The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-08-16
A. SINGULAR CASE
Where CircumstantiaI Evidence
Played Justice False.
HANGED AN INNOCENT MAN.
Every Incident In the Remarkable
Sequence Of Events Seemed to Point
conelusively 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
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,
Wickllffe. 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 a dog preparing to bite.
"My quarrel is with Harry Blake"
he snarled. ut is none Of your affair."
We'll. Wickliffe," Blake cried good
naturedly. III you will quarrel, won't.
| I'll say no more"
| Evidently Wickliffe was bent on
trouble, for he muttered something
which brought a cry OF "Shamew from
every one In Che room. Blake's face
became deadly pale. "Wickline," he
said steadily, 81 didn't hear what you
said, but l dare you TO repeat Il. If
| 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 Wlckliffe and thrown him
across the room. For IA 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
coffin. You viii need one"
Not 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 di.
rection. followed soon. Ten minutes
later two more of the loiterers. also
going over the highway taken by
Wickllfre 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 n moment
1t was repeated.
"Mercyv' the voice pleaded, and then,
ooh, Harry"
"Can Blake be settling scores with
Wickliffe" exclaimed Grayson. one Of
the two riders.
In moment they had galloped
around n copse of trees at bend in
the road. Within twenty yards of
them, on his back in the dust. lay
Wickliffe dead. Bending over him
stood Blake, grnsplng u knife driven
TO the haft In his bosom.
Taken red handed" Grayson cried;
while Walton. his companion. himself
II magistrate, sprang from his horse,
exclaiming, "Blnke, | 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. Il wish |
could believe you, Harry" he said. |
but rs ! hope to be saved / saw you |
stab him. did"
II would be hard TO imagine q situa. |
tion more likely to convince a Jury of |
the prisoners guilt. Conan Doyle in |
his widest fancles 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 escape? There could
he only one conclusion now. as then, |
ana 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
10 Albany 10 see n 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"
81 did"
"And you" turning 10 Grayson,
'swore you saw him stab Wickine.
On your testimony he was hung"
II saw Blake stab him." Grayson
said.
"You did not" the prisoner sneered,
for | killed Wickline. sprahg into
the wood at Blake's approach His
story was true"
The confession was so clear and full
that II left no doubt In the judges
mind that a 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
Ihfl nag ~ IIa,. Ial |