Year: 1872

upon the scaffold. Justice, not always sure was
IN this instance SO swift as to appear almost un-
merciful but when the details Of the crime are
stated 1t will be seen that this quick vengeance
was fully justified, II not actually demanded by the
shocking circumstances OF the case On that fatal
2sth OF October venerable and highly respected
citizen OF this county drove to this city. his wagon
containing one bale Of cotton, for the purpose Of
selling It, In order to enable him to proceed more
extensively ana efficiently with the Fall and Win
Ger pl0ughing, fertiizing and the draining OF his
farm The wagon was drawn by novel team
peculiar to the South, consisting of one horse
and q mule and with these and his precious bale
Of cotton the old gent!cman-Mr. Ham Martin by
name-arrived on Broad street, the main CONNER
sial thoroughfare OF this city. about midday. With
his characteristic business habits Mr.. Martin at
once set about the sale OF his cotton visiting the
various commission houses and brokers' establish
ments for this purpose. While thus engaged he
was acc0sted by an unknown negro, who said:--


''Boss, does you want to hire any hands ~


''What can you do 2" said Mr.. Martin In his blunt
way, at the same time taking in the physical pro-
portions Of the negro at q glance with his prac-
used eye.


al can plough or hoe or do most anything about
farm" replied the negro.


"where are you from - asked Mr.. Martin.


'rm from Richmond, ya.," was the prompt but
lying answer.


.'wen, Pm busy now. Come and see me later in
the day and III see about It," and with that the
unsuspecting old farmer went up the street, bent
upon obtaining the highest price for his cotton.
The negro who thus lmportuned Mr.. Mar
Tin for employmet was no other than the
notorious highwayman and thief Henry John
son, alias Ben Mcintyre, alias Ben Bacon, for
whom the officers OF justice in various parts
of the State had long been on the lookout,
but he had always clevery managed to evade
them, and continued to revel in o career OF crime
that at length eliminated at the gallows. He eau
ti0usly but lndustriousy, dogged the footsteps OF
Mr.. Martin the entire day about the city,
never losing sight OF him for an instant.
and carefully noting with the highwaymans tact
every little circumstance that occurred that day
In the old gentleman business transactions In the
Intensity OF his zeal lie frequently near enough
10 overhear Mr. Martins conversations with various
parties, and two or three times he incurred the
risk Of being suspected; but all this time he es-
capped the observation OF his aged victim. He was
ON hand when the bale OF cotton was sold, heard
the bargain, the arguments OF the old man for
higher price and the protestations of the buyer
that he could not advance another ''eighth," and,
with glistening eye and q gleeful but avaricious
countenance, he saw the sale consummated and the
old gentleman receive the money.





and having seen the money safe in the hands of so
feeble an old man Mr. Martin, 1t became then only
. question OF time as to how soon it would be
changed into his, the manner and means
being matters Of very little consequence, so the
ever, did not lessen his watchiulness OF
other hand his vigilance increased, and chief
among his vlllanous speculatl0ns was one that old
TouId hecome ntnxicateS ed and TINS hecoms an e
easy prey, and for this important reason he
watched linn more closely than ever. But il this
msiSe. ana MS whsn hs'esa'0nS reaay to 'ise tase
upon his arrival in the morning. 1t now became
an object OF Johnson's OF the most serious con-
plans for the robbery Of the old man, to be hired
BY him and ride home with him In his wagon.
Win this view he ne met MT Martin IN the street as
saton Of the morning, and alter some parley as to
terms, which were easy on Johnson's part,


THE OLD MAN ENGAGED HIM


for year nom that date. TO make the thing look
really In earnest and business-like Johnson in
standing, contract should be regularly drawn M,
signed BY both Mr.. Martin and himself and
also duly attested and witnessed. This was
document was signed they took their departure
for the old gentleman's home, four miles from this
the wagon just In his rear. Their progress was
necessarily slow, owing to the inconsistency Of



ing about half an hour Johnson became so restless
and uneasy In his movements that the suspicious
some M s"V time % he WA watched him narrowly. At this
juncture, the murderer alleges he was about to
abandon his terrible project and with that pur.
pose he made an excuse to get out OF the wagon
with the intention Of running away from his crime;
but Mr. Martin was by this time so suspicious and
and waited patiently for Johnson to get back into
It. They both got back into the wagon and now
dsnnsT and darker he e into moeS
little dreaming what terrible fate was In store for
him, and how awfully near 1t was They still rode
on, and IL might have been an hour from the time
they left this city when Johnson steathiy arose and
seized the wagon standard" and, measuring well
his aim In the darkness dealt the poor old man


TERRIFIC BLOW


on the temple which threw his head on his left
would fall rom the wagon threw down tie death.
dealing instrument and quickly seizing the old
drew him back into s While bis
Old man, the murderer Hastily riaed
ns sans s mtoey e ass ns s
the cotton, and several receipts. These, together
Kept carefully about % his person. and n1 thew alter
ward proved his guilt beyond question. Alter


OLD NAN, WAGON AND MULE


This took him about hsIi an hour ana ; when
q &: ss sss NJ; Vim he hi: or;s ,ss:
gains into the city. Soon after this some
Passers.by discovered the mule and wagon, with
its insensible freight for the unfortunate old man
until late hour on Friday night when he expired.
che body was brought back to the city and next
day Coroner's inquest was held ana
verdict was returned that the deceased
came to his death by blow OF sharp instrument
Alias Ben Mcintyre. & alias B Ben Bacon. A warrant
was at once issued for his arrest, and the police
went actively TO work to ferret out the
murderer. The reports In the newspapers
next day OF such q brutal and atr0cious
murder created profound sensation In the entire
community. which was succeeded by feeling OF
intense Indignation, and some went so far as to
utter threats Of summary vengeance against the
murderer should ne De discovered. Johnson's first
blanket, for which ne paid ak dollars and fifty
cents, tho blanket being an unusually large one,