The New York herald., 1878-09-30
JUSTLY DOOMED.

CONVICTION OF YOUNG MAN FOR THE
DOUBLE MURDER OF HIS WIFE, TO WHOM
HE HAD BEEN BUT ONE DAY MARRIED, AND
HER LITTLE DAUGHTER
MARION, N C., Sept "a, 1878.
Hoke Calhoun sccrost was convicted TO- day, In tho
Superior Court Of Mcdowell county, OF the murder OF
Mimic Stevenson, on tho 9th o; March, 1877. and
senteAced by Judge Gudgu TO be hanged on Friday,
the 18TH OF November. 1878.
Secrest Is about twenty-onc years old nve feet and
ten inches high dark brown hair, blue eyes, and
Weighing 100 pounds. He Is Of rather prepossess,ng
appearance, and under other circumstances would bc
called handsome He seems to have been way ward
cynical and waspish youth, giving his parents great
trouble and, ON account OF his superior physical
strength, bong terror to his associates.
Living In the vicinity Of his father "a we'll to- do
planter, In Union county, was an attractive widow,
aged twenty -hvs years, Mrs Maggie Stevenson, who
had iistle daughter, Minnie thrcs years old About
two years ago Hoke became cnamored with his fai
neighbor, visited her often, and manifested great
fondness Tor little Minnie. At length the widow bc
came alarmed the ut OF then Intimacy and do.
manded that his oft-repeated promises OF marriage
should DO Immediately fulfilled. 10 this Secrest at
once assented proposing that they should take rip
TO the mountains celebrate tho marriage there,
and SO supriso tho neighbors on their re-
turn. Pleased with the romantic proposition
the journey. On the 2sth OF February, 1877,
Hoke 5ecrest, Maggie stevenson and Minnie Steven
son, In buggy. lett home. Gong westerly, they
passed Charlotte and the 9Th Of March arrived in
Newton, where, marriage license bong procured,
they were lawfully married. On the 9th OF March
they stopped for dinner mile from Hickory, Burke
county. From this timo neither Maggie Secrest nor
little Mimic stevenson were ever sccn alive.
1.-THE DEAD TELL TALKaD
On the next day Hokc Secrcst was secn alone fifteen
miles west OF Hickory. Ho returned alone to tho
county OF Union. When asked AS to the whereabouts
OF Maggie Stevenson, he replied that "she bought an
smgrant ticket in Carlotte and has gone West " 10
Tor her not returning. Exhibiting an order
signed in her name, he assumed charge OF
her properly, but when shown tho notice OF
Hickory no utterly disciaimcd II as untrue.
"MuRDER WILL ouL'
On the 10tn OF January, 1873, while n number Of
boys were hunting, three miles west OF Hickory, IN
dense thlckst near the highway. they found shallow
grave, which, on being opened, was round to contain
parts OF the bodies OF woman and a enid, with sew
crai articles OF clothing. Scattered the grave
were found many bones, both OF tho adult aud OF the
child. wbioh had evidently been gnawed by wiId sn-
imaia Murder was at once suspected. Great public
reting out the mystery. Hoke Secrcst was remem
bered and on him suspicion rested causing bis speedy
arrest SO indignant were tho poodle oi Burke
county that such monstrous crime should
have been committed IN tneir midst that
thoy determined 20 lynch him and bury MIN
In the grave OF his victims. This prevented by
having the train in which he brought IRON Union
county pass through Hickory without hating A
preliminary examination was hold al Morpantop
when, tho evidence being very strong, he was held
for trial IN tue Superior Court. The was brought
to Mcdowell county on the AFFIDAVIT OF the prisoner
that he believed he could not have partial trial
10 Burke.
TRIED AND FOUND GUILTY.
Tho allegation OF the State has been sustained by
the most complete chain OF crcums tantial evidence
aud the Tor the defence utterly failed. The case
was gwen to the jury at thirty minutes alter last
night and they returned with "a verdict OF guilty at
twelve o'clock. He received the death sentence this
morning with no manifestation OF emotion. An APP
peal TO tho Supreme Court was granted on applica-
ton OF tue cuiprips COUNSEL and this will iengnen
his LIE about months.
Probably the annals OF crime furnish no parallel 10
this mi iernul decd.