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About The news-herald. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1909-1911 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 1909)
Simple Blouses the 'STosYjomnm Mium , j Tho maUnlTfacti In this f ij 8 story of circumstantial evidence R j ' i&iF? YWZ'aXA ' are drawn from an actual re- fi , Vwf I WMW Wwi I ( corded case, only such change if i fP&1rWWlr? vVV I V1 yMffMC w'A ' of name, an local color being Q 1 WMWWrmMt - 3 JAj7S4v ''t ports to that of fiction. All the S ZZVk mMWJrW $ V essential points of evidence, U?M ifAMtfW YA,Jk Xl l however, .re retained. j ! i H the members or" the Call v III MtHhi yMjBifl CI lhA A Skin club dropped lntp VSlj , ') (V i YsZ?h ifeWCTF their accustomed places iM L t " ty M AV VflV I ' I Judge Dennett entered SSI Ja&29 CEStl 1 Mfd Pcl fi'0 n11". dignified "-r J J ' f h W mitj nnKiinii miitii vuuni-u i mz s. .ft, i mi jr f -yvwt i run i if Mi rarwi i mi i in niiJ n i i mi lilm unwIttltiKly to assume the nerson al appcaranco of a wearer of the wig and ermine of Wackstoninn days. Judge Dennett Introduced him aa Judge Tanner and assured the club that his guest was primed with many a reminiscence of his long career and would gladly furnish the story of the evening. Afler the pipes of good fel lowship had been burned for a space Judge Tanner arose and began his story of circumstantial evidence. "I orten wonder," he said, "If there Is a trial Judge of any considerable experience who lias not carried some one case as a load on his mind and conscience for years after the verdict of the jury Is In and the condemned led away to execution. It la a wise provision of the law that makes the Jury the Judge both of the law and the. evidence, and the Judge but the medium through which ' the law reaches the twelve; and I cannot con ceive the condition of mind of those early English Judges, before whom, when they had arrived at a conviction of guilt, even tho Jury was power less. It was from their arbitrary and unreasonable rulings, now happily not held within the power of tho Judge, that most of our records of miscarried Justice have resulted. "Within my own experience there has como one case which I believe is as strange as nny of record and which for years, as I looked back upon It, caused me to doubt the ability of man ever infallibly to pass Judgment upon a fellow creature. The parties now are nil dead and I tell It for the first time. IJut to the story. "In a little city on tho circuit In which I have held court for more years thnn I care to think of there was at one tlnio a hotel kept by a very respectable man named Jona than Miller. It was the favorite stop ping place for commercial travellers awl thus tho most prominent and best paying hotel In the city. "One evening a Jewelry salesman by the name of Robert Conway arrived at tho hotel Just before supper. He Instructed Miller to send his grips up to his room and remarked in the hear ing of several at the desk that he did not care to have them left In the gen eral baggage room as ho was carrying a far more expensive line of samples than usual. Ho also asked that tho door be carefully locked and the key brought to him. "Supper over, ho fell In with a salesman for a shoe house and one for a clothing firm and they repaired to the bar where they played cards and drank until 11 o'clock, when they nil retired. It happened that the hotel was well tilled and the clothing man nnd tho shoe man had been forced to take a double room together. This room was directly across the hall from the ono occupied by the Jewelry salesman. "About two o'clock In tho morning tho two roommates were awakened by groans which seemed to come from tho room of their companion of tho evening across the hall. "They aroso and without stopping to dress hurried out to see what the trou ble was. You can Imaglno their hor ror to And Conway, tho Jewelry man, dead, tho bed blood-soaked, and stand ing over him, a dark lantern in one hand nnd a bloody knife In the other, Jonathan Miller, the landlord, who trembled violently and gasped Inco herently when they burst Into the chamber of death. "The case seemed black enough against him. There was not a sus picion in the mind of anyone In the city that he 'could be otherwise than guilty. Yet when taken before a Jus tice for a preliminary hearing ho most stoutly maintained his Innocence and told a story which had It not paled Into Improbability by the side of damning circumstances against him would have been plausible In the ex treme. "He said ho had Just reached his room after, as was his custom, sit ting up until a train due at half past one, came In. Ho had not had time to remove his clothing when he, too, lienrd groans coming from tho nelch- borhood of Conwny's room. Like the two salesmen, he had hurried to In vesicate, and as a weapon of do fenso he bad taken tho knife. He nlso picked up the dark lantern which he ulwayH used In making his last rounds of tho hotel and which was Ktlll lighted. "When he reached the Jeweler! door he was aiirprlsed lo find It Btund leg open. The groans had ceased and he entered, and going up to the bed, flashed his light upon the bloody spectacle of the murdered man's body. So great was his horror and surprise that he dropped the knife upon the bloody sheets, and had only just picked It up again when the two traveling men entered. "His trembling and fear at their arrival he attributed to tho natural horror it tho situation and the ter ror of the instant thought that guilt might point to him. "With s'uch a degree of sincerity was his story told, and so firm was the landlord's bearing before tho pre liminary court that he attracted many sympathizers who believed his story and looked upon him as tho unfortu nate victim of a most peculiar com bination of circumstances. "Hut these circumstances were too pntent to be Ignored and Miller was bound over to await the action of the grand Jury, indicted and in due course of time brought to trial be fore me. "In the time Intervening between his arrest and his trial the landlord's attitude was a mixture of terror and bravado which did not tend to In crease the belief of tho general pub lic in his Innocence. I myself, al though I have always endeavored .to enter a trial free from prejudice, had I been a venireman, should have been forced to admit that I had formed an opinion concerning the guilt or innocence of the accused. "The state naturally rested upon the testimony of the two salesmen who swore to the events of the fatal evening and to entering the room Just In time to find the landlord bend ing over the body. They were both firm In the conclusion that his terror upon seeing them was the terror of discovered guilt. I admit that de fendant's counsel should not have al lowed this portion of their testimony to go to the Jury, but no objection was made to it. "Also further damaging evidence against him was produced to the ef fect that he had a short time before become liable through indorsing a note for a large sum of money and that his ownership of the hotel was threatened In case he was not able to raise the amount. This seemed to furnish a powerful motive for tho crime. That he had always borne a good reputation, that his record for honesty was such that he might eas ily have raised the sum of money he required on a loan, and his own story of going to Conway's room nnd find ing the body were all that the unfor tunate landlord had to offer In his own defense. "There could have been but one conclusion as to what the verdict of the Jury would be, although I am sure that I gave them the law without par tiality. Miller took his sentence with resignation and when I askod him If he had anything to say, he arose and addressed the court as follows: " 'Your honor. It comes to every man once to dlo. For the sake of my dear wife who stood by mo so nobly through this terrible ordeal I should have chosen for myself a different end from that which Is to be my lot 1 have no fault to find with the view tho Jury and this court have taken of their duty, but you are making a terrible mistake. You have convicted an Innocent man. I am not guilty of the death of Robert Conway. I had nothing whatever to do with his death. Some day the truth will come out. but I fear it will be long after I have done with this world. I have no more to say but that I am Inno- cent, and this I will declare to tho end. "How many men when facing death on the gallows have said the same. I wonder how many men have said It truly. It Is true, as Tope sayn, that hope springs- eternal In tho hu man breast, but I often wonder If we do not muke a grievous error In not giving grouter credence to tho dying statement of a condemned man. "Jonathan Miller paid the penally of the death of Robert Conway with the same stoical resignation which had marked the end of many a man in the samo extremity. With his death the case Beemed at an end and it passed from my mind alone with many other cases which have arisen in a long and busy career. I probably never again would hnve recalled It except Incidentally had It not been for a strango occurrence. "I was Just retiring for the night one evening about two years after the execution of Miller when I was startled by the sound of a horse dash ing madly up to my gate. Thero was a loud rapping on the door and upon opening It the panting horseman cried: '"Huck Everett's Just been shot down In Klley's saloon. He's dying and wants to see you right away. Says he's got an Important confession to make.' "I hurried out, and mounting the messenger's horse, spurred full speed for Klley's place, which was a disrep utable roadhouse about a mllo dis tant. On tho way I tiled to recall who Huck Everett might be, and at last remembered him as tho porter In Miller's hotel at tho time of the Conway murder. When I arrived at the place ho was almost gono, but with the aid of a stiff drink of whisky ho revived sufficiently to mane the following confession: " 'I'm a goner, judge, but before 1 cash In I've got to get something off my mind. It's Conway. I've seen him day and night. My God, Judge, there he Is now pointing his bony finger at me! Take him away. For God's sake take him away.' Ho gasped In terror and the froth upon his pallid lips was bloody. We thought ho was going before his weighty secret was told. "'Come, Huck, have it out and you'll go easier,' I said as I held his head. " 'Yes, Judge, I've got to tell It,' he whispered. 'It was me that killed Con way. Miller never dono It. The thing took hold on mo when I took his grips upstairs and he said they was full of Jewelry. I slipped In and knifed him as he slept and got what there wns In his pockets. I was Just turnln' to the grips when I heard the landlord comln' down tho hall. 1 slipped out aud got past him, and never could understand why he didn't see me. " When they put it on Mm I hadn't the nerve to speak up. My God, I've got Miller on my soul, loo! There they both stand. Take "em away, and he went into unintelligible ravings which finally ended In the gasp of death. "You can Imagine my state of mind upon bearing this terrible con fession. Was not Miller's death upon my soul as well? Was I not equally culpable for not bavins a keener insight Into character that I might have read his Innocence in his steadfast attitude? Many a long night as 1 walked the floor of my chamber 1 turned these questions over ing my mind, never finding an an swer that was satisfactory to my conscience. I seriously considered re signing from the bench. My faith In man's Justice had received a crush Ing blow. For five years I carried that weight of self accusing guilt, and only the synijalhy of my friends and the loyalty and trust of my townsmen sustained me. 'One night I was seated In the study of Rev Charles I'oindoxter, tho rec tor of tho Episcopalian church. Be fore a cheery grate fire we talked Into the night nnd to him I unburdened my soul. " 'My heavens, Judge' ho said to mo, laying his hand on my shoulder, "Why haven't you told mo all this be fore? I might hnve saved you these yenrs of troubling. Never before have I disclosed that which has boon Im purled to me in the confessional, but In this case I believe my duty to the dead is outweighted by my duty to the living. When you sentenced Jonathan Miller you condemned a guilty man. You remember that I at tended him as a spiritual adviser In his Inst hours. - To me alone he told tho true story of that fatal night. Ho was guilty of Conway's death although his hand did not strike tho blow. Ho went to Conway's room with the Intent to murder him nnd rob him of his wealth. It was for that fell pur pose that be took tho knife and lan tern. hen ho reached tho room he found the deed already dono, and even as the two traveling men en tered the room ho was meditating upon how ho might secure the coii' tents of the satchels and hldo them, Let your mind rest, Judge; his hand was us guilty as the bund that struck I bo blow! "Thus was the weight of years lift ed from .my mind, and this, gentle men, 1.4 my Btory." iK Amid the congrntulatloDB and thanks of the members of the Calf Slwln club Judgo Grower from the rhiiir announced that Judge Sturgis had a story for tho tiext meeting. tCopyiifclil, l'X'J, by V. U. Clmpnmu.) These pretty simple blouses are Mouse material, of which there is such The ono at the left side has a tiny same. Tucks are made over the shoulder to waisrr-back and front, also In :enter or front; insertion nnd buttons the illustration at the top has a with three tuck3 each side; the long sleeves are close-fitting and are tucked. tfelow that the blouse illustrated might either be in lace or embroidery. across bust, a strap outlining the yoke; by a strap. The blouse on the right Is quite a the shoulders ; It fastens in the front, are trimmed with Insertion and lace Materials required: for each blouse, Vn 'IHIn ? Tiinlfl lnufillnn nnil S'..nrH 3 yards lnserion nnd -yard piece lace; for No. 304a, 1 yard' em inches in width; for No. 305a, -yard piece lace. broidery 5 ADAPTED FOR FORMAL CALLS Visiting Dress In Orchid Mauve Cash mere Trimmed with Buttons and Worn with Sash. Orchid mauve cashn;ere Is used here. The slightly hlgh-walsted. skirt (s trimmed at the foot by one tuck. jnd a hem;-it has a little train at the back. One tuck Is taken over each shoulder, sewn to waist back and front. The yoke, which Is either of pleco embroidery or lace, has A shaped pleco of embroidered mnterlnl arranged at each side; If preferred, this piece might bo covered In figured or chene silk. A wrapped senm Is made down the outside of each sleeve, trimmed with buttons put on In sets of threes, a dl rectolre snuh of mauve satin Is worn. Herhlve hat of straw nnd chiffon, trimmed with a Jet button and an ai grette. Materials required: 7 yards 4ti Inches v.lde, Vi-yard lace, 1 yard satin 42 Inches wide, dozen buttons. To Make the Curiosity Jug. Get a two quart jug or larger, if wished, nnd gather enough nlcknucks and trinkets to cover It. Take some putty, roll out to the thickness of half an Inch nnd place around the Jug. Then put on the trinkets, press ing them firmly Into tho putty, Tho more you have, tho better tho Jug will look. When all Is well hardened give a cont of gilt paint nnd you will have soniethlns odd ns well ns ornamental. styles that may be carried out In any a charming selection this season. square yoke of lace with collar of th form the trimming. band of embroidery down center front. has a yoke with nlastron to waist, that Tucks are made on the shoulders and the sleeves are finished at the wrists simple style, with six small tncka on under a box-plait. The collar and cuffs edging. about 2lA yards 28 Inches wide- tot rlnr Inn,, - nri , . , NOVELTY IN LACE INSERTION Simple Arrangement by Which Plain Dress Can Be Made Into Orna mental Affair. Lace Insertion with both edges dis playing little scallops appears on some of the Swiss evening dresses, Bnd, what Ja more, In very showy outlines. On one dress of Swiss this lace fea tured the bretelles over the shnnMor The two long pieces meet at the waist line, where a belt holds them down, and they extend In two straleht nleroa sido by side, to the hem. A lace band encircles the dress at the hem and knee lines. Wide laces with plain edges are made to produce Jacket lines on the one-piece dress. This arrangement is worth mentioning, since it really makes a plain dress a very ornamental affair. The straight lines from shoulder to hip line outline coat edges. At the extreme edge they form points, ex tend straight across the hips and make a single point at the back. The front emplecements pass over the shoulder, form a V-shaped yoke, then one single portion of the lace extends to the edge of the coat, down the back seams. A tucked band of the dress material crosses the coat at the point of the yoke In the back, passed under the arms and Is placed under the lace and over the bust. A narrow' strip of insertion holds tho Insertion to gether at the lower ends of the front. This dress Is made with a Dutch lace collar. Tan Shoes Popular. Tan shoes are more worn this sum mer than ever before, perhaps becaus they are commonly considered as cool er than black. For country wear the are more suitable and hnw m,. j..'. of walking much less than the black snocs. Ulack buckskin and rupiIa t, ,., suede are also much worn. There ie an especial dresslne for sncia k w .. v. v. v. omirn and after it has been applied and be iore me snoe dries a coarse hand brush is used to brush the nap of the shoe the wrong way and restore the original slightly roughened surface These shoes are more porous ana therefore cooler than the glazed or finished leathers and do not wrinkle In the way the others do when they are slightly large, as they should be for comfortable summer wear. A Fascinating Hand Bag. A hand bag that Is delightfully sum mery can be made from heavy white filet net with an oil-over embroidered scroll running over it done In narrow white soutache braid. The net It doubled at the bottom nnd sloped at each end toward the top, which is at least two Inches narrower than the bottom. Wedge shapo ends of filet are sewed In. The bag Is made up over white linen, and tho handle Is of heavy white braid. Development of Chest. In the development of the dies there are many ways of obtaining ths d sired eMra Inches, but massage and deep breathing the all that Is neces sary, nnd If practiced regularly for six weeks the narrow chested woman would be surprised at the results.