Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-09-27
HYDE CONVICTED OF MURDER.
Anderson Man Will Hang for Double
Killing-Insanity Plea Entered.

Anderson, Sept. 20.-Samuel N.
, Hyde, confessed murder Of his young
wife and her father, was convicted by
a jury late yesterday and sentenced
to be hanged.
The reading Of the verdict had no
visible effect on the prisoner, who
+ said later that the finding was a just
! one, that he was guilty Of murder
| and expected I be convicted. Under
, tho laws of South Carolina, pleas of
guilty in murder cases are forbidden.
Hyde's Crime.
The crime for which Hyde was con-
victed was committed on the night
, Of july 18 last. While Mrs. Hyde
and her sister, Willie Beasley, aged
Is, lay asleep in one bed, and her
parents, WV. Beasley and wife, were
asleep in another bed in the same
! room, Hyde entered and fired three
shots into his wife's body, killing her
! instantly, and fred twice at her sis
ter, both shots taking effect, but not
seriously wounding her. Reloading
his revolver, he shot and killed Beas-
! ley, who was attempting to disarm
him.
Mrs. Basley was the principal wit
ness for the prosecution at the trial,
describing in detail the events on
the night of the tragedy. Sheriff
, King told Of Hyde surrendering to
, him, and saying he planned the muir
der Of his wife, and was well pleased
with the deed.
The State rested its case at one
O'Clock and the defense introduced
several witnesses, who testified in
support Of the claim Of the prisoners
counsel that he was victim of her
editary insanity.
Following the argument By the at
torneys and the Judges charge, the
jury retired, and fifty-five minutes
later returned verdict OF guilty.
Said Witnesses Lied.
The prisoner, as he sat by his old
deaf father, accepted the verdict
without any tremor and without any
change Of expression. Before being
led from the court room to his cell in
the county jail. he stated that the
verdict was a just one, that he was
guilty of murder and that he expect
ed conviction. Il didn't take the
stand on my behalf" Hyde said, "be-
cause | didn't want to be classe6
along with these witnesses for the
State, who swore lies on me. They
stated that l had deserted my wife
and that they hadn't taken her away
from me. That is not so. There is
one thing certain; they won't be
able to separate me from my wife
any more, and when the sheriff hangs
me it will be the happiest man that
has ever been hung. The court ap-
pointed Mr.. Rice to plead my case.
He did mighty we'll. He made
good fight, but useless one. |
know am guilty Of murder and
know that ! deserve to be hung"
Sentenced to Hang October 20.
Anderson, Sept. 22.-Samuel n.
Hyde, who was convicted of the MUIR
der Of his wife, was this afternoon
sentenced by Judge Prince to hang
on Friday, October goth. When ask
ed by the court if there was any rea-
son why the death sentence should
not be pronounced Hyde, in strong
and clear voice stated in substance
that two witnesses, referring to the
mother of Mrs. Hyde and bro.ner-
| in-law, j. p. Moore, had sworn I. lse e.
ly when they testified that he had
made his home unpleasant and that
he was cruel to his wife. He said
his wife was the only woman he
| ever loved. "If," he said, "the jury
and court believe It to the best inter-
est Of my little son that | 70. cit my
life, then ] am ready and willing to
pay the penalty"
There are many who have follow
| ed the case OF Hyde closely who be-
lieVc he is not a sane man. Among
these there is some talk tonight Of
circulating petitions asking Governor
Blease to commute the sentence to
life Imprisonment.
Leon l.. Rice, who was appointed
to defend the prisoner, gave notice
to the Solicitor of appeal to the SUI
preme Court after Judge Prince had
| over-rulcd his motion for a new trial.
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