The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-01

I $3.50 He said he was then going with
his mate TO some ether newer mines
and II things went well he was going
TO settle down and turn over a new leaf
and he hoped 1 should then come bach
to him. He said he had gold dust with
him worth nearly $25 900. so we should
be quite well 10 do people. Soon after
this my father was taken III and after
months - suffering passed away. and il
was then that grief and nursing broke
me down, and was ailing for months.
Later .hay told me that Mark had
gone North. and that he had quarreled
with his mate and murdered him. II
was supposed. for his share OF the gold
This was at a lonely place called Nor
toms Drive. and the body was not dis
covered for some days; but although
the head had been completely cut Cd,
II was Identified as the mate who had
passed through some town with Alfred
York. From that time ten years ago,
I have never heard CT him OF from him
When recovered I took TO teaching.
and eight years ago I obtained the ap-
pointment to Broken Ridge. retained
, my married name, but let IL be in
ferred that my husband was dead.
Sometimes / wish he was
If you knew that he was dead. Mrs.
Dallinger. would you marry me?" asked
Jobr Breton. earnestly.
Yes. John Bretton-if / knew" SAID
Mrs. Dellinge-. kindly; but IT is that
n which makes what you ask imp1s-
sible."
The court house at Broken Ridge was
crammed 10 its utmost capacity. Rumor
had spread that the inquiry. on the find
ing OF the skull az Merton's Drive was
going to be even better than an inquest
and an inq'lest was always considered
at Broken Ridge to be nearly as good az
a circus.
Certainly tSe court house itself seem
ed to promise something unusual. Tor
above each OF the windows was huns
a roll Of thick black cloth What they
were there for was being eagerly specu-
lated upon when the magistrate en-
tered. and sudden stiffness fell upon
the room.
Gentlemen" said the magistrate, Il
am doubtful how 10 describe the In
Quiry which we are about 10 make II
can hardly be considered an inquest. as
We have already held one ten years ago
upon the body OF the man TO whom the
skull which hes recently been found is
supposed to have belonged sheriff
Short has laid before me certain 1acts
and ne now proposes TO lay before this
-er-thls assembly or tOwnsmen some
interesting evidence. which he thinks
Will Identify the skull as belonging TO
Richard Somers. who was foully muir
cered al Merton's Drive ten years ago-.
beg your pardon. sheriff.
Il said I would identify IL as belong
ing 20 the murdered man" said the
sheriff.
quite so. quite so" continued the
magistrate.
Gentlemen, on March the 18th ten
years ago two men came TO Broken
Ridge who gave their names as Alfred
York and Richard Somers. Who they
were or whence they came never trans
spired. but 1t was known that they were
miners, and each possessed large
amount Of gold dust. They stayed for
one night at the Grand Hotel. Both
men were finely built fellows, but in
character they were different. One was
rough and ready. and were a red shirt
and no collar. The other was more OF
a dandy and dressed with greater care.
It was the latter man who met his
death so untimely.
ION the following morning they paid
their bill ind left the hotel together,
and they we're seen on the track to
Mertcn's Drive by a man-Jack Rowley
who has since died. Nothing more was
heard OF them until the body. of the
better dressed man. Richard Somers, was
found dead in Merton's Drive some days
after. The body was found with the
head completely severed, and it was
never traced. but the skull now discoy-
cred is believed to be that OF the muir
dered man. Two years ago a verdict of
murder was returned against Alfred
York. but he was never apprehended-
Gentlemen. ! now ask Sheriff Short to
lay before you his evidence
Sheriff Short was dapper little man,
who quickly got 20 business. Witnesses
were called to prove the finding OF the