Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-09-27
TRAGIC AFFAIR.
n Metropolitan Police Clerk Killed
bya Street Railway Conductor.
He 10 Stabbed to tho Heart and
Drops Dead in the Road.


Academy, was the scene Of fatal ARRAY
about o'clock last night, which was
rendered especially deplorable because
of the responsibility Of the parties con.
cerned. The particulars, as derived from
different sources, seem to be about as fol-
lows:
AS Car 20 was going out at nearly
o'clock, Mr.. James s. Murphy, night
clerk at Metropolitan Police headquar-
tiers, came aboard and sat down. He
seemed to be quite drowsy, and soon laid
down on one Of the seats. The condue-
tor, after several efforts to arouse Muir.
ply, whom he did not know, left him,
supposing he would get out when the car
stopped. When ready to start on the
return trip, Murphy remained lying on
the seat. Two ladies entered the car,
and the conductor, Mr.. James T. Owens,
again endeavored to induce him to sit up
His efforts failed, but in few moments he
returned, shook the sleeping man, in
formed him that the car contained ladies'
and that unless he arose he would put
him out. This aroused Murphy, and the
result was an alteration, which ended in
struggle in the car. The parties grad
ually reached the door of the car, and
both fell to the ground in the rear Here,
it is said by passengers, Murphy drew a
pistol, upon which Owens produced "a
dirk, and stabbed himin the breast. The
blade entered the heart, producing al
most instant death. Murphy staggered
forward step or two and fell. Un-
aware of the extent of the damage
Owens re-entered the car, which at once
started. Upon proceeding a short dis
lance, it was overtaken, and Owens in
formed that Murphy was already dead
Owens soon after surrendered himself to
Sheriff Winters, and was lodged in Jail.
Mr.. Owens is quite young man, and
is known to the employees of the road
and residents on the line as one of the
most quiet, courteous conductors in the
employ of the company. His statement
of the sad occurrence is straightforward,
and bears every Impress of truth. He
asserts that Murphy s pistol was at his
breast before he drew the dirk. Had he
desired to use the weapon, abundant
opportunity was afforded him during the
struggle in the car The testimony be-
fore the inquest held by Esq. Moore
tended to exonerate him from all blame.
The regular examination of the case
will come up before Esq Moore at three
o'clock this afternoon, when all the facts
will be developed. MurpRy's pistol was
picked up a moment after the tragedy
by Mr.. ]. D. Plummer, before whose
door it occurred.
Mr.. Murphy was native Of Onondai-
qua county, N. Y, and during the war
served in the Second New York cavalry.
He had resided here for two years, and
was connected with the Metropolitan
Police, as clerk at headquarters, from
the organization of the force until his
death. A short time since he was put
on duty as night clerk, and his stupor in
the car can doubtless be attributed to
the fact that he had scarcely slept yes.
terday. At 81 o'clock pm. he left de-
tective McEwen, who says he was sober
at that time. He seemed drowsy, how
ever, and it is not improbable that be
may have drank once or twice afterward,
thinking liquor would arouse him. He
was a young man of very temperate
habits, scarcely ever being known to
drink intoxicating liquors, small guam.
tity of which affected him. He was
quite young unexpectedly not more
than twenty-five or twenty-three years
old-and was remarked by the police
force and his acquaintance generally
for his smiability and good conduct under
all circumstances He was handsome
in person and seemed to take no little
pride in dressing He was regarded by
his fellow-officers as the stylish mem.
Der of the force, and was not un-
frequently rallied about his tendency to
but his irreproachable
character and amiability rendered him
a general favorite, That he should act
as above narrated seems incredible of |
belief upon any other hypothesis than
that he was intoxicated. Those who |
have known him longest and most init
matelv, can assign no other reason for
the singular conduct of one who was
never known before to violate any of the
social prophecies. Mr.. Murphy funeral
will take place from the Union Church
on Union Street, at o'clock, which the
police force will attend in a body.
BURGLARS FRUsTRATED.-A watch and
iewelry store on Jefferson street, between
Second and Third, was burglariously
entered about two o'clock this morning.
The burglar, by means of a bracebit,
bored several holes in door panel and
removed it, thus eifecting an entrance.
de had a hatfull of jewelry on the eoun-
.er, when the sound of some persons
brought him to the door