The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-06-16
WONDERFUL BROTHERS.
One Commits nIurdcr and tho Other
Agrees to Hang for the CrIme--Dnmon
md Pythia. Rrpcutcd--'t saved by n



county Of Stoddard, State Of Missouri,
lived two brothers, Poindexter and
James Edmondson. Poindexter, the
elder, was n 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-
ton displayed toward his older brother.
The slightest wish of Poindexter WIS to
james a sacred command, and the aifec-
ton WAS returned in an equal degree by
tho older brother. Last summer Poin-
Gextor had some trouble with man
named William Shaw, and in the fight
which ensued Edmondson WIS struck on
the head with brick by Shaw and seri-
ously injured. &c was confined to his
room for n considerable length Of time,
and during his confinement very natu-
rally gave expressionto such remarks rs:
"I'll get even with him, F" I'll fix Shaw
for this" etc. These expressions were
noticed aud remembered by many people
who called to see him, though nobody
paid any great attention to them ut that
time. During tho 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 q violent fit of rnge ut
sight Of the scar in his brothers head.
One day Inst October Poinicxter,
while sitting with his brother, suddenly
put his hand to his head, complaining
that it ached terribly, and that he be-
ieved that Shaw had given him wound
from which he would never entirely re-
cover, James had his usual paioxysm,
and Poindexter tried to sootIle him, men.
tally finding fault with himself for so
thoughtlessly speaking Of this subject
before his half crazed brother.
The next dry James disappeared and
that night Shaw WINS found cut to pieces
with butcher knife and quite dead in
his room. Suspicion at once fastened
upon Poindextcr Edmondson, because of
the former trouble lie had had with Shaw
and his threats during and since his i'll
ness. He was arrested md thrown into
prison.
For two days the most agonizing
thoughts filed the mind OF Poindexter
in regard to the murder. The actions
OF his brother James, his disappearance
and the murder following uponit pointed
III his mind to his brother James rs the
murderer Of Shaw. But he heroically
kept his mouth sealed. On tho third
day James returned and confessed to his
brother that he had murdered Shaw, and
wanted to dcnouuce himself ut once and
take his place behind the bars with his
brother. But Poindexter refused to al
lowit. In the most binding way and
in the most sacred manner lie command
cd his brother never to tell anybody the
facts i'll the case. Used to oGeying his
brothers slightest wish he readily made
the required promises.
Tho trial of Poindexter came on, and
the best attorneys tint could DO found
were employed in tho defense. They
did all that could be done, yet they were
convinced that Poindexter WINS keeping
bnck from them some important truth
about the matter. They urged upon
him the necessity OF confitling every
thing to his attorneys but he invariably
replied that he Ind told NIL about the
case that he could tell and all he knew.
The trial ended, and tho jury brought
III q verdict Of guilty Of murder III the
first degree, and the unfortunate man
was sentenced to I've hanged on May o..
=1S77. 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 tho young
man prepared for his almost unhcarl OF
sacrifice. As q last resort nm appeal was
made 10 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. Tho last hope was gone,
and Poindcxter 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 tAkensuddenly i'll at Bloom.
field and laid upon his deathbed. Then,
knowing that his life was drawing to IN
end, he confessed that no, and not his
brother, had killed William Shaw,
Proper witnesses were called in and the
confession was taken down in writing.
As n matter Of conrsc, the people were
greatly excited. There were but n 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
n'considerNble distance from the railroad,
. but tho young lawyer who was sent MS
messenger rode to the nearest railroad
station and then hastened to jefferson
City and laid thepapers before Governor
Phelps. This wns on the Sunday even
ing, preceding the Tuesday when
ElmondsOn was TO have suffered. The
governor granted respite to August @,
and then the lawyer began his ride for
life. He first telegrapLed to Dexter, tile
nearest telegraph station, the result Of
his mission, aud then, MS fast rs steam
aud horse could carry him, he lastened
back to Bloomfield with the governors
orller OF Communication. He was not IN
hour too soon, although his Telegram had
been received before. But there was no
hanging in Bloomfield on TINT day, and
tho people were all immensely happy.
POindcxter Elmondson could not speak
when first informed TINT his brother had
made confession. James died, and the
jAiler, without authority of Inv, lot his
brother attend tho funeral under guard.
Measures were Mt once set on foot to
prnnt n fnll md unconditional Oori1op