The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-04

found with a halter In his hands and Il
had been identified as belonging to the lost
horse. Wells was very drunk and was
unable 10 offer any. satisfactory explana-
ton OF his possession OF the halter. His
accuser was Jim Orr. a gambler. and
Wells most bitter enemy. In those days
circumstantial evidence of the weakest
sort was sufficient to convict. Courts were
unnecessary A lynching bee was imme
diately planned, and Wells was being hur-
ried along 70 his doom by the mob when
Beveridge happened upon the scene. The
spectacle was too much FOR him. His
ideas of Justice were outraged. His law
yer Instinct asserted itself. and amid great
personal danger he stopped the Infatuated
mob and began pleading for Wells NE. II
was hia first case. and I'm II he achieved
his first great triumph. The very audae'tN
OF the pale young tendcrfoot commanded
attention, and Beveridge began pouring
out his impassisned pleadines for the man
whom he believed TO be innocent. What
right had they to take his lifeg Wells
was drunk and unable to explain why the
halter was found in hts possession. Wells
had always borne good reputation tle
had a bitter enemy. Was II not possible
that this enemy had placed the halter In
Wells hands for q dire purposef Thus
Beveridge argued with the mob untU ne
conquered II Wells was released and
was subsequently proven Innocent Of the
charge.
psveridge's illusions to wells enemy
rere so pointed that everyone understood
whom he meant Orr was especially bit
ter toward Reveridge. and at the dinner
table that day he sought quarrel win
the audacious young man and ne sue
reeaed In getting II, Revcridge was very
outspoken IN expressing his opinion Of
,he Gambler, Orr sprang TO hts feet with
an oath and brough, his clsnehed nst
down heavily upon the table. He abused
peyerIdge roundly and left the room
swearing that he would Kill him IL was
no tale threat As Beveridge was return
,nr "a his once after dinncr. Orr stepped
ont from behind a small building and
confronted him. Orr's features were
tense with passion. and as he drew hts
revolver there could be no doubt as 20
MS nurpose Beverfdge was unarued. In
,he FACE Of what ne then believed certain
death he could not suppress a feeling %
s,ar,Ist and anger for the oowardly villain
hssare him. lie denounced Orr with
words OF furious Indignation. and all the
time he was talking he could not help
wondering why Orr aid not raise his gun
ANA shoot He simply stood there IN a
shifting. uneasy attitude. meekiy submit
,trr 10 the most CALLING denuuciation.
when Reveridge had finished his tongue
lashinr he turned about 70 leave ard
therp stood Steve Grosscnp, the stage
driver with his revolver ievelcd AZ Orr.
lie had heard Orr's threat al the dinner
table and had quietly followed hts friend
.,a henefactar In order 70 protect him
Are YOU done sktnniug him, Mr.. Bsv-
ortsres'' Grossrup asked calmly
.,stevc." exclaimed Beveridge. recover-
,y,,- ,ron, his surprise. Yes. Steve. I
guess / have given him the best l have
in the shop"
well. then. I'll take charge ~ him for
ov-hIle" added CirosscuN as he marched
Orr down the road. az the point of his
revolver C;rosscup told orr that " he
ever showed his face in ntghton again he
would BE- dead man orr took me hlnt
rixsnneartrE down the road. he was
,e,er heard OF afterwards. Thus Gross
Gun squared his debt TO Beveridge