Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-30
The Plot Well Laid-A Pre-
concerted Affair by
all Hands.
The Windows and Doors OF
the Sells BrOken-A Del
uge of Brickbats.
Four White Men Injured by
Blows from Briciks-TwO
Prisoners Wounded.
Fifty or Sixty Shots Fired by
the Guard-The Vicinity
Aroused, and Quiet
Restored.

Adams street, between Second and
Third, was the scene Of the most intense
excitement between one o'clock and
daylight this morning. The residents of
the vicinity were aroused by the most
deafening yells that ever fell upon NOR
tai ears, and these were soon mingled
with the soHnd of loud volleys of pistol
shots, which we're continued at intervals
for two or three hours. The cause Of the
tumult was an attempt on the part of the
negro prisoners-about seventy in num-
ber--to escape. The particulars are as
follows;
For several days the prisoners con-
| fined in the cells under the Office Of the
Jail have been unusually insubordinate.
There are seventeen of them, and they
became so disorderly as to scarcely allow
the turkeys or aay of the guards to
approach, even to bring them food or
water. For three days they allowed only
the water-carrier to corle to them, saw
agely hurting brick-bats at any others
who thought proper to approach. AS
they we're deemed secure, and no indica'
tons appeared of an . tempt to escape,
their disorderly conduct occasioned no
particular suspicion. Frequently pris-
oners behaved in this manner, and
saying nothing to them was regarded
the easiest method of producing
reaction. But last night even the water
carrier was forbidden permission to
enter the cells. Upon unlocking the
door opening into the hall he was greeted
with volley of brckb ats, and ordered
to git" He lost little time in obeying
the order, turned the key and went
above.
During the early portion of the even
ing the prisoners seemed to be having
thigh time below stairs. 1t was evil
dent that they were determined to make
night Of it. The bulk of the negroes
confined up stairs, south of the little
court, in TIM building facing the alley,
were unusually quiet. Sea rcely sound
proceeded from them, and the guard
congratulated themselves OIL having but
one crowd to quiet. Toward midnight
the noise in the lower cells ce ased, and
it was hoped nothing more would be
heard from the prisoners. But the calm
was only that which precedes tire storm.
The great demonstration was yet to
come.
Between and o'clock the most hid
eous yells issued from the down stair
cells, accompanied by the crash of bricks
and missiles of every description against
the walls and on the floors. This was
soon answered by corresponding yells
from the up.stair cells across the court,
where fifty negroes we're confined. The
latter quickly drowned the voices of their
brethren under the Office, and for time
their bowls and hooting bid fair to arouse
everybody for squares around.
Mr.. Harraday, on watch in the office at
the time, quickly aroused Thomas
Tighe, another of the night watch, who
was asleep The latter was at once con-
WINGED that the demonstrations below
and above stairs meant more than the
usual tantrums of the prisoners. He
seized lantern, and, in company with
mail agent on the Memphis and Charles
ton railroad, who had been awakened in
the Hardwick House adjoining, assembled
to the roof of the latter building in order
to see what the demonstration in the
large cells meant They had no sooner
arrived at the edge of the roof, which
presented view, of the upper cell win
dows, than a volley of brickbats was
hurled at them through window in the
second story, from which the sash and
iron bars had been removed Both men
we're knocked down, and the mail agent
was considerably injured. The priso-
ners had, after clearing the window
(ope ming into the COURT of glass and the
bars, torn out large number of bricks,
and for several minutes they were almost
literally rained on the hotel roof Mr..
Tighe quickly returned to the Jail Office,
which by this time contained three Of
the night wstchmen. UpoH stepping
into the court brickbats by the dozen |
we're thrcwn from the open window,
causing the officers to hastily return
under cover.
1t was evident that the prisoners were
preparing to escape. The doors we're
wrenched from the upper cells and
hurled into the court The rear wall of
the Office was furiously bombarded with
bricks, some of which came through the
window and open door falling far in the
interior. The prisoners below were also
breaking everything that could be broken,
and the din Of the bricks and bars sell
dom ceased.
The officers knew that if the prisoners
up stairs reached the court their escape
was inevitable. They were fifty in
number, armed with either brickbsts,
iron bars, or heavy pieces Of wood torn
from the doors Three or four on a
dozen men could then make li;sIs head
uav araipst then. Once In the omen /