The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1909-07-29

ter at the weekly meeting
" Of the Calf Skin club. lis
@SzFF not one lying within my
EH J. ]. ]. !. 1. ]. !. =. J. ]. !. 8. j. ]. !. !. ]. . . !. !. !. /. ]. ]. /. !. J. J. !. !. !. ]. !. !.
fftFffft8z4 own experience. which as
NlI& you all know has dealt
80 with the cbancery and pro-
kfpASS bate rather than the Grim
NfI4iM inal law. For this reason
H 1 almost felt like asking
8 our president to release
me when I recalled a case which you
viii find of record In Vol. 4. Western
Law Journal (oct. 1S4e). Reference
is also made to It in Wharton's Ameri-
can Criminal law, I believe. I remem-
Der, however, hearing the story from
my elders, as Judge bennett viii also.
perhaps, as we come from the same
part Of the state. so I trust the club
will admit it in this list Of personal
experiences, and with your indulgence
viii give it."
This permission was granted viva
voce and laying down his pipe Judge
Hunter began:
In the year 1871 there lived at
different points in the state Of Illinois.
three brothers by the names OF Traitor.
Archibald resided at Springfield. then
as now the capital. He was a sober,
retiring and industrious man OF about
80 years OF age; a carpenter by trade
and q bachelor. boarding with his part
ner In ~business-a Mr.. Myers. Henry,
a year OF two older. was a man OF Ike
retiring and industrious habits; had
q family, and resided on a farm at
Clary's Grove. about 20 miles north
west from Springfield. William, stlll
older, and with similar habits. resided
on q farm in Warren county, distant
from Springfield something more than
a hundred miles in the same north
westerly direction. He was a widoBer
with several children.
In May Of the year mentioned WI
liam determined 20 visit his brothers,
and taking his hired man. Fisher. with
him they set out in a buggy with a
single horse, Although a farm hand
Fisher was a frugal, thrifty soul and
had laid by a considerable amount Of
money.
They reached Henry's residence
drst and staid over night and the text
day, accompanied by Henry on horse
back. they went on TO Springfield
where they took up lodgings with
Archibald at his boarding house.
after dinner, the three Traitors
and Fisher left the boarding house In
company. At supper the Traitors had
all returned, but Fisher was missing.
and some inquiry was made about
aim. After supper the Traitors went
out professedly 10 search OF him. One
by n they returned. the last coming
In after late tea time, and each stating
that he had been unable to discover
anything OF Fisher. The next day.
both before and after breakfast. they
went professedly IN search again. and
returned al loon. sim unsuccessful.
Dinner again being had, William and
Henry expressed a determination TO
give up the search. and start for their
homes, This was demonstrated against
by some OF the boarders. but the re.
mOnstranee was d~isregarded, and they
departed for their homes.
up 10 this time the knowledge Of
Fishers mysterious Disappearance had
spread very little and excited no con
siderable interest, After the lapse OF
three or four days Henry returned %
Springfield for the ostensible purpose
Of making further search for Fisher.
Procuring some Of the boarders. be.
together with them and Archibald,
spent another day in Intellectual
search. when 81 was again abandoned.
and he returned home.
"No general interest was yet ex,
cited. On the Friday week after Fish,
ers disappearance the postmaster at
Springfield received a letter from the
postmaster nearest Williams resi-.
dence. In Warren county, stating that
William had returned home without
Fisher. aud was saying. rather boast.
fully. that Fisher was dead. and had
willed him his money. and that he had
got about $500 by H. The postmas.
ter al Springfield made the letter pub.
lie. and at once excitement became
uniyersal and intense.
Springfield. AZ that time, had d
population Of about $500. with a clty
organization. The attorney general Of
the state resided there. A purpose
was forthwith formed to ferret out
the mystery. IN putting which into
execution the mayor Of the city and
the attorney general took the lead
Men we're formed into large parties,
and marched abreast IN al directions.
80 as 10 let 40 inch OF ground IN the
vicinlty remain unsearched. Examina'
n9ns we're made Of cellars. wells and