La Junta tribune., 1905-11-15

proved 20 have been manu-
D facfured. led to a father
Apsyiction for the supDoss1l
murder OF his daughter. is described in
the records of Gibraltar.
The story is one that would afford a
Plot for novelist. yet il is vouchel
eor by efiicial records
There lived in Gibraltar an English
merchant named James Baxweil. who
had married a Spanish woman and
seared Q daughter named Eiesla. re-
markable for her beauty Ia ls4I,
when the girl WAS seventeen. she re-
Nirned the affection of one OF many
suitors. young man named William
kstf.
Daxwell refused to allow his daush-
ter to marry katt. as their religious
Beliefs were not the same. The girl
Nrew herself at aer fathers feet in
suppiicafic n. but TO no avail He was
deaf alike TO her entreaties and those of
the young man.
But the girl had Inherited a high
spirit from her mother. and vowed
she would marry the man of her choice.
This reused her sather to intense an
ger. and a violent scene followed. dur
ing which he declared he would strike
her dead before he would give his
consent to her marriage. The threat
was heard by Katt.
The merchants house stood at the
base of the rock. and near it was one
Of the many natural caves of Gibraltar.
which he used for a storage place in
his business.
Two days after the scene with her
father Eiezia disappeared. Passers
heard walls and groans In the cave.
which died away as they listened. They
reported what they heard In a few
days Baxwell was asked to explain
the absence Of his daughter. He said
he could not. She had gone away. and
that wns all he knew about II.
He was arrested on q charge Of hav-
ing murdered the girl. The cave was
searched, and piece Of her dress and
Sock Of her hair. matted with blood.
were found.
BaxwelI protested his innocence. but
was brought to trial and was found
guilty. On being sentenced he was
ovGeome. and remained in a state OF
collapse until the day set for the exc
cution. On going to the scafYold. he
crsesi. Before my Maker. I am guilt
less OF my child's deathr'
In the crowd at the foot OF the
ecanold was kait. who had been an
important witness at the trial.
Catching sight Of him. Baxwell ex-
tepded his hand, saying:
My friend. In oue minute I shall be
A. ..l. q A.. "A.
ai'smen. Give me your hand-I pardon
you freely for the injury you have done
me-"
Katt became pale on hearing these
words. Baxwell mounted the steps
slowly. and the black bonnet was put
on him and the rope adjusted.
According to custom the hangman
then called in a loud voice: "Justice
Is going! Justice Is dOne.' and pre-
pared TO perform the hnaI act.
AZ that moment william Katt cried
. 4 broken voice: 1T 10 I who am
guilty-I alone-'
He then declared that he had carried
on the girl and married her. and that
she was now concealed near Gibraltar.
To revenge himself for the scorn Of
her' father he had planned TO throw
suspicion OF foul play on Baxweli. He
had cut OF lock OF Elezia's hair while
she slept and had dabblsd II In the
blood of sAeep. had purloined piece
Of her dress and hidden them in the
cave. while he himself made the cries
at time when he knew they would be
overheard.
Remorse aroused by the forgiveness
Of the merchant had led him to confess.
Before Katt's story was all told the
executioner turned to Baxwell to re-
move from his head the insignia Of
death. He found the old man had sunk
down in collapse to sitting posture.
The black bonnet was drawn on and
Baxwell was found to be dead!
Katt was seized and Imprisoned. The
unhappy girl wife retired to a convent.
An analysis Of the blood on the lock
Of hair found In the cave would at this
day, have weakened the case against
the father.