The Hillsborough recorder., 1877-06-20
WONDERFUL BROTHERS.

Just occurred IN the state OF MlssUuri 0l
which We have seen no full account. We
have been fortunate in obtaining the facts
from one who was interested somewhat 10
tue matter. and subjoin them.
In Bloomfield. u little town in the coun-
ty of Stoddard, Stats Of Missouri, lived two
brothers, Puindexter aud James Edmond-
son. poindextsr. the elder, was smart.
Intelligent young man Of tweaty-seyeD, who
had for years cared for aud protected biz
youlger brother James. The latter was df
feeble mind, but was remarkable for the
affection displayed toward bis elder broths
er. The slightest wish Of Poindexter was
70 James sacrsd command. and the aifec-
tion was returned in an equal degree by the
older brother. Last summer Poindexter
had some trouble with man named Viii
liam Shaw. and in the fight which ensued
EdDondson was struck On the head with
brick by Shaw and seriously injured. He
was confined TO bis room for considerable
length u time, sod during his confinement
very naturally gave ezpression to such re-
marks a. III ret even with him III 6x
Shaw for this etc. These expressions
were noticed aud remembered BY many peo.
pie who called to see him. though nobody
paid any great attention 70 them st that
time. During the illness Of Psindsxter.
James showed remarkable fts of violent
anger tovard Shaw. whenever he saw his
brothers wound aud long afterward. when
the wound had healed, be would ily into q
violent q: Of rage at sight of the scar in his
brothers head.
SHAW MURDERED.
One day last October Poindexter. while
sitting with his brother. Suddenly put his
hand 70 his bead, complaining that il acbed
terribly. aud that he believed that Shaw
had given him wound from wnich be
would never entirely recover. James had
his usual parvxysm. aud Poindexter .ried
10 sootbe him mentally finding fault with
himself for 50 iboughslessly speaking VI this
subject before bis half craEed 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
Poindexter Edmoudsoo. because Of the Tor
mer trouble be had had s:th Shaw and his
threats during and rince bis illness. He
was arrested and thrown into prison.
For two days the most agonixing thoughts
filed the mind d PeiBdexter in regard 10
the murder. The actions Of his brother
James. hs DISAPPEARANCE and the murder
following upon it pointed in his mind 10 his
brother james as the murderer VI Shaw.
But he Leroically kept his mouts scaled.
Do the third day james returned and con.
fessed TO his brother that be had murdered
Shaw. and wanted to denouhce himself %
once and take his place behind the bars With
bic brother. Bat poinJexter refused 20
allow il. In the most binding way aud in
the most sacred manner he commanded his
brother never 70 tell anybody the facts In
the ease. Used to obcying his brothers,
slightest wish be readily made the required
PoINDExTER SENTENCED TO DEATH.
! The trial Of Poipdextsr came on and the
best attorneys that could be found we're
employed in tbe deience. They did sll that
could be done. yet they we're convinced that
poindoxtcr vas Keeping back from them
some important truth about the matter.
They urged upon him che necessity Of con-
fding everything 70 his attorneys; but he
invariably replied that he had told all q
bout the case that be could tell and all he
knew. The trial ended. and tho jury
brought In verdict Of guilty Of murder in
the 6rst degree. and the unfortunate man
was sentenced 10 be hanged on May %.
1877. The attorneys tried by every means
10 rec new trial. TO have The Supreme
Coart review the decision Of the lower
court, but in vain. and the young man pre-
pared for his almost pnheard of sacrifice.
As las. resort an appeal was made 10 Gov.
Phelps fcr interference but after every
argument had beeu exhausted the Governor
firmly refused to Interfere With the findings
Of the court. The last hope WIS gone, aud
Poindexter prepared for death. yt
a TIMELY CONFESSION.
The fatal day was diawing near. but The
inierposipg hand Of Providence vas also
near. a lev days before The time set for
the judicial murder, james Edmopdson was
taken suddenly III at Bloomfield and laid
upon bis deathbcd. Then,, knowing that
his life was drawing 70 end ho confessed
that be, and not bis brother, had killed
William Shaw. Proper witnesses were
called In and the confession vas taken dovn
10 writing. As = matter Of course. the
people we're greatly excited. There we're
bat few days intervening before the time
set for the execution. What was 70 be done
must bc done quickly. A public meeting
was called. sum Of money raised aud .
young man sent with all possible speed %
lay the facts before Governor Phelps a
jefferson City. Bloomfield Is considers.
bic distance from tho railroad. but the