The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-10
Efforts to Save Archer's Life.

Efforts to Save Archer's Life.
Letter in Louisville Courier-Journa. Yesterday.
Father Fitzpatrick, pastor of ST. Joseph's
Church. who has been in almost constant at
tendance upon the conde mned man, and who is
deeply moved in his behalf, was seen by re-
porter this evening The Reverend is of the
Vincennes diocese, and is here from Indianapo-
lis, but temporarily He consented to make pub
lie a letter that he had addressed to Mgr Bes-
sonies, of Indianapolis, pleading for Archer's
life, and which contains some strong and notable
utterances, particularly as coming from Cath
olic divine The letter reads, in substance, as
follows:
SHOALS, July 6.
mgr. Bessonies:
my Dear Monsignor-You will kindly permit
me to address you painful and melancholy
subject. am inspired and even encouraged to
do so, the more because, as is we'll known, your
best and noblest labors and sacrifices have al
ways been exercised in the divine cause of.
charity. The subject on which now | address
youls of the most charitable nature. 1t is this:
Samuel Archer was tried, and sentenced to be
hanged on Friday next at the last session of our
Circuit Court, for the alleged murder of Samuel
Bunch Now | believe, before God, the un-
fortunate man did not have fair trial. For
do honestly believe the jury in the box, the
lawyers who defended him, aud the very
judge who sat on the bench were lntimdated
by the ignorant, bowling, savage and
bloodthirsty mob who surrounded and profaned
the temple of justice You, Monsignor, will
know that have always advocated the only
proper safeguard of society capital punishment
for willful murder; but this is most singular
case. The young man was begotten IN sln-the.
very first breath he inhaled was drawn from
atmosphere impreenated with evil. His father,
uucle brothers and companions were bad, in
famous, vile murderous; and you readily
imagine what a terrible influence they must
have had on his young and susceptible mind.
Besides. this Bunch, for whose murder he is to
hang, had. | am told. either killed or aided in
killing his brother. and what more natural than
thet the blood in his young veins should burn to
avenge that brothers death. Again five murders
have already been committed in this connection,
Bunch and the four Archers. Surely these are
not only mitigating, but even extenuating cir
cumstances, and il callei to the attention of Our
excellent executive will cause him to take some
decided action IL tile premises Do you there
fore. my dear Monsignor, see Governor Gray,
and in your own quick and gracious manner cali
his attention to these matters; and am sure
God will always bless you. Having till the last
moment waited for some abler person to use his
zeal and energy in his behalf. you will kindly
pardon the hurried appearance of this note and
heliaye, my dear Mgr. Bessonies, me always and
truly yours, p. r. FITZPATRICK" /.
To which was added the following postscript
II have no desire to reflect on the character of
the honorable judge who tried the case, nor on
that of the prosecuting attorney who represented
the State on that sad, solemn occasion. think
they did all in their power to meet the demands
of justice and our common humanity. The
mob demanded another victim, and the mob has
triumphed The mob is always implacable.
God help the community when the mob rules"
A visit to the Jail on Thursday revealed the
fact that twenty five women, mostly young, had
called to see and sympathize with the prisoner
The majority were dressed in white, and were
weeping silently. No words were spoken on
either side
The reporter and the priest had conversation
with Archer, in the course of which the prisoner
said: II have not had an impartial or even
fair trial. In the first place Eph Moser became
my attorney. He said he would be able to do
nothing for me unless / made a confession
When had done so, he at once deserted me,
and went over to the prosecutor, using my state
meEt against me. ] am sorry for having said
one word to Moser l did not know he would so
meanly deceive me. With reference to the con-
fession which l afterward made, and which is
now in the hands of the prosecutor, there is a
part of it wish to change.
when Mart my brother was lying dead
killed by Samuel Morley, Bunch made some sar-
castle and unfeelng remarks about the corpse
In the confession l stated upon pressure that
that was half the reason why we killed Bunch
That is not true. Morley lived with Bunch, and
killed little Mart with the latter's pistol. When
Uncle Mart, John Bunch and myself were in the
cave Bunch Dragged OF the facts and said he
would loan it again for the same purpose. My
uncle got mad and shot Bunch then. My father
home in bed. / was connected with the
murder through fear of Lynch and nv uncle. /
couldn't help myself. My father kept me
straight until was seventeen years old, and
then Lynch ruined me. know how to read and
write. I attribute my troubles all to Lynch. /
was in Missouri when Freeman was murdered"
When asked if he was afraid to die he replied:
mo. not very much, and it is my intention to
die bravely."
He shook hands warmly with the reporter AS
he once started to go, and said: II want to say
something else. was not allowed to testify in
my own behalf. The jurors, too, were allowed to
go among my enemies, and became prejudced
against me in defiance of law My mind is full
of SO many things that / don't know what to
say"
G. S. Dobbins. one of the most prominent and
intelligent citizens of the county said: Il don't
want anything to go out that will hurt our coun-
tv. Sam Archer has had fair trial. Those
who say he has not never were in the court
room. 1t was not necessary to send militia: he
could have had fair trial anyhow. The jury
was composed of the best men in the county.
Archer is a self.confessed murderer, and ought
to die This sentimental business is all bosh.
If he were free he would be plotting murder in
less than six weeks. This gang terrorized Orange
county for years, and they richly deserved their
fate"
LYNCH LAW IN INDIANA.