Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-07-10
THE DEATH PENALTY.
SAM ARCHER EXPIATBS HIS CRIME ON
THE GALLONS.
The Story Of the Outlaws Crime--Aiguel
ChacOn Hanged for the Murder Of HIS
Mistress, in New York, Ysstsr-
day--Death Almost Instant

udV--Utdn hu1Oob 4uosoAA
SHOALS, IND, July 9.-Samuel Archer,
the notorious outlaw and murderer, was
hanged here to-day. 1t was the first legal
execution in the history of Martin county,
and leaves the county Jail without an IN
mate, Archer having been the only prison
er within its walls for the past two months.
Yesterday the condemned man was visited
by his mother, and their parting was very
affecting. A telegram was received at
noon yesterday from Governor Gray, say
ing that he would not interfere, and 1t was
not until then than the prisoner relin-
quished his hope of being saved from the
gallows. Archer bore up brayely, how
ever, and said he was not afraid to die.
The town was thronged with visitors to
day, and included large number OF news
paper correspondents.
Sam Archer was convicted of murder in
the first degree last January, being charg-
ed with completely in the brutal murder
of Samuel A. Bunch on the 11th Of July,
1882. After the preparation OF the deed
he avoided the authorities very success
fully until his whereabouts was revealed
By q coward of the gang, John ID. Lyncn,
who was then arrested and lodged IN JAN
here. The abstract of the crime as related
by Lynch in his confession Is as follows:
STORY OF THE CRIME.
On the Sd of July, 1882, Sam Marley
and Matt Archer got into difficulty, re-
sulting in the fatal shooting of Archer by
Marley. This enraged the older Archers,
as they were called, very much, and they
determined to punish Marley at the first
opportunity, and to accomplish this end
they organized themselves into gang OF
six members, viz, Tom, Mart, John and
Sam Archer, John ID. Lynch and Dave
Crane. Mart was chosen Captain and ad-
wiser. The work of ferretting out the
hiding place of Marley began. Bunch S
house was guarded constantly, as suspicion
rested on him as the one who was aiding
Marley to escape. This espionage did not
reveal the desired information, ana the
Archers resolved to kill Bunch II he re-
fused to reveal Marley's hiding place.
They met on the afternoon of July ii,
1850, near the house of their victim, and
sent Dave Crane to decOy him into the
woods. where they would meet him. Bunch
ACCOMPANIED Crane to the spot designated,
where he was seized, bound and subse-
ouently taken to Saltpetcr cave, Ill Orange
county, where he was shot to death by the
gang.
THE BODY BURNED.
Meanwhile a search was being made for
Bunch by his friends, which, OF course,
proyed fruitless. Lost River was thor
oughly dragged and other information con-
cerning him sought for until the murder
derers became alarmed lest the cave might
be visited and the secret revealed. On the
18th of the same month the cave was vlS-
tied by Bunch's murderers. A box was
provided and the remains of Bunch were
rolled into it and carried through n small
opening and deposited on large brush
heap some distance from the cave, where
the whole was thoroughly saturated with
oil and the torch applied. This rude ere,
nation was kept up for several days and
NIGHTS. each one in turn standing guard
and adding sufficient fuel to keep 1t blaz-
inc. After this work was ended, tree
was felled over the blackened spot to hide
the crime.
THREE OF THE OUTLAWS LYNCHED.
Little information concerning the fate of
the missing man ceuld be learned until the
deserted wife of John Archer, who had taken
refuge in the county poor asylum, gave SUI
ficient evidence concerning the deed to
cause the arrest of the elder Archers for
murder. They remained in Jail only short
time until mob threatened them, when
they were hastened off to Davies county Tor
safety. The prisoner sremained there but n
short time when they expressed a desire to
return to Shoals, which was granted. Inc
excitement over the appearance oithe moo
had abated when the lynchers made their
last and successful attack, on March .,
1886. They marched quietly and unmo-
| Tested into town, thence to the Jail, when
the work of battering down the doors be-
gau, which occupied but few moments.
After gaining possession of the prisoners
they marched them into the courtyard and
left the trio swinging to the limbs OF the
small maple trees. This ended the daring
career of Mart Thomas and John Archer,
father, son and brother.
| Only a week later the last OF the gang,
Sam Archer, was arrested IN Fountain
county and kept in the State prison until
the january term of court, when he was
brought to Shoals under military escort
of forty, who closely guarded his life until
the sentence, which was carried out in due
form of law to-day, was passed upon HIM
nv ,Judge HefrOn