The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-06-02
The Williams
Investigation
By DONALD CHAMBERLAIN

Ben Williams was queer. but Ben
was a genius. and geniuses are usually
queer. He lived rowing life till he
was past sixty years old. then bought
an acre OF ground commanding beau
tiful view for $40 and built log cabin
on IL.
How he lived-that is, how he bought
clothing and food. for he raised moth
in-no one knew. lie had been some
thing of an artist a newspaper man. a
| poet aud an author generally. Whether
he had made enough money 10 enable
him to supply his limited wants no one
knew. He occasionally walked 10 the
store six miles distant from his cabin,
TO buy provisions or anything else he
needed and always had the cash with
which 10 pay. No one could solve the
riddle, so il proved IN endless source
| Of gossip for the countryside.
But one day possible clew 10 how
Williams obtained the necessary funds
presented itself. A robbery was com
mtted in the region. and the fact at
once suggested itself to the community
| that Williams was the robber Every
one wondered why that solution Of the
problem had not been thought of be
fore. A report was started that the
robbery had been committed by a
masked man just the height and build
of Williams. For week this report
circulated. growing more definite as 1t
spread: then IL occurred 10 some one to
mount n horse and ride over to the man
who had been robbed and ask him
about It. He said that his store had
been entered in the middle of the night
and he knew nothing about the rob
berry till the next morning. Neither he
nor anybody else had seen the robher.
But Williams having been suspected
of the robbery Notwithstanding the
correction OF this report, the talk went
on. and the more talk the more the
certainty not only that he made his
living my robbery, but that he was
guilty in the case under discussion.
Cy Adams. a man who had the repu-
tation OF being the principal talker
thereabout. said that Williams ought
err be investigated" 1t wasn't to the
credit OF the community that man
could live in il without any visible
means of support and robberies going
on without giving some account of
himself A committee should go TO his
cabin. ask him TO explain how he lived
and see if the building contained stolen
goods No one had ever been there.
and for all any one knew Williams
might have the place full of plumber.
He talked the matter up: but, though
he got a number OF persons to agree
with him. somehow he couldn't get
anything done. Then he called for
volunteers To serve on the committee.
No one volunteered. so ut last he said
that If he were appointed deputy
sheriff he would do the job alone.
There was no objection 10 his appoint
ment or his going To interrogate Mr.
Williams. The only objection in the
case was by individuals who were not
minded to go with him.
He concluded To 20 armed only with
the sheriffs badge. His mission was
to be a peaceful one, therefore he
wouldn't need weapon. He set out
one morning on horseback for VIII
liams' cabin and on reaching 1t dis
mounted. tied his horse TO n sapling
and appeared in the doorway. Will
liams was sitting at table writing
He looked up. saw the man standing
before him and asked what he could
do for him.
mir. Williams" said Cy, I'm com
mlssioned by the people of this county
to come to you and ask your business"
My business not being the business
OF the county. decline to answer"
"In that event ! am commissioned by
the people to explain to YOU that the
people make II their business to find
ont your business. and with that end
In view am directed To search your
house. You understand that this Is
simply legal process. not forcible
one"
Cy threw open his coat and showed
his badge
Proceed" said Williams and resum.
ed his writing
There was one room and loft in
the cabin. No search was needed for
the room. for there was nothing hut
n bunk and washstand and II cooking
stove in It, The sheriff saw it all and
looked aloft.
ANY way 10 get MP thcre?" he asked.
"Yes. but I'm too busy TO get It for
you.
Tell me where 1t is and III 60 for
IL myself"
IL keep II hidden I'll 90 for It,"
Laying down his pen. he went out
and returned with n ladder. which he
placed In position Cy climbed up
and. finding II dark NJ there. asked
for light. Williams handed MP a