The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1911-06-23
The 1911 Senatorial Campaign in Mississippi.

explained. i've sick man inside.
Who are you, and what can / do for
your
Notwithstanding this warning the
rider dropped from his saddle and
came into the light which streamed
from the door.
my name is Dunn" he began. "Tm
from Deer Creek"
II know you," responded the ranger.
you're that rancher I saw working
In the ditch the day went TO te1e-
phone, and you've come to tell me
something about that murder
The other man broke into whim-
per. 'I'm law abiding man, Mr. CAV
anagh," he began tremulously. I've
always kept the law and never intend
ed to have anything to do with that
business. l was dragged into 1t
against my will. I've come to you be-
cause you're an officer Of the federal
law. You don't belong here. trust
you. You represent the president, and
want to tell you what know, only
want you to promise not to bring me
into 1t. Pm man with family, and
I can't bear to have them know the
truth"
There were deep agitation and COM
plete sincerity in the rancher's choked
and hesitant utterance, and Cavanagh
turned cold with premonition Of what
he was about to disclose. II am not
an officer Of the law, Mr.. Dunn, not in
the sense you mean, but will respect
your wishes"
IT know that you are not an officer
Of the county law, but you're not q
cattleman. It is your business to keep
the peace in the wild country, and you
do 1t. Everybody knows that. But I
can't trust the officers Of this country;
they're all afraid Of the cowboys. You
are not afraid, and you represent tho
United States, and I'll tell you. | can't
bear 1t any longer!" he walled. II
must tell somebody. l can't sleep, an6
I can't eat. I've been like a man in
nightmare ever since. had no hand
In the killing-I didn't even see 1t done
but 1 knew it was going to happen.
/ saw the committee appointed. The
meeting that decided it was held in
my barn, but didn't know what they
intended to do. You believe me, don't
your He peered up at Cavanagh with
white face and wild eyes. I'm over
seventy years Of age, Mr.. Cavanagh,
and I've been law abiding citizen all
my life."
His mind, shattered by the weight Of
his CHASTITY secret, was in confusion,
and, perceiving this, Cavanagh began
to question him gently. One by one
he procured the names Of those who
voted to IDEAL with" the herders. One
by one be obtained also the list Of
those named on 'the committee of re.
prisal," and as the broken man deliv.
cred himself of these accusing facts
he grew calmer. II didn't know-l
couldn't belleve-that the men on that
committee could chop and burn His
utterance failed him again, and he fell
silent abruptly.
"They must have been drunk--mad
drunk" retorted Cavanagh. And yeI
who would believe that even drinl
could infame white men to such devils
work? When did you first know wha
had been done"
"That night after 1t was done one O
the men, my neighbor, who was draw
on the committee, came to my hous'
and asked me to give him bed. III
was afraid to go home. I can't fac
my wife and children he said. Fl
told me what he'd seen, and thel
when remembered that It had al
been decided in my stable ard 70
committee appointed there ! beSan1 :
tremble. You believe I'm telling IN
truth, don't your he again asked wit
pitesus accent.
Eyes, 1 believe you. You must te
this story to the Judge. 1t Will en-
tha6aimso3s thu Acattlemen."