The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-08-10
EXCHANGING THE MOOSE FOR THE
SHOVEL AND THE PICK.
Heap Better than Being Put to Death. y

an old army musket and killed. Atthe
Coroner's Inquest the next day Job said
that he himself did the killing. but the
evidence was that it was Simon, and
the Coroner's Jury so found. When
Simon was tried last June Job went on
the stand and swore that be, and not
Simon, did the killing. The trial con-
tipucd two days. The testimony was
overwhelming against Simon, and the
Jury convicted him after being out only
thirty minutes. Judge Fraser, in SEN
tencing Simon to be hanged, said,
(among other things.) "Notwithstand-
ing the fact that your unfortunate bro
ther has volunteered to take the crime
upon his own shoulders, the jury were
satisfied that you were the murderer.
after careful consideration, l can y1nd
no fnuN with the rerdict." You did
the deed acahoat justifcation or esccatsc. "
Mr.. Packer, the prisoners counsel,
went to work, as he ought to have done,
to secure a communication of sentence.
.le prepared petition to be presented
to the Governor, and got all the jury
that tried Simon to sign it. 1t was
signed by several other citizens besides.
The general impression was that ST.
mon would hang. and the almost uni
yersal conviction was that he ought to.
Tuesday, the End, Sheriff Wheeler
was notified that the sentence had boon
commuted by the Governor to hard Ia
Dor for life in the State Penitentiary.
Of course this was great relief to ST.
mon.
A reporter of the HERALD had called
on Simon Tuesday morning before be
had been notified of the Governors ac-
ton. he looked resigned and compar-
atively cheerful. He talked in strong,
clear voice about his approaching exc
cution, and. without any attempt at
braggadocio, he was firm and untlinch-
ing. At times during the conversation
a smile would appear upon his face.
He said that he did not want to die, but
felt that he was ready. He said that he
had lived wicked life; bnt about two
weeks ago he joined the Methodist
Church, and had made his peace with
God. He held ont boldly and positive
ly that Job, and not he, killed Fielding
Mcdowell.
At the time of his conviction and SEN
tence, and for several weeks succeeding,
Simon was exceedingly distressed; be
was completely broken down; could
hardly speak above whisper. But
Sunday, July 18th, a change came over
his spirits; his voice became strong and
clear, bis manner more resolute, and he
bore himself like one who was prepared
to meet whatever fate awaited him. 1t
is our opinion that if Simon had been
hanged he would have met death brave
ly.
The reporter saw Simon again Tues
day afternoon when the Iews Of execu-
tive clemency was communicated to
him. 1t would be superfluous to say ne
was rejoiced. He showed his JOY, how
ever, quietly and calmly. His face be-
came brighter and his manner more
animated. Being asked how he liked
the change he replied. "It's heap bet
ter than being put to death" He ex-
pressed bimself as very grateful to the
Governor, to his Counsel, and to all
who had befriended him.
Simon is no ordinary negro: he has
shown that by his bearing under the
trying ordeal through which he las
passed. He had wonderful influence
among his race. He made it point to
have his way with them. He was q
negro of more than ordinary intelli-
gence; but he ruled by bis strong de-
termination and courage. His COM
panions feared him. He was rather
"fussy," and always ready for a fight.
In 1873, while employed on the planta-
ton of Mr.. Thos. R. Workman he fell
out with another of the negroes on the
place. He got his gun Qhe same with
which be shot Fielding McDowelD and
chased the negro ali over the plantation
with the avowed purpose of killing him.
The negro declined to return till Mr..
Workman assured him that be would
protect him from harm.
In the early part 9. last year Mr.. P.
| B. Workman, on whose plantation ST.
mon and Fielding were employed
heard Simon say that he expected tc
kill Fielding before the year was out.
Simon was notorious gambler, and
was very successful in the handling o.
the cards.
! 1t is pretty certain that Simon is the
party that burned Mr.. W. W. Miller'E
Clubhouse, with thirty-fve bales of cot.
ton, near Saluda Old Town, in 1875
Mr.. Miller and Simon bad had diff.
Guilty shortly before the burning. Sus
picion pointed strongly to Simon, but
the evidence to convict was wanting
There are two negroes now living lr
this County who say positively that they
knov that Simon did it, and knew it a
the time, but would not inform on him
We can say all this without violating