scene of the crime, but he swore that he was forced to accompany
Hale and Johnson, who he named as the actual killers, stating that
they stole several thousand dollars in currency before setting fire
to the dwelling in the belief that the bedies of the occupants and
all traces of the crime would be dastroyed. ‘ivers, RXXEB gave
“ta te's evidence at the §pint trial of Hale and Johnson and they
were convicéed and sentenced to hang. Rivers then stood trial hin-
self and though he pleaded guilty and begged the court for mercy,
he also was meted the death penalty. The Governor refused to
intervene and all three were hanged at Troy on March 31 » 1899,
BIRMINGHAM DAILY NEWS, ee Ala., Feb, 25, 1899
March 31, 1899
scene of the crime, but he swore that he was forced to accompany
Hale and Johnson who he named as the actual killers, stating that
they stole several thousand dollars in currency before setting fire
to the dwelling in the belief that the bodies of the occupants and
all traces of the crime would be dastroyed. Hivers RXXEEB gave
"ta te's evidence at the §pint trial of Hale and Johnson and they
were convicted and sentenced to hang. Rivers then stood trial hin-
self and though he pleaded guilty and begged the court for mercy,
he also was meted the death "penaliys The Governor see to
intervene and all three were hanged at Troy on March 31, 1899.
BIRMINGHAM DAILY NEWS, Birmingham, Ala., Feb. 25, 1899
March 31, 1899
scene of the crime, but he swore that he was forced to accompany
Hale and Johnson who he named as the actual killers, stating that
they stole several thousand dollars in currency before setting fire
to the dwelling in the belief that the bodies of the occupants and
all traces of the crime would be dastroyed. Rivers RXXEB gave
“ta te's evidence at the §pint trial of Hale and Johnson and they
were convicted and sentenced to hang. Rivers then stood trial hin-
self and though he pleaded guilty and begged the court for mercy,
he also was meted the death panalty, The Sovernor refused to
intervene and all three were hanged at Troy on March 31, 1899,
BIRMINGHAM DAILY NEWS, Birmingham, Ala, 25, 1899
March 31, 1899
HATE, Richard, JOHNSON, Thomas and RIVERS, Sam —7-77-7O7 7
Hale and Johnson, both white, and Rivers, a black, were residents
of rural Pike Co., Ala. On the night of Dec. 18, 1898, they went
to the home of Mrs, tra Meyers, a widow, and her daughter-in-law,
Mrs. &, Meyers, also widowed. The two women ran a small store near
their home in Josie Bhat and were generally known to keep large sums_
of money in their house, A young hired man named Cook who lived in
the same house with the two women was awakened shortly after midnight
by a struggle from the elder Mrs, Meyer's room and when he rushed in
to assist her in her struggle with a man, he was knocked unconscious,
When he came to, the house was on fire and he dragged Mrs, Meyer's
body from the dwelling. He. then returned to the house and dragced
out the body of the younger Mrs, Meyers. Both women had been bru-
tally bludgeoned with an ax and while the younger woman was already
died, Mrs. tra Meyers lingered for several days before she also
died of her wounds. The house and all of its contents were com-
pletely consumed by the flames, Hale and Johnson wers taken into
custody on suspicion and lodged in the county jail at Troy where
Rivers and several other blacks were also being held for investiga-
tion. Rivers finally broke and confessed that he had been at the
HALE, Richard, JOHNSON, Thomas and RIVERS, San ~7-7/ EF ah
Hale and Johnson, both white, and Rivers, a black, were residents
of rural Pike Co., Ala. On the night of Dec. 18, 1898, they went
to the home of Mrs. Ira Meyers, a widow, and her daughter-in-law,
Mrs. L, Meyers, also widowed. The two women ran a small store near
their home in Josie Bhat and were generally known to keep large sums
of money in their house, A young hired man named Cook who lived in
the same house with the two women was awakened shortly after midnight
by a struggle from the elder Mrs, Meyer's room and when he rushed in
to assist her in her struggle with a man, he was knocked unconscious,
When he came to, the house was on fire and he dragged Mrs, Meyer's
body from the dwelling. He. then returned to, the house and dragged
out the body of the younger Mrs, Meyers. Both women had been bru-~
tally bludgeoned with an ax and while the younger woman was already
ded, Mrs. +ra Meyers lingered for several days before she also
died of her wounds. The house and all. of its contents were com-
pletely consumed by the flames, Hale and Johnson were taken into
custody on suspicion and lodged in the county jail at Troy where
J y
Rivers and several other blacks were also being held for investiga-
tion. Rivers finally broke and confessed that he had been at the
HALE, Richard, JOHNSON, Thomas and RIVERS, San F-S7-7ET?P
Hale and Johnson, both white, and Rivers, a black, were residents
of rural Pike Co, Ala, On the night of Dec. 16, 1898, they went
Weyers, a widow, and her daughter-in-law,
8. By Ne; also widowed, The two wonen ran a small store near
their hone in Josie Baat and were generally known to keep large sums
of money in their house, A young hired man named Cook who lived in
the same house with the two women was awakened shortly after midnight
by a struggle from the elder Mrs, Meyer's roon and when he rushed in
to assist her in her struggle with a man, he was knocked unconscious4
When he came to, the house was on fire and he dragged Mrs, Meyer's
body from the dwelling. He, then returned to, the house and dragged
out the body of the younger Mrs, Meyers. Both women had been bru-
tally bludgeoned with an ax and while the younger wonan was already
déad, Mrs, Ira Meyers lingered for several days before she also
died of her wounds, The house and all of its contents were con-
pletely consumed by the flames, Hale and Johnson vera taken into
custody on suspicion and lodged in the county jail at Troy where
Rivers and several other blacks were also being held for investiga~
tion, Rivers finally broke and confessed that he had been at the
