Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-04-01

II
the thoughts that swept over him.
Why had this man taken him into his
confidence, bearing the hideous con-
tents OF his soul to a stranger at the
second meeting, when commonplace
prudence would dictate great care in
trusting one who was not even as yet
sworn a proseayte.
The next morning. as they rode
through the woods, talking of indiff-
erent matters, Stewart was accosted
with the sudden interjection, Il am
John Murrell!" accompanied by look
OF piercing question. af'.o5s.
II suspected so last night" was the
answer, "and was rejoiced to know q
man Of my own kidney"
il A handclasp seemed to relieve the
others mind Of any passing doubt, and
Murrell said bluntly: ~
I need lieutenant, a man Of grit,
or brains an resources. VIII you be
that man, Hues? picked you out by
an unfailin' instinct, instantly saw
you" -- - .I3F
The young man agreed, and two
hours later they parted, arranging
rendezvous for two weeks later, as
Murrell was compelled to go away on
some call Of his nefarious work.
Stewart met the bandit chief, and as
they rode west Murrell told him that
they were on the way to one Of the
principal headquarters Of the clan,
which was on an island in Missis-
sippi bayou, just across the river from
Memphis. Here he would meet some
OF the principal men and be sworn into
the band.
They found themselves on the banks
Of the Mississippi at that time storm
lashed, at dusk, but the rowboat on
(which Murrell relied was gone. SO
they applied for hospitality at the
house of q planter named Champion.
He looked askance at Murrel when
the latter requested the loan Of a skifr
on which to cross. Stewart at once
appraised him as an honest man and
not one OF the many secret confeder-
ates OF the robber gang. Champion
felt q note slipped into his hand as the
twain parted from him next morning,
read warning In Stewards eyes, saw a
finger motioned to his lips.
i The island rendezvous was a sinis-
ter-looking place set in a little river
bend that somewhat concealed 1t.
Fringed with cane-brake and man
grove swamp, a narrow passage Of
clear water led UP to higher ground in
the center. though that, too, was am
bushed by dense forest growth, q fit
ting home Of secret crime and conspir-
acy. Five miles away on this Arkan-
sas side was the nearest settlement,
and very small one at that A great
squat one story log house with several
outbuildings, a number Of rude shacks
on the edge Of the clearing, where
Stewart saw a score Of blacks, crown
ed the little hill.
All day long small parties arrived at
the island. To these Adam Hues'' was
introduced as a new and trusted re-
cruit, until about fifty were assem-
b!ed, a few Of whom would never ha ye
been suspected Of other than q repu-
table life. These were some Of the
principal members of the Grand Coun-
Gill;" and this was the night Of the
regular quarterly meeting o..
During the day Stewart witnessed
an episode that gave fresh touch to
his horror at Murrell and his plans.
The negroes assembled there were
awaiting the coming Of the flatboat
that was to ship them to the New Or
leans market, but one Of them had be-
come so suspicious as to instigate fear
in the others. Him Murrell beguiled
away on the pretense Of catching fish
for supper, and, having led him to a
bowie knife in his back and flung the
bleeding corpse into the bayou to be
taken care Of by the river cats.
| Stewart saw this through the man
groves, and half an hour later met
Murrel, whose face was smiling and
unconcerned as ever.
The council was held in the evening
in the log house. We can imagine the
scene, though Stewart describes It
The great, rude barn-like place, light
ed by the smoky glare Of pine knots;
the long table strewn with jugs Of
whisky and apple jack; the raucous
clamor Of nightbirds, innumerable in
sects and wild animals In the encircl-
ing jungle; the blasphemy, obscene
stories and anecdotes Of personal
crimes that punctuated the business;
the terrible presentment Of things to
come; the dank and rotten odors Of
the swamp mingling with those of
pungent gases Of the flaming torches
so we can fancy the scene.
Yet business was transacted with
| some order, and Murrell, the leading
spirit, drank nothing lest he should
lose his ascendancy over these rude
and violent spirits. Reports were read
from local centers as to the progress
Of the slave-uprisng conspiracy. Fig
ures were given for the three months
past as to the various money -making
crimes which had been committed in
ooihC I'VE 6tdlc6. were uloCubScu
| for perfecting the methods Of propa-
ganda among the hosts Of negroes on
the plantations.
The last business done was the for
NAL initiation Of "Hues" as a member
Of the gang and as a Grand Councillor.
Stewart made his plunge boldly; his
speech, as he himself set 1t down, be-
gan in these words:
MY youth and inexperience must
plead the cause Of any deficiency /
may betray before this worthy and en-
qualified to acquiesce in the plans and
measures Of others than to advance
anything Of my own. I have received
all my ideas from our honorable die
tator. should feel guilty Of presump-
tion were I to offer any amendments
to his present deep and well-arranged
plans and purposes Your schemes, un-
der the guidance Of our experienced
leader, appear to me to be practical
and praise-worthy. MY, opinion of the
faith and principles Of this lordly band
may be expressed in a few words; and
as have been honored by the instruc-
! tions and confidence Of our leader, to
be whose creature only Is my highest
aspirations, flatter myself Of its cor
| rectness."
This and the inflated harangue that
followed gained the confidence Of the
gang. The robber chieftain wrung
Stewards hand and glowed with de-
light at the fulsome praise. The young
man was initiated, sworn in under
blood-curdling penalties, taught all
the grips and signals Of recognition,
and the night was worn out in mad
debauch.
The next day the grand council dis
solved Its members departed and Muir
rell, who stayed to superintend the
loading Of the black cattle in a fiat
boat for the slsye-market, was finally
left alone with Ills lieutenants.
There's $4,000 in that batch" he
exulted, "and we will have another |
cargo next montS."
The bandit chief in his unbounded
confidence, then insisted that Stewart
should do what he had feared he might |
not be able to accomplishments q |
complete list Of the grand councillors, |
their occupations, places Of residence |
and their assignments In a conspira- |
cy Of murder, arson, robbery and de-
tot llalad In Annartpa n