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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 28, 1913)
Colonel TODHUNTER of Missouri Dy RiPLEY D. SAUNDERS CtpyrkJtt 1911. by fbt BoUtJkfrl Company CHAPTER XH. A 8trng Cry From Blaok Lips. OLD Governor Leslie hurried to Nineveh from St Louis the day following Colonel Strick land's ovrn return home. , He came In response to an argent tele graphic summons from the candidate, whom he found In close conference with Major Gentry Dryden, one of Missouri's most famous criminal law yers. Colonel Todhunter was with them. "We'll bring Tom through all right, governor," said Colonel Strickland, al though his worn and worried face be lled the brave words, "but in the mean time I thought it best to get you down here so that I could straighten myself out in the matter of my campaign for the nomination for governor with as little delay as possible." "What do you mean to do?" asked old Leslie. "I mean to withdraw from the race," replied Colonel Strickland. "I csafl run, carrying this weight of Tom's trouble. It's got me beat right now. I won't ask my friends to make a hopeless fight" "You'll stay right where you are." said Governor Leslie. "You're not re sponsible for Tom's reckless folly, and the Democratic voters in Missouri won't hold you responsible." "The Yancey crowd will make it ap pear that the killing of Stam Tucker was a political murder." Colonel Strickland answered. "They're doing It already. Their newspapers are han dling the case along that line. They've Published the story of the quarrel be tween Tom and Stam Tucker the night . we opened my campaign here in Nine veh and of their fight in the barroom the next day. They point out that old Eph Tucker Is my bitterest political enemy and that be and his son were working tooth and nail for Stephen K. Yancey and that tUIa political feud has resulted in the assassination of Eph Tucker's son by my son. It's a pretty black story handled that way, and It'll Jo me all sorts of barm throughout the Jtfate." "They can't Ignore the facts in the case," retorted Governor Leslie. "In the first place, as 1 understand it, your on himself doesn't know that it was he who shot Stam Tucker. He's bound to plead not guilty, and the prosecu tion's got to prove the fact of guilt In the second place, the real reason for deadly trouble between Tom and Stam Tucker was the story told by that Dog gett girl and its bearing upon their rivalry for the hand of Miss Mary Tod hunter. The Doggett story puts an en tirely new light on the feud between the two boys." "Not the way the Yancey organs are presenting It," said Colonel Strickland. "It only serves to intensify the original trouble and to make a thrilling 'mur der story' with what they call 'roman tic as Veil as political trimmings. They're featuring it on that basis, and they're going to get Steve Yancey nom inated just that way." "I thought this was what you want ed to see me about," commented old Governor Leslie, "so I had a confer ence with the St Louis men who worked with me to put you In the race. But before I tell you any more about that I want to ask you just one question. Bill Strickland." A moment of silence followed these words. Colonel Strickland held Gov ernor Leslie's eyes with his own in quiringly. "Do you want your son to be con victed of the murder of Stamford Tucker?" n sited Governor Leslie. Til make Miuoorah too hot to held I" 1 ""Good God", man!""" cried Colonel Strickland. "Bow can you ask such a thlngr Governor Leslie turned to Major Gentry Dryden. "Dryden," he queried, "what would be the effeet of Colonel Strickland's withdrawal from the cam paign at this time?" "It would be taken as a confession of bis belief in his son's guilt. It would be the worst blow possible to the de fense right now. I should strongly protest against Colonel Strickland's withdrawal." "There you are!" exclaimed old Les lie, turning to the candidate. "That was exactly the view I took of it you've got to consider your son's in terests above ail else, Strickland. And now I'll tell you what your St Louis backers said. They authorized me to refuse to accept your with drawal as a candidate for the Demo cratic noTnnntlnnfor governor of Mis souri. Aside irom wnatever person., regard they may have for you. they believe that, even as matters now stand, you're the strongest man in the state and that you've still got a better fighting chance to win than any other man would have. You've got to stay In, Strickland." "But good Lord. man. how can 1 fight to any purpose?" asked Colonel Strickland plteously. "I must deal fairly with you, so I tell you right here and now that compared with Tom's safety I don't care what be comes of my chances In the campaign. I'm going to stay right here and move heaven and earth to clear my son of the awful charge against him, and by the time his trial's ended the campaign will be over too." "Not quite," answered Governor Les lie, unmoved. "But If that wan the case It wouldn't make any difference. God knows you're Justified In sticking ; to Tom through thick and thin, to the finish and regardless of all other de mands upon you. I wouldn't wipe my feet on you If you were capable ol doing anything else. So don't you worry about that. We're going to do all the fighting for you from now on. and we've picked on " Colonel Tod hunter here as the best man to lead what you seem disposed to call a for lorn hope." "Now you're talkln', sub!" broke In Colonel Todhunter, his grim old face alight with the lust of battle. "I won't ask anything better'n to get out on the stump and skin 'em alive. ThevVe crowdin' old Hill Strlcklnnd to iav wuii Decause inej cuius tney v. got him foul, and Bill's friends have got to stand by him closer'n ever. Turn me( loose on 'em, Leslie. I'll make Mizzoorah too hot to bold 'em!" Old Governor Leslie smiled ominous ly. "We've mude arrangements to thai end. Todhunter." he replied. "I knew Just how you'd feel about it We want you to tell the Democrats of Missouri Just exactly why we wouldn't let Strickland withdraw, Just exactly why he himself won't do any more caui panlng for the nomination and Just t;.tiy why and where the Yancey pwspnpers and the Yancey speakers are distorting the truth of this case against Tom Strickland to make it look like a political assassination. And it's iroing to be pretty hot work, Todhunt er. You may have more than one per sonal difficulty on your hands before you get through with it" "We needn't talk about that feature of It, Governor Leslie," said Colonel Todhunter. "There won't be no trou ble 'less'n some o' the Yancey crowd object to a man's talkln straight from the shoulder. We've Just about got time now for a llghtnin' finish on the stump, takln' it for granted that I'm expected to reach all parts of tho state, so the sooner I start the better." "You start tomorrow, Colonel Tod hunter," responded old Governor Les lie. "We've already made tho speak ing appointments for you, and I've got the list of towns and dates right here with me. It's a devilish big contract sir, and you won't get back here until Just a few days before the primary elections." "I don't want to get back here before then 'less'n I could be of some use to Tom Strickland." said Colonel Tod hunter, a sudden husklness In his throat as hla eyes fell on Colonel Bill Strickland's haggard face. "The main thing I want is to gVe the Yancey crowd a fight. they wasn't expectln', suh. and HI be eternally condemned If we ain't a-goln' to do It too!" Wherefore the following morning Colonel Todhunter started out in the lead of the forlorn hope that was to make the last stand for Colonel BUI Strickland in Missouri. It proved to be a soul wearying bat tle, full of baffling chagrin and disap pointment On the very eve of the trial of Tom Strickland for the killing of Stamford Tucker, Colonel Todhun ter returned to Nineveh. He was met by Colonel Strickland, whose face seemed now not only haggard, but hopeless. "They're pushln' us pretty hard. Bill," said Colonel Todhunter. "I've fought 'em the best I knew how, but Steve Yancey's crowd Is workln Tom's case against us better'n I thought was pos sible among folks that know you like our Mizzoorah Democrats know you. suh. It's enough to make a dog sick to see how easy people can be turned against a man when he's in trouble. I'll Just be double whlpsawed If it ain't!" "That's all right, Thurs," replied the other listlessly. "Don't you go wor rying yourself any longer about my campaign. I knew I was beat the min ute they got Tom's trouble to use as a weapon against me. But what hurts me most now, Thurs, Is that Gover nor Leslie Is finding it Impossible to raise that campaign fund we counted on. I'm licked, and I've hurt you mighty bad at the same time." But Colonel Todhunter fired up at this. "111 be shot full o' holes If you're licked yet!" he exclaimed. "And I ain't hurt any till you hear me holler, suh. Don't you misunderstand me. Bill Strickland. I acknowledge that we've got a bard row to hoe, but that ain't no sign we ain't a-goin' to hoe it Any way, by Godfrey, we'll make an ever lastln' good stagger at it. The next best thing to llvln' victorious is dyln' game, suh!" Colonel Strickland shook his head. "There's mighty little fight left In me." he spoke sadly. "I'll do the flghtin'," retorted Colonel Todhunter. Then he looked bis frieud anxiously in the face. "How's Tom's case goln?" ho asked. "It looks mighty black." answered the other. "It's going to be a political trial, bitter as sin, because the old gang counts on Tom's conviction to drive me out of Missouri polltcs. The evidence in the case Is all against the boy. The courtroom will be packed with Yancey heelers there's no waj to prevent it aua tneyn mase ever demonstration possible to influence the Jury. And every man connected with the court wears the gang's collar, even to Judge Pittman himself. If we ask for a change of venue we'll Jump from the frying pan into the fire, because my enemies have got the whlpband anywhere we turn. Old fellow, 1 be lieve they'll hare my boy's life before they get through!" The speaker's rolce broke In spite of blm. Colonel Todbunter's face grew hard and grim. "No, they won't'" he said stubbornly. "They can't do It They ain't got nothln' against Tom but cir cumstantial evidence, and it surely ought to be mighty hard here in Nlne ver to convict a boy like Tom, well known and comln' of a family that's lived here so long, on circumstantial evidence alone. They'll try to do It. Bill, but they can't Tom'll get the benefit of the doubt" There was something deeply pathetic In this eager clutching at the one re maining strand of hope. The two old friends were now making their way toward the Jail to see Tom. Suddenly they came face to face with Mrs. Tod hunter and Mary. The girl advanced directly toward them with outstretched band, her moth er following. "Howdy. Colonel Strickland !"' she said, her voice trembling a little. "You are on your way to visit Tim. aren't you?" "Yes. Miss Mary." replied Tom's fa ther quietly. "The trial begins tomor row, and I only left him to meet Colo nel Todhunter, and he's returning with me." "Colonel Strickland," said Mary reso lutely, though her voice shook more than ever, "I want you to carry a mes sage to Tom from me." There was a curious little pause. Mrs. Todhunter laid her hand gently on her daughter's arm, but the girl moved away from tho touch, not harsh ly, yet as if she felt It to be a protest "I want you to give Tom my love. Colonel Strickland." she said. "And 1 want you to tell him, from me, that I don't believe one word of these awful charges against him not one word either .about Stam Tucker or about 4hat-that girl!" And as she spoke Mary Todhunter burst out crying. She dabbed plteous ly at her face with her handkerchief, unable to control her emotions. Then, Bobbing, she turned away with her mother, no other word being spoken. "God bless" that g'trVofyoursT Thurs!" spoke Colonel Strickland, his own voice unsteady. "She's good grit clear through and, somehow, sho gives me more courage than I've had for many a day. They haven't got Tom yet and they'll have the fight of their lives before they do get hi in!" "That's the talk!" cried Colonel Tod hunter. "Face 'em that way, Bill, and we'll make 'em strain their souls for every Inch they try to gain! They got to do it by the good God up yonder In them skies, Bill, they got to do It!" But the little flicker of encourage ment caused by a girl's brave words soon died away In the somber shadow of Tom Strickland's prison. It was two very weary and gray faced old men who came away from the prisoner an hour later and parted at the Jail's front each to go to his own homer That evening Colonel Todhunter went by appointment to the Strickland home for a conference, with Tom's father and Major Gentry Dryden. leading-counsel for the defense. It was nearly mid night when he returned to his owi home. He found Aunt Mlrandy Ransom there. The old negress rose, trembling, at sight of him. her black hands flut tering toward him in instinctive glad ness of welcome. "Dress Gawd, yo' done come!" she cried. "I been eatln' my ole heart out waltln' fo yo suh! Kunnl Todhunter, yo' got some mighty quick an' ticklish wu'k cut out fo' yo ef yo' gwlne save Mars' Tom Strickland's life das hue come I hyar now to tell yo' erbout it BUhl" Through the after midnight blackness that was soon to change Into the gray of a cloud swept dawn a fugitive man and woman fled. Side by side they sat in a light road wagon drawn by a rawboned hor?- whose long and swift stride told of its selection for this special service. The man, gaunt swarthy, with keen black eyes that gleamed alertly from under the wide brim of a weather beat en sombrero, seemed III content how ever, with the progress being made. Almost Incessantly he urged the horse to Increased effort now and then cursing outright in the grip of a fever ish Impatience. Save when he leaned forward for this urging the man sat slouching and limp. the mark of the vagrant Ishmael on every Hp of body and limbs. The woman was tense, rigid, ber face set always to the front It was framed in by a Bhawl thrown over her head and drawn about her shoulders. Once or twice her glance went furtively to the man beside her. Fear and distrust were In her eyes. Her hands were tightly vlasped together as they lay in her lap. Deep woods stretched on either side of the road. Their stillness was pro found. The enveloping gloom seemed as of the grave Itself. The woman shuddered and drew her shawl closer. "Lord ha' mercy!" sho spoke. "I can't do it. Jesse I can't! It's worse'n murder worse'n what's been done a'readyl" The man laid a cruel lash across his horse's flanks. "You fool!" be mut tered. "It's high time I brung you awayl You lovesick fool!" The girl's eyes flashed sullenly. "That word's a lie!" she retorted. "Ain't I goln' with you? And would I be a-doln that If I was lovesick for somebody else? It's a lie, and you know it!" The man laughed. "If you had stay ed where you was you'd h' blabbed the whole thing out and you'd be In Jail now 'steod o' him." Suddenly the woman threw her arms upward. "It'll ha'nt me te my dyln' day!" she cried. "I ought to ha told the truth! 1 wish I had! I wish I had! It couldn't be no worse'n It is now!" "I say that it could!" savagely re turned ., the man. "You . keep your mouth shut 1 got all I can de to save us as It Is, 'thouf n you waggln' your tongue. You keep your mouth shut!" The woman passed her hands over her face miserably. The man again slouched down In his seat Now and then his moody glance turned apprehensively to his compan ion. "I've done a whole lot for your sake, Lottie-May," he spoke at last "J could hn' got away long ago. I'm tak ln' big chances on your account And you don't seem to care." Lottie-May Doggett's face grew shamed. "Yes, I do. Jesse!" sho ex claimed. "I know Just what you're doln' for me. Tho ouly show I got is to go with you. And you mustn't think I don't appreciate It." Her hands fluttered plteously at her throat "My God!" she cried, her voice break ing in anfenlsh. "Tom Strickland's goln' to be hung! He's goln to be hung! They ain't nothln' on earth can save him!" Far in the east the gray dawn was breaking. "D n Tom Strickland!" cursed tho man. "I'll be glud when he Is hung! You've always been In love with him!" "He's goln' to be hung!" repented the girl. "And they ain't no way to save hfra now!" An evil mockery leaped Into tho man's fac ). ' Oh, yes. there's a way," be retorted. "You go back there to that trial and confess the truth. You're the only one on God's earth that can save him. Ain't that so?" The girl's faco whitened. As the man spoke they bad turned from tho pike road and were going deeper into the woods. A scant light of day bad come. The faces of tho two were haggard and worn. "Yes, I'm the only one!" cried Lottie-May Doggett suddenly. "And that's what I'd do now if I had the chance toll the whole truth. I ain't tblnkln' no more about me. I ain't thlnkln no more about you. I'm thlnklu' about Tom Strlcklond!" A forlorn and dilapidated cabin was revealed in a barren little opening ahead. Tho man laughed aloud as he saw It "You'll have to take It out In think In', Lottie-May!" ho exclaimed trium phantly. "I've got you now where you are safe. When you and mo leave that shack tonight there'll be no more talk o' you savin Tom Strickland. We'll be headed straight for Oklahoma then, and nothln' can stop us!" The girl's eyes rested on the miser ablo little cabin. An ominous light was In them. The man drew up at the hut and assisted his companion from the wagon. Ho pushed open a creak ing door. Tho cabin's Interior showed black and forbUdlng. "That's where we stay till night time." he said. "I'll take the horse and wagon round where they won't be seen If anybody happens to come along. And I don't want no more of your foolishness, Lottle-Mul" The glrf started a if struck. "Don't talk to me like that!" she cried. "I ain't your nlirger yet I ain't got to do anything I don't teel like doln. You're takln' too much for granted, Jesse!" The man seemed to lose all patience at this. Grasping the girl by the shoul ders he forced ber Into the hut Then he disappeared. A niuuient later he returned. The girl was standing against the wall Her face was buried In her arms. Sobs shook her body. The man closed the door behind him. (To be Continued.) Ill Items or Interest to Old and New Residents of City Which Were New Forty Years Ago. Five hundred Russians passed through our city on Friday and Saturday last, seeking homes in the western part of our state. May good luck go with them. Hates is llxing himself up a new house on the corner of Sixth and Vine. He first raised her and then boarded her( and now he's new topping her, and when it's all done he'll have as nice a home as anybody's folks. We paid a visit to J. A. Con nor's wheal warehouse, or Side Hill elevator, last week. All the bins were full and sacks lie piled up for rods around the shanty. The old fanning mill was rattling away and ear after car hacked up empty and was hauled off full. Such lively times makes a body think all the wheat in creation is coming into IMaltsmoulh, but it is only a very small portion of what the great slate of Nebraska will produce this year. Fifty-five times, and a good lime; one of (he most enjoyable of innocent sprees, turned up in Plattsmouth on Monday evening last, the occasion being the ar rival of the flfty-llflh birthdav of Mrs. Chaplain Wright, and (he thirty-eighth of (heir married life. It was called a surprise party, and was truly a very surprising party to the kindly and genial chaplain and his lady. On some pretense they were sent off visiting that afternoon, and the (wo daughters of (he house, Mrs. Wise and Mrs. French, at once prepared lo cele brato their mother's birthday in the happiest manner possible. A number of pleasant guests were inviled in (he evening, and (ho house and grounds were bril liantly illuminated. After all was ready, the marriage feast duly prepared, and the guests as sembled, Mrs. Wise went over to the neighbor's where Ihe unsus pecting couple were visiting and told a little exaggeration not amounting lo a white lie even about some people from a dis tance coming over (o see (he chaplain, and they "had belter come home." They came; but ns they turned t lit corner and the bright lights from Ihe grounds and house struck them full in the face, Mrs. Wright exclaimed: "Why, father, Ihe house is on lire, hurry home;" the old gentleman, wiser in his day, but, no nearer Ihe truth, said: "These young folks are up to some mischief, and we must hurry home and see what it is." When they arrived at Ihe house and llfly outstretched hands grasped theirs in welcome, and llfly hearty, loving neighbors' voices bid them god speed, thus far, and many happy days yet in I heir long career, the scene was almost too much for both. For once the parson lost his wits and could only say: "You rogues, you rouges, I give it up, you've beat me," while Mrs. Wright declared that happy as they had been in the main, she had no desire lo see 55 more years in this hard world of ours. A bountiful sup per and many a good-humored jest and reminiscence finished an evening of pleasure, without a shade of alloy. uiD.q ijo oq uoq) pun.w. souibji oi op pjnoD Xoqi njq.w moqi pouijojuj isnf oSpnf oqx qflui upan)Bg o'ssn tj puq tounoo jto oqi puu souibii oSpnf Nat Brown and John Shannon both came out in a spic-span new suit of clothes last week drab brown with purple spots on 'cm. The clothes were made in New York by S. Bloom & Co., from im ported short horn, Melton, Eng lish Petersham' Merino wool goods and it took three whole ruins outh FORTY YEARS AGO pieces to get 'em all out of. As the suits came home from the shops they were a little too large, but by repeated wettings during the shower of last week, they; shrunk so much that Nat had to trade his off to John for a short horn pony, and John gave his to a 16-year-old haymaker from the Weeping Water blue grass region for an unweaned half-breed Texas calf. Brown starts east in a few days to buy out the factory, and as chartered the B. & M. R. R. to transport the matchinery. hands and all, out to Coon Hisel's hollow, where we shall soon have a woolen mill and clothing manu factory at wholesale, running in first rate order. It is an unique and entirely new mill. You just chuck the sheep, goats or flax irl one end ,and a suit of clothes, & hat, or overalls comes out of the other. Go west, young man, and see this wonderful piece of ma chinery. ' A child of Mr. II. A. Austin was buried on Wednesday afternoon, and the child of Mr. Hoffman, the blacksmith, died ou the same day. Jerry Sexton wants to chal lenge anyone to row a skiff race, one mile or two miles, for $25 or $50 a side. Now, boys, here's your chance only one week's training, dive Jerry a chance. I. N. Corey of Weeping Water mouth, down in the gable end of Cass county, has been up to see us. Corey is a pretty good fellow been a printer, teaches school and hoes his own row or row just as you like with anv man. Sheriff Culler informs us that a lad named Lorin Smith, living in: Stove Creek precinct, was shot and instantly killed on Friday last. Augustus Davis, another boy of 15 years did the shooting by accident. They were playing "lag." Jimmy Smith, a (5-year-old brother of the deceased boy, was the only witness. The brick work on Ihe second story of the new school building was completed on Saturday last, and Mr. Dexter, the contractor, informs us he will have finished all Ihe brick work on the whole building in three weeks more. When (his building is completed Plattsmouth can boast of one of the finest buildings in Ihe state. The following named persons and people were duly installed in their respective offices at the Pleasant Ridge ('range week be fore last: D. D. Andrus, master; John M. Craig, overseer; N. Holmes, lecturer; Jas. Bennett, steward; Jas. M. Craig, assistant steward; A. Hull, chaplain; P. T. Beaver, treasurer; J. C. fSilmour, secretary; M. Meisinger, gate keeper; Mrs. D. D. Andrus, cores; Mrs. (!. Swift, pomona; Miss Allie Hull, flora; Miss E. J. Craig, lady assistant steward. Regular meet ings on second and fourth Satur days in Ihe month. We have struck coal, it's her in Cass county. A big chunk lies on our table now, and it's hard, and black, and coaly, and smuts our papers, and blacks people's fingers that come in and feel of it, and then if they rub their noses it blacks them, too, and we know it is coal. Mr. J. Mc F. Hagood brought to this office a piece of coal of four or five pounds weight, good fair coal, mined in Cass counly, on the Missouri river, ten miles below here, and there are oceans of if, viz: An eight-inch vein, twenty-three feet from the ground surface, and growing thicker every minute. No man knows how wide it is nor how far it goes, and this story is all true; and if you don't believe it coma up to our ofllce and smell of the coal. We publish this week the set tlement of the vexatious litigation between our county and the B. & M. It. II. Co. in Nebraska. The railroad surrenders up to the county $100,000 in bonds and .$50,000 in coupons now due. Cass county allows the other $100,000 lo stand, anil pays the interest to be levied for 1871 of $10,000, thus starling Cass county on her way with only a bonded debt of $100. 000 with interest to run from tjie year 1871. At the time of the maturity of these bonds, in 1885), there would be fo pay, the prin ciple, $200,000, with interest to pay (or paid as the case might be) of $350,000. If fhe county should now be compelled to pay all interest due, up to and includ ing the year 187 i, it would be the neat sum of $00,000. Our county commissioners, setting as the fiscal agents of the county, have acted on this matter o..ly as prudent men could act. Ths Journal for Calling Cards.
