Silver dollar from SS Death **SPOILERS**

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chief4db

When it doubt, run!
Feb 11, 2015
733
2,676
whatsamatteru. usa
Comment then question. This one fooled me. Thought he was innocent for sure. Now I realized why he was crying. He said the steak and eggs wouldn't have time to digest when he dies. I was thinking that a weird thing to cry over. Then when finished I realized he was crying bc he was thinking of his digestive track and that everyone would know the truth soon.

Question is I'm with the sheriff. He said why maintain ur innocence. He was going to hang no matter what so why keep ur innocence to the very end. I can't think of one. Any ideas.
 

80sFan

Just one more chapter...
Jul 14, 2015
2,997
16,167
Pennsylvania
I automatically assumed he was guilty when I finished that story, but then read other theories here.
My daughter is reading BoBD now and I've been getting her take on the stories as she finishes them, interesting to get a fresh take on things.
 

Seregìel Silme

New Member
Jun 5, 2017
1
3
Paris
When I finished reading it, it just didn't make any sense. I don't like the ending. It doesn't sound right. I think he was innocent, but the idea about why he cries over the egg and steak makes me wonder. And I still don't understand why they are singing the Doxology at the end.
 

doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
6,946
25,119
65
dublin ireland
I have to say this story left me a bit bewildered as well. It's one of those could be one way or the other. There are valid points made for both sided. I'm just not sure what side I'm on.
 
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GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
When I finished reading it, it just didn't make any sense. I don't like the ending. It doesn't sound right. I think he was innocent, but the idea about why he cries over the egg and steak makes me wonder. And I still don't understand why they are singing the Doxology at the end.
...welcome to ya!.....
 
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Luke Nukem

Member
Jun 15, 2018
10
49
40
Yorkshire, England.
I too left the story feeling confused.

I interpreted the closing paragraphs in such a way that the whole town, apart from the sheriff, knew of his innocence and everyone was in on the conspiracy. Why else would there be no need for the dollar to be returned to the family?

But why hang an innocent man and let the real killer go free? Why would the family let this happen?
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
I too left the story feeling confused.

I interpreted the closing paragraphs in such a way that the whole town, apart from the sheriff, knew of his innocence and everyone was in on the conspiracy. Why else would there be no need for the dollar to be returned to the family?

But why hang an innocent man and let the real killer go free? Why would the family let this happen?
...he was guilty as hell....kept re-swallowing the silver dollar to keep it hidden.....that or the cat that ran the Mortuary did it and planted it on him during the prep of the body.....
 
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Luke Nukem

Member
Jun 15, 2018
10
49
40
Yorkshire, England.
...he was guilty as hell....kept re-swallowing the silver dollar to keep it hidden.....that or the cat that ran the Mortuary did it and planted it on him during the prep of the body.....

My interpretation is as follows...

Trusdale was set up as a fall guy. It was hinted several times that he had a drink problem- something which would make it easy to put him in the frame. Steal his hat from the bar, he probably won't notice (he didn't), plant it on the body (no signs of sexual assault, yet the hat was under her dress), then plant the dollar on him at a later stage.

To me, the dollar is the key part of the story. Having not had chance before his trial or execution, it was planted on him at the morgue - by the same people who told the sheriff it would be best not to return it to the family. Why would Trusdale keep swallowing it all the way to the gallows? Why didn't he return to the bar to spend the dollar he murdered a child for?

The line about Trusdale being upset that his last supper will not have time to digest before his death seems, to me at least, more a realisation about his mortality than a clue about the coin. I believe it was put there as a red herring.

I read the story as one about conspiracy, with the whole town - sheriff apart - knowing what really happened. Was the trial and execution really sped up due to the closing weather and to save a dime or two? Is there any benefits for the judge to act as the prosecution as well? Only if you want to keep the truth hidden...

Let me know your thoughts.