The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-19
SAMUEL ORR HANGED.

ST.. LOUIS NO., May Is, 1877.
A special from Mount Vernon. No. to the Globe.
Democrat says Samuel Orr was executed
there to-day for tho murder of farmer
named Davis, in Christian county, eighteen
miles from Springfield, the 18th OF December,
1873. Early this morning he wrote tret article to
be published after his DEATH in which he warned
young men against drinking whiskey, keeping bad
company, &c, declared he had made his peace with
Coz, was not afraid to die and would not make
fession on gallows. In conversation he would not
assert his quit or innocence and to talking
about the matter
TIE LAST SCENE.
At forty. seven minutes past .wc the Sheriff and ha
assistants assembled the scaiold with tho cupr who
walked up with firm step and unconcerned manner.
The ropo was cdiacly adjusted and forty-eght
minutes past two tho drop was sprung and twenty
minutes later Orr pronounced dead. s4.
About 5000 people witnessed the execution, among
them the children Of the murdered man.
ht W oRR's CRIME
The history OF this case 10 one of the strangost in
the annals OF crime Davis was wealthy farmer,
and Orr and Cox, 1t IS alleged were hired to Kill HIM
by Major r. X. Hart, TO whose sister Davis was mar.
rsd. Husband and wife frequently quarreIlod, ana
two or three occasions Hart called IN to protect
itself TO lead to such DIRE results The primary
OF the murder occurred during the war. Hart
major and DAVIS private In tho Second
battalion Missouri State Militia When their regiment
was NJ ieliviie Ark, Confederate prisoner was cap
gold. Tho money was given to Hart Tor safe Keeping
and the same night tho prisoner was murdered sucn
the story told By Davis at political meeting held
at Billings, Christian county, IN 1873. Although
Davis In liquor at the OF recital the story
pretty generally credited. Hart and his iricads
were an gcrcd and nwse enough to remark that Davis
bcrayed them because he did get his share OF
the money. From this time forward Davis was in con-
tnua fear for his life, and some weeks aiterward
shot down at mis- own door,.
On the morning Of December TO- 1873, Samuel Orr
and Albert Cox, dlsrepuiabe character from Ar.
Kansas hired horses At Frccman's livery Stable, in
Springfield, stating that they going south
business. Orr rode bay and Cox gray horse. They
proceeded along The Wire road In the OF the
Davis farm, and were seen and recognized by num-
Der OF acqnaintanccs. They were traced to within
hall mile OF the scene OF the tragedy gin bottle
previously seen with Cox was found short distance
from DAVIS residence whore two horges had Dec n
htchci to some dwarf oaks and on of these trees
gray hairs, thus showing that one Of the
horses was Of that color. Tho story OF tho murder.
as told by lltc Eddy Davis, son OF the murdered
man. brought tears to the eyes Of all in the courf
room.
KILLED WITH DERRISaERs.
lie testified that the fatal evening between sun.
down and dark the two the field whore he
aud his father feeding their stock and inquired II
noy could buy some iced as It was down the
wire road; hc told them they could DC accommodated
father get the ecd they walked behind the doomed
man, and drawing their dcrripgers simultaneously,
shot HIM down ike dog IN the presence OF his child.
.ust cred.n Charles w. Mitchell. of Arkan-
sas. also gave some damaging testimony against
the accused In regard certain admissions made
by Cox in reference 10 the murder. At late hour
the night OF tho murder Orr aud Cox returned to
Springfield and commenced riotous They
appeared to be well liked financially, ana frequently
boosted that they living On 'blood money! 1t
seems evident that they had been employed Nv some
one 10 commit murder In making their inquiries
into its the Grand Jury OF Christian county sub
pnnacd somewhat notorious character, who was
ccmcd quite capable OF the commission OF any
| or violence Hc asked whether Hart had
made any TO HIM looking toward the urder
| OF Davis The witness replied that Hart came him
1 and SAID there man he wanted TO sont out
OF this into another country and he bad 900 ready
for hun II he would do the job. In reply the witness
said he .'tod Hart he had Jumped the wrong man
he ddn't do such things Tor money; he was not afraid
10 do thcm--in fact, he had done then, he Hart
very we'll knew, ana would do them again If any man
gave him cause, but no didn't do them for hire
4 ARREST on HART.
In consequence OF this and other evidence Hart was
arrested, and after preliminary examination held
Tor tral, giving bonds in 81, 900 In order
10 indemnify his boudsmen nc mortgagcd his iarm
them, and then alter the capture OF Sam orr lied the
c~nntry ana supposed 10 be in Colorado untl
Deputy United states Marshal Langston rot on his
tran through the postmarks some letters sent &c
friends la Springfield, and finally captured the Major
IN Brentwood, On the Western frontier or Texas,
whore be was keeping a store. He aud
1 Orr subsequently chained together In
the same cell at. springfield The trial Of
Hart look place nc Marshicld about fifteen months
ago, AM after lengthy and bitter contest in whicp
the state aud defendant were represented by eminent
COUNSEL he was acquitted. Orr was fortunate.
his fnal trial took place IN March, at Mount Vernon
1t began on the Sd aud lasted until the 9th. The prose
culon took hold OF The case with discrimination that
justice should be satisfied aud were unremitting IN
thor cxertons Tho defence laborcd with equal zeal
Tor their con but the evidence could not be over
come and a verdict OF .Guty Of murder IN the first
degree was rendered. The result unexpected to
tho prisoner. lie maintained defiant attitude
throughout and ocuarly told witnesses he would
be back Ia Springfield IN a TOW days.
. orr was good locking about twcnty-six years OF ago
His manners cngagn he created u iavorabs
impression upon nearly an with whom he came IN
contact He was thorough desperau0, however HIS
family consisting oil lathcr mother aud three sons
john Theodore and Saui--rcmoved from Arkansas 10
Springfield during the war. Mrs. Orr, n lady or whom
All who know her speak in the highest TERMS was
closely related TO Iuit tho Confederate spy, who wan
killed IN duel with "Wild Bi' on tho public square "a
Springfield John Orr got into trouble while acting as
policeman there during the memorable riot OF 1850,
lied and has not since been heard o. Theodore uied al
springfield over two years ago The old man Is the
worst OF the family and was imprisoned two occa'
Sons Tor cndeavoring TO aid Sam to escape. ON ont
occasion the attempt was successful, aud tho murderer