The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-04-26
Terrible Tragedy in Memphis
Love. JealonsY and Murdef.

A. Terrible Tragedy in Memphis
Love, Jealousy and Murder.
A singular tragedy occurred in Memphis,
Tennessee, the facts Of which were sub.
stantially as follows 3,
The chief actor in this drama ~as a
young man named Robert Ferguson, a late
graduate Of the Medical University OF Phil
adelphia. and who bore reputation for
good behavior, and who was fast be-
coming recognized among his profession AZ
youth of great promise. After Ferguson's
return from Philadelphia, where he had
prosecuted his studies in medicine with
great diligence, and graduated with first
honors, he became connected in business
with one Of our popular physicians, and
was to all appearances, advancing along the
road to professional renown with rapid
strides. But it seems that good fortune
did not benefit him. He became re"kleSe
and finally it was rumored among his friends
that he had become enamored with young
beauty, but depraved habits, and had
neglected his business so that he could en-
JOY her society. She had other suitors,
among them young man who was con-
sidcred a warm friend to Ferguson. Their
meetings were clandestine, but ere long
Ferguson became aware of the false actions
of the courtesan whom he loved. A cold
ness ensued between him and his friend.
One night they met in drinking saloon.
The meeting resulted fatally te the false
friend. Ferguson shot him and wrs imme-
diately arrested, but through some peculiar
modus operandt he was released on bonds.
After his release he went to Nashville; but
a love for the beautiful courtoSan caused
him to return to Memphis. The woman
who, by her beautiful person and educate"
wics had caused him to forget his duties to
society and his profession, was gathering
the meshes of death around him. She had
loved the man whom Ferguson had so ruth
lessly shot down, and the sight of his body
had aroused in her pitiless heart all the
passions of desperation and revenge. She
wound the coil, and as she caressed her
victim her eyes would seem to rend his
heart. In her desire to fully mature her
plans, she seemingly descended lower into
the pool Of degradation, and cultivated the
acquaintance OF men who were noted for
their desperation and villanv. But in her
train she broughdmany youths of good fam
lily, whom through good address and assid-
uons attention, she had ready to do her bid
ding. Ferguson saw that he was in danger
from his many rivals, and insisted snA6
they should leave for California She
made some trivial excuse, remarking, 'You
will go on longer journey next week.
She spoke truly, but little did she know
that her coils were envelopiLg not only her
intended victim but herself On the night
of the 18th Of March she concluded to put
into execution her fendish object. Her
accomplices-msn of depraved natures.
named Hammond, Yonkers and Rowles,
were instructed as to the time when Fergu-
son was to be assassinated. The courtesan
made an appointment with Ferguson.
True to his word, he came. AS he entered
the saloon he was invited to private apart
ment adjoining the saloon, where parties
we're in the habit of drinking wines, &c. -
Yonker entered, and was introduced by the
woman. He ordered a bottle of wine As
Ferguson was lifting glass OF tbs spark
ling beverage to his lips the cotSrtesan raised
her glass, remarking, Ferguson, this is the
signal of your death, and as she drained
the glass, Yonkers, with a cleaning bows
knife, made lungc at the breast of Fergu-
son. His situation flashed across his mind
as the cold, sharp steel penetrated his left
shoulder. With quick bound he placed
himself in the corner of TIL, room, and
drawing a navy-sized pistol, he shot Yonk'
ers dead, Just as the would be assassin at.
tempted to fire at him with DerringeI
pistol The courtesan, foiled in her designs,
fred at Ferguson, who fell covered with
blood, in the conner where he stood at bay.
Excited at the sight of blood, the woman
continued her shots, wounding Ferguson
in four places She then rushed upon him
with knife, and just as its keen point
touched his body, he fred fatal shot, and
the beautiful woman fell upon her once
loved paramour a corpse. The crowd broke
through the door and gathered around the
forms of those who had figured in this
dreadful strife. Before the woman, whose
6endish like spirit had caused this dread
ful havoc, could be lifted from the form OF
Ferguson, he had died.