The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-05-22
Colonel
T0DHUNTER
of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright, 1911, by the Bobbs-Mer-
ill Company.

The trial Of Tom Strickland had Deen
relentlessly hurried to the day OF its
closing by political prosecution work
ing through complaisant judge servile
to machine influence.
From that early moment of the selec-
ton of jury the truth of a merclless
haste was in evidence. 1t was explain
ed by the court that there was impera-
tive need for as little delay as might
be possible, the docket being crowded
and many cases remaining to be dis
posed of during the present term. The
grim fact was that Colonel Stricklands
enemies felt sure of a conviction and
were determined that the verdict
should be rendered in time to remove
whatever peril Of his nomination might
still remain.
The evidence scored heavily against
Tom from the start.
There was plainly sounded note Of
somewhat insolent confidence, almost
like jubilation, in the swift announce
ment of the states readiness for trial.
Colonel Bill Strickland, gray and pinch
ed of face, recognized its instant men
ace. His closely shut lips broke their
rigid lines piteously, precisely as they
had done when Tom was brought into
court and took his seat confronting the
jury.
At the same moment swift fash OF
anticipated triumph leaped into the
eyes of old Ephraim Tucker. sitting
tn,o
saw this, and his Jaws set hard at the
sight.
They're feeling pretty sure Of con-
viction," he whispered to Major Gentry
Dryden. us 1t likely they've obtained
evidence against Tom that we don't
know anything about?
The lawyer shook his head. Il hard
~ think so," he replied. We've got
line on all their witnesses, I believe.
can't figure out, how they'll be able
to spring a surprise on u.s."
But one sinister sentence in the pros
ecuting attorneys opening statement
to the jury undeceived him. =.
1--WE shall prove, gentlemen, beyond
reasonable doubt" the states counsel
said, "the motive which, we claim, led
Thomas w. Strickland to STAY STAN
ford Tucker, and then"-moving step
nearer to the jury and lifting one hand
impressively-"having proved this. we
shall establish by the testimony Of an
eyewitness the fact of Thomas w.
Strickland's presence at the scene Of
the murder at the time Of its commits
SION"
Major Gentry Dryden, in spite of
himself, started at hearing this crush
ing announcement. Something Of fierce
resentment, pathetic in its impotency,
showed in Colonel Strickland's grizzled
countenace. Toms face, a helpless per-
plex1ty In his eyes, went deadly white.
The atmosphere became tense with
the sudden dramatic grip of the situa-
ton thus created.
And the hearing Of testimony for
the state began.
It went forward with merciless pre-.
cision and dispatch. certainty and
rapidly so Well ordered as to be over.
whelming in moral effect.
The evidence was cruelty against
Tom Strickland. Two witnesses, q
farmer and his son, testified to finding
the dead body Of STAN Tucker by the
roadside, at point midway between
the Tucker home and the town OF
Nineveh, at daybreak on the morn
Ing Of the 9th day Of July just past
They were on their way into town to
sell garden produce. The dead man
lay on his back just at the edge Of the
road. There was bullet hole In bis
forehead. A pistol. with one chamber
empty lay an inch or two distant from
his right hand The witnesses had
hurried into Nineveh and notified the
authorities.
Simeon Birdsong testified that bad
feeling had existed between Thomas
W. Strickland and Stamford Tucker
since the night of the clash between
me SulcU1hI anu 1ancey factions Al
the opening rally of the Strickland
campaign. The witness stated that the
accused at that time made threats to
"get even" with Tucker for attempt
ing to break up the Strickland meet
ing. On the following day the accused
had openly insulted Tucker in the bar
room Of the Nineveh hotel and had
knocked him down short time later
when they again met in the same place
It was generally believed that thses
would be a bloody encounter between
them before the campaign closed. Other
associates Of the dead man and the &C
cused testified to the same facts.
Mrs. Todhunter, whose appearance
as witness for the state was dra
matte surprise and who was pitifully
agitated, testified to the fact Of the
accusation made against Thomas w
Strickland BY Lottie- May Doggett al
the reception and hop given by the
Nineveh Light infantry, and her testi
mony was supported by that Of several
+ other ladies who heard the accusation
Nicholas Bledsoe, the bartender y
/ the saloon frsqusnted BY the Yancey
Tuekee laction ned to - 11ets a.
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