Willmar tribune., 1909-01-13

y
HlSM4M up great clouds OF
smoke and sparks. The
moment the train came to a full stop
a man on the platform made a rush
for the nearest railway carriage. He
opened the door and entered, but sud.
denly drew back with look of fear on
his face and a cry of horror on his
lips.
"Get aboard! Get aboard" cried a
guard impatiently. I'VE can't wait
here all night"
The man, who had one foot on the
station platform and the other on the
railway carriage, stood there as
though he had been petrified. The
guard, finding that his shouts were
useless, hurried up to ascertain the
cause Of the delay. In a trice he was
by the side of the hesitating passen-
ger
whats the matter?" he asked.
In answer, the man pointed the fore
finger OF his right hand toward the
interior of the carriage, and uttered
the one word:
'Look!"
The guard looked and what he saw
robbed his tongue of it's glibness. The
setting sun sent a golden streak into
the coach and the glaring light re-
vealed there on the blue cushions a
hesitating passenger entered together
and made careful examination Of
the carriage. The mans first sight had
not deceived him. There could be no
possible doubt about it, The cushions
of the carriage were soaked with hu-
man blood. Inside the coach was hat,
walking stick, and small black
leather bag.
The railway carriage was run on to
Its destination and dispatch instant
ly flashed to Col. James Fraser, the
head of the London police force. In
the meantime the most persistent
cross-questioning failed to throw any
light whatever upon the mystery of
the blood-soaked cushions. The guard
remembered in a hazy sort of way
that two men had entered the carriage
just before the train left Fenchurch
street in London. His impression was
that they were together but he had
no certain recollection of that. AS to
their appearance, he was totally at
sea. He only knew that he had a
crowded train that day, and in the
hurry and hustle of his work paid but
scant attention to individuals.
There was one clue, however, and
that was of character that could not
be overlooked even in the density dis
played by the railway officials. 1t was
the impression of blood-stained hand
on the door of the railway carriage.
The first act of Col. Fraser was to
order the guilty carriage out
of service. He directed that
special pains be taken to preserve the
impression Of the blood stained hand
so that it could be referred to when
ever the occasion demanded.
That same night word came to po-
lice headquarters that the body of a
well-dressed man had been discovered
at a spot where the North London
railway passes Victoria park. The man
was unconscious but still alive. He
was taken to nearby hospital and all
that medical science could do was
done to restore him to consciousness,
but in vain. He died within "a hours
without saying word. 1t was evident
from the start that he had been mur-
dered. Unfortunately, his head and
face had been beaten so cruelty that
he was unrecognizable. Just at time
when the solution Of his identity
seemed farthest away, the hospital all.
thorities came upon card in his vest
pocket 1t read Thomas Briggs, Rob.
arts & Co., Lombard street, London -
An officer was at once dispatched to
the office of Robarts & Company, in
Lombard street. The head of that firm
said that Mr.. Briggs was their chief
clerk, and one of their most valued
employees, and that they were at a
total loss to account for his unex.
planned absence from his post He had
been with their banking house for
nearly half a century, and during all
Of that time had promptly reported
for work as the clock was striking
nine He failed to do so that morn
ing and they had assumed that he
was i'll. Just as they were preparing
to send an inquiry to his home a mes
sage was received, stating that he had
not returned to his house in Hackney
the night before. A hurried investiga
tion proved that Mr.. Briggs left his
home at the usual hour on the pre-
vious day. He carried a gold-headeG
cane and wore gold-rimmed eye
glasses, and had in his possession :
gold watch and chain. After conclud
ing his business at the bank he left a
,he usual hour in the afternoon. AM