Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-07-15
A SINGULAR CASE
Where Circumstantial Evidence
Played Justice False.
HANGED AN INNOCENT MAN,

every incident IN the Remarkable
Sequence Of Events Seemed to Point
CsnclusiveIy to the 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
a 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-
ton Fearing that trouble might re-
suit, one of the men exclaimed: Come.
Wickliffe. stop this. Such a dispute
Is nonsense"
Wickliffe was an ugly looking fellow.
short and stout. with a 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. at is none of your affair"
well. Wickliffe," Blake cried good
naturedly. 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. Blake's face
became deadly pale. "Wickliffe," he
said steadily, 81 didn't hear what you
said. but | dare you to repeat 1t. II
you do and there's one improper word
In II, 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 q 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"
"Not before you" was Blakes 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
1t was repeated.
Mercy" the voice pleaded, and then,
"Oh, Harryp'
"Can Blake be settling scores with
WickliffeT exclaimed Grayson, one Of
the two riders.
In moment they had galloped
around copse of trees at bend in
the road. Within twenty yards of
them. on his back in the dust, lay
Wtckliffe dead. Bending over him
stood Blake. grasping a knife driven
to the haft in his bosom.
Taken red handed" Grayson cried,
while Walton, his companion, himself
magistrate, sprang from his horse,
exclaiming. BLAKE, charge you with
murder"
why, didn't kill him." Blake said
earnestly. You are mad. found
Wickliffe lying dead and was about to
pull this knife from the wound when
you came up."
Grayson shook his head. 81 wish l
could believe you, Harry" he said,
''but as hope to be saved l saw you
stab him. did"
1t would be hard to imagine a situa-
ton more likely to convince a jury Of
the prisoners guilt Conan Doyle in
his widest fancies In deduction never
presented more damning evidence to
Sherlock Holmes and DR.. Watson-the
quarrel in the Blue Horse tavern, the
| epithet resented, the fight, the counter
threat Of death. the departure of both
while their temper yet was warm and
then the terrible tableau on the high
way.
What might man expect even now
with the thousand loopholes that the
law provides for escape2 There could
be only one conclusion now, as then
and that conclusion the jury reached
without leaving the courtroom Blake's
protestations were vain. He died on
the scaffold declaring his innocence.
Three months after the execution the
Judge who presided at the trial was
summoned to Albany to see prisoner
under sentence Of death. Grayson,
whose testimony chiefly had convicted
Blake. also was summoned. Much in
wonder. they entered the cell together.
YOU" the prisoner said to the
Judge, presided at the trial Of Harry
Blake"
II did"
"And you." turning to Grayson,
"swore you saw him stab Wickliffe.
On your testimony he was hung"
II saw Blake stab him." Grayson
said.
"You did not" the prisoner sneered
"for I killed Wickliffe. l sprang into
the wood at Blake's approach. His
story was true"
The confession was so clear and full
that 1t left no doubt in the judges
mind that fearful wrong had been
done Blake. AS for .Grayson, the CHIEF
witness, he committed suicide. The
records contain many instances of the
laws mistakes. but few SO pathetic as
| tho m cn ~ III N srxy DIotya Eo-,o. NtAx