Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-07-06
THE SECRET CLOSET.

! I'LL ULUhLi OLUOLl. J
r~o~o~>~Nno~~nn~
R s a detective in England, was
IN connected with the following
very remarkable case:
In the year 1867, John Smith, I use
fictitious names) was indicted for the
murder of Henry Thompson. The case
was extraordinary, and the interest ex-
cited by 1t was almost unparalleled.
The accused was gentleman of con-
siderable property, residing upon his
own estate. A person, supposed to be
an entire stranger to him, had late in
summers day requested and obtain.
ed shelter and hospitality for the night.
He had. 1t was supposed, after taking
some light refreshment, retired TO bed
In perfect health, requesting to be
called at an early hour. When the ser.
want entered the room for that pur-
pose. the stranger was found quite
dead, and obviously had been 80 for
many hours. There was not the slight
est mark of violence, and the coun-
tenance retained the expression 1t had
had during life.
Days and weeks passed, and little
was discovered, but rumor had not
been idle. Suspicious were first whis-
pered, and afterwards boldly express.
ed. The precise object of them was
not clearly indicated. some duplicating
one person, and some another, but they
all pointed to the master Of the house
as concerned in the death OF the
stranger, and, in fine, the magistrates
were induced to commit Mr.. Smith for
trial. As 1t was deemed essential to
keep secret the evidence before the
magistrates. all the information Of
which the public were in possession
was q a Il 4 hieir have narrated. Such
was the state of things upon the morn
ing of the trial.
The counsel for the prosecution open.
ed the case to the jury in manner
that indicated little expectation for
conviction. He began by imploring
them to divest their minds OF all that
they had heard before they came into
the box; he entreated them to attend
to the evidence. and Judge from that
alone.
1t would be proved that the deceased
died by poison-poison of the most sub.
tie nature, active in operation and DOS
sessing the wonderful and dreadful
quality Of leaving no external mark
by which Its presence could be detect.
ed. The Ingredients Of 1t were SO soda.
tive that instead Of the body on which
1t had been used exhibiting any marks
of suffering. 1t left upon the features
nothing but the calm and placid an
pearance Of repose.
The prisoners family consisted Of
only himself, housekeeper and one
man servant. The man servant slept
In an clubhouse adjoining the stable
and did so on the night Of Thompson,
death. The prisoner slept at one
end OF the house, the housekeeper a,
the other, and the deceased had beer
put into room adjoining the house
keepers.
1t would be proved by person pass
ing the house on the night in question,
about three hours after midnight, thai
he had been induced to remain and
watch, from having his attention ex.
cited by the moving of light about
the house at that late hour. The per.
son would state positively that he
could distinctly see figure, HOLDING
the light. go from the room In which
the prisoner slept to the housekeeper'a
room. that two persons then came Out
of the housekeeper's room, and the
light disappeared for minute. Wheth
er the two persons went into Thomp.
sons room he could not see, as the win
dow of that room looked another way;
but in about minute they returned
passing quietly along the house ia
Smiths room again. and In about five
minutes the light was e1tinguished
and he saw 1t no more.
Such was the evidence upon which
the magistrate had committed Smith
and singularly enough, since his com
initial the housekeeper had disappear
ed, nor could any trace of her be dis
covered.
Within the last week the person who
had seen the light had been more par
hcularly examined. and in order to re-
fresh his memory had been placed a,
dark In the very spot where he hal
stood that night, and another person
was placed with him. The whole scene
Is he had described 1t. was acted ovel
again, but 1t was impossible, from thu
cause above mentioned. to assert, whe1
the light had disappeared. whether tn,
parties had gone into the stranger'i
room. As If, however. to throw still
deeper mystery over the transaction
the witness now added new featur,
to his former statement. that after tn,
persons returned with the light int
Smiths room. he had twice perceived
some dark object intervene between
the Hight and the window, almost al
large rs the surface of the window II
self. and which he described by saying
1t appeared as II door had beer
placed before the light.
Now in Smiths room there was moth
ing which could account for tuls ap
pearance; his bed was In a corner, an<
there was neither cupboard nor press
in the room, which. but for the bed
was entirely empty, the room in which
he dressed being beyond.
~ would state only one fact NOR
|.