The Knife to The Hilt

Title

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

The Daily Commercial Herald

Publication Place

Vicksburg, MS

Publication Date

02/18/1890

Transcript

THE KNIFE TO THE HILT. BLOODY SEQUEL TO A GAME OF CRAPS. Bill Canada Stabs Spencer Evans to the Heart for Two Bits. The notorious bill Canada, a negro who has grown up in the city court and work-house, having been an involuntary frequenter of both for the past fifteen years, practically closed his career yesterday by killing Spencer Evans, colored, under circumstances of such cold-blooded atrocity as to render his conviction and coming punishment matters of little doubt. Canada and Evans were both on the city chain-gang, the latter for petty larceny and for escaping while under an old sentence, the former for abusive language and for an alleged attempt at rape. The gang had been brought in for dinner and this being over Evans and Canada settled down for a little recreation with the dice, craps being gathered game. up dispute quarter which constituted and Evans the A soon arose a the stakes. Officer McSweeney heard Canada say to Evans, "if you don't give me that quarter I'll kill you." He thought nothing of the matter, however, not believing that Canada had any weapons, but a few minutes later and while the parties were in the hall he saw Canada strike Evans: terrible blow between the shoulders, Evans' back being turned to him at the time. Evans ran towards the gate with his hand to his mouth and Officer McSweeney, who had not seen any weapon used, seized Canada instantly and locked him in a cell, intending, as be told the reporter, to prefer a charge against him for assault and battery Upon coming out, however. he found Evans lying near the north end of the shed. evidently dying, and was told by several persons that Canada had a knife. He then returned to the cell and found the knife lying on the floor, where Canada had thrown it. It is an old butcher knife, in use for years at the work-house as a carver and nearly worn through at the center of the blade by frequent sharpening. This terrible weapon had been plunged nearly to the hilt in Evans' back near the right shoulder. No second stroke was needed. An inquest was held as soon as possible and a verdict in consonance with the foregoing facts was brought in by the jury. The murderer is supposed to be about 35 years of age. His victim was about 24 and was married. His body was sent to his little cabin, near Third North and Clay street, soon after the inquest. Canada claims that Evans had threatened his life, but this seems to rest entirely on his own evidence.

Sources for

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