Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-04-09
LOVE, JEALOUSY AND MURDER.
A Memphis Tale Of Blood In a New
York Paper.

wrought tale, the particulars oil when
have not been published in this city, and
doubtless originated in the fertile mind
Of the correspondent after the murder OF
Willie Ferguson, on Washington street,
last month: IAN event has just tran
spired in our midst which has caused an
excitement unparalleled. The chief
actor in this seemingly unreal drama,
which has in it touch of the barbaric
age, was o young man named Robert
Ferguson, late graduate Of the Medical
University Of Philadelphia, and who bore
reputation for nildness and good beha'
vior, and who was fast becoming recog-
nized among his profession as q youth OF
great promise. The tale, which seems
unreal, is briefly as follows After Fer
guson'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 ply
sicians, and was, to all appearances, ad'
vancing along The road to professional
renown with rapid strides. But it seems
that good fortune did not benefit him
He became reckless, and finally it was
rumored among his many friends that he
had become enamored with young lady
of great beauty, but depraved habits, and
had neglected his business so that ne
could enjoy her charms She had other
suitors, among them young man who
was considered a warm friend to Fergu'
son. Their meetings we're clandestine,
but ere long Ferguson became aware OF
the false actions Of the courtezan whom
he loved. A GOODNESS ensued between
him and his false friend One night they
met in drinking saloon, where despe-
rate characters of every description as
semble nightly, and debauch until the
gray morning drives them forth to their
pursuits of crime and degradation. The
meeting resulted fatally to the false one.
Ferguson shot him and was Immediately
arrested, but through some peculiar
ntodus Operandi he was released on
bonds. After his release he went to
Nashville; but love for the beautiful
courtezan, and desire to again mingle
in Tire scenes that had fascinated him
and dragged him from q position OF
honor and trust, caused him to return to
Memphis. Fatal action The spirits of
vengeance were abroad. The woman
who, by her beautiful person and edu-
Gated wiles, 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 ruthlessly shot down,
and the sight of his dead body had
aroused in her pitiless heart all the
passions of desperation and re-
venge. Slowly she wound the coil,
and as she .caressed her victim her
eyes would seem to rend his very
heart In her desire to fully mature her
plans she seemingly descended lower
into the pool of degradation, and as
surely dragged with her the infatuated
object of her hate. From sumptuously
furnished house OF prostitution, called
Madame Lovejoy's, she became an in
mate of the Olympic Theater, on
Second street, in the capacity of beer
girl, and from thence to low den on
Washington street, the Cotton Plant.
There she cultivated the acquaintance of
men who were noted for their despera-
ton and villainy. But in her train she
brought many youths of good family,
whom, through good address and assid-
uous attention, she had ready to do her
bidding. Ferguson saw that he was in
danger from his many rivals, and in
sisted that they leave for California.
She made some trivial excuse, remark
ing, You will go on longer jour
ney next week. She spoke truly,
but little did she know that her coils
were enveloping not only her intended
victim, but herself On the night of the
18th she concluded to put in execution
her darling, but fendish object, Her
accomplishment Of depraved natures
named Hammond, Yonker and Bowles,
were instructed as to the time when Fer
guson was to be assassinated. The
courtezan made an appointment with
Ferguson. True to his word, he came.
As he entered the saloon he was invited
to a private apartment adjoining the sa-
loon, where parties were in the habit Of
drinking wines, etc. Yonker entered,
and was introduced by the woman. He
ordered a bottle Of wine. As Ferguson
was lifting q glass of the sparkling bev-
erage to his lips the courtezAn, with the
glitter of q snake in her eye, raised her
glass, remarking, Ferguson, this is the
signal for your death, and as she drained
the glass, Yonkers, with cleaning bowie
knife, made a lunge at the breast Of
Ferguson. His situation flashed across
his mind as the cold sharp
steel penetrated his left shoulder. With
a quick bound he placed himself in a
corner of the room, and drawing a navy
sized pistol, he shot Yorker dead, just as
the would-be assassin attempted to fire at