak. In numbers they
comprised fully one-half Of the audi
ence.
The case proceeded. A jury was i'm
paneled with difficulty. Witness after
witness was examined but nothing was
brought out calculated to eliminate de-
PENDANT. At last James Buckley was
called. His testimony was direct. He
was an eye witness. His brother Dan
followed and corroborated all that
James had said.
With this evidence the prosecution
rested. Newman was sullen. He had
no counsel, and did not wish to offer
any defense. In fact. he paid little at
tention TO the proceedings, but kept
watching two or three knots OF angry
men. In the audience.
The prosecuting attorney did not care
10 make an argument. The court
charged the jury which retired, and,
after fifteen minutes returned verdict
OF guilty.
The title Of this story does not refer
to Mr.. Newman, nor is It our purpose
TO follow him further. DOUBTLESS the
sentence he received was just, and we
leave him to his fate.
When the verdict OF guilty was rem
dered the suspicious class OF men re-
ferred to above simultaneously arose
and left the court room.
Proceedings for the time were sus-
pended. All were busy Interpreting
the strange move. What did ii mean?
Were those men intending to arm
themselves, then return and break up
the court?
just then gentleman entered and
pressed forward TO the judges desk.
Your honor" he said, Il would like
you to read this" placing a note in his
hand. II found 1t on a tree at the
cross roads,"
Mr.. Lincoln raped for attention. His
face turned shade paler. but he read
with firm, steady voice:
ITO whom II may concern: n Judge
Lincoln wants TO try the case of Bob
Newman for burning George Browns
cotton gin, he may do so. But IL any
man gives evidence against Mr.. New
man he will do so at his peril, for
death viii be his doom.
[signedl "WHITEcAPs."
This ominous warning came like a
revelation Of evil. For moment the
stiffness was painful
The Judge turned to the Buckley boys
and asked. How far do YOU live from
here?"
Nine miles, your honor"
1T Is now after sunset, and you had
better remain here till morning"
James replied: mo, we had better
hurry home Mother is there alone.
fear that our house win be burned to-
night. We must CO."
The judge grew very much In earn
est. Would the Whitecaps burn the
possessions Of these two honest young
men because they were knowing TO one
OF the dark deeds Of this secret co.
ciety?
How old are you." he asked the
elder brother.
"Twenty-three."
sand your brothers age?"
'Twenty-one."
rs there nc one at home with your
mother?"
mo; we are her only children. She
u widow"
Within the radius OF his acquaintance
all knew that James Buckley was no
coward. And yet the muscles Of his
face were seen to twitch uneaslly. But
It was not for himself. He was think
ing Of his dear mother, and wondering
II he and Dan could reach home before
the incendiary demons-worse than
savages-- would apply the torch to all
they possessed on earth, and perhaps
cause their mother to perish in the
flames.
The crowd which left the court room
had dispersed. The full moon was
struggling through the waving tree
tops. The two young men mounted,
and, accompanied by neighboring boy
about thirteen years Of age, rode rapid
ly homeward.
Thet. Journew afforded good oppor-
tunity for reflection. In spite OF them
selves their minds were filled with fore
bodings OF evil Thoughts Of the an
cry crowd leaving the court room; the
Judges anxious concern: the note OF
warning, but worst Of all the picture of
their home enveloped in flames; all
these thoughts filled their minds as
they rode along In silence.
At last James turned suddenly to his
brother.
Dan" he said, II wish you never to
1oin any secret society that operates
against the laws of our country
Never have anything to do with White
caps. Never commit any deed that
would dishonor our name"
The young man addressed was used
70 receiving counsel from his brother
but the peculiar earnestness Of his tone
and manner tonight, sent a shuddef
over Dan which he could not account
for.
"why, Jim, you don't expect any.
thing to happen, do your"
mo, OF course not; but think what
a terror to our nelghborhood the In
fernal Whitecaps have always been. II
we can sell the farm, l think we had
better move away"
"D--n the Whltecaps" replied Dan
'But you needn't be afraid Of my hav-
they attack us tonight. and then shall
try 70 kill off wagon load Of the
devils. But We ought TO hurry home
Jim, and get our guns ready. We can
hide In the brush by the smoke house
and when they crowd into the yard
will be the time TO sprinkle them with
buckshot."
They were now about half way home
and were nearing the crossing OF a
little stream. What scene OF beauty
would have burst upon their vision
had they been in mood to see IT,
The tall sweet gum and cypress and
magnolia overlapping like an arch
above the road while the underbrush
on each side was SO intertwined with
brambie and ivy and grape as to be
almost impenetrable 10 man. And the
road, descending the declivlty, had the
appearance Of entering tunnel-as in
deed II was. tunnel Of forestry. The
night was calm and pleasant and the
nre flies filled the air like sparks ris-
ing from the burning crate.