The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-06
TO THE MINES FOR LIFE.
ADAM LEWIS GETS OFF WITH LIPE
IMPRIsON MENT.

Participate In the Killing Saved Him
from the Gallows-His Trial Ends the
Meyer Murder Trisls-Cherley Bacon
WIN Plead Guilty to Involuntary
Granddaughter To-day.
The famous Meyer murder trials came to
an end In the superior court last night with
the conviction Of Adam Lewis, who was
recommended by the jury to life imprison-
ment
Gus Williams has eKpiated his part In
| the crime at the end of the rope, jim Gay
Joe Blois and Marion Hayward are await
ing similar fate for their participation,
and to-day Charley. the idlotic member OF
the bloody sexteEte, will be allowed TO plead
guilty to the charge Of involuntary man
slaughter. in view Of the aid he has rem
dersd the state in bringing his companions
In crime to justice.
Thus closes a part OF the history OF one OF
the cruelest aud most cold-blooded deeds
that has ever stained the criminal annals OK
Chatham oounty-a crime which, in the
language Of Mr.. duBignon in Gays trial,
placed the speoter Of midnight assassination
upon every hearthstone 10 Savannah and
filled every home with the feeling of dread
and insecurity.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
Lewis trial began about IL o'clock and
over an hour was consumed in selecting a
jury, which was as follows:
Frank B. Masters, Frank J. Garvey,
Charles Ohsick, George W. Heidi.
Thomas E. Bourquin, John A. Cannon,
Baldwin Drsyton, Charles KolshorD,
Josiah o. Hatch, Edward G. Pacetti,
John 81. Wilson. Charles Hohenstein.
The evidence for the state was mostly
similar to that produced In the trials OF the
other conspirators. with the exception that
confessions of the prisoner were brought in,
and Charley Bacon swore absolutely that
while Lewis took no part in the killing OF
MI Meyer he took the money from his
pockets after he was murdered.
William Pease, Esq, attorney for the
prisoner, subjected Bacon 70 rigid GROSS
examination, and while the boy idiotically
answered nearly every other question, moth
ing could induce him to alter his story of
the brutal murder a single iota. The scene
seemed to be indelibly impressed on Bacon's
mind, and In a quiet. easy manner he de-
tailed to the jury every movement OF
himself and his companions from the
moment they met at Henry and West
Broad streets to arrange to carry their plans
Of murder and robbery into execution until
Mr.. Meyer lay murdered on the floor of his
soda water factory.
He could tell exactly on what part OF the
head each blow fell, and the evidence Of
DR.. Sheftali as to the nature of tho dead
mans wounds corroboTate Bacon In the
most minute particular.
COULDN'T BREAK HIM DOWN.
No matter what questions Mr.. Pease pro-
pounded 10 the witness, he would get back
TO his original story of the murder.
In his own benalf Lewis entered a general
denial of any participation in Mr.. Meyers
murder, and concluded his statement to the
jury with an appeal for mercy.
Mr.. Pease's argument was almost entirely
an appeal to the jury not to hang Lewis,
but to give him the alter native of impris
onment for life In view Of the fact, that &C
cording to all the evidence. he had not par
ticipated in the crime beyond the fact Of
being present while 1t was being oom-
mitted.
Mr. duBignon made forcible summing
nd for the state In which he ridiculed the
idea that Lewis was present only at Mr..
Meyers murder as a spectator. He argued
as auy of those already sentenced to death
and asked the jury for a verdict consign-
ing Lewis 70 a similar fate.
LEWIS PLEASED WITH THE VERDICT.
Judge Falligant charged the jury for
twenty minutes, and it retired about 10
O'Clock. After an hours elaboration an
agreement was announced, and when
Lewis entered the court room to hear bis
fate he was very nervous, evidently fearing
the worst. However, when he heard the
verdict read, which saved him from the
gallows, his face frightened and he seemed
greatly relieved. Judge Faligant at once
passed sentence upon Lewis, who started
back to Jail In rather a happy mood.
At the beginning or the investiga ton
into Mr.. Meyers murder, and for long
time after, Lewis was not connected in any
way with the crime, beyond being held In
jail as q witness TO the forming of the con-
spiraoy in Liza Faulk's yard. After he
had been confined in jail couple of
months, Lewis wrote Policeman Quinn a
note stating that he wanted 10 tell him
something, but he must take him
out of the jail while he was doing it. Po-
licemau Quinn got an order from Solicitor
| General Fraser TO get Lewis from jail, and
then he made full confession to Reporter
Doolan OF the MORNING NEWS in presence
Of Detective Morgan and Policeman Quinn
that he was present in the factory when
| Mr.. Meyer was murdered.
When brought into court 70 give testi.
mouy against Blois, Lewis positively re-
fused to sell anything and denie his oon-
| fession. The result was an indictment
| against himself for murder. II he had
| turned states witness as he promised to dc
Lewis would probably have been turned
| loose, but as he didn't be will now have K
spend the remainder OF his days in the Goa
minea