The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1905-04-27

L0\ connected with the following
very remarkable case:
In the year 1867, John Smith. I ms,
ncutlous names) was indicted for the
murder Of Henry Thompson. The case
was extraordinary, and the interest ex-
cited by 1t was almost unparalleled
Inc accused was a 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 mad, 1t was supposed. after taking
some light refreshment, retired 10 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 ouite
dead, and obviously had been so for
many hours There was not the slight
est marx Of violence, and the eoun-
Ienance retained the expression it had
had during life.
Days anr weeks passed, and little |
was discovered. but rumor had NOT |
Deen idle Suspicious were first whis-
pered. and afterwards boldly exnress-
cd 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
t1al AS 1t was deemed essential IN
Keep secret the evidence before the I
all the Information Of s
"nieh the public were in possession c
WAS mat which l have narrated. Such
was the state Of things upon the morn
Ing of the trial. n
Inc counsel for the prosecution open- II
20 the case to the jury In a manner a
nat indicated little expectation for a
He began by imploripp p
hem to divest their minds OF all tbo3 In
hey had heard before they came into di
ne box; he entreated them to attend oil
the evidence, and judge from that pt
lone tn
IL would be proved that the deceased 70
ca Oy poison-poison OF the most sinh In
e nature. active in operation and nos.
,ssing the wonderful and dreadful to
lanty OF leaving no external mark on
wnich It's presence could be detect. Gu
Inc ingredients OF it were so seda. Sh
fe mat instead Of the body on which | for
mad been used exhibiting any marks a I
suffering, 1t left upon the textures on
tling but the calm and placid an for
arance OF repose. the
The prisoners family consisted NJ in
y himself a housekeeper and one hin
In servant The man servant slept and
an clubhouse adjoining the stable he
did 50 on the night of Thompson,s ed
lth- The prisoner slept at one beel
OF the house, the housekeeper at prIs
other, and the deceased had boon pea,
INTO room adjoining the. bouse- ener
per's. oou,
would be proved by a person pass prob
lne mousse on the night in question. his I
Ut three hours after midnight. that out ,
had been induced to remain and Not
On, from having his attention ex- givei
d Dy the moving of light about Of b
mouse at that late hour The per- appe
"ouiu state positively that he 50 ia
uistlnctiy see figure, holding ment
iight, go from the room In which su,
prisoner slept to the housekeeper,s whicl
J. mat two persons then came ont was :
tne housekeeper's room, and the mann
disappeared for a minute Wbetb- moss
.o ~ persons went into Thomp- The |
80 "e eou'u NOT see, as the win box a
OF that room looked another wav. the n,
N about a minute they returned house
ng quietly along the house TO slne
rs room again, and in about five notbi1
ties the light was extingulshed annaa,
he saw 1t no more. -. !
n was the evidence upon which tue
Magistrate had committed smith. arnts-
ingularly enough, since his com sba
the housekeeper had disapDesr- e,,s ~,
'r could any trace Of her be dls. caIIe1
"a SaHeu
min the last week the person who sssar
zen the light had been more par - ha-
'ly examined, and In order to re- 80, ~ :,
his memory had been placed at ino III,
IN the very spot where he had da,+'
that night. and another person ssa