The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-18
WARES TIRE : MURDEaERs.
a News Correspondent Hes a Talk
With the Condemned Trio.

TN the OOuGtLuHG0
WAYcRoss, GA, April 1.-THE MORNING
NEWS correspondent visited the three men
in the Jail at this place who are sentenced to
be hung on May 20. Welcome Golden,
Robert Knight, Peter Dennis and William
Wooden, the four Warn still rioters, are
confined in the same cell. They appeared
70 be very much unconcerned, but inclined
10 talk freely. Welcome Golden, the only
one Of the rioters who was sentenced to be
hanged, was sitting on his couch. When
the correspondent asked, Which is Welcome
GOldenl he jumped up and STEPPED to the
front. He is a tall, bright mulatto. He said
that he is not guilty Of the crime for which
he stands convicted; that he and his friends
had repaired to the house Of Robert Knight
to get out Of the rain, when the posse of
white men came and surrounded the house
for the purpose of mobbiDg them; that Il
white men commenced firing first, and Re
and the others acted in self-defense. "What
do you propose TO do about it, Has your
counsel applied for a new trialF he was
asked. They have done SO, and l un-
derstand Judge Atkinson has granted
a stay Of execution" he answered.
Elijah Cheavers, the murderer of
Deputy Sheriff Culpepper, and Ben Cham
bers, the slayer Of Sam Strotter, are con-
fined in a cell by themselves. Cheavers
,
Testament The correspondent stood
several minutes near the cell before he was
observed by Cheavers How are you,
Cheavers" said the correspondent. Very
WELL" came the bland reply. Are you
guilty of the murder of Mr.. CuIpepperp
mo, sir, l am not; but them two white
men testified against me-" "Ars you 60
ing to ask for another trial!' ~ spoke to
Mr. Mcdonald "What did he sayP' "He
said he would see about it,"
Ben Chambers was pacing up and down
the floor OF the narrow cell, apparently
very much worried. He had q Testament
in his hand. "How are you feeling, Benz"
he was asked. He looked up and stopped
forward to the iron bars, and said: Il am
feeling mighty bad-mighty bad" what
do you think of the verdict in your cas- eF'
"If they had given me justice would rot
be here now" he replied tremblingly. "Are
you going to ask for new trialp 81 amt
got any money. / Pleaded for mercy at the
court. Nobody will have any mercy on
me-" Here his face frightened somewhat.
~ Pears like / know you, he said. II am
from South Carolina, Ben"
At this answer he grew deeply interested,
and commenced smiling. Have you ever
been to Chesterp be asked, land do you
know Mr.. Rivers and Peggy ChambersW
mo; have you any word you would like
me to send them for your Eyes, sir. |
have never told them of this trouble, and
l would like you to write them fer me"
can right; what do you want to sayY'
"Please tell Mr.. David Teal at Chesterfield,
$. c., and Mr. Phillip Rivers and Wilson
Baker, Mount Croggin, S. c., that am
sentenced to be hanged. Tell Mr.. Rivers, if
he can, to come and see me once more. Tell
him If he had got here in time he could
have saved me. Tell them | am the son of
Peggy Chambers. Sign it Ben Chambers"
As the correspondent was going out
Elijah Cheavers and Ben Chambers com
meuoed singing Come ye that love the
Lord.n