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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 17, 1925)
HEPPNER GAZETTE TIMES, HEPPNER, OREGON, THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 1925. PAGE FIVE OLIVER OCTOBER w George Ban McCutcheoa Ceppiahs, Ball Smdiaa CWNU SW - SYNOPSIS CHAPTER I. Oliver October Baxter, Jr., waa born on a vile October day. Hit parent were prominent in the commercial, social and ipiritual life of the town of Kumlcjr. Hie father waa proprietor of the hardware store. The nlg-ht that Oliver Oc tober waa born a rypev queen readi hii father's fortune and tella him what a won derful future hia eon haa before him, but after the reading, the gypar becomes angry and leaves the house in a rage after telling Mr. Baxter that his son will never reach the age of thirty, that he will be hanged for a crime of which he ia not guilty. pHAPTKR II. Ten years elapse and 011 ver's father is the owner of a business block in the town. Mrs. Baxter died when Oliver waa nearing seven. Josephine Bage, wife of the minister, .causes a sensation when she leaves Kumley to go on the stage. She becomes a "star" and later goes to London, where she scores a hit. Her daugh ter Jane and young Oliver become greatly attached to one another. After finishing college, young Oliver accepts a position in Chicago with an engineering company. Ha goes to China on an important mission for his Arm. Upon his return he enlists in the Canadian army. CHAPTER III. The war la over, Oliver returns to Chicago and ia told by his employers that his services are no longer required. He returns -home. He hears Jane ia in love with Doctor Lansing. J ana and Oliver meet again. Oliver ia reprimanded by hia father for not getting another posi tion. Oliver threatens to leave home. PH AFTER IV. Despite Mr. Baxter's pleading to Oliver to remain in Rumley, Oliver decides to accept a position in Chi cago. Mr. Baxter accompanies Oliver thru a awamp on the way to the Sage home. On the way they quarrel over Olivers re fusal to stay in Rumley. Mr. Sage tells Oliver his father fears the thing the gypsy predicted and wants hia son to stay home, where he can watch over him. Oliver de cides not to leave him. Mr. Baxter fails to return home and ia believed by some to have perished In ths awamp. Oliver tells the authorities of the quarrel with his fa ther, but they do not accuse hira of having anything to do with hia father'a disappear ance. Oliver takes charge of hia father's business. Three months remain of the last year allotted to Oliver by the gypsy queen. Uncle Horace Gooch announces himself as a candidate for suite senator. Friend start a boom for young Oliver as candidate for state senator against old man Uooch. Jane forcea Oliver to enter the race against his Shylock uncle. PHAPTER V. Oliver employs ditch dig gera to drain part of the swamp where his father ia supposed to have disappeared. Mr. Gooch'a campaign managers urge him to withdraw from the race for aenator, as they realise that Oliver is the most popular candidate. Mr. Gooch refuses to quit. Rev erend Sage ia happy when hia actreas-wife cables him that she ia aailing for home. Mr. Sage and his daughter go to New York to meet her. Mr. Gooch, convinced he would lose the election to Oliver, plans to try and intimidate him by demanding a thorough investigation into the disappear ance of Oliver's father. CHAPTER VI. Hundreds of persons are at the depot in Rumley to greet Mrs. Josephine Sage after an absence of 21 years. Jane notices Oliver is not in the throng at the station and is told by Sammy Parr that something of a political nature must have kept him away. Oliver goes to the Sage home. ' rjHAPTER VII. The sheriff unwillingly serves papers on Oliver after the prose cutor refused to lay the matter of Mr. Bax ter a disappearance before the grand jury aa requested by old man Goorh, but accedes to hia demand for an unofficial investiga tion. A few hotheads in the town talk of tar and feathers for Mr. Gooch. The de tectives atart digging in the swmp for Mr. Baxter'a body . CHAPTER VIII. Oliver threatens to strike Malone if he ever insinuates again that he had anything to do with the disappearance of his father. At a recep tion given at Oliver's home Oliver tells Jane that he loves her. She promises to marry him. While out on the porch they hear mysterious footsteps. Oliver tells Jane Peter Hines boarded up hia cabin in the swamp and had skipped town. They see a light in the cabin. Jane's engagement to Oliver ia announced at the reception, QIIAPTER IX. Oliver spends a busy three weeks "electioneering" and speech making while the opposition press prints sensatinoal reports of the. search for old man Baxter. Oliver wanta to withdraw from the senatorial race. PHAPTER X. Only six more daya re- main until Oliver Is thirty years old, the time limit set by the gypsy "queen" for Olivers execution. The diggers unearth a carcass in the swamp, but it is unrecog nisable. The top of the skull waa split wide open. Things looked had for young Oliver. Oliver ia unable to identify the body as that of his father. Oliver offers to release Jane from her promise. wry, bitter smile as he put hit arm over her shoulder and walked beside her into the house. "Pleasant thought, isn't it, old dear? a the celebrated Josephine would ay." Clay atreet was almost deserted at Lansing and Sammy Parr drove through it after leaving the Baxter place. The Sages were in the former's car. In front of the hotel Sammy, who waa aome distance ahead, and who had dropped the two old men at Silas Link's home, slowed down and waited for Lansing to draw alongside. "I don't mind saying to you that there was a lot of ugly talk earlier in the evening," said Sammy uneasily. "A lot of nasty talk. I didn't tell Oliver, but I heard more than one man say he ought to be strung up." "Oh, Sammy, do you think " began Jane, in sudden agony of alarm. "Nonsense!" cried the minister in stantly sensing her fear. "Such things don't happen in these days and in this part of the country. The people will let the law take its course. Have no fear on that score." "Well, anyway, it looks mighty queer to me," said sammy tactlessly, shaking hia head. "I don't like this awaful stillness. It isn't like this even on ordinary nights." Jane clutched Lansing's arm and hook it violently. "Doctor Lansing," she cried, "we must return to Oliver's home imme diately. He will have to come over to our house Better still, Sammy, you must drive him up to the city. To night. At once. I am frightened. Something terrible ia afoot. I know it. I feel it. It is so still. Look! Why aren't the street lamps in Ma ple avenue lighted? It is as dark as" "By jingo, Lansing," exclaimed Sammy, starting up from his seat to peer over the windshield. "See that? Men running across Maple avenue. 'Way up yonder where that arc light is at Fiddler street. Three or four men." Didn't you see them?" "We must beat it back to Olivers," half-shouted Lansing, excitedly. "Take the women home first," or dered Sammy, "and then come back. I'll go ahead." "Wait!" commanded Mr. Sage. "Drive up Maple, Sammy. Follow those men. See what they are up to. They are heading for the swamp rdad. Lansing and I will follow you in a jiffy. Drive like the devil!" he shout ed in ringing tones. "No, no, no!" screamed Jane. "The other way! To Oliver's! ' I will not go home. I'm going to him! Turn around turn around! Do you hear me?" "Where in God's name are the po lice?" cried Josephine. "We can't take you back there," cried Lansing. "H 1 may be to pay. It's no place for women, Jane. Sit still! I'll have you home in two min utes." "I'll jump out! I swear to heaven I will," she cried shrilly. "Turn back!" commanded Jane's mother. "I am not afraid of them. Jane is not afraid. We cannot desert Oliver if he is in danger. Please God, he may not be. Turn back, I say!" "Yes!" cried the minister. "We must get to Oliver all of us!" The two cars made reckless turns in the narrow street and were off like the wind. CHAPTER XII CHAPTER XI Oliver in Danger. TlHE front door opened suddenly and in walked Sammy parr. "Excuse haste," he said, tossing his hat and gloves on a chair. "I'm back. Say, gee whii, everybody in town is out on Clay street. Lots of them down this way. strolling past " "What are the people saying, Sam my?" Judge Shotrldge broke in, grasping his arm. "Well, I hate to tell you, but as far as I can make out, judge, there seems to be a general feeling that , that Oliver did it," said Sammy, wip ing his moist forehead with the back of a hand that shook slightly. "Snap judgment," said the lawyer, after silence had reigned for a few seconds. "That Is always the way with the Ignorant and uninformed Nothing to worry about, Oliver. They will be on your side tomorrow when they understand a little better. It's always the way with a crowd." Josephine Sage spend her hands In a gesture of contempt. '"What fools these mortals be'," she declaim ed theatricwily. It was after eleven o'clock when Oliver's friends departed. He stood on the porch and watched them drive off In two automobiles. A few per sons had stopped at the bot'oii. of the drive to see who were in the cars The flaring hoadlights fell upon white, indistinct faces and then al most instantly loft them in pitch darkness. "I wish you had lot Mr. Sage marry you and Jnne tonight, Oliver," said Mrs, Grimes, at his side on the top stop. "You have the license and ev erythlng, and It could have been over in a few minutes, and Jane begged you o hard." ' "I couldn't do It, Aunt Serepta," h said dejectedly, "I don't know what is ahead of me, I may bo in jail be fore I'm a day older. He gavo her The Hanging. INCE ten o'clock men by twos and and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Bax ter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme north end of the slough. Whispers swelled into oarse, guttural mutterings aa the mob, headed by its set-faced, scowl- ng leaders, left the swale and started its deadly march. Quickly the house was surrounded. No avenue of escape was left unguard ed. A small detached group advanced toward the porch, above the roof of which there were lights in the win dow of what everyone knew to be young Baxter's bedroom, A loud voice called out: "Come out! We want to see you, Oliver Baxter." Oliver raised the window and leaned out. "Who is it? What have you got down there? A mob? I'll see you in h 1 before I'll come out!" A deep growl rose from a hundred throats, stilled almost Instantly as the clear voice of the leader rang out again. "We will give you one minute to come out. Oliver glanced over his Bhouldcr. Mrs. Grimes had come to his bedroom door. "Telephone for the police, Serep- ta," he cried out sharply. "No! Wait! You muRtn't be here if that mob breaks in and" He did not finish the sentence. There was a rush of footsteps in the hall, then Mrs. Grimes was flung aside and Into the room leaped three, four, half a doy.en men. Oliver knocked the first man sprawl ing, but the others were upon him like an avalanche, ... As they led him, now unresisting from the room, his wild, beaten gaze fell upon the huddled form of Rerepta Grimes, lying inert In the hall. For God a sake, Be decent enougn to look after her," he panted. Thev dragged him down the stairs. Out of the house and down into the yard they hurried him, There they paused long enough to tie his hands securely behind hii baefc. An awed silence had fallen upon the crowd the shouts ceased, curses died on men's lips. They had him! Tragedy was at hand. "In Heaven's name, men what are you going to do with me?" Oliver cried out in a strange, piercing voice. "Shut up!" Something fell upon his head, Fcraped down over his face. He stifled a scream. He felt the alack noose tighten about his bare throat. He waa shoved forward, protesting shrilly, impatiently. They had picked the spot the plnce where father and son parted on that di tant night. And the tree the sturdy oak there whose limbs ovor hung the road. Thoy had picked the limb. There was no delay. , . . The stout rope was thrown over the limb, the noose was drawn close about his neck by cold, nervous fingers. . . . A prayer waa struggling on his writh ing lips. Strong hands hauled at the rope. He swung into the air. . . . A great white flare of light burst upon the grewsome spectacle the roar of a charging monster the din of shrieking klaxons and then the piercing scream of a woman. The dense mob In the road broke, fighting frantically to get out of the path of Lansing's car. Some were struck and hurled screaming aside and on eame the ear, forging its way slowly but relentlessly through the struggling mass. Up to the swaying, wriggling form shot the car, a force irresistible, guid ed by a man who thought not of the human beings he might crush to death in his desire -to reach the one he sought to save. "Let go that ropa!" yelled this man. Behind him came another ear. Panic seized the mob. The compact mass broke and scattered. A writhing, tortured figure lay in the middle of the road, a loose rope swinging free from the limb. The bewilderde, startled men who held it their hands fell back uncertain, be wildered. Lansing, unafraid, sprang from the car and rushed to the prostrate form. In a second he was tugging at the noose, cursing frightfully. Now a woman flung herself down beside the man with the rope around his neck, sobbing, moaning, her arms straining to lift hia shoulders from the ground. A baffled roar weni, up from the mob. Men surged forward and hands were laid . upon the rope too late, the noose was off and Sammy Parr, standing over the doctor and the dis tracted girl, had a revolver in his hand. "Come on!" he yelled. "Come on, you dirty cowards! You swine! You d d Huns! Come on and get a man-sized pull!" From all sides boomed the shouts and curses of a quickly revived pur pose. "Rush 'em!" "Kill 'em!" "Kill the 7" "Beat their heads off!" "Get him! Get him!" Suddenly a strange voict rose above the clamor. Rich, vibrant, it fell up on puzzled ears, and once again there was a pause. AH eyes were turned upon the own er of this wondrous voice. A start ling figure she was, standing erect upon the front seat of Lansing's car. "Men of Rumley! Holdl Hold, I command you! Is there one among you who has not heard of the gypsy's prophecy of thirty years ago? Let him speak who will, and let him speak for all." A score of voices answered. "Aye!" she went on. "You all have heard of it. I ask one of you any one of you to stand forth and tell the rest of this craven mob what the gypsy fortune teller said on that wild and stormy night." "She said the baby son of Oliver Baxter would be hung for murder be fore he was thirty years old," bawled someone. "And what else did she say?" rang out the voice of Josephine Judge. "Oh, a lot of things that don't mat ter now," yelled a man back in the crowd. "Get busy, boys. We can't " "Stop! Listen to me, varietal You believe she spoke the truth when she uttered that prophecy? Answer!" "Yes!" came from a hundred throats. "Then you must know that this boy was adjudged innocent of this crime on the day he was born," fell slowly, distinctly, from the lips of Josephine. "I will repeat the words of the gyp sy woman. She said: 'He will not commit a murder. He will be hanged for a crime he did not commit.' Speak! Are ndt those the words of the gypsy?" Absolute silence ensued. It was as if the crowd had turned to stone. "And so," she cried, leveling her finger at the men in the front rank, "you have done your part toward making the prophecy come true. You have hung Oliver October Baxter in spite of the fact that you were told thirty years ago that he would be innocent." The mob stood rooted to the ground. A sudden shout went up from those in the front rank a shout of relief. Oliver October was struggling to his feet, assisted by Jane and Lan sing. Hia arms, released from their bonds, were thrown across their shoulders, hia chin was high, he was coughing violently. "Don't try to sneak yet, Baxter," cautioned Lansing. "Plenty of time. You're all right. You'll be yourself in a few minutes. Thank God, we got here when we did." ' They got him into the forward car, where he huddled down between Jane and her mother. They heard him whisper hoarsely, jerkily: "Never mind about me I'm all right. They wont try it again. Look after Aunt Serepta first. She's hurt. They left her lying up ' "Don't worry, old top," cried Sam my eagerly. "I'll go back and look out for her. Yon go along with Doc. He'll fix you up. All you need is a good stiff" "Clear the road!" roared a. score of voices as Lansing's car tiiover slowly forward, and off the sides, down the slope and up the bank, slunk the obedient lynchers. The once bloodthirsty horde bore off swiftly, apprehensively, but still du biously through the night which now seemed to mock them with its silence. An hour later Sammy Parr express ed himself somewhat irrelevantly in the parsonage sitting-room. "Say, Miss Judge, you were great. I never heard anything like that speech of yours. And your voices why, it gave me the queerest kind of shivers." Josephine was pacing the floor, her fine brow knitted in thought. She was muttering to herself. Oliver, ly ing on the couch, smiled up into Jane's loving eyes. Then he sat up. "Sammy," he cried out thickly but with the ring of enthusiasm in hia voice, "do me a favor, will you?" "Sure," said Sammy, springing to his feet. "Stand up with me. I'm going to be married." "Great!" cried Sammy. "I'll not only stand up with you, old boy, but I'll let you lean on me." "Now?" gasped Serepta Grines, in great agitation. "Yes now!" cried Jane loftly, and for the first time that night the color came back into her cheeks. H- CHAPTER XIII Mr. Gooch Sees Things at Night. GRACE GOOCH was going to bed. He had had a hard day, and it was nine o'clock. He had a book, a well-worn copy of "David Harum," but he did not begin reading at once. He was thinking of the many dark and lonely nights old Oliver had spent in Death Swamp. It gave him a creepy fee!ii)g. He tucked the covers a little more tightly under his chiri but still the creepy feeling persist ed. "Hey, Horace!" Someone was knocking at the front door and the voice! There was only one voice in the world like that. Mr. Gooch went to the window. He hesitated a moment, then boldly drew the curtain apart. "Hello, Horace," came wafting up to Mr. Gooch. "That you? Say, open up and let me in." Mr. Gooch grasped the window frame for support. "Good G d!" he gulped, but in a (Continued on Page Eight.) Better Cream - - More Money EVEN though it does take a little extra work to keep your cream clean and fresh it will repay you well to do so, Mr. Framer. Bring your cream troubles to us; they're our business. Morrow County Creamery Co. Makers of PRIDE OF OREGON Butter FORD OWNERS Do You Have Ignition Trouble? The Heart of the Ford Ignition is the Is It Strong? MAGNETO or Is II Weak- WHAT A STRONG MAGNETO MEANS TO A FORD 1 A Hotter Spark 2 Less Gasoline Consumption 3 More Power 4 A Peppier Running Motor 5 Less Carbon 6 Easier Starting . 7 Easier to Keep Adjusted , 8 Stops 90 Oil Pumping 9 Eliminates Foul Spark Plugs. WE HAVE installed "COLPIN" equipment for Tseting and Recharging the Ford Magneto It can be done in a few minutes, at small cost, while you wait. Drive in' and let us convince you. We prove every statement we make you be the judge and the jury. i We Make a Specialty of Ford Work Come in get acquainted, your Magneto Tested FREE At Any Time. MARTIN REID Have Holiday Hardware The big dinner season is at hand ! You'l need extra sized roasting pans, kitchen utensils of all kinds. BE PREPARED. We have the durable, service giving hardware that will last you for this and many Christmases to come. Gilliam & Bisbee ajllllllMlllllllllllilmHIitllMIMIimiltlM : iiiitMiHiiHiiHiimmuHimttiiHiiiHimm Make It A Useful Gift For Christinas "SUamcnd ft'tutul Child's Shoe with trimmed top in Black and Brown $2.00 Size 8 to 11 .... $3.25 For Men and Boys Leather or Felt Slippers $1.50 to $3.00 OiypKfn Shoos or Oxfords, new broacitoe ou,e Lu 1 r. $4.00 to $8.00 Boots for dress or work, 16-in. top $6.50 to $10.00 Boys' Boots, also 2 to 64, 12-in. top $4.50 and $5.00 Child's Boots, sizs 9 to 1 $2.75 Fancy Silk Socks, wools and im ported mercoriicd .... 50c to $1.00 5 For Women and Girls Leather or Felt Slippers 75c-$2.50 Strap Pumps or Stop-ina in Patent Leather, Kid or Satin, price $3.75 to $7.50 Silk Hose in all shades $1 & $1.50 Gonty Shoe Store Two Men and their Credit TWO men walked into this bank the other day both asking for a substantial loan. One of them secured ' all that he required." To the other we could not and did not extend credit. The reason is this: The man who secured all thaf he requested had maintained a substantial balance in his checking account. We know his ability and his financial stability. We know our money with him will be safe. The other man to whom we dared not extend credit has an account, it's true, but the balance in his account was always low and occasionally overdrawn a poor credit risk. This is only one reason why it is valuable to maintain a substantial balance in your checking account. -MM- Farmers & Stockgrowers National Heppner Bank Oregon Gifts The Ladies Will Appreciate A new dress made from our selec tion of appropriate flannels, crepes, crepe de chines, is certain to please' New Christmas stock of handker chiefs, garter sets, hosiery and charming notions. The dress is easy to make with our Butter ick Patterns including the Deltor. Latest Modes at your disposal'. Malcolm D. Clark 35