The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-04-15

suers at such a moment enough TO
make them listen-to find the word
was a greater, and by the word and
by gestures at once vehemently Inn
perious and imploring to stop them
was a still greater. But he did 1t. He
had come at just the moment before
the moment that would have been too
late. They all heard him. They all
knew, too, that he was not trying to
save the Crossroads as a matter of
duty. because he had given that up be-
fore the mob left Plattville. Indeed, II
was question II at the last he had
not tacitly approved, and no one feared
indictments for the days work. 1t
would do no harm to listen to what he
had to say. The work could wait 1t
would keep for five minutes. They
began to gather around him, excited,
flushed, perspiring and smelling of
smoke. Hartley Bowlder. won by
Lige's desperation and intrepidity, was
helping the latter tie up his head No
one else was hurt.
What is itT'' they clamored impa-
tiently. Speak Quickr' There was
another harmless shot from a fugitive,
and then the Crossroaders, divining
that the diversion was in their favor,
secured themselves in their decrepit
Businesses and held their fire. Mean
while the flames cracked cheerfully
In Plattville ears. No matter what the
prosecutor had to say, at least the Skill
lett saloon and homestead were gone,
and Bob Skillet and one other would
be sick enough to be good for awhile.
"Listenp cried Warren Smith, and,
rising in his stirrups again. read the
missive in his hand. Western Union
telegraph form. "Warren Smith, Platt-
ville," was the direction.
Found both shell men Police familiar
with both and both wanted here One
arrested at noon In secondhand clothes
store wearing Harkiess' hat: also trying
to dispose torn full dress coat known to
have been worn by Harkless last night
Stains on lining believed blood. Second man
found later at freight yards I'm empty
lumber car left Plattville p. m. badly
hurt. shot and bruised. Supposed Hark-
| less made hard fight. Hurt man taken to
hospital unconscious VIII die. Other
| man refuses to talk 30 far. Check any
movement Crossroads. This clears Skill
ktt, etc. Come over on s:l5 accommoda-
/ ton.
The telegram was signed by Horner.
the sheriff. and by Barrett. the super
intendent OF police at Rouen-
Its all q mistake, boys" the lawyer
said as be handed the paper 10 Watts
| and Parker for inspection. The ladies
| at the judges were mistaken. that's all.
and this proves IL. It's easy enough TO
understand. They were frightened by
the storm, and watching a fence a
quarter OF a mile away by flashes Of
| lightning any one would have been
confused and imagined all the horrors
on earth. don't deny but what be-
lIeved IL for awhile. and don't deny
but the Crossroads is pretty tough, but
you've done a good deal here already
today. and we're saved In time from a
mistake that would have turned out
mighty bad. This settles Il. Horner got
. wire bo 60 soon as they got track OF
the first man. That was when we Saw
him on the Rouen accommodation"
/ A slightly cracked voice, yet a huski
ly tuneful one. was lifted quaveringly
on the air from the roadside. where al
old man and a yellow dog sat in the
dust together, the latter reprieved al
the last moment. his surprised head
rakishly garnished with q hasty wreatl
of dog fennel daisies.
"John Browns body lies a-moldering In
the ground.
While we go marching on
klree-uuarters OF an hour later the
Inhabitants OF the Crossroads, saved
they knew not how; guilty, knowing
nothing OF the fantastic pendulum OF
opinion which. swung by the events OF
the day. had marked the fatal moment
of guilt n"w on others, now on them
WHO L,EervCd it-these natives and
refugees. conscious of atrocity, dunn
founded by a miracle. thinking the
world gcne mad, lowered together ir
q dark, ragged mass at the CROSSING
corners, while the skeleton Of the rot
ting buggy in the slough rose behind
them against the face Of the west
They peered with stupefed eyei
through the smoky twilight
From afar. family through the
cleaning, came mournfully to theil
ears the many voiced refrain, fainter
fainter:
"John Browns body lies a-moldering IL
the ground.
John Browns body lies a-moldering fl
/ the ground.
John Browns body iies-mold- 80
ssss ~e go march ''s on
/ IT, ha continued