The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-04
WONDERFUL BROTHERS.
ONE COMMITS MURDER AND THE OTHER
AGREES TO HANG FOR THE CRIME-DAMoN
AND pyTHIAs REpEArED-s'sAvED By A
NECK"

AGREES TO HANG FOR THE CRIME-DAMoN
AND pYrHIAs REpEArED-s' SAVED By
NECK"
LINCOLN, Neb, May 20, 1877.
A case outrivalling that OF Damon and Pythias has
Just occurred in the State OF Missouri, OF which
have full account We have been fortunate in
obtaining tho from who interested
what in the matter, and subjoin them.
In Bloomfield. a little town in tho county Of Stod-
dnrd State of Missouri lived two brothers. Pondexter
and James Edmondson Poindexter, the elder, was
a smart, intelligent young OF twenty-scven, who.
had for years cared for and protected his younger
brother James. Tho latter was Of feeble mind, but
remarkable for the affection displayed toward his
older brother. The slightest wish OF Pondextor was
TO James a sacred command, and the affection
turned in an equal degree by tho older brother. Last
summer Pondextcr had some trouble with q
named William Shaw, and In the fight which
ensued Edmondson struck the head
with a brick by Shaw and seriously injured.
He confined to his room for considerable length
OF time, and during his confinement very naturally
gave expression to such remarks I get evon Win
him. "l'Il fix Shaw for this" &C. These expressions
were noticed and remembered by many people who
called SEQ him, though nobody paid any great az
tcntion to them at that time During tho illness Of
Polndexter James showed remarkable fits OF violent
anger toward Shaw, whenever he saw his brotncr's
wound; ana long afterward, when the wound had
healed, would fly into violent a. Of rage sight
OF the in his brothers. head.
SHAW MURDERED.
One day last October Pondcxter, whie sitting with
his brother, suddenly put his hand to his hcad
planning that IT achcd terribly, and that he believed
that Shaw had given him wound from which he would
never entirely recover James had his usual paroxysm
and pondcxtcr tricl to soohe him. mentally lnuing
fault with himself for SO thoughtcssy speaking Of this
txltt hnln htt hal rnfh
Tho day James disappeared and that night Shaw
found cut TO pieces with butcher knife and
quite dead in his room. Suspicion at once fastened
upon Poindcxter Edmondson, because of tho former
trouble he had had with Shaw and bis threats during
and since his Illness He was arrested and thrown into
PRISON.
For two days the most agonizng thoughts nlled the
mad OF pondexicr regard TO the muruor. The no.
tons OF his brother James, his disappearance aud the
murder following upon II pointed III his mind 10 his
hcrocaly kept his mouth sealed. ON the third day
James returned and confessed to his brother that he
had murdered Shaw, and wanted to denouncc himself
ut and take his place behind the bars with his
brother. But Poindexter refused to allow H. In the
most binding way ana in the most sacred manner he
commanded his brother never 10 tell the facts
in the Used 10 obeyng his brothers. slightest
wish he readily made the required promises.
poIyDRxTER sENrEScED TO DEATH.
The trial OF on, and best attor.
neys that could be found werc employed In the do.
lcnce They all that could be DONE yet they
CONVINCED that Poindextcr was keeping back from
them some important truth about tho matter They
urged upon hin necessity copnding everything
to his attorneys but he invariably replied TINT nc had
tod all about tho case that he could sell and all he
knew. The trial enuod, and the jury brought In o
verdict OF guilty OF murder 10 tho first degree, and the
unfortunate man was sentenced 10 be banged on May
- 1871 The attorneys tried by every means 10 gct
trial, 10 have tho Supreme Court review the de-
of the lower Court Dut in vain and the young
prepared for his almost unheard Of sacrifice. As
last resort appeal was made to Governor Phelps
for Interference; but after every argument had been
exhausted the Governor firmly refused 10 Interfere
with the findings OF the Court. Tho lass hope was
gone, and Pondexter prepared for death.
! TIMELY CONFESSION
The fatal day drawing near, but the interposins
hand oil Providence was also near. low days before
tho time for the judicial murder james EdmOnusOn
was taken suddenly i'll nt bloomfield and lard upon his
deathocd. Then, knowing that his LIE drawing
end, he confessed tnat he and not his BROTHER
had killed William shaw Proper witnesses wcro
called in and tho confession was taken down in writ
ing. AS matter OF course, tho people were greatly
excited. There were but few days intervening be-
lore tho time set Tor the execution. What was to be
done DO done quickly public meeting was
called sum OF money raised and young man scnt
with all possible speed to lay the facts before Governor
Phelps az Jefferson CITY. Bloomfield Is q considerable
distance from tho railroad but the young lawyer VINO
messenger rode to the nearest railroad sta
ton and then FASTENED 70 Jefferson City aud laid the
papers before Governor Phelps. This on the Sun
day evening, preceding the Tuesday whom Edmondson
to have suffered. The Governor granted q
respite to August 9, and then tho lawyer began his
ride Tor life. Ho first telcgraphed TO Dexter, the
nearest telegraph station The result oil his mission,
and tben last as steam and horse could carry him.
no FASTENED back 10 bloomfield with tho Governors
order oil comm utation. Ho an hour too soon,
although his telegram had been received before But
there was hanging In Bloomfield on that day, and
Edn,onuson could not speak whom arst informed that
his brother had mado confession James dcd, and
jaer, without authority OF Law, let his brother ut
tnnd the funeral undcr guard. Measures were at
and unconditional pardon which will no DOUBT b. done
In day or two.