The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-07-12
A SINGULAR CASE
Where CircumStantial Evidence
Played Justice False.
HANGED AN INNOCENT MAN.

1t began In the Blue Horse tavern,
on the highway leading to Albany.
Toward the close of an autumn day
n half dozen men sat in the old bar
room discussing events which then
were lending 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 bis teeth on
occasions like a dog preparing to bite.
"My quarrel is with Harry Blake"
he snarled. at is none Of your affair"
swell, Wickliffe," Blake cried good
naturedly. "if you will quarrel, / won't.
I'll say no more"
Evidently Wlckliffe was bent on
trouble, for he muttered something
which brought cry of SHANE" from
every one In the room. Blake's face
became deadly pale. "Wickliffe," he
said steadily, II didn't hear what you
said, but l dare you to repeat 1t. If
you do and there's one improper word
IN 1t, 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 ut 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 Wlckliffe
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 n loud cry was
heard at little distance. In moment
It was repeated.
Mercy" the voice pleaded. and then
"Oh, Harryv
''Can Blake be settling scores with
Wickliffe" exclaimed Grayson, one of
the two riders.
In moment they had galloped
around a 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. grasping a knife driven
to the haft In his bosom.
'"Taken red handed" Grayson cried
while Walton. his companion. himself
n magistrate sprang from his horse
exclalming. BLAKE, l charge you will
murder"
"Why, didn't kill him." Blake sal,
earnestly. You are mad, ! foun,
Wickliffe lying dead and was about t,
pull this knife from the wound whel
you came mp"
Grnyson shook his head. ~ wish
could believe you. Harry" he said
but Ms | hope to be saved | saw yol
stab him. | did"
Ii would be hard TO Imagine a situn
ton more likely to convince a jury o
the prisoners guilt. Conan Doyle Il
his widest fancics In deduction neve
presented more damning evidence 4
Sherlock Holmes and Or. Watson-th
quarrel in the Blue Horse tavern. tn
eplthet resented, the fight. the counter
threat Of death. the departure of bot
while their temper yet was warm AM
then the terrible tablenu on the high
way.
What might man expect even noN
with the thousand loophoes that IN
law provides for escape? There coul
be only one conclusion now, ns theI
and that conclusion the jury reache
without leaving the courtroom. Blake
protestatlons were vain. He died o
the scaifold declaring his innocence,
Three months after the execution tn
judge who presided at the trial wa
summoned 10 Albany TO see prlsone
under sentence of death GraysoI
whose testimony chiefly had convicte
Blake. also was summoned. Much l
wonder, they entered the cell togethe
you" the prisoner said to tn
Judge. presided at the trial of Harr
Blake"
II did"
"And you" turning TO Graysol
''swore you saw him stab Wicklin
On your testimony he was hung"
II saw Blake stab him." Grayso
said.
"You did not" the prisoner sneere
-for killed wlckliffe. l. sprang in
the wood at Blake's approach. II
story was true"
The confession was SO clear and ~
that II left no doubt In the judge
mind TINT fearful wrong had be,
done Blake AS for Grayson. the chi
witness. he committed suicide. ~
records contain many Instances OF Il