The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-08-01
IA SINGULAR CASE
Where circumstantial Evidence
Played Justice False.
HANGED AN INNOCENT MAN.
Every Incident In the Remarkable
Sequence of Events Seemed to Point
Conolusively to tho Guilt of Harry
Blake, Who Was Accused Of Murder.


Sequence of Events Seemed to Point
Conclusively to tho Guilt of Harry
Blake, Who Was Accused Of Murder.
1t began In the Blue Horse tavern,
on the highway leading to Albany.
Toward the close of an autumn day
half dozen men sat in the old bar
room discussing events which then
were leading to the outbreak Of the
American Revolution. At such q time
arguments were very likely to be rath-
err more vigorous than ordinarily would
be the case. And this was no excep-
ton. Fearing that trouble might re-
suit. one of the men exclaimed: Come,
Wickliffe. stop this. Such. dispute
Is nonsense
W1ckliffe was an ugly looking fellow,
short and stout, with dark, sallow
face. black eyes. low wrinkled fore
head and lips that barred his teeth on
occasions like dog preparing to bite.
MY quarrel is with Harry Blake"
he snarled. 1T is none Of your affair"
well. Wickliffe," Blake cried good
naturally. IF you will quarrel, won't.
I'll say no more"
Evidently Wickliffe was bent on
trouble. for he muttered something
which brought cry of "Shame!, from
every one In the room Blakes face
became deadly pale. "Wickliffe," he
said steadily. Il didn't hear what you
said, but I dare you to repeat it. If
you do and there's one improper word
In it, this hour will be the bitterest of
your life"
Once more the offensive words were
flung at him, and in an instant Blake
had seized Wickliffe and thrown him
across the room. For a moment he
lay stunned. but presently, his face
dark with hatred, he rose and, shak,
Ing his fist at Blake, exclaimed:
You may take your measure for a
coffin. You will need one"
4 mot before you,' was Blakes reply.
j 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 momen,
it was repeated
/ Mercy" the voice pleaded, and then
ooh, Harry
Can Blake be settling scores with
j Wickliffe?' exclaimed Grayson, one OF
the two riders.
4 In moment they had galloped
around copse of trees at bend ir
the road. Within twenty yards OF
them, on his back in the dust, lay
Wickliffe dead. Bending over him
stood Blake. grasping knife driver
to the haft In his BOSOM
Taken red handed" Grayson cried
while Walton. his companion, himsel1
magistrate, sprang from his horse
exclaiming, BLAKE. charge you will
murder"
why. ] didn't kill him. Blake sait
earnestly. You are mad / found
Wickliffe lying dead and was about II
pull this knife from the wound wher
you came up
Grayson shook his head 81 wish
could believe you. Harry" he said
"but as hope to be saved / saw you
stab him. / did"
1t would be hard to imagine situa
ton more likely to convince a jury O.
the prisoners guilt. Conan Doyle IL
his widest fancies in deduction never
presented more damning evidence t,
Sherlock Holmes and DIR. Watson-th
quarrel In the Blue Horse tavern, tn,
| epithet resented, the fight, the counter
threat of death. the departure Of boil
, while their temper yet was warm an(
then the terrible tableau on the high
, way.
What might man expect even nov
with the thousand loopholes that tn,
law provides for escape? There coule
DS OuiS ouC SOuCluSlOll HOW, us luGD
and that conclusion the jury reached
without leaving the courtroom. Blake.
{ protestations were vain. He died OF
the scaffod declaring his innocence.
! Three mouths after the execution th.
! judge who presided at the trial wa.
I summoned to Albany to see prisoner
under sentence of death. Grayson
whose testimony chiefly had convicted
Blake, also was summoned. Much IL
wonder they entered the cell together
You" the prisoner said to thu
judge, presided at the trial of Harry
Blake"
81 did"
And you," turning to Grayson
"swore you saw him stab Wickiffe
On your testimony he was hung"
Il saw Blake stab him." Graysor
said.
you did not the prisoner sneered
"for killed Wickliffe. / sprang into
the wood at Blake's approach. His
story was true"
The confession was so clear and full
that it left no doubt in the judges
mind that fearful wrong had beer
done Blake AS for Gro vsou tho cb;a1