The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-27
DEATH FOR ALL THE GANG.
hIABhMA MEN DETERMINED 70
WIPE OUT THE IRREGULARITIES.

A Gang Hound by Horrible Oath. Who
Murder and Rob for tho Pure Love Of
It-Lists OF Citizens and Outlaws Killed.
MOBILE. Aug. 21.-The Meachamite gang has
either been exterminnted or driven from the
country. 1t is believed here that Babe Burke,
Mack Burke. Dave Burke. and Jim Jordan. the
outlaws for whom the possees have been search.
ing the swamps. have eseaped to safer
quarters and will not be captured. at least for
tho present.
These Meachamites are most peculiar poo
pie. Unlike the White Caps OF Mississippi and
Louisiana. they have not ignorance to Mead
They are men OF more or less education. They
cannot com plain OF poverty. for every ono OF
them owns his own farm. ard has left fne
growing crops to go In the night and murder
and pillare for the mere love Of the thing.
Since tho gang, which Is known by the nams
Of Hell at the Breech." commenced to hold
their midnight meetings at Dead Level Church.
no man. woman. or child in the neighborhood
has breathed an easy breath. Old man Bed
sole. the father and dictator Of the gang, has
made full confession. detailing. In all OF its
horror, the story OF their crimes.
Tho gang was bound by the most appalling
Of oaths. They swore to obey blindly the do
tstes Of tho ruling council. and pillaRe FOR the
pure love OF pillage was the object OF the order.
Murder was merely an incidental precaution-
ary measure. The Meachsmites believed in
tho old adage that dead men tell no
talos. and butchered their victims without the
slightest display Of conscience. They are not
towards. No man will deny the courage OF any
member OF the gang. They ambushed their
victims because 1t was safer to destroy them
in that way than in q fair stand-up fight.
That such gang could operate in a civil
lied State is disgrace Beyond a feeble effort
to induce terrorized witnesses to testify before
Grand Juries upon which many sympathzers
Of the gang served the men charged with On.
forcing the laws have done nothing to rid the
The citizens who stood for law and order en-
dured this thing until it was clearly demon:
ddesenerated into a mere farce. Then they
k The mater into " and
at XXI. hs% H ss killed since II.
r6 Of 81 smse ns fea sn
SsEt Sims Thomas Savage; Tyre sayage.
ton, Thomas Fox. We're all nosbed EXCEPT
Bailey Sims, who was shot. The Msachamites
sole. and William Bedside. IT is believed that
three others were killed In fight With q eiti-
%hsse e}sissn. were Eied Joseph Johnson
Thomas and o W6oss bods
were burned after death in the flames y61ish
consumed their home. Ono Of these children
was thrown Into the flames while alive. and
burned to death Other citizens killed, were
William Chambliss. E McCorQuadale. William
House. Lem House. and John Hare.
Tho remaining outlaws are supposed to be
hiding In Cessession Swamp. The posse OF
citizens have return ed to their homes to await
developments. The people are Just as alert and
just as watchful now as they have been at
any time since the beginning Of the hunt II
ton their determination will be matter Of
few hours.
Whom the grave has claimed these refugees,
thon perhaps. this. tho fairest farming section
Of Alabama. will again Prosper Every avenue
Of commerce has been blocked BY the
depredations OF these outlaws for two
years. Hundreds of families. fearing for
their lives. have moved away. Peace once
more restored would be hailed by the remaip-
ing residents with lnexpressible Joy. But they
realize. with all the terror OF the lesson taught
by the past. that peace will come only with tho
death Of the last OF the Meachamite gang.