The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-20
JAMES M'EYOY.
THIS DEsPERArE YOUNG MURDERER HANGED
At AIKEN, s. CHS REMARKABLE ESCAPE
AFTER CONVICTION.


At AIKEN, s. CHS REMARKABLE ESCAPE
AFTER CONVICTION.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO The HERALD
AUGUSTA. Ca, April 10, 1873
The readers OF the u ERALD have from time imc
the occasion pecessiiated. been apprised OF the
DEVELOPMENTS in the murder Of the state
Of South Carolina against Robert McEvoy Tor
the shooting OF Major James J. Gregg, y. Granite.
vile, ). c., April TO- 1871 Sentence Of death
had already been pronounced upon tho prisoner
twice when .ns up before Judge Thomson. OF
the Eighth Circuit, fcw weeks since and sentence
again delivered, condsDniug the prisoner death
the ian inst Owing TO irregularities in the term
OF court, however. Governor Hampton rcspi,ed Nc.
Evoy until to-day. During this interval McEvoy's
counsel applied to the supreme Cour. for = OF
certiorari ana stay OF judgment upon legal gs1ands
The ediaseiy taken into consideration by
the Supreme Court. Governor Hampton announcing
that would be governed by their cono usions tho
matter. After u careful review lhe Court decided
verssy TO the petition and the Governor declined 10
interfere.
THE cRIxs.
About ten years ago Major Gregg, AZ that time su
periniendent OF the Grsnitsvile factory, found II
necessary to discharge from eyed lad,
the OF the gardener. who employed as errand
boy about the mills The lad McEvoy. who was
then only about fourteen years OF age. McEvoy
ed regard hts dismissal In the light OF per-
sonai injury and, Is alleged, at once resolved upon
revengs, and ioueIy threatened to shoot Gregg
a. the nrst opportunity. whasevor may have
been his purpose, however, he held IL
In allegiance A. the time, and few
months aersard left the factory and wont to Texas
where no disappeared from notice until his sudden
temperance and The tragedy which he lnsuguraled
brought him again into sudden and widespread noso.
In fnA st a EHnr al
meeting OF tue stockholders oi the isci.ry was hcd
ct Gr,nitevie, aud Major Gregg, who WIS himself
stockholder attended. Immediately alter the nd
Journm-nt aud wnile he IN tho storero adJoin-
Ing tho company's Office Major Gregg WAS approached
b. McEvoy with a request to be allowed 10 speak with
him before he returned to Augusta tn.t evening
Az ANSWER THAT DID not SATISFY.
Major Gregg, being at leisure. replied that he
would hear ain then. McEvoy said "lhat people
had att ibuted his discharge seven years Uc-
ioro 10 MS navng stolen sostnins from Major Gregg
HIM no desired to know " u was sol Mayor Gregg
replied tnal he remembered notn,ng about IT.
aud proposed 10 10 TO tho sccretarys ofice
to ascertain The facts Tho secretary (ar
Ges) informed them. IA answer 10 their inquiries,
thai AcEyoy mad been discharged simply bvcaus.
there further need Tor srrand boy, that
the position itself had ocea abolished BY ofaer Of ,hs
directors. Tue secretary then lott the room a-d
Gregg aud AsEvoy we're ien alone together
SHOOTS GkEcc.
Within a mipute's time three shots, 1red In quick
succession, were heard IN tue room, aud Mcksoy,
reappearing NJ the door, ran quicsly through
the nall and escaped iu'o tie strce.
IRON wneaoe no hrsd once al McEvoy, his sbot tall
ing TO take eject and bciag returned by McEvoy
striking the door facing near Gregg anu more aar-
rowly m,ssing Mr.. IA. H. hickman. president Of tue
the spot Tho sound Of tue nring Major Gregg,
after rns once. ABOVE stated, staggered back "
tue onico Tell across its threshold ayng man.
psrsNMISgD xoRDSsgR
Gregg took a seal near small table, McEvoy re-
mssiag standing ~ . aud looSias a. him 'ntenty
witn sort OF twtcning about n,s lace when caused
Gregg 10 observe him very nsrrowiyn McEvoy re.
he~ed the conversation W iusinuaiing that Gregg naJ
improperly VISITED az ais thcEvoy's) house, aud
wlea assured W Gregg that in oceut tho
charge n new born babe, he said, "Do you doupl
my wordfn Gregg rcpned, ct you say that do"
.Iou doubt me do YOU answered MoEvoy, aud,
suddenly drawing pistol, hred twice ~ Gregg, wuo
was almost wuhin arms length oil its muxzic, both
balls striking hin Ia the breast MAJOR Gregg beng
taken altogether by surprise AZ The suddcnIess OF tns
sayag. attack m .e UPON nn and feeling m MS body
thai both his assaiaut's sbots mad taken ell CT
iron Ills seat ana attempted TO dras his own
PISTOL at tho same time rctrea,,Dg across the room
with tue intention oil sheltering himself behind the
large iron sale when occupied corner. Before
could reach II, however, McEvoy 1r,d again Tor tho
tnird time, and sgaiu his bal reached rs shrinking
marx. in1iotng, was subsequently proved. tho only
necessarily fatal wound McEvoy nov turned aud
NJ him mrs, and only time VITA other effect
tban tnat Of drawing bis asaianps iourtn shot, which
took effect IN she door.
snor
The officers OF tue factory aud friends OF ths
wounded man having arrived Sn tbs scene by this
time rendered MN all the assistance IN Their power,
anu . surgeon beng quickly summoned exsmina.
ton had, WHOM revealed The fAct that while tho
two balls nrst ared had merely psneuated shs
clothing aud caused a severe coutusion upon
tue SIDE The tbird had entered tns boay
ABOVE the LEFT mp. and passing through
tho stomach. had inflicted mortal hurt Tbis TACT
asc.rtained magistrate was sent Tor Tne wou nd ed
man, VINO retained consciousness, anu VINO iuly ap.
precIated his own uvIpg cobdu on, made a ssorn
statement oil what mad occurred, and beng tneu
placed unaer the influence OF morphine conveyed
20 his home 10 Augusta, wncro ne died twonl ythroe
hours laler
s'kvor psrIKs ARREST FOR A rIuE.
After hring nis fourth shot McEvoy m ade no at.
tempt 70 escape but remained standing the street
anu thrcatencu TO shoot VINO should approach
him. HIS father, however, hayi0s npniiy oh
tanned posecssion OF his weapon, hs was
rested by a constable, snd, being unable 10 give
ball, ne was committed 10 jail In this place
IL Was remarked at the time Of his arrest
aud during ths preliminary examinaslen that.