The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1891-03-20

bitiOn 10 finally capture the Stale
government. But The people were
now aroused anc under the lead
of General Coffee, who had com
mand of The Tennesseans at The
battle of New Orleans, began 10
enforce justice by referring all
cases 10 Judge Lynch. Eight men
were taken OH The race-c0urse at
Panola and hing on The porch Of
the principal hotel as warming
and travellers coming south Oh the
srea, wilderness road could see The
bodies Of robbers swinging from
trees, with notice hanging from
the foot telling the story Of their
taking off.
Murrell was now known to be
the leader of the banditii, and the
governors Of Mississippi and Ala.
bama offered large rewards for his
capture, dead or slive. These were
very nearly earned in 1881. MUIR
reIl suspected that one of his
agents had played him false. This
agent was lawyer, praciicing in
Selma, then one Of The largest
towns in the State. Murrell met
the man in the court house, the
court being in session. Some words
ensued, aud Murrell coolly shot
the lawyer dead, mounted his
horse and rode off laughing, but
the alarm was given, and large
party pursued the murderer, his
horse fell and he was taken. Bail
was al once offered, but refused,
and he was sent to Jail and we'll
guarded, but by morning was gone.
This aroused The people, the sheriff
came near being lynched, and war
rants were sworn out against Muir
rell in every county in the State,
ilh accurate descriptions of his
person. These read: "Five feet 6
inches in height; well built small
head with verv black eyes, with
n trick of closing them when talk
ing I; snowy in manner and good
ialker."
He now began to draw his band
together and they made their
headquarters ina dense canebrake
in ISsaquena county. He wanted
a partner who was a man of educa.
tion and tact and not known TO the
authorizes TO take his place as
outside manager. and such man
he finally secured 10 his undoing.
Thoroughly disguised, he had
been on a visit TO Natchez aud was
riding north when he overlook a
mounted traveller, whom he salut-
ed and soon got into a conversa-
tion with. He was a young man.
spare in person. reddish hair and
pair of resolule gray eyes. The
stranger said his name was Ovid
Stewart, from Cumberland county,
Pa. He had studied Tor the min
i>try, but was compelled by poor
health 10 abandon his intention
and seek home in the south by
some strange freak of sentiment.
Murrell took 10 Stewart at once
and the more he talked the better
he liked him. Suddenly from the
shelter of the timber a h0rseman
sprang into The road. His face was
hidden by shaggy cap and there
could be no doubt as TO his inlen-
tions. Pistol in hand he halted
them and ordered them 10 dis
Murrell recognized one of |
his men and gave the sign, but in
an instant Stewart leveled his pis.
Iol and the robber dropped dead
from his horse. II don't like N
kill imam, but don't want him
10 kill me either" said the ex-
preacher, cooIly returning his
weapon to the holster.
II at once flashed through Muir
rell's mind that this was the man
he wanted-brave, educat ed, a gen.
tleman in manner and, above all,
poor. He at once wheeled around
IN The road and halted his compan-
on. "Mr. Stewart, / am going 10
make very important communI-
,ation 10 you.s l like you, and if
YOU will join me in my enterprises
can make you rich man and
governor of the State. l am John
A. Murrell."
Stewart started, "What! the
and piratep
"Yes, the land pirate; and when
you know my power and resources
vou will, l believe, accept my Of
er." Stewards shrewd mind at
,nce saw the importance OF this
Information, $4,000 would be
paid to the man who could secure
he outlaw and his gang, and he
determined to follow the chance
up. He agreed 10 stop with Muir
rell that night and talk the matter
over. Driving the dead robbers
horse before them they turned of
INTO the woods, and ~ shcft time
zane 10 q bayou. Here Murrell
and : negro came and
.ook the horses. Another whistle
Droughfa skif and two black oars
men. They got in. The route
was long and clrcuituous,and Muir
ell explained that they were 60
ng 10 lis headquarters in the Mus
,ogee canebrake. At length The
BOAT stopped at an island on which
we're a number OF cabins. and men
ounging about. Some were well
lressed, while others were evident
y frontier ruffans. All were well