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

COLUMBIA, March Is.
The engrossing subject of attention
here to-day, so far as the general public
was concerned at least, has been the ex
pected execution of Robt. McEyoy at
Aiken, which, it WAS confidently antici-
pated, would take place before noon. At
about p. m., however, it became known
that he had been respited, and the fact
occasioned surprise to all save the readers
of the News and Con- Ter who alone had
been made aware of the latest develop
ments in the case, by means of the dis
patch sent from this place at late hour
last night, which conveyed the intelli-
gencc that serious doubts had arisen in
the minds of "the powers that be"
whether the condemned man 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 cases.
This impression became so strong yes
terday evening as to lead to a hurried
consultation last night OIL the subject,
when it vas finally agreed that the mat
ter should be accorded the investigation
it evidently demanded before the sentence
of the prisoner should b. 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 had,
in conversation with responsible persons
last night, reiterated and confirmed as
sertions, already published of an intimate
knowledge of the facts connected with at
least two other foul and mysterious MUIR
ders committed within the past four
years in this State.
These circumstances were laid before
the Governor at an early hour this
morning, and in consequence, hurried
dispatch, duly certified, was sent to the
sheriff of Aiken County directing him to
postpone the execution of McEvoy until
half-past l o'clock, or until further or
ders. 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
80 made, the Governor finally, about
noon, sent by telegraph an order to the
sheriff granting McEvoy a respite of
fourteen days in order to allow time for
further examination into his case, and
here the matter rests for the present.
AIKEN Thursday. March ID
One more effort of Robert McEvoy to
save his life, though but for awhile, by
alleging knowledge of the Sawyer MUIR
der, as stated in your Columbia dispatch
yesterday, has been made.
Having stated his acquaintance with
that matter to his latest attorney, Dir. d.
F. Meyers, of this place, this gentleman
went personally to see the Governor, who,
yesterday evening, telegraphed TO MIR. D.
s. Henderson, who had assisted in the
prosecution, asking whether McEvoy
would inform as to Sawyer's murder if
respited, and if he really knew anything
about it. Mr.. Henderson, attended by
the sheriff, went Immediately after to see
the prisoner, who did not seem ut all in
clined to conversation 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 if he was 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, he wouldn't
tell him. He said, however, that if he
could see Representative Sawyer, and it
would do him any good, he would tell
him what he 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 persons who might know,
and if they couldn't prove it they could
name others who could. These facts Mr..
Henderson telegraphed to the Governor,
stating also that his statements were re-
garded rs made only for delay, with a
view to an escape, and that there were
rumors that a rescue was talked of, but
that the Jail was guarded every night.
To this the first reply came that no re-
spite would be granted, and that the
sheriff must preserve order.
Every effort has been made by the
sheriff, consistently with the strictness
which the case requires, to crafty the
wishes of his prisoner. He has been
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. For
several days he has asked that he might
have his hair cut and be shaved, and he
was so urgent to-day, saying that he
would be willing to have his hands cuffed
behind his back if it was feared he would
attemp. to make the barber cut his throat,
that the sheriff consented, and he was
this afternoon attended in his cell by the
barber. A Catholic priest from Augusta
Father Joseph-was with him to-day.
He expresses himself satisfied that
McEvoy is prepared for death. He him.
self told the sheriff that he was ready,
and did not care to have it put of. The
sheriff allowed him to fix the hour of his
execution and he fixed Up. m.
AIKEN, March Is.
One hour before his execution to-day,
McEvoy was respited by the Governor
until the 29th inst. The first dispatch
on the subject, at 9, 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 1890, duly
certified by the Columbia telegraph man.
ager.
The reprieve was not we'll received /;
McEvoy saying he did not want it and
many persons fearing it was looPhole for
escape, and the negroes not understand
ing it. The Governors position has been
explained to as many as possible, and rs
his high motives are recognized every
one is satisfied that he has acted for the
best.
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