Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-16
SHOOTING LAST NIGHT.
The Chief OF the Macisereis
IN Arrested.
He Attempts 20 Escape and
is Shot Down.
Inquest ON the Body this
Morning.

Of the juvenile band Of thieves known as
the "Mackerel Brigade" Last night the
Mackerels were brought TO grief
their captain whose brain has conceived,
and whose hand has directed many Of the
nefarious schemes which they have car
ried so successful into effect, was shot
down and killed this morning. Mack.
ereldom is without head, without COM
mander, bereit OF the master spirit
which has held the fraternity together,
and swayed ii to his own pur'
poses as one man. Tom Porter 10 no
more, and this is how the calamity to
Mackereldom and the God-send to re-
spectacle society came about. Between
the hours of twelve and one o'clock last
night Officers Clinton and Chamberlain
of the First District police, discovered
three boys endeavOring to effect an en-
trance to the small confectionery and
fruit depot at the corner of Second and
Madison. Being pretty we'll convinced
Of the nefarious designs Of the trio, and
careful not to flush their game, they held
themselves aloof until the three juvenile
figures had disappeared in the building,
when they hastily repaired to the spot
and completely trapped the boys by
closing the door upon them. Retreat
being thus cut of, the trio formally sur
rendered to the police, with the evidences
of their guilt in the shape of fruits, nuts
and candy in all their pockets. On the
way to the station it was ascertained that
the names of the party were none other
than Tom Porter, John Harris and VIM.
Henderson-the chief of the Mackerel
Brigade and his right and left bowers.
With this pleasant discovery on the part
of the officers the party had reached the
door of the station-house on Adams
street, when Porter, suddenly eluding
the hold upon him, broke around the
corner and took up an alley next TO the
station. Thereupon Officer Clinton,
leaving the two remaining prisoners in
the hands of his companion, started in
pursuit of the fugitive. The chase was
an exciting one, and not until within
few yards of his person did the patrolman
order Porter to halt. This he repeated
three times, when, as Porter manifested
no intention whatever of surrendering
himself up, he drew his pistol and fired
three shots, the second of which felled
the fugitive to the ground, the ball enter
ing his left side, in the immediate vicin-
ity of the heart. Porter exclaimed as
the ball struck him, 81 am shot;
Il am killed." and the latter
was indeed true. He really ex-
PRED before the officer had
come up to him; and thus was brought
suddenly to close the life of probably
the most reckless and depraved boy thief
who has ever figured on this bluff. An
inquest on the body of the deceased was
held at the station by Coroner Cotton
this morning, and . verdict rendered in
accordance with the above facts. Porter
was only eighteen years of age, and yet
he has figured in the police circles of the
city for over nine years out of that num-
Der. He was the son of David Porter,
now deceased, who before the war was
for several years deputy jailer in this
county.
Having thus given the facts of this
case in detail, we must emphatioally con-
denim the act by which young Porter has
fallen. 1t is no excuse to say he was q
vicious character, which might be said of
any one in the power of policeman.
The right to take life exists in no officer,
except in self defense, for the purpose of
preventing crime, and perhaps to pre-,
vent the escape of criminals of high
grade, and of those in Jail. Apoliceman
has no more right to kill petty Of
tenders to prevent escapes than he has
to kill innocent men. He has no
more right under the law to take life or
use unnecessary violence in making ar
rests than any other man. And it is time
they were given to understand the law on
this subject. They are beginning to use
their pistols altogether too freely. And
innocent men are as likely to suffer in
their moments of excitement and passion
as any others, who, though charged with
offenses, are presumed innocent before
the law until the contrary appears. And
we say emphatically it is time to hold
them responsible for all reckless, cruel
and imprudsnt acts.
NOTICE TO COUNTRY MER'
CHANTS large stock OF calfcoes,
bleached and brown domestics, plain
and striped osnaburgs, boots, SHOES,
notions. etc, can be bought at very
low prices at J. III. Loewenstine d
Bros.', Clay Building They are de-
termined 10 sell out.
AUCTION SALE OF FRUIT AND ORSA-
MENTAL TREEs.-An extensive sale by
auction of fruit and ornamental trees
will commence at the Arcade, No. 300
Second street, tomorrow, and continue
until the whole is disposed Of The
stock, which comprises very large
variety of fruit trees, evergreens and
silver naples. has been selected with
l. n II y DoboooL