The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1909-07-30

MIIIiIM L. lIdl law. IOI LILO lCdooi1
INNW | almost felt like asking
A1Atsh26 our president to release
me when | recalled a case which. you
will find of record in Vol. 4, Western
Law Journal (Oct. 1S46). Reference
is also made to it in Wharton's Ameri-
can Criminal law, 1 believe. | remem-
Der, however, hearing the story from
my elders, as Judge bennett will 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
u will give it."
This permission was granted viva
voc and laying down his pipe Judge
Hunter began:
'In the year 1S41 there lived, at
different points in the state of Illinois,
three brothers Dy 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 a bachelor, boarding with his part
ner in business-a Mr.. Myers. Henry,
a year or two older, was a man of like
retiring and industrious habits; had
a family, and resided on a farm at
Clary's Grove, about 20 miles north
west from Springfield. William, still
older, and with similar habits, resided
on a farm in Warren county, distant
from Springfield something more than
q hundred miles in the same north
westerly direction. He was a widower
with several children.
''In May of the year mentioned Will
liam determined to 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
first and staid over night and the next
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
him. After supper the Traitors went
out professedly in search of him. One
by one 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 at noon, still 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-
monstrance was di~sregarded, and they
departed for their homes.
up to this time the knowledge of
Fishers mysterious disappearance had
spread very little and excited no con
siderable interest. After the lapse of
three or fou days Henry returned to
Springfield for the ostensible purpose
of making further search for Fisher.
Procuring some of the boarders, he,
together with them and Archibald,
spent another day in Intellectual
search, when it was again abandoned,
and he returned home.
mo general interest was yet ex
cited. On the Friday week after Fish.
er's 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, and was saying, rather boast
fully, that Fisher was dead, and had
willed him his money, and that he had
got about $1,000 by it. The postmas
ter at Springfield made the letter pub
lie. and at once excitement became
. universal and intense.
"Springfeld, at that time, had 8
population of about $500. with a city
organization. The attorney general Of
the state resided there. A purpose
was forthwith formed to ferret GU
the mystery, in putting which into
execution the mayor of the city ant
the attorney general took the lead
Men were formed into large parties
and marched abreast in all directions
$50 as to let no inch of ground in tn.
vicinity remain unsearched. Examina
ft.ns were made of cellars. wells AM