Year: 1879

came Finally the Coroner arrived, but Peters and
his wife were not summoned Drews. however. test
fed that he saw old Raber fall into the creek. The
tragedy then assumed another phase. The old man
realized that he in the power OF the young sol
dier. who was only prevented from making the true M
had for his wife, Father and daughter realized their
full duty. The young swife. in tears aud anguish
pleaded for her old father and while Peters was In
doubt and undetermined there was plot planning
outside of the family circle to take his fe His wife
overheard some of the details of this murderous de-
house and were in whispered communication with
old Drews. The daughter overheard enough to
satisfy herself that they intended to murder her
husband to get him out of the way. The young
people. after . nights consideration. resolved to


they eol an
Distant mutterings of the coming storm were heard
from the columns OF the local newspapers. and old
man Drews and his alleged associates trembled Still
they remained in the neighborhood. The daughter
of old Drews assured her father she could control
her husband and that he need not be afraid. A few
weeks slipped by and the alleged murderers rested
easier. Old man Drews' confidence in the heroism
and devotion of his daughter increased and he felt
assured OF his escape and the holders OF the life in
surance policies put in their claims.


PETERS APPEALS JUSTICE


The young soldier, Peters, however was restless
and disturbed at his new place Of abode He frankly
told his wife that he loved her the less. but
justice to all more. His conscience troubled him.
and he could not sleep; that he owed duty to his
country and his country laws. and that he must
tell ali he knew. The wife, bended knees.
beseeched her husband to spare her old father. She
recounted his deeds in the war for the Union alluded
to his gray hairs. his poverty and his being
tempted to the murder by an offer OF gold.
and that he poor and weak and could
not resist the temptation. All this, however could
not change the determination of the young soldier,
and finally he appeared before Justice Speck of Ham
township, Lebanon county and made oath to
all he know warrant issued by the Justice and
the old soldier. Drews. mis- companion; young man
named Stecker ami four Others named Israel Brandt
Henry 4. Wese Josiah Humnel and George Zechman,
six in all. arrested and lodged in jail These
parties reside Indiantown and their cabins are
in stretch Of country about seven miles long.
the hired assassins OF old man Raber. For
committing the deed they were to receive
fifteen hundred dollars in gold. Steckler is not
quite twanty-one years of age and resembles
tions, and was easily led into the conspiracy The
remaining charged with being the holders Of
the policies of insurance, and Drews and Steckler
had no policies at all The four were accordingly
rested being of the conspirators and accessories
before and after the fact.


THE PRISONERS AND THE COMING TRIAL,


The prisoners all very commonly Clad Brandt
kept whiskey saloon in the forest and is about forty
years of age. He red handkerchief about his
head and his appearance generally Is not inviting.
Weise is about thirty and was in Jail before on
the charge OF larceny. He IL well-set man, stout
and strong. Hummel is twenty five years old and
his father is well off, Zechman is thirty@fiye. very
quiet and his father is rich. The prisoners have
very little to say. and all have counsel excepting
Drews and Steckler. The latter is the youngest in
the party aud 1t 10 supposed he will make full
confession before many days have elapsed
The District Attorney is OF the opinion that the
reliable. which will be corroborated by his wife and
other witnesses II Steckler knows anything of q
conspiracy and makes confession to that effect the
conviction of the remaining prisoners is almost
sured. There Is great deal Of excitement in refer
ence to the matter and the day of the hearing is anx
iously looked forward to.