The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-12-12
Treasurer Copes' Assasslns
Caught.
The State Dec. 7

The State Dec.
ORANGEBuRG, Dec. CD. G. Muir.
ply, alias j. T. Shankin, for whom
the detectives have been looking for
the last FIVE weeks, as one of the as
sassins of County Treasurer Copes.
was arrested Wednesday about 2
o'clock at Sheldon, in Beaufort coun
ty. twelve miles from Beaufort.
Murphy it is said, was keeping a
| small store in which "bling tiger Ii,
quor was sold, and he would stay in
the swamp in the day time, aud open
up at night.
Detectives Weeks and Lambert
have been on his trail for many weeks.
They went through Florida. Georgia
and South Carolina, and at last loca.
ted him at Beaufort. These gentle.
men were ably assisted by ex.Chief OF
Police Fischer aud Policeman |. D.
Mitchell. They say they have posi-
tive proof to convict Murphy in the
courts. The sheriff. mayor and
several other officers of the county,
took Murphy from the Jail this after
noon at 4 o'clock, and sent him to
Columbia for safe keeping, over the
Coast Line, via Sumter. The feeling
here is intense. Excitement runs
high.
4 large crowd gathered in town to.
day on information received. The
sheriff was open in saying that Muir
ply would not he safe mail tonight
The following facts were obtained
from Detective Weeks aud Lambert
this evening in an interview That
they had first class information a day
after the atrocious assassination that
Murphy and T E. Williams were the
| perpetrators Of the deed. They set
out looking for him at once.
They trsiled him to Huington and
Palatka, Fla, At Palatka they found
Murphy's wife. whom he had desert
ed, but with whom he lived occasion
ally. They found out that Murphy
| had been there for several days, but
had left. The detectives then left:
They soon got on his trail again, and
traiied Murphy to Pettsylvania, Ga.
They found out that he had been
there, but only stayed a few days,
that he was doing nothing. He was
then trailed back to Florida. After
remaining in Florida several days,
Detective Lambert says he traced
him to Barnwell county, come back
here and worked until he got informa
ton that he was near Beaufort. They
went down there and found him in
the place above described. Lambert,
when questioned as to what Murphy
said on being arrested, stated that
he said nothing; that Murphy sub
mitted to arrest without asking him
for what offense he was charged or
for his authority for arresting him
The detectives told the States COZ
respondent this evening that Murphy
was the assassin and that the proof
he had against him is reliable and
unquestiuoable.
The sheriff says that Murphy knows
who the other parties are connected
with the murder, but he won't tell.
The sheriff says: eve will get it
out Of him-at least before he dies. "
It is whispered that some Of the
families of the Fork are connected
with the murder, and that Murphy is
sure to tell their names.
1t is reported that several thousand
men are just across the Edisto banks
waiting patiently for the summons to
come to town and see Mr.. Murphy in
person.
Murphy is said to be notorious
fellow. lie has been convicted in
the United States court for several OF
fenses. aud now Wagner Il Co.,
have several warrants out Tor him
but it is believed here that the next
collectable warrant will be his death
warrant.
Several hundred citizens collected
at the Jail this evening watching tor
the villainous assassin Of the murder.
ed county treasurer. Their desire
was grati6ed this evening, ;, when :,
Murphy was led out of his cell, well
handcuhed, and placed in the sheriff s
carriage, guarded by four detectives
and as many citizens. His counter,
auce was such as an assassin would
possess.
He looked wildly and defiant, and
had terrible expression on his face
There seems to be some strong evil
dence against Emanuel Williams.
The mayor aud sheriff decline to give
information.
Il is stated that hat: Murphy re.
NAMED in the Jail tonight he would
have heen lynched
THE ARRIVAL AT COLUMBIA