The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-26
Full Details Of the Arrest, Trial and
Conviction Of the MurdererS.
INTERVIEW With THE CONDEMNED MEN.
Singular Political Speech on
the Scaffold.
T rrible Struggles of One of ihe
Murderers.
wApEsBoRo, Arson Co., n. c.. /


the murder OF James W. Redlearn, a most respected
ana esteemed citizen (white) OF this county. on the
night OF the cot Of May last.
THE MURDERED MAN
was successful ana energetic merchant. lie re-
sided at White Store. a settlement situated In An
son county, about twelve miles southwest OF Wades
bOrO, the county seat From the developments
made at the trial the following is q narrative of the
facts In the case:-On Thursday, the 18th day OF
May, 1871, Ned and Lewis the two
PRINCIPALS IN THE MURDER,
nrst conceived the purpose OF killing Mr.. Redfcarn
From the statements OF Lewis who makes "cean
breast" OF the whole affair, 1t appears that Ned ap
preached him on Thursday and solicited hts co-Opera-
ton. Atfrst Ned's proposition was rejected by Lewis
he at the same time inqulring OF Ned his motives for
the commission OF such a foul deed, ana Ned reply.
ing that Mr. Redfearn was in the possession of
large amount OF money, which would contribute
greatly to replenishng their pockets. Lewis
told him that he thought he could devise
plan by which they could get the money without re-
sorting to murder. He proposed, when Mr.. Red
fearn was absent from the store, to break In and
abstract the money from the drawer. But Ned,
doubling the realization OF much profit from this
plan, insisted upon killing Mr. Redfearn, as first
suggested. After little
MORAL suAsIoN
Lewis consented to become partner in his crime.
The plan they devised was on the next night to
ceal themselves-Ned behind the well curb and
Lewis behind house a short distance from the
store, so that when Mr. Redlearn left the store he
would pass within few feet OF them. something
occurred to mar the execution OF their plan the
first night agreed uoon. On the following Saturday
night, between eleven and twelve O'Clock, Ned and
Lewis proceeded to carry out the daboical scheme
they had contrved. About midnight Nh. Redrearn
ST n nj
custom, aud fed his horses ana then started for
home. He had not advanced very far before Ned
approached him from the wei curb and
attacked him from the lear NeI having stealthily
advanced within striking distance
sraUCK HIN THREE BLOWS
on the head with piece Of plank about one inch
thick and about three or iour inches wide, which
he had broken or a fence near by. Lewis then up
preached the senseless body ana In icyei still
other blow. After the deed was accomplished they
commenced 10 reap the fruits Of their crime. They
completely rihed the pockets OF Mr.. Rs1felra alb
stracting thereirom $40 in greenbacks and Smith
Wesson pistol. Lewis, TO escape detection, ncd
South Carolina, but Ned renamed in the neighbor-
hood. Eeriy sunday morning Dr. McRae discovered
the body lying on the ground. Having given mior
NATION Of tho facI, may neghbors were imme-
dlateg summoned 10 the spot. Their suspicious soon
centred on Lewis Coppedge as the perpctrator OF
the deed
POSTERS WERE PRINTED
aud sent 60 Charaw 5. g., whittier LAWS had gone.
There, under the assumed name OF Lewis Chavcrs.
he purchased large quantity OF goods from ar. w.
s. Reid, a merchant in that place, ana Mr.. Reid
thus discovered tiat Lewis was in possession OF an
unusually large amount for negro. He Interr0-
gated Lewis TO what was the secret Of his great
fortune. Lewis not being able TO give satisfactory
reply Mr. Reid procured his arrest, suspecting that
he was the murd 'rer pf Mr. Rediearn Lewis pro-
tested his innocence. Through the assistance OF the
United states troops then stationed AT Cheraw he
delivered luto the hands OF the officers OF this
county. On his way ron ChciaW to White store
the place to which he was carried, he made u
Full CONFESSION
OF his par,cipation IN the Crime, Vt the same time
, ,npg Ned Myers. Jim Coppedge George
THE TRIAL.
A Court OF over and Terminer was held by
Ralph T.. Bra xton OF the Superior Court Judges.
for the trial OF the five negroes charged with the
murder, OH the 2Oth OF May OF James W. RedfearD.
Mel Myers and Lewis Coppcrye were clearly proved
guilty and sentenced to be hanged Oh Friday, the
2lst day OF July.
OF the jail at wadesboro North Carolina, in which
the two prisoners, Ned and Lewis, were con ned IL
situated at the head Of the third hight OF stairs to
| your let as you land the third noOr by the
Kindness OF the sheriff was granted tue privilege.
: or an
! INTERVIEW WITH THE PRISONERS NED AND LEWIS.
| AS | approached the door OF the cell found them
both seated on The door. apparently oDiyious OF the
crime rhey were both chained securely to the door,
and were clad in the same garments they wore when
| captured.
| the stepfather OF Lewis, IL apparently man Of
about fortylve years Of age about medium stature.
gingerbread hue, woody hair. retreatng forehead,
thick lips nat nose, and dun, stupid looking eye.
! Ned had little or nothing 10 say. He was proof
against all Interrogation, and curing the whole OF
t6is onesided CONVERSATION wore sullen and IN
different look but you could readily perceive by the
fxedness of his eye and the sseadiness OF his gaze
! realized his situation. During the whole time was
were ecised by the following '' '''
! REPoRrER-Wel, Ned, what have you to say for
, yourself, now
| REeOITER-Wel, Ned. were you not present when
| Mr.. Redlearn was killed, and did not you take II
part in the commission OF tue crime
NED--I know nothing about H.
! REPoarER-But Ned, why is it that Lewis says
NED know nothing ABOUT 1T, sir; know nothing
| about It,
REPoRrEn-Ned, are you prepared to meet your
NED wouldn't care much, If was guilty. |
! warn't there. though.
| Here this interview ended
| LEWIS COPPED6E,
the other prisoner Is man about twenty three
years OF age. little below the medium size IN sta
ture, OF very sable hue very thick lips nat nose
! wooily head, keen, penetrating eye ana, for a
| negro, remarkably intellectual. lie seemed TO be
unaffected by the circumstance OF his situation, and
! exhibited calousness and insenslbiity hardly
| human. IN this respect he is but one degree re-
moved from brute. Lewis appeared very commu.
NEGATIVE, ana so anxious was ne TO give mis- vers
Of the AFFAIR that many times ne anticipated q ues
lions afterwards addressed to him.
| LEWIS INTERVIEWED.
REpoErER--Lewis what have you TO say for your
sell
LEwIs-wc, sir, ] killed Masr jim Redfearn.
REPoRrER-Well, Lewis what Induced you to
commit such Crimef
LEwIs-Well SIR. me and Yankee named Patcr.
son broke into Mas'r Jim's store and we're ar
rested for IL and brought TO this very jail, aud while
we were In prison here this man Patterson first put
1t IN my head to XIII Mas'r Jim.
REPORTaR--Was this man Patterson, as you call
him, white mani
| LEwIs-fes, SIR, ne was white man.
RBPORrER-Wen, Lewis what else induced you TO
commit this crlney
EEwIs-Bad white men, money and the devil
made me Kill him, poor Mas'r Jim.
by A GENTLEMAN PRESBNr--Iewls, I was one Of