Terrible Tragedy.
The occurrence of a bloody tragedy in
Sumter county, Fla., on the 16th ult., has been briefly noticed.
It appears that
Rev. Geo. Andrews, pastor of a Methodist Church in the county, had seduced a young lady, a relative, residing at his house, and had also brutally beaten her, and for these acts was summoned to appear at
Sumter C. H., on the day named, for trial by the people.
The Augusta Chronicle says:
‘
For these misdeeds a summons was issued for him to appear at the C. H. at
Sumterville, before the people, on Saturday, the 16th ult. Having heard of this, and of the parties who were to serve the summons,
Messrs. McLendon and
Lang, he proceeded to the house of the former, and took dinner with the family.
After dinner, they went to the workshop.--
Andrews asked
McLendon for the loan of his horse, to go to
Adamsville, which was granted.
He had in his possession, one double-barrel gun, one yauger rifle, two repeaters and two
bowie-knives.
’
While the horse was being caught, a conversation arose about him (
Andrews) being summoned before the Regulators.
Where upon
Mr. Lang said, "Yes, sir, and here is the summons for you." During this conversation,
McLendon was mending a pair of shoes.
Immediately after
Lang's answer,
Andrews levelled his gun on
McLendon, shot him in the side, and killed him instantly.
Turning round quickly, he levelled his gun to shoot
Lang with the other barrel.
Lang knocked up the gun and received the whole load in the palm of his right hand.
Lang then picked up
Andrew's yauger, to shoot him, (
Andrews,) but could not cock it on account of his shattered hand, threw down the gun and ran. As he ran,
Andrews shot him through the left wrist with a repeater.
A Mr. Hyatt in the shop at the time, picked up the yauger, ran off about thirty yards and levelled it at
Andrews, but the latter was too quick and shot
Hyatt with his repeater, grazing him on the shoulder.
Hyatt shot, but missed.
Hereupon,
Andrews took after
Lang, and pursued him about two hundred yards.--Not being able to overtake him, he returned to the shop, reloaded his guns, and proceeded over to
Mr. Condray's, about one mile distant.
At Condray's gate,
Andrews met
Dr. McHenry, whom he told he was tired and very thirsty, and wanted a drink of water; stepping inside the yard, and seeing
Mr. Condray talking to a negro boy, he observed, "I have commenced my work and right here I intend to finish it." Whereupon he levelled his gun and shot Condray through the bowels, who only lived about four hours.
Rev. Mr. Parker being present, seized the murderer from behind, and held him fast until
McHenry came to his assistance.
As the Dr. caught hold of
Andrews, the latter presented his gun to the
Doctor's breast, who warded it off, and the load went into the ground.
He was then tied and confined until next morning under strict guard.
The news having been circulated in the neighborhood, a large number of citizens assembled at Condray's house.
After due deliberation, he was sentenced to be hanged, and about 12 o'clock M., he was hanged accordingly--sixty or seventy citizens of the county signing his death warrant.
There was not a dissenting voice on the ground.
The last words of this hardened wretch, were, "I am only sorry that I did not kill three or four more."
