The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-09-15


ST. LOUIS, Mo-, September 3.
A year ago Lacledc county, this State,
was expecting to see first class hanging
at the county seat, Lebanon, about l60
miles from this city, on the St. Louis and
San Francisco Railroad. but technical.
ity i'll the trial of William +. Martin.
charged with murder in the fist degree.
took the case to the Supreme Court,
where it remained several days too long.
ms Tili DO shown by the details below.
Martin was born and raised in Laclede
county, and while not a dissipated young
man. was always known as u high ten.
pered desperate. His first shooting
affair WAS when he killed man named
Charles Prewitt and badly wounded a
brother, Jesse Prewitt. For these Of
fenses he was tried, and by some means
only known to the average Jury was nc
quilted. About that time, June, 1879.
Martin became involved in quarrel
with mis- uncle, George Miser, the uncle
accusing the nephew with making indc.
cent proposals to his wife. That matter
was only partially settled, and it is said
the uncle made remark TO the cfiect
that he would tell wha. he knew about
Martin killing Prewitt. That caused a
deadly enmity between the uncle and
nephew. Soon afterwards the uncle
lMiser) was assassinated while ploughing
IN his field by some one concealed in q
fence corner near by. Martin was sus-
pected, and, circumstances being strong
against him, he was arrested, indicted.
tried, convicted and sentenced to be
hung. The case was taken to tho Su-
preme Court, as has been mentioned.
During the time tho case was in the
Court, Martin was confined in the Leba.
non Jail, and to pass away his time ne
wrote loving little notes, addressed to
one III particular, but which Maggie vii.
son. niece of the Sheriff, J. A. Wilson.
always managed to get hold Of. Then
Maggie became interested in the author
Of the letters, and it was no difficult mat.
ter for her to get the position Of waiter
and carry Martins meals to him and
pass them through the little iron wicket.
That vas not all that passed through the
wicket, for it was but q short time until
Martin was pouring into Maggie ears the
most ardent tales OF love, and she in turn
responded in terms that satisfied "Bill."
as we must call Martin when mentioning
him in connection with Maggie. Soon
there was 6rst-class case of love il. pro.
gress, and the prisoners life was happy
one. Quiet little talks, great big piece
of Pie and cake, many stolen kisses and
an occasional sly hug, all through the
cruel Jail bars.
About that time the prisoner thought
how nice little freedom would be. and
he suggested as much to Maggie. She
tried to get the keys to unlock her lover.
ft,I .
them around. Then when the family
discovered that Maggie was paying more
line of her duties, they suggested n
diminution. Then Maggie became angry,
obtained employment in the house of
Mr. Bowman, aud there she remained
ak months, and then returned home.
The absence did not cool the ardo1 os hsI
affections for Bill, and the two took up
just where they left off six months be-
fore, each with q stronger love for the
other.
After the election in November last,
when MIR. Wilson WAS defeated in his as
pirations for second term of Sheriff.
Martin saw that the time was fast grow
ing shorter in which he might expect
delivery from Jail except by the usual
route, for Mr.. r. P. Goodall had lust
been elected and would take possession
in few days. Explaining to Maggie
the case, she consented to give her 10 YER
freedom, and she did it, On the 10th of
last November, early in the forenoon,
she appeared at the Jail door with the
keys to the cells in her hands, and, Civ
ing the right one to her lover, he quietly
walked out, and to convenient corner,
where 1t Lad been placed by the roman
tic Maggie, he picked up the Sheritl's
trusty Winchester rifle, and, with Mag
gle by his side, was soon making his way
out of town by back streets and alleys
at that time terrific snow -sterm was
going ON, and 1T continued without abat-
ing all day. That perhaps kept the
crowds in pursuit of the young couple
from capturing them. For days the
Sheriff and Deputies secured the country,
but could get no information Of the miss
ing prisoner or his sweetheart, and
though the search was continued nothing
was heard OF the two until few weeks
ago. Then Sheriff Goodall, by means
orly known to detectives, ascertained
that Martin was writing under an as
sumed name to an uncle, DR.. J. v.
Burch, of Wheeler, Ark. The letters
were dated at Piney Flats, Tenn, and to
that place Mr.. Goodall made his way
moro than ten days ago.
Piney Flats is small town in Sulli-
van county, Tenn, on the East Tennes.
see, Virginia and Georgia Railroad. II
is town just large enough for every one
to know every ones business. Mr. Good
all inquired of the combined merchant,
postmaster and banker if he knew one
Frank Fatc!itte, residing in that neigh
borhood. "Of course do" said the
combination of officers. "IIe's nice
young man, and can just play the fiddle
better'n any man in this section" Then
Dir. Goodall told why he wanted to see
Frank Radcliffe dlias VIM. F. Martin.
The merchant objected to the store being
made the place of capture, but was per-
suaded that no place was more suitable,
provided the Missouri Sheriff would leave
his revolver in the store safe. To that
Mr.. Goodall consented, and then he took
his position in the loft OF the mercantile
establishment and waited for develop
ments. All day last Friday, Saturday
Sunday and Monday did the determined
officer wait. Tuesday morning he heard
the dulcet strains from violin in the
storeroom, and correctly Judging that
only Laclede county violinist could so
correctly play "The girl left behind
me-" he cr.pt down the ladder leading to
the loft, and before Martin knew what
was the matter he was in handouts, and
was listening to the warrant from the
State of Missouri endcrsed by the Gov.
erno- Of Tennessee.
Sheriff Goodall arrived in this city
with the prisoner yesterday morning, &C.