Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / Dec. 3, 1911, edition 1 / Page 2
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TBB CHABLOTTBjraWS PECIEMBCR 3, Idlll THE PRODIGAL UDGE By VAUGHAN KESTER (Copyright 1911, The Bobbs-Merrll Co.) CHAPTER XU. I A Cri*l» at Th® Court-HouM. Just at daybreak Yancy was roused by the pressure of a hand on his shoul der. and opening his eyes saw that the Judge wa» bending over him.. •'DrfessI” he said briefly. "There’s every prospect of trouble. Get your rifle and come with me" Yancy noted that this prospect of trouble seemed to afford the judge a pleasurable sensation; indeed, he. had quite lost his former air of somber and suppressed melancholy. "I let you rieep. thinking you need ed the rest,” the Judge went on. “But ever since midnight we’ve been on the verge of riot and possible blood shed Thev’ve arrested John Murrell —It’s claimed he’s planned a servile rebellion! A man named Hues, who wormed his way into his con fidence. made the arrest. He carried Murrell into Memphis, but the local magistrate, intimated, most likely, de clined to have anything to do with holding him. In spite of thl», Hues managed to get the prisoner lodged in jail, but along about nightfall the situation began to look serious. Folks were swarming into town armed to the teeth, and Hues fetched Murrell across country to Raleigh—" ‘•Yes.” said Yancy. “Well, the sheriff has refused to take Murrell into custody. Hues has him down at the court-hourse, but whether or not he is going to be able to hold him is another matter!” Yancy and Hannibal had dressed by this time, and the judge led the way from the house. The Scratch Hiller looked about him. Across the street a group of men, the greater number of whom were armed, stood in front of Pegloe’s tavern. Glancing in the direction of the court-house, he ob served that the square before It held other groups. But what impressed him more was the ominous silence that was everywhere. At his elbow the Judge was breathing deep. “We are face to face with a very deplorable condition, Mr. Yancy. Court was to sit here today, but Judge Morrow and the public prosecu tor have left town, and as you see, Murrell’s friends have gathered for a rescue. There’s a sprinkling of the better element—but only a sprinkling. I saw Judge Morrow this morning at four o’clock—I told him I would ob ligate myself to present for his con sideration evidence of a striking and sensational character, evidence which w'ould show conclusively that Murrell should be held to await the action of the next grand jury—this was after a conference with Hues—I guaranteed his safety. Sir, the man refused to ll&ten to me! He showed himself ut terly devoid of any feeling of public duty.” The bitter sense of failure and futility was leaving the Judge. The situation made its demands on that basic faith In his own powers v/hlch remained Imbedded in his character. They had entered the court-house square. On the steps of the building Bf tts was arguing loudly with Hue^ who stood In the doorway, rifle fn hand. •'Maybe you 'Son’t know this Is coun* ty property?*’ the sheriff waa saying. “And that you have taken unlawful possession of It for an unlawful pur pose? I am going to open them doors —a passel of strangers, can’t ke«p folks out of a building their own mon ey has bought and paid for!’* While he was speaking, the Judge had push ed his way through the crowd to the foot of the steps. ‘That wag very nicely said, Mr. Betts,’* observed the Judge. He smil ed widely and sweetly. The sbertft gave him a hostile glare. “Do you know that Morrow has left town?” the Judge went on. “I ain’t got nothin’ to do with Judge Morrow. It’s my duty to see that this building is ready for him whW he’s a mind to open court in it” “You are willing to assume the re sponsibility of throwing open these doors?’’ inquired the Judge affably. “I shorely am,” said BettSi “^hiy, some of these folks are our leading people!” The Judge turned to the crowd, and spoke In a tone of excessive civility. “Just a word ,gentlemen! the sher iff Is right; It Is your court-house and you should not be kept out of It. No doubt there are some of you whose presence In this building will sooner or later be urgently desired. We are going to let all who wish to ented, but I beg you to remember there will be five men inside whose prejudices are all in favoor of law and order.” He pushed past Hues and entered the court-house, followed by Yancy and Hannibal. “We’ll let ’em in where I can talk to ’em,’’ he said almost gaily. “Besldea, they’ll come in anyhow when they get ready, so there’s no ceuse in exciting them.” in the court-house. Murrell, bound hand and foot, was seated between Carrington and the Earl of Lambeth In the little ralled-off space below the Judge’s bench. Pear and suffer ing had blanched his unshaven cheeks and given m wild light to his deeply sunken eyes. At sight of Yaoicy a smothered exclamation broke from his lips; he had supposed this man dead these many montlis! Hues had abandoned hi* post, and the crowd, suddenly gnxwn clamorous, stormed the narrow entrance. One of the doors, borne from its hinges, went down with a crash. The judge, a fierce light flMhing from his eyes, turned to Yaney. "No matter what happeas. thia fel low Murrell is not to escapft—if he calls on bis friends to rescue him he is to b« shot!” The hall was filling with swearing, struggling men, the floor shook be- ^neath their heavy tread; then they burst into the cotirt-room and saluted Murrell with a great shout But Mu» rel], bound, in rag», and silent, h» lips frosen in a wolfish grin, was ^ depressing sight, and the boldest'felt something of his unrestrained lawless ness go from him. Less noisy now, the crowd spread itself out among, the benchea or swarmed up into the tiny gallery ftt the back of the building. Man after man had hurried -forward, intent on pass ing beyond the railing, but each had encountered the judge, formidable and forbidding, and had turned aside. Grad ually the many pairs of eyes roving over the little group surrounding the outlaw focussed themselves on Slo cum Price. It was in unconscious rec ognition of that moral force which was his, a tribute to the grim dignity of his unshaken.^ courage; what he would do seemed worth considering. He was charmed to hear his name pass in a whisper from lip to lip. Well, it was time they knew him! He squared his ponderous shoulders and made a gesture commanding sil ence. Battered, shabby and debauch ed, he was like some old war horse who sniffs the odor of battle that the wind incontinently brings to his nos trils. “Don’t let him speak!” cried a voice, and a tumult succeeded. Cool and indomitable the judge wait' ed for It to subside. He saw the coI ur was stealing back into Muirell’s (ace. The outlaw was feeling that he was a leader not overthrown; these were his friends and followers, his safety was thel^ safety, too. !n a lull in the stonn of sound the judge attempted to make himself heard, but his words were lost in the angry rotr that descended on him. “Don't let him speak! Kill him! Kill him!” A score of men sprang to their feet and from all sides came the click of ritie and pistol hammers as they were drawn to the full cock. The judge’s fate seemed to rest on a breath. He swung about on his heel and gave ft curt nod to Yancy and Cavendish, who, falling back a step, tossed their guns to their shoulders and covered Mur rell, A sudden hush grew up out of the tumult; the cries, angry and jeer ing, dwindled to a murmur, and a dead pall of silence rested on the crowd^ room. The very taste of triumph was in the judge’s mouth. Then came a com motion at the back of the build ing. CHAPTER XLII. The Judge Squares Accounts. A ripple of comment, and Colonel Fentress elbowed his way through the crowd. At sight of his enemy the judge’s face went from white to red, while his eyes blazed; but for the mo ment the force of his emotions left him speechless. Here and there, as he auvanced, Fentress recognized a frind and bowed coolly to the right and left. “What does this ridiculous mockery mean?” he demanded harshly. “Mr. Sheriff, as a member of the bar, 1 protest! Why don’t you clear the build ing?” He did not wait for Betts to an&wer him, but continued. “Where is this man Hues?” “Yonder, Colonel, by the captain," said Betts. “I have a warrant for his arrest You will take him into custody.” “Wait!” cried the judge. “I repre sent Mr. Hues. I desire to see that warrant!” But Fentress Ignored him. .He ad dressed the crowded benches. “Gentlemen, it i» a serious matter forcibly to seize a man without au thority from the courts and expose him to the danger of mob violence— Mr. Hues will learn this before we have done with him.” Instantly there was a noisy demon stration that swelled into a burst of applause, which quickly spent itself. The sUniggle seemed to have nar rowed to an individual contest for su premacy between Fentress and the judge. On the edge of the railed-off space they confronted each other; the colonel, a tall, well-cared-for presence; the judge, shabby and unkempt. For a moment their eyes met, while the Judge’s face purpled and paled, and purpled again. The silence deepened. Fentress’ thin lips opened, twitched, but no sound came from t^^; then his glance wavered and fell, turn ed away. “Mr, Sheriff!” he called sharply. “All right Colonel!” “Take your man Into custody,” or dered Fentrese. As he spoke he hand ed the warrant toward Bett£, who looked at it, grinned, and stepped to ward Hues. He would have pushed the judge aside had not that gentle man, bowing cj^lly, made way for him. “In my profound respect for the law and properly constituted authority 1 yield to no man. not even to Colonel Fentress,” he said, with a gracious gesture. “I would not place the slight- est obstacle in the way of Its sanc tioned manifestation. Colonel Fentress oomes here with that high sanction.” He bowed again ceremoniously to the colonel “I repeat, I respect hia depen dence upon the law!” He whirled sud denly. “Cavendish—Yancy-Carrtng- ton—I call upon you to arrest John Murrell! I do this by virture of the authority vested in me as a judge of the United States Federal Court. His crime—a mere trifie, my friends—pass ing counterfeit money! Cokmel Fen tress will ipform you that this Is a violation of the law which falls with in my jurisdiction,” and he beamed blandly on Fentress. ‘‘It’s a lie!” cried the colonel. ‘You’ll answer for that later!” sal4 the Judge, with abrupt atisterity of /tone. ; “For all we know you may be some fugitive from justice!—^Whr, your nan^e isn’t Price! ” “Are you sure of that?” asked the judge quickly. “You’re an impostor! Your name is Turberville! ” “Perm*t me to relieve your appre hensions. It is Turberville who has re ceived the appointment Would you like to examine my credentials?—I have them by me—no? I am obliged for your introduction. It could not have come at a more timely moment!” The Judge seemed to dismiss Fentress contemptuously. Once more he faced the packed benches. "Put down your weapons!” he comanded. This man Murrell will not be released. At the first effort at rescue he will be shot where he sits—we have sworn it— his plotting Is at an eud.” He stalked nearer the benches. ’"Not one chance in a thousand remains to him. Either he dies or he lives to be taken be fore every Judge in the state, if nec- es^ry, until we find one with courage to try him! Make no mistake—it will beat conserve the ends of justice to allow the state court’s jurisdiction in this case; and I pledge myself to furnish evidence which will start him well on his road to the gallows!” The judge, a tremendous presence, stalked nearer the benchea. Outfacing the crowd, a sense of the splendor of the part he was being called upon to play flowed through him like some elixir; he felt that he was transcending him self, that his inspiration was drawn from the hidden springs of the spirit, and that he could neither falter nor go astray. “You don’t know what you are meddling with! This man has plotted to lay the South in ruins—he has been arming the negroes—it is in credible that you should all know this—to such I say, go home and thank God for your escape! For the others” —his shai^ brows met in a menacing frown—“if they force our hand we will tMs them John Murrell’s dead c^a&s—that’s our answer to their challenge!” ^ He strode out among the gun muz zles which wavered where they still hafty—Mahaffy, who had said he was still a man to be reckoned with. For the comfort of his own soul ho was proving it. “Do you know what a servile insur rection means?—you men who have wlvM and daughters, have you thought of their fate? Of the monstrotis sav agery to which they would be expos ed? Do you believe he could limit and control it? Look at him! Why, he has never had' a consideration out side of his own safety, and yet he ex pects you to risk your necks to save his! He would have left the state be fore the first blow was struck—hie- business was all down river—but >ve are going to keep him here to answer for his crimes! The law, as implacable as it is impartial, has put its mark on him—the shadow in which he sits is the shadow of the gallowps!” The judge paused, but the only sound in that expectant silence was the heavy breathing of men. He drew his unwieldy form erect, while h|s voice rumbled on, aggressive and threatening in its every intonation. “You are here to defend^ something that no longer exists. Your organiza- ducetion is wrecked, your signals and passwords are known, - your secrets have become public property—I can even produce a list of your members; there are none of you who do not stand in imminent peril—yet under stand, 1. have no wish to strike at those who have been misled *\or co erced. into joining Murrell's band!” The judge’s sodden old face glowed now with the magnanimity of his sen timents. “But I have no feeling of mercy for your leaders, none for Mur rell himself. Put down your guns! — you can only kill us after we have killed Murrell—but you can’t kill the law! If the arch conspirator dies in this room and hour, on whose head will the punishment fall?” He swung round his ponderous arm in a sweep ing gesture and shook a fat but ex pressive fore-finger in the faces ^ of those nearest him. “On your—^and yours—and youra!” CONtlNUEIF TOMORROW —Tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock the board of county commissioners will hold their regular monthly meet ing at the county court house. —Mr. F. H. Troeger, of Richmond, is in the city. Mr. Troeger was for merly connected with the Indian Refining Co., of this city. S. A. L. Ry. SCHEDULE JAMES KBR, Jr., T. P. A., Selwyn Hotel, Charlotte, N. C. J. B. WYLIE, T. A., Selwyn Hotel, Charlotte, N. C, Trains- Leave Oharlotte—Effective ' July 30, 1911. NO. 40—5:00 a. m. through train for Wilmington with parlor car attach ed. Connects at Hfimlet with No. 33 for Portsmouth and Norfolk. No. 66 for Raleigh, Washington, Balti more, Philadelphia and New York. Dining car service and vestibule coaches to Washington. Pullman Bleeping cars to Jersey City. NO. 48—7:30 a. m. for Monroe, con necting to all points south. NO. 133—9:55 a. m.—Local for Lin- colnton, Shelby and Rutherford- ton. NO. 47—4:4fa p. m.—For Llncolnton, . Shelby, Rutherfordton and points west. NO. 44—5 p. m.—For Wilmington and all local stations. NO. 132—7:25 p. m.—Handles local sleeper for Portsmouth, Norfcdk; connects at Monroe, with No. 41 for Atlanta and Southwest wlt|i through sleeper to Birmingham; at Monroe with No. 32, fast train with sleeper to Portsmouth and Norfolk and Jersey City. Cra- nects at Hamlet with No. 84 with through vestibule coaches to Washington, pining car Rich mond to New York. Pullman sleepers to New York. Trains Arrive at Cliarlotte: NO. 133—^9.50 a. m. from, the east. NO. 46—9:55 a. m. froua the west. NO. 45—12:01 p. m. from Wllmingtoa and all local stations. NO. 132—7.05 p. m. from the west NO. 49—7:25 p. m. from the east. NO. 39—10.80 p. m. from the east. C. B.RYAN, G. P. A., Portsmouth, Va. JAMBS KERR, T. P. A., Charlotte, N. C..- S. L^ARD, D. P. A., ' Raleigh, N. C. Quality Backs Up Every Price So that y^ur every dollar Invested In Furniture and Homefurnishings a the Parker-GaWner store m^ans 100 cents of real true Furniture and furnishing value. Quality—a better quality for youj money has always been and ever wm be the slogan of this store. We realize always that qliaiity mus back up every purchase—that is the only assurance of a customer’s return—and upon customers’ retura* depends the success of our business. , Our realizing this assures you of bigger and better values for your every dollar—here than elsewhere. This and our splendid credit accommodation assures you always easy and satisfactory buying. Parker-Gardne SOUTHERN Ry SCHEDULE N. B.—The following schedule fig:- guies published only as information, and are not guaranteed: 3:20 a, m.—No. 29, daily, Birming ham special for Atlanta and Birming ham. Pullman drawing room sleep ing cars, observation cars and day coaches to Birmingham. Dining car service. 3:30 a. m.—No. 8, daily, local for Danville, Richmond and all interme diate points. 5:10 a. m.—No| 31 daily, the South ern’s Southeast«>m Limited for Colum bia, Savannah, Aiken, Augusta and Jacksonville. Pullman drawing room sleeping cars for Aiken, Augusta and Jacksonville. Day coaches to Jack sonville. Dining car service. 6 a. m.—No. 44, daily, local for Washington, D. C. 6:40 a. m.—No. 25 daily, local train for Columbia and intermediate points 7:15 a. m.—No. 39, local for Atlanta. 7:50 a. m.—No. 16, daily, except Sun day, local for Statesville and Taylors ville, connecting at Mooresville for Winston-Salem. 10:05 a. m.—No. 37, daily. New York, Atlanta and New Orleans Limited. Pullman drawing room sleeping cars and. observation cars New York to New Orleans, Atlanta and Macon. Din ing car service. Solid Pullman train. '»10.15 a. m.—No. 36, United States fast mail, for Wilmington and points North. I^llman drawing room sleep ing cars. New Orleans and Birming ham to New York. Day coaches to Washington. Dining car service. 10.20 a. m.—No. 28, daily, for Wins ton-Salem, Roanoke and local points. 11.10 a. m.—No. 11, daily, local for Atlanta and intermediate points. 2:55 p.'- m.—No. 46 daily, local for Greensboro and intermediate points. 4:35 p. m.—No. 27, daily, local for Columbia and intermediate points. 4:50 p. m.—No. 41, daily, except Sun day, local for Seneca and intermediate points. • * / 6 p. m.—No. 12, daily for Richmond and Norfolk. Handles Pullman cars, Charlotte to Richmond, Charlotte to New York and Salisbury to Norfolk. 6:30 p. m.—No. 24, daily, except Sun day, local for Mooresville, Stateable and Taylorsville. 7:30 p. m.—No. 38, daily, New York, Atlanta and New Orleans. Limited for Washington and points North. Draw ing room sleeiring cars, observation cars to New York. Dining car service. Solid Pullman train. 9:30 p. m.—No. 35, daily. United States fast mail, for Atlanta, Birming ham and New Orleans. Pullman draw ing room sleeping cars New York to New Orleans and Birmingham. Day coaches Washington to New Orleans. Dining car sarvidB. ^ 10:00 p. m.—No. 32. daily, the South ern Southeastern Limited^ for Wash ington, New York and points North. Pullman drawing room sleeping cars for New York. Day coaches to Wash ington. Dining car service. 10:80 p. m.—No. 43, dally, for Atlan ta and points South. Handles Pullman sleeping car Raleigh to Atlanta. Day coaches Washington to Atlanta. 11:20 p. m.—No. SO, daily, Birming ham Special for Washington and New York. Pullman drawing room sleeping cars, observation cars to New York. Day coaches to Washington, Dining car feryice. * All New York trains of Southern Railway will arrive «nd depart from the magnifllcent Manhattan terminal of the Pennsylvania Railrdad, Seventh and Eighth avenues. Thirty-first to Thirty-third streets, and will be com posed of modern electric lighted, steel constructed Pullman cars. R. H. DeBUTTS, T. P. A., Charlotte, N. C. R. L. VERNON, D. P. A., Charlotte, N. C. H. F. CARY, G. P. A., Washlnton, D. C. S. H. HARDWICK, P. T. Mgr., ' ' Washington, D. C. > E. H. COAPMAN, V. P. & Q. Mgr. Washington, D. C.' ticular described, and defined as fol lows, viz: • r Consisting of the northern portion of Lots Nos. 21, iJ2 *and 23, as shown by Spratt’s Map of the Brown property, recorded in Book 163, Page 90, of the Register’s Office of said County; front ing 50 feet on Fox Street, corner of East Fifth Street (Extended) and ex tending back with that width parallel with said Fifth Street 129 feet, the same being across that portion of said lots 21, 22 and 23, as shown on said Map, which is covered by said lot hereby conveyed, said lot being 50 feet by 120 feet, reserving and ex cepting a strip 5 feet wide and 120 feet deep from the northern edge of said lot, to be used only for side walk. Also a rrgnl of -vfay over ail the streets and alleys as shown on said Map, the same as was conveyed to Mrs. Ada G. Hester .by deed of C. O. Brown and others, said deed being dated February 7, 1903, and recorded in Book 174, Page 390,^ of the Register’s Office of said County, and to this par ticular deed reference is hereby made, the aforesaid deed covering the identi cal property herein conveyed; Being the same lot of land which was con veyed to E ,L. Keesler by Mrs. Ada G. Hester by deed recorded in the said Register of Deeds Office, in Book 192, Page 578; being the same lot of land conveyed to the said A. Medlem by E, L. Keesler and wife by deed registered in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Mecklenburg County aforesaid, in Book 200, Page 553. Being the same lands conveyed in said Deed of Trust Terms of sale. Cash. , N. PHARR, 1.. -30da Trustee. REPAIRED, VULCANIZED RECOVERED inner Tubes Vu*Mintxed. We guarantee they will never lask where we vulcanise them. First puncture go .*25 ceatiu Relay Mf g Co 231 end 233 &. Tryon St» A Delighted Purehaier of one of our Monitor Radiator tells us “I am heating seven rooms, with th^ amount of coal I would or dinarily consume in one grate” (Sev en times the space heated on the eame coal consumption.) He is just one of the many users of this wenderful stove, that ar« doing likewise. THE FIVE RADIATING FRONT FLUES is what does the work. No oth er stove has them. Let us show you. J. N. McCausland & Corapafly “THE STOVE MEN" 221 South Tryon Street Hand-Painted China. Adds to the beauty of any Dining Room. Pickard’s is by far the most artistic line on the market. We have just opened a full assortmemnt of the newest shapes and designs which we are dls- j^laying in our cases. Will be glad to show anyone interested. Garabaldi, Bruns & Dixon JEWELERS AND SILVERSMITHS THE SELWYN HOTEL EUROPEAN % Oniy flne-proot hbtel la Char iotte; supplied entirely with wa ter from ite own deep wrti* CAFE OPEN A\,i, NtQHT. Water analyzed rfjiy by Director State Luboratoiy of Hygiene an«k pronounced pure. Pure Water tiom our Arteetas deep, l&r eala» 6o lalloa at lOo f^l(m in 6*sallo!j lota. WeUvered In Charlotte or at R. Stattoa. EDGAR B MOOR^ Proprlator. Coal - COAL - Coal c o A L When ordering Coal it will pay to remember that we are the ONLY Coal Deal ers in the city who can give you clean and dry Coal in rainy and snowy weather^ as it is under c o A L sh©lt6T ^ COME AND SEE OUR BIG SHED. STANDARD ICE & FUEL CO. Humes 19 and 72 Job OepL Phone 1530
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Dec. 3, 1911, edition 1
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