The Sun. — 1835-10-30 (London, England)

ARREST OF A MURDERER  IN AMERICA.  MOBILE, SEPT. 18.—On Wednesday evening last, one of the M'Grews, accused of a most diabolical murder in Apri last, for whose apprehension large rewards were offered by the Governor, and by individual subscriptions, was brought into this town and committed to gaol. He had fled into Texas, whither he was pursued by Mr. Taylor, of Claiborne, who, after the failure of several attempts to seize him by force, succeeded by stratagem. The story is altogether a singular one ; and the aid given by. the Texas authorities gives a more favourable impression of the dspositions of tile Government of that country against criminals who escape there from the pursuit of justice, than we have hitherto been accustomed to entertain. Mr. Taylor traced M'Grew, after his flight from this State, through Louisiana to Natchitoches, and across the Mexican line to Nacogdoches. At that place he learned that M'Grew was two hundred miles in the interior, at a settlement called the Salina, at Hall's trading house—where he was under the protection of Hall, and the Comanche Indians. Between these Indians and the Mexicans at Nacogdoches, hostilities existed ; and when Taylor arrived a hostile expedition had been sent out against the Indians. Mr. Taylor, accompanied by two men, followed the party—having been furnished with letters to Bowyer, the commander, requesting his aid. Instead of assisting, Bowyer, it appears, apprised M'Grew of their object, and indeed showed him the letters. They were obliged to flee instantly ; and were pursued by M'Grew and two associates—an Indian and a white deserter—for 24 hours. They escaped by leaving the high road and striking into the woods. On his return at Nacogdoches, Mr. Taylor offered a reward of five hundred dollars to any one who would take M'Grew. A Texas Captain, named Ferguson, with eight men, undertook the enterprise, and marched to the settlement. Hall's party and the Indians made fight, and Ferguson was beaten off. In the skirmish M'Grew was shot and slightly wounded. The defeat of this party produced a proclamation from the political chief of Nacogdoches, a sort of outlawry, ordering M'Grew to be taken out of the country, as unfit to remain there by reason of great crimes committed in the United States. He also placed a civil force, consisting of the Sheriff and 10 men, at the disposal of Taylor. This time artifice was successfully tried. At Nacogdoches, one of M'Grew's acquaintances, familiar with his habits and the settlement, was prevailed upon to accompany the party, and assist in the capture. Taylor and the men were concealed about a couple of miles from the house where M'Grew resided, while the Sheriff and the other man went up frankly to the house to request lodging. The person a the Sheriff was unknown to M'Grew, and on seeing him he was suspicious, and armed himself, but his suspicions were dispelled by the introduction of the other person, and their proposition to give up their arms to him for safe keeping, which was accordingly done. His caution was completely lulled, and at night he went to sleep in the same room with them, upon a buffalo skin, with his pistols under his head. When he was asleep they seized him and his arms, and threatening ,to blow his brains out instantly if he did not keep silence, carried him off to the party, who were in ambush, and all instantly set off at full speed, and by morning were beyond pursuit. When he was seized he thought it was for Lis share in the recent skirmish, to which impression it is probably owing that he did not give an alarm at all hazards. When he discovered in whose hands he was, ho behaved perfectly quiet.; At Nacogdoches the Ernpresario furnished a guard to the Sabine river. From there to Natchitoches he was brought by Taylor and two others. At Alexandria the party fell in with Mr. Kempt, the brother of the two murdered children, who was returning from an unsuccessful hunt after the assassin in Arkansas. From that place he was brought without difficulty to New Orleans, and thence to Mobile. The crime of which this man is accused is one of the most atrocious ever read of in the annals of depravity. Two children, lads of eight to 14 years of age, were butchered in cold blood, wantonly and savagely, from a demoniac spirit of revenge against their parents. The crime, the flight, the pursuit, and the arrest, form altogether ail exciting as well as a terrible tragedy.—New York Paper.