Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-07-27
4 SINGULAR CASE
Where Circumstantial Evidence
Played Justice False.
HANGED AN INNOCENT M&n.

Bla.e. Vino Was Accused of Murder.
II began in the Blur Horse tavern.
on the highway leading To Albany.
Toward The close of an autumn day
II half dozen men sat in the old bar
room discussing events which then
were leading To the outbreak OF the
American Revolution At such n time
arguments were very likely to be rath-
or more vigorous than ordinarily would
be the case And this was no excep-
ton. Fearing that trouble might re-
sun. one oI the men exclaimed: Come.
Wicklifrc stop this. Such a dispute
is nonsense"
Wiclline was an ugly looking fellow.
short ani stout. with IA dark. sallow
face. black eyes. low. wrinkled fore
head and LIS that barred his teeth on
occasions like Il dog preparing to bite.
My quarrel is with Harry Blake"
he snarird III is none of your affair"
We'll. WirklITe." Blake cried good
nHturelly. If you will quarrel. won't.
III say no more"
Evidently Wickllfre was bent on
trouble. for he muttered something
which brought cry of 'ShameI' from
every one In the room. Blake's face
became deadly pale. "WickliTe." he
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 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"
Not before you" was Blake's reply.
Shortly after the quarrel Wickli1re
left The Blue Horse for his home.
Blake. whose road lay in the same dl-
rcction. followed soon. Ten minutes
later two more OF the loiterers. also
going over the highway taken by
Wickllne and Blake. started on their
! homcward way.
The last two travellers had ridden
several miles. talking earnestly of the
stirring events which then engaged
mems minds. when loud cry was
heard AT little distance. In n moment
it was repeated
Mercy" the voice pleaded. and then
"Oh. Harry"
Can Blake be settling scores witt
Wicklinet" exclaimed Grayson. one OF
the two riders.
In moment they had eallopeC
around a copse of trees at n bend il
the road. Within twenty yards o
them. on his back in the dust. Ia!
Wickli1e dead Bending over hin
stood Blake. grasping a knife driver
to the haft IN his bosom.
"Taken red handed" Grayson cried
while Walton. his companion. himsel
magistrate. sprang from his horse
eXclaiming. blake. 1 charge you wit
murder"
''Why. | didn't Kill him." Blake sal
earnestly You are mad / foun
Wickline lying dead and was about
pull this knife from the wound whe
you came up"
Grayson shook his head. IL wish
could believe you, Harry" he sai'
but rs | hope to be saved / saw 20
stab him. | did"
1t would he hard to Ina CINE situ
J ton more likely to convince jury
the prisoners guilt Conan Doyle
his widest fancies i'm deduction nev'
presented more damning evidence
Sherlock Holmes and DR.. Watson-tl
quarrel i'm the Blue Horse tavern. Il
epithet resented. the fight. the countC
threat of death. the departure of bo
while their temper yet was warm M
4 then the terrible tableau on the hig
!, way
4 What might Il man expect even no
/. with the thousand lOophOlcs that q
% law provides for escape: There cOu
n be only one conclusion now. as the
II and that conclusion the jury reach
J. without leaving the courtroom Blak,
70 protestations were vain. He died
10 the scarold declaring his innocence.
d Three months after the execution {
v Judge who presided at the trial "
r. summoned to Albany to see IL prison
q under sentence of death GraysC
II whose testimony chiefly had convict
o. Blake also was summoned. Much
q. wonder. they entered the cell togeth
YOU" the prisoner said to
- Judge. presided at the trial OF Han
Blake"
l II did"
4 "And you" turning to Grays'
u "swore you saw him stab Wicklii
VI On your testimony he was hung"
III 81 saw Blake stab him." Grays
IA said.
III "You did not" the prisoner Sneer