Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-08-12
DEATH FOR THE GANG.
Armed Men Hunted Down the
Mechanics.
SURROUNDED THEM IN A SWAMP


Counties For a Long Time the Citizens
Arose and Took Revenge-A Weird Tale
From the South.
JACKSON, Ala, Aug. l2.-The counties of
Clarke, Choctaw. Wilcox and Marengo are
greatly excited over the murderous doings
of the notorious Meachamites, and be-
tween 400 and 500 heavily armed men are
in Meachambeat for the avowed purpose
of wiping out every member of the gang
and avenging the numerous wrongs perpe-
trated upon the good people of the coun-
ties named The Meachamites number be-
tween IS and so men, and their point of
operations is Meachambeat, six miles from
Coffeeville and about IL miles from Thorn
asville.
Five years ago, when the settlement was
founded, these men piled their vocation as
farmers and were to all intents and pur-
poses good citizens.
A year ago, however, the trouble began.
The county is prohibition one, but one
day sign was displayed on tree in the
village that whisky could be secured on
certain nights during the week by apply
ing at certain store.
Customers were plentiful. When they
entered the store they were met by masked
men, who would deal out to them whisky
in such quantities as desired. Noquestions
were asked by either party, and then the
buyer was warned under penalty of death
to say nothing of the business methods
followed by the dealer. This violation Of
the law went on for some time, and the
selling of whisky led to the crimes being
committed
Murder and Arson Done.
Several fatal shootings between drunken
men occurred. The best citizens expressed
themselves freely, and several of them were
threatened with death if they attempted to
take any action. Finally John A. Hare
had his barn. stables and house burned
and on his going into the yard to fight the
flames he was shot at and narrowly es
capped fatal injury
Joseph Anderson was another victim
He was shot down while walking through
his field and died instantly. His assassin
was never arrested, although it was well
known who committed the deed a few
months later thrifty old negro, and the
only one in the Neachambeat at the time,
was killed while at work in his mill
At this time the clan was widening and
taking in more new men. Terror existed
among all, and men Joined the gang
through fear and to protect themselves.
In December last Ernest McCorquodale's
death followed. This cowardly assassina-
ton, occurring as it did on Christmas
night in the presence of the unfortunate
victims family, worked up the entire COM
munity, and his assassin was finally To-
Gated The evidence was complete, and on
Monday afternoon the murderer met his
death. He was James, the leader of the
MeaChamites and an acknowledged out
law in the community. The posse located
James near CofTeville Monday afternoon
at O'Clock.
He had been out attending a meeting of
the clan and was on the way back and in the
act of entering his gate. when four men
who were stationed at nearby points of
advantage fired upon him with four win
chesters. Every bullet took effect, and
James fell in his tracks. His body was
carried into the house by his family, and
next morning the remains were inferred
" the little cemetery of the town. James
h.. q wife and several children Kirk
James and others of the gang are said to
have met their deaths at the same time
Among The other acts of lawleSsness
committed by the gang We're the distiIling
of illicit whisky and the CounrerfeitinC OF
money. Since the killing OF McCorQuodale
they have also added TWO more crimes Il
their category.
About Il month ago a negro named Will
lis House was shot down while at work in
the field near CoIeyville for an alleged in
suit TO white woman.