The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-03-21
OUT OF TnE JAWS OF DEATH.
McEvoy. the Murderer. obtains another
Respite.

COLUMBIA, March Is.
The engrossing subject of attention
here to-day, 90 far rs the general public
was concerned at least, has been the ex-
pected execution Of Robt. McEvoy at
Aiken, which, it was confidently antici-
pated, would take place before noon. At
about 2 p. M, however, IL became known
that he had been respittd, and the fact
Occasioned surprise to all save the readers
Of the Ners and Con Ter who alone had
been made aware Of the latest develop
ments In the case, by means of the dis.
patch cent from this place at late hour
last night, which conveyed the intelli-
gence that serious doubts had arisen in
the minds Of "the p ,wers that be"
whether the condemn al maa could be
indeed put TO death without doing vio-
lence TO the absolute and exact forms Of
law necessarily required TO be observed
In such cascs.
This impression became so strong yes
terday evening as TO lead TO q hurried
consultation last night on the subject,
when it was finally agreed that the mat
ter should be accorded the investigation
evidently demanded before the sentence
of the rrisou5i niioufd BE carried into
irredeemable effect to the possible re.
proach Of justice. This view was more
over reinforced early this morning by
statements received from Aiken to the
effect that the unfortunate. prisoner bad,
in conversation with responsible persons
last night, reiterated and confirmed rs.
sertions, already published IF an intimate
knowledge Of the facts connected with at
least two other foul and mysterious mur-
ders committed within the past four
years in this State.
These circumstances were laid before
tho Governor at an early hour this
morning, and In consequence, hurried
d'cpatch, duly certified, was sent to the
sheriff of Aiken County directing him %
postpone the execution of McEvoy until
half-past o'clock, or until further or.
deH. An attempt was then made at once
from Columbia to communicate with
Judge Thompson, by telegraph, in order
to ascertain whether the legal points had
been made in his court at the time
McEvoy was resentenced. Failing, how
ever, to reach him by telegraph, and it
appearing that these points had not been
SO made, the Governor finally. about
MON, sent Dy telegraph an order to the
sheriff granting McEvoy o respite of
fourteen days In order to allow time for
further examination into his case, and
here the matter rests for the present.
AIKEN. Thurnday, March -
One more effort of Robert McEvoy to
save his life, though but for awhile, by
der, as stated in your Columbia dispatch
yesterday, has been made.
Having stated HE acquaintance with
that matter to his latest attorney, Mr.. D.
T. Meyers, of this place, this gentleman
went personally to see the Governor, who
yesterday evening, telegraphed 20 Mr.. D.
8. Henderson, who had assisted in the
prosecution, asking whether McEvoy
would inform as TO Sawyer's murder il
respited, and il he really knew anything
about it. Mr.. Henderson, attended by
the sheriff, went Immediately after to see
the prisoner, who did not seem at all in
clined TO cenversation of any kind, even
with those who brought chance of re.
prieve. On being asked if he would tell
the Governor what he knew about the
Sawyer murder IL he vas respited, he
said no, he wouldn't tell him. He had
told his attorney all that he knew about
it, and If the Governor couldn't believe
him through Mr.. Meyers, be wouldn't
tell him. He said, however, that if he
could see Representative Sawyer, and il
| would do him ssJ good, he would tell
him what ne knew, whether he was re,
spited or not. On being urged to say
| whether he knew anything personally
about the murder, he replied that he
didn't know himself; but he could tell
the names of perseas who might know
and if they couldnr rove it they conlt
name others who Id. These facts Mr.
Henderson telegrt led to the Governor
stating elso that his statements were re
garded 40 made only for delay, with 6
view to an escape, and that there were
rumors that O rescue was talked of, but
.hss tbs jail wi.s guarded every night
To this the first reply came that no re-
spite would be granted, and that the
sher;E :ccs: preserve order.
Every effort has been made oy the
sheriff, consistently with the strictnes.
which the case requires, to crafty the
wishes of his prisoner. He has beer
furnished daily with the papers, which
in the last few days, have been his favor
ite reading matter, though heretofore
novels have been constantly in his hands
some being asked for by him, and many
being sent by sympathetic ladies. Fol
several days he has asked that he might
have his hair cut and be shaved, and be
was 60 urgent to-day, saying that he
would be willing to have his hands CT; &c tasesjl 1
behind his be OK If it was feared he would
attemps to nuke the barber cut his throat
that TIE 81 5fiiff consented, and he wa;
this afternC on attended in his cell by the
barber, A Catholic priest from Augusta
| Father Joseph-was with him to-day
! He expresses himself satisfied thai
McEvoy is prepared for death. He him.
self told the sheriff that he was ready
and did net care 70 have it put on. The
sheriE allowed him to fix the hour of his
execution and he fixed p. m.
AIKEN, Mevch Is.
One hour before his execution to-day
McEvoy was respited by the Governor
until tho Goth inst. The first dispatch
on tho s@bjeei, s. Q, directed the sheriff
| TO delay the execution until 1.3O. Gov.
/ Hampton then telegrAphed to know
whether Judge Thompson had construed
the act of 1877 when he passed sentence
on the last day of the term, and stating
that the point had been pressed upon him.
The reprieve followed at 1886, duiv
certified by the Columbia telegraph man
! esS,s:.
The reprisve was not we'll received
McEvoy saying he did not want it and
many persons fearing 1t was q loophole for
| escape, and the negroes not understand
ing it. The Governors position has been
explained TO as many as possible, aud as
his high motives are recognized every
one Is satisfied that he has acted for the
best.