The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-06-14

In Bloomfield, little town in the
G1ounty OF Stoddard, State of Missouri,
4Ved two brothers, Poindexter and
James Edmondson. Poindexter, the
elder, was smart, intelligent young
man OF twenty-seven, who had for years
cared for and protected his Younger
brother James. The latter was of feeble
mind, but was remarkable for the affec-
tion displayed toward his older brother.
The slightest wish of Poindexter was to
James sacred command, and the affec-
tion was returned in an equal degree by
the older brother. Last summer Poin-
dexter had some trouble with man
named William Shaw. and in the fight
winch ensued Edmondson was struck on
the head with brick by Shaw and seri-
ously injured. He was confined to his
room for considerable length of time.
and during his confinement very natr-
rally gave expression to such remarks as
III get even with him, ~ I'll fix Shaw
for this" etc. These expressions were
notlced and remembered by many people
who called to see him, though nobody
paid any great attention to them at that
time. During the illness of Poindexter
James showed remarkable fits of violent
anger toward Shaw, whenever he saw
his brothers wound; and long after
ward. when the wound had healed. he
would fly into a violent fit of rage at
sight of the scar in his brothers. head.
One day last October Poindexter,
while sitting with his brother. suddenly
put his hand to his head, complaining
that 1t ached terribly, and that he be.
heved that Shaw had given him a wound
from which he would never entirely re-
cover. James had his usual paroxysm.
and Poindexter tried to soothe him, men.
tally finding fault with himself for SO
thoughtlessly speaking of this subject
before his half crazed brother
The next day James disappeared and
that night Shaw was found cut to pieces
with butcher knife and quite dead in
his room. Suspicion at once fastened
upon Polndexter Edmondson. because of
the former trouble he had had with Shaw
and his threats during and since his i'll
ness. He was arrested and thrown into
prison.
For two days the most agonizinp
thoughts filled the mind of Poipdeyter
IN regard to the murder. The actions
OF his brother james, his disappearance
and the murder following uponit pointed
LII his mind to his brother James as tbe
murderer OF Shaw. But he heroically
kept his mouth sealed. On the third
day James returned and confessed 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 al-
low 1t. In the most binding wav and
III the most sacred manner he command
ed his brother never to tell ANYBODY the
facts in the case. Used to obeving his
brothers slightest wish he readily made
the required promises.
The trial of Poindexter came on. and
the best attorneys that could be found
were employed in the defense. They
did all that could be done, vet thev were
convinced that Poindexter was keepinp
back from them some important truth
about the matter. They urged upon
hlm the necessity of confiding every-
thlng to his attorneys but he invariably
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 he hanged on Nav %.
1871 The attorneys tried by every
means to get a new trial. to have the
supreme court review the decision of the
lower court, but in vain, and the younp
man prepared for his almost unheard of
sacrifice. AS O last resort an appeal was
made to Governor Phelps for inter-
ference but after every argument had
been exhausted the governor firmly re-
fused to interfere with the findings of
the court. The last hope was gone.
and Poindexter prepared for death.
The fatal day was drawing near, but
the interposing hand Of Providence was
also near. A few days before the time
set for the judicial murder James Ed
mondson was taken, i'll at Bloom
field and laid upon his deathbed Then.
knowing that his life was drawing to an
end, he confessed that he. and not his
brother, had killed William Shaw.
Proper witnesses We're called in and the
confession was taken down in writing.
AS matter of course, the people were
greatly excited. There We're but few
days intervening before the time set for
the execution. What was to be done
must be done quickly. A public meet.
Ing was called, sum of money raised.
and young man sent with all possible
speed to lay the facts before Governor
Phelps at Jefferson City. Bloomfield is
a considerable distance from the railroad,
but the young lawyer who was sent as
messenger rode to the nearest railroad
station and then fastened to Jefferson
City and laid the papers before Governor
Phelps. This was on the Sunday even
ing, preceding the Tuesday when
Edmondson was to have suffered. The
governor granted respite to August 6,
and then the lawyer began his ride for a
life. He first telegraphed to Dexter, the
nearest telegraph station, the result of
his mission, and then, as fast as steam
and horse could carry him, he fastened
back to Bloomfield with the governors
order of communication. He was not an
hour too soon, although his telegram had
been received before. But there was no
hanging in Bloomfield on that day, and
the people were all immensely happy.
Poindexter Edmondson could not speak
when first informed that his brother had
made confession. James died, and the
jailer, without authority of law, let his
brother attend the funeral under guard,
Measures were at once set on foot to
grant full and unconditional pardon.
which will no doubt be done.
The Russian Cavalry.
A Russian cavalry brigade recently
passed through Bucharest A regiment
of huSsarS was led nv q yorno Russion