The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-18

Shcrin y. w. Wallace yesterday af-
ernoon captured the negro. Clayton
Little. who Is wanted for the murder
composed body was found in a clump
of woods near Derita, IN Mallard
Greek township. last Sunday. The
story of the capture makes an inter-
esting tale. Sheriff Wallace got his
man only after one Of the most ex-
took part.
Sheriff Wallace left town yesterday
morning at . O'Clock and went out by
the Biddle road, having received word
that the negro was picking cotton out
in that section.
At the farm OF Mr.. Joe King he met
Mr.. V. p. Fesperman and DR.. :. NJ.
Henderson who told him that the ne
gro he, wanted was working in a cot
ton patch down below there. They
also informed him that they had some
blood hounds about two miles up the
road, which they offered to lend to
him.. OF these Mr.. Fesperman owned
one and DIR. Henderson two. The
party of three then procured the dogs
and set out in search of their a
They went down some distance
through the woods till they came upon
the cotton patch in which they had
been told the negro was working
They caught sight of their man work
ing away about 200 yards down n
patch and Immediately started in his
direction. Little saw them almost at
the same time. He did not stop 10
parley, but pulled off his cap AMI
struck out through h woods. The
pursuing party then ran up and pu-
their ounds upon the fresh trail.
They took it up at once and set out
in hot pursuit. The hunters were all
afoot. but put out without further de-
lay real. Zing that they must be in at
the finish. The bIOodhounds is said
to be peculiar in the respect that he
will chase a man. but when he CONES,
up with him, he merely smells of him
and then. thinking his duty done, turns
around and goes back home.
The chase soon began to grow ardu-
ouS, for the country was rough and
broken. The trail lodged and doub-
led through many a swamp, brake and
creek bottom but the hound kept
steadily on. DR.. Henderson turned
aside in an effort to borrow a mule
n was quickly lost from the hunt.
At the farm of Mr.. E. L. Elliott a mile
or two beyond, the pursuing party
procured a mule. which was quickly
mounted by Mr.. Fesperman, and the
trail taken up again. Two miles fur
her Sheriff Wallace borrowed a mule
from M. G.. L. Hipr, and again the
chase was renewed. Over hill and
dale, went the yelping hounds. with
the tireleSS negro not yet even IN
sight. Mile after mile. the trail went
on until even the dogs began to grow
weary.
The dogs were unleashed at 10
o'clock, and finally at 1890, on TOP
of asteep hill, the hunters came upon
their quarry. More than fifteen miles
from his starting place sat the Negro
on the side of the road. worn out. H
had tried to make a house on top OF
the hill, but his strength was gone
! AS his came up, he said.
Il couldn't mex it any fudder, SC
jes thought d sci rown an let yoy
git me-" Little then asked what ne
was wanted for. When told he was
accused of the murder Of John ThomI
SON., he admitted that he shot him, but
expressed surprise at his death. He
then volunteered to tell how it all hap
pened.
He said that the dead negro had
been on too intimate terms with the
wife of his brother, Eph. even wear
ing a ring that the faithless woman
had given him. A week from last
Sunday the two brothers started out
to find the Thompson negro for the
purpose of getting back from him the
woman's ring: They came upon
their man in the middle of the road
n words Immediately arose. During
the difficulty, Little SAYS that Thomp-
son drew a knife. Enh. then hurled
a stone at him. and drew his pistol.
Clayton says he pulled h weapon
from his brothers hand and first shot
at Thompson's feet. The latter turn
ed to run and Clayton fired several
shots at him. The two brothers did
not wait to see the result. hut turned
and a away from the spot at once.
Sheriff Wallace placed Little under
arrest and then had to walk bach with
his prisoner about eight miles through
the woods to his buggy, arriving here
late in the afternoon. Little now re-
posse safely behind the bars OF the
Mecklenhurg county :tail.-Charlotte
Observer.