Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1901-07-05
certain clothing he mad left; be casual

ly recalled various incidents, aud he
had settled down as the long lost re-
turned when be learned that his Iden.
tty was questioned. lie promptly de-
Inanded the fullest and closest investl-
cation. and the doubters we're ready to
make II.
In his boyhood days Jared Burton
had received a burn on the foot leav-
| ing a bad scar. This man exhibited
the scar. Jared Burton had been bitten
on the calf OF the leg by dog. Here
was the scar Of the bite. He had once
bean near death by drowning. This
man told of the incident. He had been
In Chicago with his uncle for a week;
he had fallen or the roof of a barn; hs
had been on Jury In lawsuit: he had
been robbed by man on the highway.
All these things were told over without
a mistake. together with hundreds Of
other Incidents. II was public inves-
tigation. with everybody free to ask
questions, and It lasted four days.
There were still some who carped after
It was closed, but there was complete
change Of popular opinion, and Jared
Burton was compllmented on all sides.
The mother and sister fully accepted
him. and he settled down into bis place
unquestioned. Three months had gone
by. and the talk and wonder had all
died out when blind man came along
one day. He was known in various vii
lagos as "Old Hanson" He sang
songs. told fortunes and performed
tricks and was well liked. Standing On
the public square with crowd around
him. he sang songs and then asked II
Jared Burton was among the specta-
tors. Jared stepped forward. and the
old man took him by the hand. 1t was
his boast that. having once heard
mans voice and shaken hands with
him. he could forever after Identify
him by the feel of bis palm.
This is not Jared Burtonr' he ex-
claimed as he let the hand fall.
But 1t is," chorused dozen voices.
But | say II Is not. IL Is not his
hand. | never met this hand before"
You will believe 1t Is Jared Burton
when | tell you SO. won't youf" asked
Jared.
NO. You cannot deceive me on the
palm. You are stranger to me-"
There had been an Investigation and
an acquittal, but yet the blind mans
words set people TO thinking. especially
as Jared himself seemed to be greatly
put out The whole question would
have been reopened again but that he
started of for Chicago next day on
what he claimed was matter of busi-
ness. He had q close shave of It. He
hadn't been gone two hours when
sheriff from distant county came to
arrest him as one of gang OF land
stealers and counterfeiters. He was
followed. but not overhauled. His real
name was Charles Wright. As to what
became of the true Jared Burton no one
can say, but he doubtless met his death
In some way through falling into the
hands of the gang. He had papers
with him. but how they got him to talk
and give the incidents OF his life can.
not be understood. 1t was a curious
thing that another man should so close
ly resemble him and should bear the
same scars. but 1t was fact not to be
got over. The blind mainland the sher-
1T declared the man to be a cheeky Inn
postor, and the latter furnished plenty
of proofs, but the question has not been
settled yet and perhaps never Will be.
passed day In the village not long
ago. and found the people about even
ly divided as to whether the true Jared
had not actually returned and been
driven on again.