The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-10-21

JtaAO "a % IN LtAAO bC-
fore the murder. a decision had been
rendered in Temples favor. The saw.
mill proprietor had the reputation OF
being a good citizen, honorable and
reliable in business affairs, but had
killed two or more people during the
course of his life, having been exon.
Grated by the courts on each occasion.
1t was clear, therefore, that there
might have been several motives for
the commission of the crime.
Now comes the strange part OF my
narrative. At noon on the second day
after my arrival at Dallas, having eat.
en- my dinner and walked out of the
hotel where ] was staying, / stood still
for a moment or the sidewalk, being
undecided as to which direction | In.
saw a fine looking young woman com
ing across the street toward me. AS
she approached, / perceived that, al.
though as white Is myself, she was
yet ''colored," only the negro blood
showed itself in the contour of the fea.
lures instead of in the pigmentation.
Her hair vas curly, and deep red, her
eyes were blue, her carriage graceful
She might have passed for a beauty,
but for the kinky hair and a number
Of large brown freckles upon her face
AS l stood watching her a hand was
laid upon my shoulder, and l looked
round, to perceive DR.. Temple stand
ing at my side.
What do you think of herr" In.
CURED the doctor.
"She is a freak of nature" I an
swered.
Yes" replied the other. Il noticed
her yesterday in that building where
my brother had his office. She ap-
peared to be having an earnest CONVEX
sation with the janitor."
Now there was no reason why the
fact that the dead man had had his
office in the building which the young
woman visited should in any way i'm
plicate her in. or connect her with
the crime. Nevertheless, i could not
get her out OF my mind. The doctor
took his departure, and / strolled on
thoughtfully. Before ! had gone q
block the conviction that / / had obtain
ed a clue became SO overwhelming that
/ decided to find out who the young
woman was, and what her business
with the janitor had been.
Sheriff Cabel knew everyone in Dial.
las. and / turned round and went back
to the courthouse, where / found him,
Sheriff." i said, II saw a colored
girl near the hotel a short time ago,
and / would like to know who she is
and something about her." / then de.
scribed the woman.
THAT girl is known as Liza John
son." answered the sheriff. You know
Emma Johnson? Well, she is the
daughter of an old colored woman who
lived with Emma Johnson for many
years. Her mother died when she was
q child, and Emma raised her as
though she were her own daughter,
Emma thinks a good deal of her and
can tell you all about her. SO IL you
would like me to. / will take you over
to see her."
On my asserting, the sheriff took me
to Miss Johnson's house, where the
sheriff introduced me, stating that ]
was a friend of his.
II want to know something about
your maid. Liza" l said. Il under
stand that she has been seen in an
office building over on Commerce
street, and l am anxious to learn
what business took her there"
2 why, / really don't know. but
reckon / can find out" answered Miss
Johnson. About a month ago the ne.
groes here In Dallas had a picnic and
Liza went to that picnic. She met a
young negro there and he brought her
home. I Saw him. and he was good
looking. well dressed, and appeared to
be fairly well educated, He was as
black an ink, but he had good fea'
lures, like those OF q white man. He
had thin lips. q small mouth. and Q
straight nose. &c had been 9 white
man he would have been good look
ing"
This was an exact description o
the slayer Of Mr.. Temple.
HE came here from some place II
the state" continued Miss Johnson
He Is q stranger here and does mo-
mix with the other colored people. HI
is acting as q sort OF body-servant 4
his master. who has an Office In tina
building ON Commerce street
What is his manner" inquired.
His first name is John" replies
Miss Johnson. "and his last name Il
the same as his masters, which / can
not at present recall"
WAS his masters name Perry!"
"Yes. That is it-John Perry. Blu
John Is not In town now. He left las
Monday. He came over and saw II
"a and told her he wal going to tn
races at San Antonio there this week
He writes to her every day. and sh'
got q letter from him this morning"
"Can you let me 9 the letter with
out Lfz6's knowledgeT' l asked.
20 vea.,s repIled the lady II vii