The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-05

several armed parties, which were stationed on
different roads, and which were only awaiting a
preconcerted signal to begin their work OF murder
and rapine When tho fact OF these confessions be-
cane known the indignation OF the whites, already
deeply excited over the death OF OF their number
found In expressions OF idle import any
who knew tho character of the men from whom they
proceeded
THE NEGROES NARROWLY ESCAPE BEING LrScngp.
Threats OF lynching were to be heard on
every hand and It vs. little 10 be doubted
speedy execution but for the interpostlon OF GER
tam OF the leading citizens who excrted themselves
successfully the Interest OF law and order Tho
test the results Of the late election begun
and tho most violent OF the would be ynchers we're
slow TO understand that any act or violence or
lawcssncss on their part would ruin the political
cause Tor the success OF which they had laborcd Tor
SO many months. by tho usc Of this and other
and the prisoners escaped tho immediate death
which stared them in the lace They not yet
late again within the next twcnty.iour hours Tho
county jail about nine miles distant ut Abbeville
termDcd TO take his prisoners Tor the double pur-
pose Of their better security and their better protec
ton. Not daring to takc Tho shorefnd direct route
to tho jail tho officer conveyed his prisoners twenty
mos across the country under strong guard to the
ncighborng town Of Anderson in the next county, and
taking the train at this point brought them back by
rail 10 Abbcville and so to prison. The wisdom Of
this flank movement became apparent lew days later,
when Il known that the direct road was ntched
with fell purpose by body OF men have come
IRON Georgia. numerous and determined enough to
have overcome the guards without difficulty.
what longer tnan was expected account of
tho slow movements oil or two of
the prisoners who had been hurt while resisting
arrest and further delayed by the sickness OF
Others, who, having obtained lauuanum IRON their
frcnds swallowed each largo quantity Of the poison,
from the effects OF which died tho march, whiio
the othcr barely saved by The skin amt attention
OF tho physician. who summoned
soon us tho TACT or tho attempted sur
eide became known. These circumstances OF
the march not known at the time, and
such grave and we'll founded suspicious were enter
tanned abroad 10 The fate OF The prisoners that
prominent republican anticpa the probable news
OF the ambush and lyncbing. and tclegraphed North
the startling information that the whole number OF
sixteen had been actually killed and up, &C, the
sensation being spoiled next day, however, by an oni-
cia report Of The sale arrival Of the party at Abbovo
Court House.
At the trial which speedily ensued tho prisoners
ceved the full benefit the oxcrtions OF earnest
able advocates appointed by the Court TO defend Them
The evidence, however, was OF such a conclusive
character that the ten named above convicted Of
murder In tho first degree by jury compo cd OF eight
cOOrcd and Jour white men, one OF the cOOr0u men
being, moreover uncle OF two OF tho prisoners!
The execution of the ten who were convicted 8p
pointed take place the 10th OF March, but de-
errcd until to-day IN consequence OF the action Of
Governor Hampton, who granted respite 10 allow
himself tho necessary time for examining tho evdcnc
in the case, with n view TO tho commutation Of
cnce oil those OF the number might be considered
least guilty He altogether influenced in his decision
upon this point IT may DO said ny the rcprosen
OF the foreman and members Of the jury, and oy tho
report Of tho Judge who presided IN the case