The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-20
ALA B A NJ A on 7 L A W S.
MEACHAMITEs ROUTED AND SLAIN BIZ
A CITIZEN POSSE

MEzCHAMITEs ROUTED AND SLAIN BIZ
A CITIZEN POSSE
Their Crimes and Those Of Their Predeoos-
,or,-A Vicious Community Which Neither
Feared God Nor Regarded Man at Last
Have Surrounded TO the Shotgun Protest,
and tho Outlaws Not Killed Have Fled.
MOBILE. Aug. 14.-Liko some others OF the
Southern States, Alabama has suffered from
the depredations Of organized bands OF out
laws within her borders. About 1850 James
Copeland. then mere boy. organized what
was known as the Infamous Copeland gang.
and from q membership Of three persons 1t
gained strength until 1t numbered 300 desper-
ate cutthroats. whose deeds were perpetrated
in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Just before the outbreak OF the civil war the
people killed the leaders OF the gang. and,
dismayed by the fate their Of Chiefs the band
separated, its members scattering to other
parts OF the State. yet the spirit OF outlawry re-
mains in sections OF the commonwealth.
Within few miles OF Mobile. the principal
city OF tho State, is village called Wheeler
ville and most OF the population OF that place
are directly connected with the Copelands. As
an outcome OF the relationship. 1t Is an excep-
ton when q man comes to his death other
than by the shotgun route. and to such an ex-
tent has bloodshed and robbery been carried
on that Wheelervile. with population OF
hundred. has cost the county more in tho way
OF court fees than the other 10000 inha bitants
in tho whole county combined. The leader OF
the Copeland faction came to his death on the
fourth Of July at tho hands Of a deputy sherif.
SO 1t 10 alleged but his brother takes his place.
and SO the criminal dynasty is porpetuated.
THE sISITEs.
In a sparcey settled portion OF Choctaw
county. near Bladon Springs. religious
fanatic by namo OF Bob Sims organized what
was afterward termed the Smites. This man
had peculiar views upon the social problem,
and was always prepared to carry out these
views by force of arms IL necessary. He and
his brother Neil had an idea tbat as they had
the moral right t? grow corn. It was equally
sired sired or or to make whisky out of it, When
they adopted the latter course and refused t9
the tax vpon nnn they ths soon hAa
rant arrested Bob Sims in his stronghoId.
While he did not resist arrest at that time. he
spat upon the officer and compelled him to
take. him bodily,up and carry him to the vehi,
| Gle in which they were. to ride to Bladon
| Springs. tho nearest river landing, some
| twenty miles distant.
Sims could easily and successfully have re-
| officer, and he was in his own stronghold PVT
he preferred to hide his time Tho next night
boat to convey them to Mobile. and while the
s Sims and the two sons Of Bob came to the pris-
oner's rescue. shooting everything before
but not before two or three innocent persons
! were killed.
defiance "t to the authorties ~. both Federal and
State He gathered about him a gang OF cut
threats who terrorized the people f9r wide o
grew so bold as to visit tho city OF Mobile alone
and make himself known to your eor r.s NJ
shown SHOW NH him SO he Could make him Jump;
Hereturned unmolested to his county home:
Jew Of "ss soh
his iFiendf to FTh hm fh pus OF 9 5he
lsn's house. shot down seven persons includ-
ing women and children. and burned the store
! posse Of citizens; Hmbering four Or FIVE y
hundred. surrounded Sims's stronghold. In
nation. After a battle lasting two, days Sims.
eo o tSat he and his three followers
should be taken to jail, and that a fair trial be
accorded them. The promise was given. but
they s90 hung s them emu and riddiei their Bodies
with bullets. The te per Of, the mob can
they burned Sims's house. DESTROYED his
crops and e9tte end + gave former 81 S eor
the country under penalty Of death. because
0apa his in SIMS 6
outSaeed pop,a. st would lave Stopped at this
had It not been for the fact that the Governor
q the State ordered q cavalry company from
Neil Sims and tho James boys. Leu and klrk.
made their escape and next turn up as
MEAcHAMITEs.
Meacham's Beat. Clarke county. Ala; is about
eIuidistant from the little towns Of Thomas
vile. Watey. Jack son:and Coffeevil!e. Its popl-
lation numbered at that time about four hun
paratively quiet until Neal Sims put in his APP
pearance. and then the discord began,
gust m ost OF the population Of Meacham's Beat
were A lance people; and thos" VINO dlf1ered
from, them politically, were made to under.
stand that thoy would hayo to Ion the Alliance
faction or suffer the consequences. The cam;
paign was a most bitter one. and great deal
At Nrst the Meacham gang would take. a
horse belonging to some man who ha "a M ,nt
its tail or ears oil. From these, petty acts OF
lawlessness. becoming holder they proceeded
to the crimes OF arson and assassination.
THE FIRST VICTIM
Ernest McCorouodale q merchant. one OF the
best citizens Of Coffeeville. was the first man
to fall victim to the eowardy assassinS;, ne
to mis- So go I'm oS'
was shot down. At subsequent times, John
Anderson. William Howe. and Lem HowTie
the mean time. barns. dwellings. churches and
stores were swept from the face of the earth
crimes pointed to the Meachamites., ,,
The desperadoes grew SO bold that they pup,
lcly organized themselves into society Of
thieves and murderers. and held open meet
ings in the one church OF the village. 0hiceri
oithe law brave enough to visit the settlement
men who hitherto had borne good reputa'
lions were drawn into the vortex.
Some weeks ago the store OF y. b. Boyer o.
tho shopieeper found coat which had beer
stolen upon tho back Of one OF the gang. Hs
told the man that he would have to pay for al
that was stolen or else stand the con equences
After much parleying the money was paid, hn
came back with other members OF the gang
went to the residence OF Boyer, and m4de tn
Bower that tho citizens Of rhomasvie wer'
too particular about small things" and tina
as soon as they could get the gang togethe
they would return and loot the town and do