Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-03-11

1t was an exciting time in Lind
hurst the day Jonathan Stubbs was
found murdered in the road near
that place, the deed having been per-
petrated in broad daylight. The mur-
derer had seemed determined on
making sure work Of It, for not only
was Stubbs' throat cut from ear to
ear, but his skull had been frac-
tured by blow from a bludgeon Of
some kind. His little son, boy some
twelve years of age, was lying by his
side, and though living, was speech
less from the blow Of club on the
skull. By skillful management the
boy was resuscitated, and after
long and severe illness was finally
restored to health.
Jonathan Stubbs was what Is called
a self-made man. His father was a
drunken speudthrift, while his
mother was confirmed invalid, more
than half the time confined to her
bed, both Of whom Jonathan had to
support from the time he was mere
boy. BY indomitable energy, untir-
ing industry, and good management,
however, he had overcome every OBJ
stacle that presented itself in his ca
reer. and winning the smiles OF for
tune, had succeeded in accumulating
some ten thousand dollars, when in
an evil hour he hearkened to the in
sidious persuasions Of an oily
tongued scoundrel. and embarked his
means N 4 speculation that promised
enormous profits. and in a few
months was fleeced out OF every dol
lar he had in the world.
Left without a dollar, an aged
father and mother, a wife and two
children to support, he rolled up his
sleeves and began anew the battle
of life with redoubled energy, and at
the time of his brutal murder was
worth some twenty thousand dollars.
That he was murdered for the pur-
pose of robbery was evident from the
fact that both his and his sons poek-
cts had been rified Of their contents,
even to their pocket-knives.
Notwithstanding the abIe-bodied
citizens turned out en- masse, and
prosecuted the search for the MUIR
derer with vigor and pertinacity, no
clew was obtained to the perpetrator
of the bloody deed. So great was
the excitement that several persons
were arrested on suspicion, all Of
whom, however. were released on ex-
animation with the exception Of one,
the last that was arrested.
So strong was the circumstantial
evidence against him. or at least so
strong did it seem to the minds of
the excited residents of Lindhurst,
that they determined to take the law
into their own hands, and notwith-
standing his earnest protestations of
innocence, execute him according to
the code, as administered by Judge
Lynch.
Joe Stubs, who by this time was
beginning to gain little strength,
hearing Of what was going on. petit
toned to see the man before he was
executed. The doctor, on being con-
suited, gave It as his opinion that the
excitement would be too much for
Joe, and as far as lay in his power |
forbade his being allowed the privi- /
lege of seeing the man.
I'm see him" said Joe, on being
Informed Of the Doctors decision. ii I
l have to get out of bed and crawl
on my hands and knees to the Jail |
Id know the man that killed pa. and |
tried to kill me, if l was to meet him |
in the middle of Africa; aud when | |
get well and get big enough. I intend !
to follow him to the end Of the world, |
If necessary, in order to find him, and |
when | find him intend to kill him.
On being Informed Of Joe's deter
mination TO see the culprit at all I
hazards. the doctor reversed his de i
cision, and granted the desired per-
though accompanied by the |
saving clause that he would not be I
answerable for the consequences. So, /
after the administration of stimu- l
lants, in order to fortify his system
against the excitement into which it 1
was anticipated he would be thrown 7
by the interview. the condemned man
was led into the apartment, when Joe I
exclaimed.
That's not the man. He was as
big again as this one. and different
every way.
As Joe persistently stuck TO it that
this was not the man, the citizens
finally agreed. though with some re-
Iuetance, to release the prisoner. As
a most foul and brutal murder had
been perpetrated. they had set their
hears on hanging somebody as a pro-
pitiatory sacrifice on the altar Of JUS
lice; and TO listen to the remarks of
some Of The ringleaders OF this self
judicial tribunal, one
would come to the conclusion that
IN their estimation it was not half as
important that the actual perpetrator
1f the bloody deed should meet with
ihe punishment due to his crime as
hat somebody should actually be exc
suted.
What" they urged in opposition
10 turning their prisoner loose, Zone
IF our best citizens brutally mur-
iered right here In our midst, and
nobody hung for it!p and this, not
the positive anu repeat
ID declaration Of Joe Stubbs that the
man they were so anxious to hang