The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-05-17
TEE MURDERERs;5 s OF l,iil q ALBERT GEERi

TEE MuRDERERs or ALBERT GEER.
A few Jeeks ago the questionsw asked through
Isoug edi itorial columns, what became of the mnr-
derers of young AhBERrsGEEaf To this. question
no psnse sbes been received, from any source
esful partieuiars Of this; hentsh,;
brutal and most atrociols murder we're never pub
lished Uapropose to relate them at this late day,
in order that the powers that be" may take cogni-
zaice OF The case and nscertain whether or not
these devils in human shape have been allowed to.
go unwhipt Of justice. and if so by whose au-
thority. 1t is wellto premise that Dan and Henry
the murderers of Mr.. GEEs, were arrested by the
lst Maine Battalion, It. Col. C. s. BRoKS before
the Provost Court of that command examined, and
by that tribunal fowarded to Columbia for trial
before Military Commission. tits, therefore, On
easy matter to trace their subsequent disposal Of
BY proper authority. But to the facts Of the muir
der, and the circumstances under which the truth
became known. &c..
Mr.. ALBERT GEER, an unoffendipg and peaceable
citizen, left the village on Saturday evening, in,
January last, and proceeded to within few hun
dred yards Of his home which was only three niles
from anderson. At the point reached by him,
from evidences Of fifteen minutes later, he was at
tackled and overcome by violent hands. His mother,
heard,the cries Of distress and pistol shot, and
with anxiety sought the place indicated by these
alarms, where she found her youngest child well
tering in his own life's blood. This Tas all that
seemed apparent atthe time. Acoroner's inquest
resulted in the arrest Of two negro boys who were
subsequently discharged from cuhtedy, there being
no proof Of their completely in the murder. The
broken hammer Of drelook, which was evidently
used in taking this young mans life, was carefully
preserved in the hands OF the Sheriff. This proved
the clue to the arrest.of the actual murderers. IL
was not long until the pistol from which this ham
NOR was broken had been sent to the gunsmith for
repairs, and this led TO the arrest Of Henry, the
owner of the pistol, and likewise William, who was
subsequently cleared. Further evidence Tas OBJ
tanned which brought Dan into custody. After q
tedious examination of several days. the conscience
Of Henry vas worked up sufHcientlyto elliott full
confession Of the terrible crime In the presence
Of respectable citizens, this remorseless murderer
confessed that himself and Dan were out upon
stealing expedition, had keda hog near the road,
when young GEEn rode up near them, and recog-
nizng the hog, ordered them to place the same be-
foro him upon the saddle. They obeyed him with
out reluctance but he had gone only few yards
ere their fears we're aroused as to punishment for
stealing, when they conceived the terrible crime
committed few minutes later. To conceal their
guilt they added anotherto their crimes. Both
assisted and both we're equally culpablo in the
murder.
The confession was voluntary, although none
could have been SO preudiced in their favor as to
believe them innocent, after the examination was
heard. This investigation was concluded on Sat
urday afternoon, and The prisoners we're forwarded
TO Columbia on Monday morning, since which
time the official bulletins have been silent as to
their whereabouts. One report of Madame Rumor
has it that they escapcd-another that they are
now, or have been, engaged in driving Government
wagons about the neighborhood Of Columbia. 1t
is duo to the officers of the United States Army
into whose custody they were placed, and to the
citizens of Anderson District, who have been re-
yiled by all the epithcts in the calendar for dsloy
ty and disafection-itis is due to our State officials
who ore charged by the people with the suppress,
sion of crime and the administration of justice,
and especially due to our Chief Magistrate in the
present ins.ance-that the sequel be made known.
If Henry and Dan; freedmen, were tried and ac-.
quilted, ;Hhy has not the fact been publishedf If
they were adjudged guilty. saud-sentenced therefor,
why suppress thesguth? sIfthey escaped through
carelessness, neglect wilful dsobedience Of or
ders, in the name of Justice and right, we demand
TO know it? II they fere:releascd i!pon rseanta-
on Of tksir poEm,tdry confession, then should the
indignation and righteous scorn of our people be,
visited upon the heads of those officials, be they
State or Federal, who dare to triie with so grave
and serious matter We call for the evidence of
trial or acquitta and hope for early response to
the enquiry.