The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-13
Seven Desperate Criminals Beneath the
Shadow of the GaIlOwS.
BLOODY RIOTS AND SECRET MURDERS.
ANoERsoNs OFFER TO DAD"


awaiting execution Of the utmost penalty inflicted by
outraged law less than seven desperate criminals
o. this number six negroes and one white man.
All murderers In tho s,ricest legal OF the
term, the several joint crimes OF which they
stand convicted characterized by circumstances
OF exceeding brutality, without single modifying
feature to warrant the exercise Of judicial clemcncy,
or even OF that common human pity which will assert
itself the breast OF the most law exacting when tho
pursuer has himself become the pursued and hunted
down by swift footed and reess Nemesis, is at last
tangled in tolls OF his making and brought by slow
but suro paths to the verge OF the grave which his
rash hand diggcd at for his crushed and bloody
victim-and himself unaware
THE CRIMINAL.
First in the order of time is the white man. Robert
XcEvoy. 1t would not, indeed be too much to say
that In the order Of crime also he is entitled such
doubtful distinction as is the need OF evil pre-emi-
nence. The aDcents assigned to ingrat.ude a place
on tho criminal calendar scarcely second to murder
itself when therefore, to this highest offence of the
heart added that OF the hand the wretch in whose
person both crimes have found embodiment s indeed,
something more than murderer and stands beyond
the pale OF pity ITSELF McEvoys history must how
over, DO touched upon only briefly in this connection,
Tor tho reason that, who lying under sentence of
death, he succeeded in making his escape some months
ago, and the day appointed for his execution
having passed before his recapture 1t is necessary,
under the law, that he should be resentenced and
In consequence Of this delay fellow prisoners,
though convicted at later date, preccde him TO the
foot Of tho galows 1t is enough to say concerning
him that his double crime consists in his having MUIR
dered his benefac,or, Mr. James Gregg, of Augusta,
Ca, gentleman loved and respected by all who know
him for his generous nature and upright walk and con-
versation and indeed for every quality that goes to
mako man a good CITIZEN To him McEvoy was in
deblod for education position, employ mcntfor his
daily bread-for all that he had. Being cripple in
consequence Of having lost his leg when very young
by falling under railway coach in motion, he was OF
course the helpless aud dependent upon hts
patron. This dependent position he sustained
for years, until having committed some unpardon.
able offence no was dismissed from his place with
merited rcbuko Always high tempered and revengefu,
from that time the devil seemed tako possession OF
his soul. After short visit to Texas he returned
with the avowcd purpose Of revenging his fancied
wrong ", and seeking his old friend in his office,
after lew words OF reproach aud denuncation he
quickly drew his revolver and fired upon him several
Lines his victim returning his fire without effect and
receiving wounds which proved mortal IN few hours.
hcEvoy fed, subsequently arrested, narrowly
escaped lynching, tried and convicted OF murder
In first degree and to DO hanged in o.
tobcr last the sentence being by his unexpected
escape. Again arrested at Columbia while trying to
get out OF the State, he was brought to Aiken JAIL
where. despite frequent daring and almost successful
attempts to regain that liberty which to him means
life itself, nc now lis,, heavily chained and sueniy
awaiting and defyns his doom.
CONCERNING THE SECOND CRIMINAL,
q negro, but little is known to your correspondent
beyond the fact that be arrested IN this place
few days ago we.founded suspicion, which
quickly verified, that he fugitive from justice.
1t rs only known that me- too, committed murder in
one of the upper countes butt thanks to the insecure
condition of the county jail in which he was first
lodged, effected his escape make his way TO
that in which he is now confined.
REMAINING FIVE
deserve such particular and extended notice that
have reserved them for the last, the two above
toned having been, ndeod only referred to because
OF their presence in the same jail When II Is stated
that the five had organized themselves into secret
society for tho avowed purposes OF crime, and had
carried their plans into execution in numerous In
stances, embracing such deeds as house and church
burning, burglary. highway robbery aud rape; ana
whom IL Is further remarked that the acknow lodged
leader of tho gang formerly a minister
OF the gospel for many years, and during that pc
Rod in good standing, your readers will agree
with mo that some account OF their career must
possess peculiar interest," notw outstanding the prcva'
lcnce OF those high crimes in all sections OF the
try. In this Immediate connection, too, Il may be
that tho of their exploits itself deserves
passing comment showing that human passions
themselves at times, to become epidemic well
as human suffering, fact that has frequently arrested
the attention Of the socologis and which may yet be
reduced 10 the same or like laws Of our mysterious
being. What are the causes or the occasions which
lead the development OF such maladies OF the
and soul 1t not advisable to discuss here where Is
sufficient 10 say, only, that whatever they may be-
they have had ampest illustration IN the decade mmc
mcdiately following the late war, ana have ragged at
tendant with almost startling conformity upon tho
seasons OF
LOCAL POLITICAL EXCITEMENT.
doubt not Will be July understood and many sup
pressed reflections readily supplied when state that
the section OF country now under consideration is
extensive with that upon which public attention
painfully concentrated lew months since in con-
ncction with the semipoltical troubles which found
boOuy IN the series OF riots which, orgi-
mating Win tno yncnns o. ,our or I'VE 1--WE, murderers
by the "riots' OF Hamburg aiken county,, Elleuon,
Collcton, Combahcr. Cainhoy and Charleston, all To-
Gated in what may be properly considered cuntnu-
Gus belt OF country principally distinguished by tho
prominent fact OF the presence OF powerful political
majority OF recently cniancipacd slaves, brought
sharp antagon,sm with restless minority their late
masters smarting under sense OF injury ana opprcs
SION resultant upon the misuse OF the suddenly nc.
quired power OF their Toes. For 1t is Just well
10 speak plainly and call things By their right names
to attempt the just idea by tedious
clTcuinlocullon
THESE RIOTS
attracted widespread attention through the medium OF
Executive proclamations, the NEW YORK HERALD, the
federal courts and Of Congressional COM
mtces but the reader is woiully mistaken u he con-
sidcrs fora moment that having heard the most
1ngly, he had heard all such is not the case. These
bloody outbreaks from time to time bore but the same
relation 10 the general condition OF the country that on
eruption sustains volcano whose heart Is ever ahrc
and whose muttcrIngs OF thunder keep Tho fearful In
habtans IN ITS alciu neighborhood In ever present
dread and suspense by night and day, and ron whose
river SIDES small streams OF death dealing Lava rickc
comparatively Gnobserved at all times, overwhelming
not wholo communities, II Is true out many an un
wary peasant VINO trusts himself 10 its rcachcruus
sol. vi the riots all the world speedily informed
by the ready telegraph but of the solitary murders IN
out. ol-theway hamles and IN dark places
country roads, OF the destruction of private dwell
,Dgs by the hand OF the midnight nceDdiary, OF The
irghtiully frequent instances Of violation OF he per-
OF dccncelcss ma1s and mothers OF tho stcalthy
shot from ambush, manning or killing the farmer re-
turning from town, WHITTIER he had gone 10 dispose