The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-02-06
copyrish. 1902. w. K. Hearst.

- ..#.r t
without the customary wrangling of
attorneys although every bit Of evil
dence was fought by the lawyer So"
the accused men. The evidence on
which the conviction Of Jackson de-
pended was that of the bribed Witness,
and he was reserved for the next day.
SO far, there was nothing spread into
the record which tended to fasten the
crime specialized by the state against
the prisoners.
Returning to his office after the court
adjourned Denham busted himself with
matters long neglected. His work be-
came distastcful to him and his whole
life seemed out of gear. He had been
untrue to his oath, yet he had done
nothing to interfere with the hating
steps Of justice. If he could only resign
and get away from the evil and nasti-
ness Of it all. He felt that this time
when the public's eye was upon him he
was making a sorry figure indeed.
Again the witness with a thirst for
money raped at his door. He needed
another thousand dollars and must
have it quick" Nc p~ostponement would
be listened to. It must be paid at once
or while giving his testimony he would
drop a gentle hint or two that the re
porters could not miss.
Denham knew that it would be impos-
oipiS ~ SCI llC liollCS llli lllSIL "a
told the man SO. He had already placed
himself in his hands. He was at wits
ends. He was given until l o'clock the
next morning to deposit the money in
the hands Of the man whose victim he
now realized himself to be.
The situation now became moro thar
serious. 1t was life or death to the fair
name of his wife, her father, and ire
vocable ruin to himself. Frank Jack
~, 1,fN,t-~J L~,, - ,,,e-
now to those of his own ilk as Ten
der-hearted Willie.". The district at
torney then decided upon a new course
of action. He would see Grace's broth
er that night.
1t was an Unusual situation at this
stage of the trial for the district attor-
e to be locked up with the prisoner
for more than an hour, but Denham's
probity was held in very high esteem,
and no one at the jail thought
the circumstance even suspicious.
When the district attorney left the pris-
oner he was advised by him to wait at
his office until half past twelve the next
morning ana he would then find smooth
sailing.
With his feet upon the fender and
immersed deep in thought, Denham
counted off the minutes that divided
the time for the witness to put In a re-
appearance. Inc nanQS OF the big
clock pointed to the midnight hour
when the ominous knocking at the door
apprised him that his visitor was there
like a vulture on it's prey.
"a bit early, but I will wait until the
hour set" he chuckled, as he saw the
drawn, scared face of the district at
torney before him.
Then they both sat down, staring at
n another. Denham's nerves We're
drawn SO tight he thought they would
split apart. His hands twitched and
his upper lip danced upon the lower.
The visitor was composed and calm,
looking into the fire, safe for the time
his eyes were not following the hands
of the terror generating dial.
Precisely at half past twelve a loud
stamping of feet was heard down the
corridor, and a minute later three men
whose shadows could be seer through
the frosted door demanded admittance.
The visitor opened the door. One of the
men, a detective in plain clothes, hand
ed h district attorney 6. note, saying
at the same time: Hes dead. Took
poison. This was left addressed to
you. We hurried here"
The district attorney By the greatest
effort kept his wits together. With
trembling hands he opened the en-
velope and shakingly unfolding the pa
per read aloud: There is no more for
you to do. One word from the star
witness and his life is marked by the
avengers" :
Tender Hearted Willie" died UNI
mourned by father or sister, but his
grave is occasionally decorated with
flowers sent by the district attorney.
The star witness ven his way.