Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-04-29
MYSTERY OF THE
WOODS
Copyright, 1905. by A. N. Kellogg Newspaper Co.
By WALLER Kennedy.

2
unfortunate affair in every way, and
reference to it was carefully avoided
in our family. My father was very
taciturn man naturally, and he never
told me anything about it. / was
from home a great deal, having been
sent to college when was is, and I
never knew the full details of the af-
fair. Indeed, only knew that years
ago he had killed his overseer and
that he had been cleared by jury.
To make a long story short, my wife
is the daughter of Jefferson Baxter,
and when my father learned that 1
was about to marry her he moved
heaven and earth to break off the
match; but 1 would not listen to his
I objections, and he accordingly disin-
herited me and forbade me to ever
come again into his presence"
you have sometimes solicited aid
of him, have you not?"
Yes; have been very unfortunate
in business. My wife's continued ill
ness has been the cause of my losing
several good positions, as 1 have al
ways thought that my first duty was
| to her. At times we have been in
great distress, and have gone to my
father to see if he would not relent
and help us. The last time l went
was few days before his body was
discovered; indeed, it was the day
! before he was murdered"
"Did you quarrel with him and
threaten him on that day?"
Sour interview was little stormy,
| but was half crazy with hunger and
despair. I am certain, however, that
! / never threatened him, and never
entertained any idea of wreaking ven
geance upon him; for, of course, it
| was his privilege to make himself
I granite toward me If he SO chose"
"Can you think of anyone who
would have motive for committing
this crime?n
II suppose 1 could; but decline
to give my surmises for testimony
This answer created considerable
speculation, but insist as they would,
the witness could not be made to say
whether he had any suspicious, or
what they were. His testimony di-
vided sentiment, some thinking that
he was the guilty person, others sid
ing with him because they believed
he was innocent, or because they
could not blame him much if he had
rid the earth of such man as John
L. Wright.
The next witness was young man
by the name of Frank Bradley, who
bol hoe 4.
as Wright. He was asked whether
he had hunted anywhere in the Vi
cinity of the murder. He replied in
the affirmative.
II dropped in at Uncle Dicks cabin
to get warm," he said, "and after
] had left him and was going to the
city, met Herbert Wright between
there and the city"
'Who is Uncle Dick?"
He is an old hunter who lives by
himself in cabin in the Bayou
Woods. Doesn't have much to do with
the world, but he's always very glad
to see anybody who comes to his
place.
Where is his cabin?"
Its on the long road through the
Bayou Woods"
You know Herbert Wright?"
Yes; 1 have known him since we
were boys"
did you stop and talk any?"
ut was bitterly cold, and he
seemed almost frozen. spoke to him
and asked him where he was going,
that was all"
"Did he reply?"
"He did"
what did he say?"
Dicks"
what time was it when you saw
him?"
1T was about quarter past five,
think"
did you notice any weapon or
bludgeon about him?"
81 think he carried stout stick"
While this witness was giving his
testimony, detective came hurriedly
into the room and called the chief Of
police aside. They engaged in eager
conversation for some minutes. When
the chief returned to his place he
whispered something into the ear Of
the coroner, who listened attentively,
bowed, and then resumed the proceed
| ings.
A witness was next produced who
had seen Herbert Wright in town
about $3.50 o'clock of the day Of the
murder. The witness was in saloon
ut the time, had seen Wright enter,
pour out very large drink of whisky
and gulp it down.
did he pay for it2"
"Yes."
"What was his appearance?"
He was either nervous OF very
cold. He had bundle under his arm
which l took for groceries,"
After this witness had been ex-
amined, Warde whispered the chief
] that he considered it pretty lame
case against young Wright.
"You still banker after the mysteri-
Gus arctics, do you?"
Eyes"
| "of course your theory is more
sensational and picturesque, but as q
| general thing murder is rather pro.
sale affair. Wait till you hear all the
testimony and think you will say
that we have made out pretty fair
case"
Warde himself was next called upon
to testify. He told all about his in
vestigation of the footprints In the
snow, but his testimony was received
with a smile, and it was evident that
the auditors looked upon his dis
coveries as of no Importance, and con-
sidered him harmless young man
who labored under the impression
that he was cleverer than other peo-
pie. Even COL Franklin did not APP
pear to attach any Importance to
Warde's Investigations. So the mys-
terious arctics walked out Of court az
a joke.
/ There was moments pause ere
the next witness answered the sum
/ $50 ko1N