The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1877-06-22
WONDERFUL BROTHERS.

WONDERFUL BROTHERS.
One Commits Murder and the Other Agrees
to Hang for the Crime Damon and Pythias
Repeated.
LINCOLN, Neb., May 90, 1sT.-A case
outrivalling that Of Damon and Pythias has
just occurred in the State of Missouri, OF
which we have seen no full account. We
have been fortunate IN obtaining the facts
from one who was interested somewhat in
the matter, and subjoin them.
In Bloomfield, little town in the county
of Stoddard, State of Missouri, lived two
brothers, Poindexter and James Edmond
son. Poindexter, the elder, was smart,
intelligent young man of 81, who had for
years cared for and protected his younger
brother James. The latter was of feeble
mind, but was remarkable for the affection
displayed toward his older brother. The
slightest wish of Poindexter was to James
a sacred command, and the affection was
returned in an equal degree by the older
brother. Last summer Poindexter had
some trouble with man named William
Shaw, and in the fight which ensued Ed
mondson was struck on the head with a
brick by Shaw and seriously injured. He
was confined to his room for considerable
length of time, and during his confinement
very naturally gave expression to such re-
marks as "I'll get even with him." "Pll
fix Shaw for this" &c. These expressions
were noticed and remembered by many
people who called to see HIM, though no.
body paid any great attention to them at
that time. During the illness of Poindex-
ter James showed remarkable fits of violent
anger toward Shaw, whenever he saw his
brothers wound; and long afterward, when
the wound had healed, he would fly into a
violent fit of rage at sight Of the scar on
his brothers. head.
| SHAW MURDERED.
| One day last October Poindexter, while
sitting with his brother, suddenly put his
hand to his head, complaining that it ached
terribly, and that he believed that Shaw
had given him wound from which lie
would never entirely recover. James had
his usual paroxysm, and Poindexter tried
to soothe him, mentally finding fault with
himself for SO thoughtlessly speaking of
this subject before his already half-crazed
brother,
The next day James disappeared and that
night Shaw was found cut to pieces with a
butcher knife and quite dead in his room.
Suspicion at once fastened upon Poindexter
Edmondson, because of the former trouble
he had had with Shaw and his threats dur
ing and since his illness. He was arrested
and thrown into prison.
Fortwo days the most agonizing thoughts
filed the mind of Poindexter in regard to
the murder. The actions of his brother
James, his disappearances and the murder
following upon it pointed in his mind to his
brother James as the murderer of Shaw.
But he heroically kept his mouth sealed.
On the third day James returned and con-
fessed to his brother that he had murdered
Shaw, and wanted to denounce himself at
once and take his place behind the bars
with his brother But Poindexter refused
to allow it. In the most binding way and
in the most sacred manner he commanded
his brother never to tell anybody the facts in
49, --24 Hr~-s "a -,las,is.es- hrother's
slightest wish he readily made the require1
promises.
SENTENCED To DEATH.
The trial of Poindexter came on, and the
best attorneys that could be found were
employed in the defence. They did all that
could be done, yet they were convinced
that Poindexter was keeping back from
them some important truth about the mat
ter. They urged upon him the necessity
of confiding everything to his attorneys;
but heinvariably replied that he had told
all about the case that he could tell and all
he knew. The trial ended, and the jury
brought in verdict of guilty Of murder in
the first degree, and the unfortunate man
was sentenced to be hanged on May 22d,
1877. The attorneys tried by every means
to get new trial, to have the Supreme
Court review the decision OF the lower
Court, but in vain, and the young man pre-
pared for his almost unheard of sacrifice.
AS last resort an appeal was made to Gov.
Phelps for interference; but after every ar
gument had been exhausted the Governor
firmly refused to interfere with the findings
of the Court. The last hope was gone and
Poindexter prepared for death.
TIMELY CONFESSION.
The fatal day was drawing near, but the
interposing hand of Providence was also
near. A few days before the time set for
the iudicial murder James Edmondson was
taken suddenly i'll at Bloomfield and laid
upon his deathbed. Then, knowing that
his life was drawing to an end, he confess
sed that he, and not his brother, had killed
William Shaw. Proper witnesses were
called in and the confession was taken down
in writing. AS a matter Of course, the peo-
pie were greatly excited. There were but
| few days intervening before the time set
for the execution. What was to be done
must be done quickly. A public meeting
was called, sum Of money raised and a
young man sent with all possible speed to
| lay the facts before Governor Phelps at
jefferson City. Bloomfield is considera-
| bic distance from the railroad, but the
young lawyer who was sent as messenger
| rode to the nearest railroad station and
then hastened to Jefferson City and laid the
1 papers before Governor Phelps. This was
on Sunday evening proceeding the Tuesday
when Edmondson was to have suffered.
The Governor granted respite to August
6. and then the lawyer began he ride for