The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-10-29
EIGHT MEN WILL HANG.
The Murderers Of DR.. Hill
SpeediIy Convicted.

The Murderers OF Dr. Hill
Speedily Convicted.
CuEsrERTowN, Nd, October -
Three m en- and FIVE boys are to hang ioi
the murder of DIR. James Heighe HILL
Joshua Baynard, Lewis Benson, Henry
HURT. Moses Brown, Frisby Comegys,
Chas. Brooks, Fletcher Williams ana
Chas. S. Emory were each convicted OF
murder in the first degree for the Killing
of DIR. Hill, near Millington, Kent county
on April %, by Judge Robinson this
morning, Judge Wickes and stump
agreeing. The men heard the terrible
news without quailing apparently less
moved than the spectators, whose
pleasure at the verdict was manifested III
face and action.
| THEIR DOOM PRONOUNCED.
At ten o'clock the three judges enter
ed the room, aud as they took their seats
the eyes of the prisoners were fixed upon
them to see what hope was expressed
therein, but the faces of the judges gave
no evidence of the verdict to be rendered.
Each was unusually quite, and gave the
appearance of having spent some hours
of the preceding night in weighing the
evidence and deciding upon the verdict.
It took some time for the courtroom TO
quiet down. There were some late
arrivals, whose position was within the
railing, and to get there they had to be
lifted over the heads of the crowd before
them. Finally the hum of voices ceased
and court was convened.
The three judges engaged for few
moments in a whispered conversation, and
law book was consulted. Then Judge
Robinson raised his hand for sil' nee. In
an instant the room was hushed to
silence most oppressive. Judge Rooln-
son then spoke slowly and distinctly:
The court has carefully examined and
fully weighed all the evidence in the
case of the murder of DR.. James Helghe
Hill, and our verdict is that Joshua Bay
narG, Lewis Benson, Henry HURT, Moses
Brown, Frisby Comegys, Charles Brooks
Fletcher Williams and Charles S. Emory
each is and all are guilty of murder in
the first degree, and" but the voice of
the speaker was here interrupted by
STORM OF APPLAUSE
that burst almost unconsciously from the
crowd of spectators. With panied look
upon his face, Judge Robinson raised
his hand and said. "Oh, gentlemen,
that is not right. Don't do that" and
the applause ceased as suddenly as it had
begun. The judge then continued, ''and
that John Potts is not guilty. The clerk
will please record the verdict" When
the judge began to speak the accused
men leaned forward nd anxiously caught
the words, the face of Potts being drawn
as if with pain. When he had flashed
the other eight sank back in their seats
with despair written on every feature,
while Potts brushed his hand across his
forehead to wipe away the sweat that
had gathered there, as a smile of hope
showed in his eyes and on his face.
THEY HAD GIVEN UP HOPE.
There was no evidence given at the
trial to show any completely on the part
John Potts, therefore the court unani.
mously declared him not guilty.
THE COURT DEpKECATEs VIOLENCE.
"We are panied to hear from the
sheriff." continued Judge Robinson, ''of
a rumor that violence is threatened |
towards this prisoner. The man has
been tried before the court, and solemn !
judicial opinion has been rendered. Any |
disposition on the part of the people to
take the law in their own hands and |
administer summary punishment is to |
be deprecated. II suoh is to be the case,
no one is safe, and the law of the land |
becomes dead letter. To prevent such |
criminal act, the sheriff is hereby |
authorized to summons sufficient posse |
of men to guard the prisoner. | shall |
remand him to the keeping Of the sheriff |
until the meeting of the grand jury next |
week, when, if any additional evidence |
can be brought against him of COM
plicity in this crime, he can be again |
indicted on another count"
Perry Bradshaw, who saved his neck
only by being accepted as states wit
ness, in the endeavor to pin something !
on John Potts, who was believed to have
been the instigator of the crime by many |
people, bnt who failed in his testimony
to implicate Potts, is also held at the
Jail. He will probably get his release in
a few days.
TO BE SENTENCED ON MONDAY.
Tho convicted men and boys will! all be
sentenced next week, and possibly on
Monday. 1t is not thought that they
will break down during the ordeal that
is before them, as the nerve they have
SO far exhibited has been remarkable.
In this respect Williams and Brooks
have excslled. In some respects this
nerve seems to be brutal, and the gen.
er;II appearauce of each would seem to