The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-11-14


Randall. This experience was once
repeated little farther on. Then, as
we neared the upper horse fat, we
were stopped by man who flashed a
dark lantern in our faces, scrutinized
us for a moment, shut off his light and
told us to go forward.
We found small fire behind a screen
of frs and around or near 1t the fig
ures of a dozen men. They stood ST.
lent and scattered little apart from
the freight. We could not make out
their features. From time to time 9TH
er men came in, slngly or in couples,
until probably twenty-five were gath
cred. Then ensued few moments Of
waiting. A sudden stir proclaimed
fresh arrivals, and four newcomers
strode briskly to the fire. AS the light
fell on them recognized Randall and
the three express riders.
Danny kicked together the fire until
It fared.
Somebody put some more wood on
this" he said in his natural voice.
We've got to see each other"
In q moment the flames were leap
ing. / looked about me with consider
able interest to see who of the camp
had been summoned. l must confess
to few surprises, such as the gam
bier from the Empire, but in general
the gathering consisted of those whom
should have characterized as solid cit
izens-Barnes, the hotel keeper; Him.
melwright and men of his stripe. They
were all armed and all very grave and
sober. Danny ran his eye over us one
by one
Meeting come to order" he COM
manded briskly. This is a vigilante
meeting. | hope you ell realize what
that means There are just thirty of
US here, and Morton's gang is proba-
bly, hundred strong when 1t Is all to-
gether. We cannot fight them, but we
can give the honest, decent men of
this camp a chance to fight them.
myself believe the honest men will
back us and am willing to risk 1t. If
any of you who are here now think
differently say 3d."
He paused, but no one spoke up.
III anybody doesn't want to go into
this now Is the time to back out. Just
keep your mouths shut: that is ALL"
He paused again. but again no one
moved
"Thats all right" observed Danny,
with satisfaction. He lifted a paper.
Listen to this: We, the undersigned,
agree, as we are decent men, to stand
by each other to the last, to avenge
the death of any one of us and to obey
the orders of our leaders. And If we
fail In this may God deny us mercy
Boys" said Danny Randall earnestly,
"tl1is is serious. If we start this now
we've got to see it through. We are
not much on Bible oaths, any one of
us, but we must promise. Frank Mum
roe. step forward!'
One by one Danny Randall called us
forward and administered his simple
oath. The fire leaped and with it the
mighty shadows. Outside the circle
of light the tail pines and fir trees
watched us like multitude standing
witness. The mems faces were grave.
There was about the toughest of them
something noble, reflected from the
earnest spirit of justice.
Randall had the plans all made, and
he detailed them rapidly. We were to
arrest four men only, and he named
them-Morton, Scarface Charley, who
had recovered; gambler named Cat
iin and Jules. the proprietor of the
! Empire.
Crawford Is back In town." said
some one.
Make 1t five then" said Danny in
stantly.
Next came up the vital questions of
ways and means. Many were in favor
of night surprise and an immediate
hanging before the desperadoes could
be organized for defense. Danny had
hard time showing them good rea-
sons against this course. but at last he
succeeded. . ..-4. -.
'This must be done deliberately and
! publicly" he maintained. Otherwise
: 1t fails OF It's effect. We've got to show
the gang that the camp is againSt
them, and that won't be done by hang.
| ing some Of them secretly"
Suppose the camp doesn't back us
upT' queried miner.
"RememDer your oath, gentlemen,
was Danny's only reply to this.
1t was decided at last that five com
mittees should be appointed to arrest
each of the five men, that the prison
ers should be confined in a certain iso-
lated log cabin and that the execution
should take place in broad daylight.
There remained only to apportion the
committees. This was done, and at
about 2 or 3 O'clock We quietly dis
persed. | was instructed to cooperate
with three Of the miners in the arrest
of Catlin.
Continued next Tuesday,
-Stts------