Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1910-11-03
A SINGULAR CASE
Where Circumstantial Evidence
Played Justice False.
HANGED AN INNOCENT MAN.

on the highway leading 10 Albany.
Toward the close OF an autumn dag
half dozen men sat IN the old bar
room discussing events which then
were leading to the outbreak Of the
American Revolution At such a time
arguments were very likely to be rath-
er more vigorous than ordinarily would
be the case And this was no excep-
don Fearing that trouble might re-
suit. one Of the men exclaimed: Come,
wicklire. stop this Such a dispute
Is nonsense"
Wickilfe was an ugly looking fellow.
short and stout. with a dark. sallos
face. black eyes. low. wFinkled fore
bead and lips that barred bis teeth on
occasions iike dog preparing to bite.
My quarrel Is with Harry Blake"
be snarled "lt IS none Of your affair"
We'll. Wickiife.~ Blake cried good
naturally. IF you will quarrel. won't
I'll say no more"
Evidently WIekliffe was bent on
trouble. for he muttered something
which brought a cry OF ''Shamer' from
every one In the room. Blake's face
became deadly pale -Wickliffe," be
said steadily. Il didn't hear what You
said. but ! dare you to repeat It. II
you do and there's one improper word
in It, this hour viii be the blfterest Of
your life"
Once moSe the offensive words were
flung at him. and In an instant Blake
had seized WicknSe and thrown him
across the room. For a moment he
lay stunned, bot presently, bis face
dark with hatred. he rose and. shak-
ing bis fst at Blake. exclaimed:
You may take your measure for a
coffin. You will need one"
mot before you" was Blake's reply
Shortly after the quarrel wIckliffe
left the Blue Horse for his home.
Blake. whose road lay in the same d.
rection. followed soon. Ten minutes
later two more OF the loiterers. also
going over the highway taken by
WicklIffe and Blake. started on their
homeward way.
The last two travellers had ridden
several miles. talking earnestly OF the
stirring events which then engaged
mems minds. when a loud cry was
heard at little distance. In a moment
It was repeated.
Mercy the voice pleaded, and then.
'-Oh, Harry
''Can Blake be settling scores with
exclaimed Grays0n, one Of
the two riders.
In a moment they had galloped
around a copse OF trees at a bend IN
the road. Within twenty yards of
them. on bis back In the dust. lay
wickllfe dead. Bending over him
stood Blake. grasping a knife driven
to the haft In his bosom
Taken red handed" Grayson cried.
while Walton. bis companion. himself
4 magistrate. sPrang from his horse.
Blake. charge you with
murder"
''why. / didn't Kill him." Blake said
earnestly. you are mad | found
wickliffe lying dead and IVES about to
pull this knife from the wound when
you came up"
Grayson shook his head Il wish /
could believe you. Harry" be said.
but as hope 10 be saved | saw you
stab him. ! did"
II would be hard to imagine a situa-
ion more likely to convince a Jury OF
he prisoners guilt Conan Doyle In
lis widest fnncies Ia deduction never
presented more damning evidence TO
sherlock Holmes and DR.. Watson-the
quarrel In the Blue Horse tavern. the
.pithet resented. the fight. the counter
hreat OF death. the departure of both
while thetr temper yet was warm and
hen the terrible tableau on the high
way.
What might a man expect even now
With the thousand loopholes that the
aw provides for escaped There could
,e only one conclusion now. as then.
md that conclusion the jury reached
Without leaving the courtroom. Blake's l
were vain. BE died on I
he seafiold declaring his innocence.
Three months after the execution the
udge who presided at the risI was
to Albany 10 see a prisoner /,
lnder sentence Of death Grayson.
whose testimony chiefly had convicted /
3lake, also was summoned. Much In I
Wonder, they entered the cell together. /
You the prisoner SAID TO the 4
Judge. presided at the trial OF Harry /
3lake-"
u did"
And you" turning TO Grayson, /
swore you saw him stab Wickli1e. ]
IN yo5r testimony be was hung"
Il saw Blake stab him." Grsyson /
aid.
"You did not" the prisoner snesred,
FOR killed Wickliffe. l sprang into
be wood at Blake's approach. bis
tory was true"
The confession was SO clear and full
hat II left no doubt in the judges
hind that q fearful wrong bad been /
one Blake. As for Grayson. the chief 4
Titness. he committed SuscEs. The
oror1a -yors.4r, many INSTANCES NJ fhe I