Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-13

err. Oh, what fearful, sorrowful moments
those are to Danl His only brother,
but a minute ago so full Of life, now
a corpse at his feet
The two boys hurry home. The
neighbodhood Is aroused and many kind
friends gather TO offer sympathy and
assistance. There Is no longer any fear
OF the Buckley home being burned,
for the Whitecaps have already wreak-
ed more terrible vengeance than the
destroying Of property.
The body was sent for at once and
was quietly taken home. The sheriff
was notified OF the awful tragedy.
The question now arises: Who was
the murderer Both Dan Buckley and
his companion knew him-knew that he
was none other than VIII Purvis and
so testified in court.
We shall now have TO take up another
thread Of our story--the thread out OF
which fate wove the destiny Of the man
just named.
Travelling In the south even yet, one
meets with many things TO remind him
OF the historic days OF slavery one
such relic is the bloodhound, originally
kept by slave owners, for the purpose Of
trailing fugitive negroes. This CANNES
Instinct OF scent Is so marvellous that
he can follow any particular track OF
either man or beast and distinguish II
amongst thousand OF It's kind
Very early next morning after Mr..
Buckley was killed the sheriff repaired
to the place, taking with him his two
bloodhounds. The dogs took the muir.
dereTs trail at once and followed II TO
Purvis' home.
Thus the unerring brutes added their
testimony TO the direct statement Of
the two witnesses.
Young Purvis was taken into custody
and safely lodged In Jail.
IL often happens that the killing Of
human beings is necessary TO arouse
people TO full realization Of some ter
rible menace TO society. II Is certain
that the murder Of noble James Buck
ley had such an effect In Marion
county. Every loyal citizen became
patriot, ready to lay down his life, II
necessary. in the defense OF right.
There IL subtle power In moral or
spiritual forces-a power that we can
hardly account for. The better class
OF men In the country were In the mi
nority, but the courage and determina-
ton with which they were sud
denly filed, had the effect OF
crushing the Influence OF those who
stood on the side OF anarchy.
Loyal men were no longer afraid 20
speak against secret works Of darkness.
and denounce them from the housetops.
In issuing the mandate for Buckley to
be killed, the Whltecaps had given the
order for their own dissolution as a So
ciety. They were now conquered even
before they had been whipped.
Three months after the trial OF New
man, Judge Lincoln returned to resume
his work. He came now unguarded.
The time was opportGne for striking a
telling blow. He came with proffered
leniency to the better class Of White
caps, II they would confess and re-
nounce their allegiance 20 this murder
Gus league. Justice was tlnctured with
mercy To this standard the crestfallen
wretches focked by hundreds.
The oath they had taken was pub
lished In open court. IL was TO the eff
feet that II any man should reveal the
secret works OF the members, or fail 10
perform any act required OF him by the
league, he was 10 be assasslnated by his
| fellows.
The society Is by no means a new
thing under the sun. 1t Is only one of
those secret societies whose origin
reaches back TO the beginning Of the
race. History tells Of Satan's revealing
a similar oath to Cain, who In turn adj
ministered Il TO others, thus perpetual.
Ing a system OF plumber and murder.
The case Of Purvls was the first 10 be
| called. We shall not follow the details
OF his trial, since the evidence has al
| ready been touched upon. Suffice Il to
| say he was convicted and sentenced 10
be hanged on Jan. Z. 1894.
| 'On this date everything was in readi-
ness. and a large crowd had gathered to
witness the execution. The sheriff was
particular to ask the bystanders to ex-
anime the hangman's knot that he had
Just tied, Many did so.
AT last the hour arrived. The culprlt
was assisted TO the platform.
MT. Putyis, have you anything 10
say?" asked the sheriff.
Every eye was fastened upon the
doomed man. He was above medium
height and size. His face did not wear
exactly the expression OF a hardened
criminal but perhaps this fact was d,.
TO his tender years: for he was not vet
twenty-five. though he was well devel
oped for his age and was a decided
character and leader among his asso-
ciates. His speech and manners lndI-
Gated good breeding compared with the
country In which he was raised His
face was ashen pale, but his voice was
firm and his dark eye steady.
II was easy 10 see that young Purvls
had the pity, though not generally the
sympathy, OF the gathered crowd. He
said;
II am not guilty OF killing James
Buckley, though / know who did II.
Mine Is the crime OF being a Whltecap.
scarcely year ago | was persuaded 10
take the oath. ] soon found that they
did many things that were wrong. but [
dared not renounce them. / was COM
PEELED TO do their bidding, however de.
testable or criminal II might seem TO
me. i was slave to q gang Of MUIR
derers.
MY young friends" continued the
speaker, showing signs Of greater men.
tal distress profit by my experience.
hope the scene which you are about TO
witness VIII make a lifelong impression
upon your minds.
Il was at the burning Of Brown cot
| NNHtAhi NAA at many OlNtf times and
places have worn the white cap. Now
with a ghastly smile-"I am doomed
to put on one OF another color.
II hope you will take the word OF one
who Is about 10 pay the penalty of his
wrongs by the Offering OF his life.
There Is nothing good in the organIza-
tion which IL directly the cause OF my
being here today. Don't joln It. young
men as you value honor, liberty and
life itself"
His voice had now become tremulous
as though he were wrestling with some
strong Inward emotion \
Il once was happy" he continued
NV hopes were bright and life was
full OF promise. But one false step
II was my downfall and now"
The young man could say no more.
! For a few minutes he was CONFUSED
with emotion. then beckoned 10 the off,
Ger that he had no more 20 say.
The cap Is placed over his face. The
! fatal moose is slipped over his head,
/ and adjusted around the neck. The
anxiety and suspense OF the crowd is
beyond description. Some cover their
faces with their hands; others turn
| away
The sheriff steps forward and mo-
| tons that all is ready. The signal is
glVpnl The tran Is sDrungi And VIII