Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-12-24
WILL PUkFIS PARDONED.
Sentenced to Hang, His Execution
Was Attempted.
History of the Mississippi whltecapper,
Whose Crimes, and Wonderful Es-
cape From Death, Form .
Remarkable Story.

JACKSON, Miss, Dec. 19.-The gov.
ernor this evening pardoned VIII Pur-
Wis, the famous Marion county prisoner,
who figured SO conspicuously in the
great whitecap sensations of several
years ago.
The pardon of Purvis terminates a
case which, in the singularity Of its
many sensational developments and
dramatic details. stands remarkable in
the history of criminal Jurisprudence.
Purvis was accused Of the murder Of
Will Buckley, fellow whitecapper,
which occurred in Marion county in
1898. Buckley had fallen out with the
rand and had made open threats that
he would divulge their secrets and bring
them all to punishment. One Of the
oaths of the band prescribed to each
member upon initiation was that the
first man who turned traitor should
suffer death.
Accordingly meeting was held to
try Buckley and he was condemned to
die. Purvis participated in this meet
ing. Shortly afterward second meet
ing was called to select the men who
should execute the sentence of the
band. This meeting Purvis failed to
attend, whether from excess of caution,
from accident Or from qualms of con-
|
science is not clear. But his absence
aroused the suspicious of his pals.
Assassination of Buckley.
What took place at this second meet.
ing will never be known except to the
men who We're present; but it is known
that shortly aftcrward Buckley was
assassinated one evening at nightfall
as he and his brother were returning
home from work. After the killing it
was rumored that Purvis was guilty, and
he was arrested. AT the trial the
brother of Buckley, who was with him
at the time of the murder, testified that
| he recognized Purvis as the murderer. 1t
was mainly upon this testimony, as
District Attorney Neville, prosecuting
attorney, admits, that Purvis was found
guilty and condemned to die, and Mr..
Neville now states that he believes that
| Buckley's brother was mistaken.
Purvis Saved BY Peoples Cries.
Purvis was sentenced to be hanged,
the day Of execution fixed and the gal.
lows erected. Crowds gathered from
all parts of the country around to wit.
ness the execution. There were the
usual preliminaries which attend such
occasions. The prisoner was led upon
| the scatfold and allowed his last words,
minister of the gospel attended him
and offered up prayers for the saliva.
ton of his soul.
| At last the fatal moment came; the
black cap was adjusted and the knot
made fast around the condemned man S
neck. There was hush in the great
| multitude OF spectators, pause and
then the trap was sprung and the body
shot downward through the trap. Many
sicllenod at the sight and turned away.
But Purvis was not yet to die. For a
moment the body writhed and quivered
in midair and then the knot slipped and
the prisoner fell heavily to the ground.
A wild shout greeted this denouement.
Eagerly the crowd pressed forward as
Purvis was assisted to his feet and be-
gan to revive. As soon as he was able
to speak he called God to witness that
he was innocent.
The sheriff and his assistants ordered
the multitude back and began prepara-
tions for second attempt at execution.
But the people, with one voice, cried
down this act. and threatened violence.
Puryis was taken back to Jail and soon
afterward was rescued by mob. All
sorts of overtures and threats were made
to Governor Stone, then in office, to Sc
cure his pardon, but he remained firm
When Governor McLaurin came into
office Purvis was recaptured, or rather
brought back to jail by his friends, and
his sentence was committed to imprison-
ment for life.
Assassination For Governor.
Among the letters received by Gov
ernor Stone was one from Bates Mill,
Miss, threatening him with assassina-
tion if he allowed Pnrvis to hang. The
writer showed perfect familiarity with
the habits and movements of Gov Stone
in going to and from his office.
This letter has since been traced to
Doe Grady, notorious convict who was
subsequently sent to the penitentiary
for burglary, and who escaped from the
Washington county prison farm, and
who was tracked by detectives and
killed last spring near his home in
Marion county while resisting arrest.
The postmaster at Bates Mill, learning
of Grady's death, told the story of how
Grady had come to Bates Mill on the
day the anonymous letter was mailed,
and how he recognized his handwrit-
ing when it was afterward shown to
him, but feared to speak, knowing the
desperate character of Grady.
Purvis has been in imprisonment
about five years. One of the brothers
of the murdered man and an uncle
signed petition recently for his par
don.
The Llpscomb Appeal Trial.
The governor has appointed Hon. r.
II. Thompson, of jackson, and Hon. L.
w. Magruder, of Vicksburg, to be spe.