The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-04-01
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Gentlemen, have you agreed upon
verdict" asked the clerk OF twelve
solemn faced men in the Jury box.
I'VE have" responded the foreman,
handing a folded paper to the clerk,
who read aloud the Endorsement on the
back: I'VE, the jury, find the prisoner
guilty of murder In the first degree. as
charged In the Indictment"
william Throemorton," said Judge
Smithson, with judicial sternness,
after fair trial. defended by able
counsel, you stand convicted OF the
cruel and deliberate murder of Olive
Graham.
at has been shown that the young
woman had promised to become your
wife. Her parents, contiding In your
honorable Intentions, had recognized
you as her accepted lover and the door
of their home was open to you.
While the motive In your crime Is
not apparent, the facts which fasten
it upon you are linked into chain OF
circumstances strong and ineontro-
vertible.
the porch of her home; an instant later
her cry for mercy was heard by her
parents above the storm then raging
Fastening to her assistance, they
found her murdered body on the slope
of the hill rod from the door.
You We're taken soon after. as 1t
were, red handed, the bloody knife
with which the deed was done having
been found upon your person.
"You have pleaded not guilty but
have not disproved Il single fact the
state alleged against you.
"Fhe penalty of your crime as by
statute fixed is death. Have you any
thing to say why the sentence should
not be pronouncedY
Throcmorton was Il pink of physic.
al manhood, well knit, erect, with a
character as straight ms his form. He
held n medal from "the management"
and was the wearer Of watch, the
gift of grateful passengers when he
was taken from the wreck OF his en-
CINE. "Throc," az they called him,
was more than liked; he was loved by
the sflmy rohumen.
When the last word fell from Judge
Smithson, the character of the man
and the stubborn facts of the case stood
in solemn contrast. In such contest
character must lose.
The eyes OF Throcmorton shone
straight into the eyes of the judge.
There was nothing of bravado In his
manner, neither tremor nor sign of
weakening.
''If 1t please your honor" responded
the prisoner, rising as he spoke, ut
will shock you and all present when
say l mourn for Olive Graham and am
inDoeent. Hut what 10 II wurth ~ nay
II In the face Of the eyidencei Had l
sat with the jury l must have come
to their verdict. | am ready, your
honor, for the sentence"
Moved by some sudden impulse, the
judge turned to the sheriff and said In
n faltering voice: Remove the pris-
oner and return him for sentence to
the bar OF this court. The day and
hour the court will later Indicate"
Old Graham was pensioned track
inspector. who loved the thunder of
trains and scream of whistles.
He had built his house thirty feet
from the roadbed. Just back of 1t and
extending down to the track was an
abrupt twenty foot cliff OF shale, the
perpendicular face of which was
smooth. 1t was In front of 1t that they
found the body Of Olive.
No. 40 just ran out of the round
house, had backed up and coupled to
the st. Louis express. 1t was Tom
Doyle's pet engine.
Doyle was looking from the cab win
dow for the signal to start Az an en-
gneer he was II good second to ThrOc-
morton. He was Throc's next friend
and was to have been best man Mt his
wedding.
He believed Throcmorton was limo
cent because he couldn't believe other
wise. But there were the facts, and
when he thought OF them there was
lump In his throat.
Ted Ellie, Doyles fireman, had just
raked the crate when squad OF the
boys came by.
whats the news?' asked Ted.
'Throc's guilty an got TO swing"
came back from the crowd.
Fifty turies couldn't make me be-
lieve Throc killed Ollie Grah'm" said
Doyle. emphasizing with his fist on
the window sill.
The day had been sweltering. clouds
had gathered and the night was black,
II was down grade, and Tom Doyle,
with hand on throttle valve and eye
on the rails. was ready to slack at
the curve.
The storm had burst, and Just as
the engine struck the curve fash
light met full on the face Of the cliff.
The sight Tom Doyle saw made him
reel and grip the lever.
"a letter for Mr.. Absalom Conway
called out Goggin, the worthy proprie-
tor OF San Francisco gambling den,
putting emphasis on "Mr. Absalom."
That's you, Alb, I reckon" he added,
tossing him the letter.
Mr.. Conway eyed the letter full
minute and, looking nervously over his
shoulder. tore the envelope.
W--o. Aug. l. 1893.
Friend Ab-They say my nerves Is
broke an | mus run half time or throw
up I'll divvy my runs with you, an II
my nerves don't mend yours IL the job
fer good. Right away you must come
An it's yours am. TOM DOYLE.
In the cab of No. 40 sat Absal0m
Conway TO divide the run with Doyle.
Ted Ellie was fireman. There was dis
tant thunder; big drops began to pat
ter and the wind raised A storm was
ON.
Jump into the cab. Ted, just fore
we strike the curve" said Doyle below
his breath as he put foot on the engine
step.