The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-03
VERY DAMAGING 3 EVIDENCE
Against the Murderer OF Treasurer Robert
Copes.

COpeb.
COLUMBIA, s. G., Jan. 2S.-Some
time ago, Capt. J. 81. Tanning of
Orangeburg. in connection with a re-
porter Of the Register, called upon D. G.
Murphy. the convicted murderer of
Treasurer Copes, of Orangeburg, and
asked him for a statement, in view of
the fact that the Supreme Court had
determind that he was moi entitled to
a new trial and that he had ben re sen.
senced to be hanged in March. Muir.
ply, who is in the Penitentiary, led
them to believe that if they got certain
documents from certain parties his
innocence would be proven. Capt.
Tanning went to the trouble to write
to the parties mentioned and even
came to Columbia to show the answer
to Murphy, but he resolutely refuses
to make any statement, and unless he
does, he must hang in March.
Murphy stated that the Sheriff OF
Putnam County, Florida, could prove
an alibi for him. Capt. Tanning
wrote to this sheriff and received the
following reply:
Palatka, Fla, Jan. %, 1897.
Mr.. J. II. Tanning, Orangeburg, S. C.
Dear Sir: Yours of the goth inst. to hand
and contents carefully noted and in reply
will say that 1 did have D. c. Murphy, of
whom you refer to, in custody, September
18th to September 9th, 1894. After we re-
leased him he skipped out, and I am satisfied
went straight to South Carolina, and l am,
also, satisfied he is guilty Of the murder.
am the one who located him under the prom
ise of getting half Of the reward, which was
to be $3.50. But I never have received a
penny for my services, which I am satisfied
has been long paid to other parties. Detec.
tive Lambert that was sent here, had given
mp all hope of ever getting him when taken
the matter up and located Murphy in "a
hours and put him dead on to him with the
promise of half of the reward. would like
to have you tell me who did get the reward,
and how much was received, etc.
Yours very truly,
JOHN W. HOGAN, Sheriff.
Murphy also stated that he had been
employed by F. w WAGNER Of
Charleston and that they could give
some information as to his where
abouts on the night CT the murder.
The following reply was received
from them:
Charleston, S. c., Jan. %, 1897.
Mr.. Jas. H. Tanning, Orangeburg, s. G..
Dear Sir; Your esteemed favor ofthe 10th
inst. is Just to hand, and we have read the
marked article in the Times and Democrat
sent us, but cannot account for MIR. Murphy
statement. We presume he has had an at
torney for his case, and if there is any infor'
nation we can give him, we will do so with
pleasure. In fact, we think it a part of ou1
duty to do this. We will say frankly, how
ever, that We have no idea what he is refrr'
ing to, but if you can give us the name of his
attorney, we will correspond with him.
Yours truly,
F. W. WAGNER s. Co.
Murphy was called on at the Peni.
tentiary yesterday and was shown the
above letters. He was found in cell
OH the second tier, and would say moth
ing after seeing the reporter for The
Register, whom he did not know, but
who he thought was a detective.
Capt. Tanning showed him the letters
and in the presence of Capt. Westfeld
read them to him. Murphy took them
in his cell, and after perusing them
still had nothing to say. Capt. Fan:
ming, after expressing his personal
hope that Murphy would make some
statement and getting no satisfaction,
had to leave. Murphy appears to he
in the best of health, and seemingly
does not realize what q serious position
he is in. But as he will say nothing,
and as all the evidence is against him,
the probabilities are that he will be ex.
ecuted next month. Murphy is in the
Penitentiary for safe keeping, and
has been for two years. He has made
one attempt to cut his way out and
since that he has been closely watched.
Under ordinary circumstances, it will
now be impossible for him to get out.
Register.