The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-08-25
Arrest and Confessions of the MUIR
6erers of NIr. A. ID. Walker.

dcrern of nIr. A. ID. Walker.
The obscurity which has for several
weeks enveloped the persons con-
cerned in the murder of our. fellow
citizen, Mr.. A. d. Walker, has at
length been satisfactorily dissipated.
The freight train, of the 18th inst,
brought up from Columbia two negro
men, Bolton Kline, atlas Williams,
and London Jones, alias Adams, the
former OF whom had been arrested
in Petersburg, Va, and the latter in
Columbia, S. C., on suspicion of
having been implicated in the above
murder. On the 10Th inst, they
were brought before the jury of
inquest and there made the follow
ing voluntary confession, although
warned that the evidence would be
made use of against them on their
trial:
On Sunday, July %, they met
white man, one Bill Morris, alias
Charles Dcrem, alias Wylie Morris,
with whom they had been acquainted,
who asked them to accompany him
to Chester the same night to assist in
some '.job," from which they would
probably each realize $500 or 81, 600
They arrived in Chester by the even
ing train, purchased bottle of whis-
key and set out for Walkers resi-
dence, which they reached about 10
o'clock. Morris then prepared some
strings, telling the negroes that Mr..
Walker had charged him with horse
stealing, and that he intended to tic
him up, whip him and leave him tied
all night. He also stated that there
were 10000 in the house. In the
meantime Morris, who was known
by the deceased, had disguised him
self by backing his face AS pre-
viously related, Mr.. Walker was
induced, by the representations of
London, to visit the supposed sick
man, in company with Mr. Estes.
The party were joined on the road by
Bolton, Morris being concealed in
the bushes. At Il given signal from
Morris, London seized Mr.. Walker,
while Bolton attempted 10 grasp Mr..
Estes, who succeeded in escaping
Bolton then returned to the assistance
of London and held Mr.. Walker
until Morris emerged from the woods
and shot the deceased through the
head. London, III the meantime,
had pursued Mr.. Estes as far as Mr..
Walkers house. After the perpetra-
ton OF the murder, Morris told Bel
ton to go up to the house and, with
London, secure the money, while he
would return, cut the telegraph wire
and meet them at Cornwcll's Station.
This Belton did and, together, they
broke open the door, London dis
charging his pistol at Mrs Walker,
who was sitting up In bed alarmed by
the noise. They then ransacllcd the
house at theirleisure, uttering threats
and abusive language, and after re-
manning three-quarters of an hour,
withdrew, warning Mrs. Walker and
Mr.. Estes not to leave the building,
us guards had been stationed around
! the premises. On their return they
searched the corpse and discovered
/ two dollars and 4 pocket book con
/ tanning papers. On reaching the
depot, they secrctc,l themselves under
Il car until the arrival Of the train
for Columbia. They We're joined by
/ Morris at Cornwell's Station, and a
division of the plumber was made,
Morris giving to the negroes a gold
watch and chain, which he had re-
moved from the body Of Mr.. Walker.
Two or three days afterwards, Morris
proposed to the prisoners a trip to
Newhery, to assist in another Job
which resulted in the murder Of Mr..
Lane, of that District. This the
prisoners declined to do; since which
time, according to their statement.
they have seen nothing more OF
Morris. Shortly after they went to
Petersburg, Va, and after u few
days stay, London returned to Colum-
bia, where he was arrested last week
by Mr.. Green, the efficient chief Of
! police, with Mr.. Walkers watch in
his possession. Belton remained in
Petersburg, spending money lavishlv,
and WAS arrested by the son of Mr..
Lane, on suspicion of having been
concerned in his fathers murder.
Bclton had II large trunk filled with
new and valuable clothing, and was
to have been married the day after
his arrest To a negro girl in Peters
burg, to whom he had presented
several handsome silk dresses.
Acc ording to their own admission,
these negroes have been concerned in
no less than three murders within
the last two months, and rulaor con
meets them with crimes even of a