Year: 1876

and ask him as a personal favor to me to
receive the funds on deposit. Take n
receipt and return in the morning; you
can take the six o'clock train this even
ing.'


"I took the package containing the nine
thousand dollars, aud after receiving
some money for my expenses, started.
I arrived at my destination about half
six o'clock, and went directly to Mr..
Martins house, but found that he had
gone up town, and later was going to
the theater. Whereupon I sought the
principal hotel, thinking I might see
him there, but was disappointed here
and there. 1 walked around where I
thought would be most likely to meet
him, until about half-past nine, and then
returned to the hotel, took supper, and
engaged a room, to which I went 1 sat
down and read the evening paper until
about half-past ten, when I started for
Mr.. Martins house. AS I came down
stairs and opened the door, burly fell
low touched me on the shoulder, and
whispered


6" arrest you for the robbery of the
Farmers bank of X. and the murder of
Mr.. Richards


He then placed the handouts on me
and escorted me here and now I have
told you all know of my case, and it is
the truth. My name is Howard Burton !;
l have no parents"


This is the substance Of what Howard
Burton related to me in his cell in the
Jail at G. had not interrupted him
during his recital, but had listened at
tentively to every word. 1 was much
interested in the young man, who was
about my own age, and who felt was
innocent of the horrible crime with
which he was charged. L remained
with him until long after midnight, and
then, charging him to converse with no
one on the subject of the murder, left
him. I knew nothing of the circum-
stances of the murder as yet, but I
thought would go to K. and learn
what could.


On my arrival at K. went directly to
the bank, and found two or three de-
tectives there and some of the officers of
the bank. Nothing had been moved ex-
cept the body of the murdered man.
he was found lying on the floor, with
his skull crushed and his throat cut
from ear to ear. Some of the drawers
had been rifed, but aside from this
there was nothing to indicate robbery.
There was missing from the safe SO 900,
but the locks afforded no evidence of
having been tampered with. I found
that belief in Burton's guilt was quite
general.


1 stood at the window in the presi-
dents Office, staring vacantly out, hard
at work thinking, when my eye noticed
on the sash of the window of the law
yer's Office just across the passagcway
little scrap of paper with the word
"paint written on ii. A suggestive
thought flashed through my mind as I
walked out of the bank and stepped into
the law Office door. I was slightly ac-
quainted with its occupant, who well
coined me and invited me to a seat
We talked of the frightful occurrence
of the previous night for some time, and
at length said, rising to go:


$50 you have been painting little,
Mr.. Harris 70


eyes, sir did you observe my sign
Kelley, the painter, has young German
working for him who is really an artist.
He did all the work here"


When was the painting done 2" I
asked


"Al done yesterday-be careful of
your coat"


I bade Mr.. Harris good day, and
left his Office.


1 had learned who painted that win
dow, which was just what I most wanted
to learn, withing asking leading ques-
tion or letting Mr.. Harris know / was
interested in Mr.. Richards murder any
more than he. made up my mind to
see the man without loss of time, and
find out if he saw Mr.. Richards after
young Burton left the bank. I went to
the paint shop.


"You painted Mr.. Harris sign and
office, did You note" asked.


Yes, sir.


"Well, what time did you finish up
there 7'


cat six o'clock, SIR


"Did you paint after dark :"


eyes, sir after dark I painted the
outside of the window, about half-past
five the man in the bank lighted the
gas and it shone SO brightly that I fin
ished the window"


Did you see this man in the bank
handle any money!"


The man looked puzzled at this dues-
tion, but answered


eyes, sir noticed him counting a


What kind of looking man was
he e"


"Well, a kind of good looking man !;
it was Mr.. Richards. If you don't know
him L will describe him to you"


answered that had seen him, and
then inquired what he did with the
money.


He made bundle of it and handed
it to a young man, telling him to take
it somewhere. could not hear all he
said. In addition to the bundle, he gave
him what I judged to be u few dollars in
change, and told him to come back in