Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-23
SARASOTA'S ASSASSINS.
ANOTHER OF THEIR CRIMES
BROUGHT TO LIGHT.

Mr.. Riley, of Bee Ridge, one of Their
Vfc'ims-The Exciting Pursuit. of
Wilard-Fuller Details of the Work
ings of the MurderOus Organization.
BRAIDENTOwN, FLA, Jan. 19.-The
murder Of c. E. Able, Postmaster and
United States Land Commissioner. at
Sarasota, Florida, and the subsequent
discovery of the existence OF a society Or
ganized for the purpose of removing by
assassination all persons Objectionable to
the organization, as already detailed in
the MORNING NEWS, continues to be
the reigning sensation in this part of the
State. AS gathered by the Gulf Coast
Progress the following new facts have
been developed: Mr.. Bidwell, the store
keeper, made, it is reported, an un-
successful attempt to COM
NIT suicide by taking morphine.
Charles Willard, who fired the shot which
killed Able, after eluding his pursuers
for almost two weeks, has finally given
himselfup, being driven tOit by hunger and
suffering. After making his escape from
1onge's house, leaving behind him his
clothes, he took a sOutherly course. He
obtained other clothes at the house of
Charles Robinson, where he narrowly es-
capped capture, the party in pursuit break
fasting there, while he lay concealed in
an Old we'll not far from the house. He
was followed almost to Pease Greek, and
while beating through the bushes, the
pursuers came upon his camp. He heard
them before they discovered him and fled,
leaving behind his coat, hat and shoes.
They were so close to him at one time that
they could hear his breathing, but they
were in perfect labyrinth of
swamp, scrub and lagoons and
could not find him. Leaving
two men to watch for him, they took
charge of his clothes and returned to Man
atee. He in some way eluded the two
left behind. and made his way to what is
called Shepherds Camp, where he gave
himself up to Mr.. Murphy. At that time
he was so weak from loss of sleep and
lack of food, and his feet were so sore that
he was unable to stand, and it is reported
that he crawled into the camp. His feet
are said to be in horrible condition, be-
ing worn to the quick. He was we'll taken
care of, and the rags covering his body re-
placed with decent clothing. He was then
taken to Pine Level Jail, where he now is.
Willard is a member of one of the most in
tluential families in the State, being a
brother OF A. E. Willard, proprietor of the
Suwannee House, Cedar Keys, and great
efforts will undoubtedly be made to re-
lease him.
ANOTHER OF THEIR CRIMES.
1t is now alleged that the murder of re-
spectacle citizen of Bee Ridge, commit
ted some six months ago, was also the
work of the assassination society, Riley
having been condemned to death and four
men having been appointed to do the
work. Riley was shot while riding along
the road, and he was then dragged from
his:horse and his throat cut. Nothing could
be found to indicate who did the foul
deed. except that it was shown that there
were two assassins. There were two
roads leading from the post office to Riley's
house, on one of which was stationed
Tom Drymon and Louis Cato, and on the
other DR.. Hunter and Joe Anderson.
Riley took the road on which Drymon
and Cato were stationed, and when their
victim approached they did their work
thoroughly, DrymOn shooting him ard
Cato cutting his throat. So in like man
ner did Willard and a confederate watch
for Mr.. AbDe, and it is supposed that his
throat was also cut after ne was shot, as
great clots of blood were found where he
fell. 1t is now known that the society's
prescribed manner of death was three
loads of buckshOt fired into the victim,
and to make assurance dOubly sure,
their throats to be cut.
THE sOCIETY'S ORGANIZATION.
Persons never suspected have been
found to belong to the gang. Old men
with gray boards, men in their prime and
beardless boys have been banded together
in this fearful organization known by the
cabalistic initials S. S. " c., which, being
interpreted, means Sarasota Vigilance
Committee. DIR. Hunters confession has
been supplemented by those of Ed
Bacon and Joe Anderson, who have re-
vealed more of the secrets of the gang.
DR.. Andrew is shown to have been
the ringleader. He claimed to his asso-
ciates that he belonged to a similar assO-
citation out West, where mercy was shown
to none, even women and children having
been sacrificed when husbands and faith
ers could be reached no other way. He
approached Mr.. Bidwell, and that gentle
man approving, they formed the nucleus
of what seems now to be powerful Or
ganizatiOn, spreading to many parts of
the State. Andrew and Bidwell were
appointed judges and Afford of Sara
sofa, Captain. The manner in which
they approached all the members
is not known, but the stories
of two, DIR. Hunter and George
Tyler, agree in every particular as
far as this is concerned. George Tyler,
little more than a boy, went to his father
last night and told him the whole story.
He was approached by Afford last sum-
mer and invited to join a secret society
whose object was mutual protection. He
was told that many rich and influential
men belonged to it; that it cost nothing
that t8ere was nothing wrong in it, ETC.
In fact it was represented as an assOcIa-
tiOn resembling the Masons in many par
ticulars. He attended one of their meet
lngs, was initiated, and was no longer
for1G cf0 - ind
held out to him fully cOrrObOrates this.
SENTENCED, BUT ESCAPED.
Mr.. Lowe, an old man and minister,
was sentenced by the S. S. V. G. to be
whipped on account of a little misunder-
standing between him and his stepsOn,
Louis Cato. George Tyler was appointed
by Capt. Afford to do the whipping, but
stoutly refused, whereupOn the question
was again debated and the old man spared.
According to DR.. Hunter Tyler was the
first member to rebel. He did not ioin
until after the Riley murder, and, there
fore, was innocent Ofall knowledge of that.
l. is intimated that the organization has
chapters in other places in the State, and
that its members are men of good stand
ing. DR.. Hayden, of Tampa, is said to be
a member of the society.
Eight men of the society have been ar
rested, and are now in Manatee. They
are DR.. Hunter, Mr.. Bartholomew, John
Fletcher, Jas. Fletcher, Thos. Drymon,
Louis Cato, John Tippit and DIR. Andrew.
The Gulf Coast Progress editorially
says: sit is whispered that change of
venue will be made and the prisoners
taken into another county to insure a fair
trial. To those interested we utter a
word of warning. Don't. Let them stay
here and stand their trial. They belong
to US. 1t is our citizens who have been
slain. The people will not let them 90.
If it is attempted there will be a general
uprising and blOOdshed will surely fol-
low.