Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-08-25

Hitherto Disputed Points satisfactO.
riIy Settled.
From the Franklin Review !

From the Franklin Reviewl
HOW TEE FATAL LETTER CAME TO LIGHT
This letter was received by John No
len, who, being unable to read, called
upon one Of our citizens to read it for
him.
He commenced reading it laOud, but
had not proceeded far when his atten-
ton was called off, and remarking to
John that the letter was very badly
written, he told him that he would read
it to him after awhile. John then told
him to put the letter in his pocket, which
be did and left Immediately to come up
town for the purpose Of making some
settlements with parties from whom he
had purchased wheat. Before reaching
his usual place OF business, he discov-
cred that the paper upon which mis-
wheat weights had been set down was
missing, together with other papers,
amongst them John NOlen's letter. Be-
lieving that he had dropped them from
his pocket when starting hurriedly from
the depot, where John had handed him
the letter, he returned thither and spoke
OF the loss and others Joined him in the
search for the missing papers. Most If
not all or his private papers were found /;
but the letter had disappeared. How it
reached the hands of EZell's friends we
cannot tell, although there is no doubt
that it was the moving cause of the &C.
ton taken on last Sunday night.
WAS THE KILLING DONE BY THE KU-
KLUX?
Our first idea when we heard of the
tragedy, was that it was committed bv
the Kuklux, but now we have reason for
doubling this. Very many Of those who
were engaged in the transaction were
not only without masks, but did not
have on the usual robes which are said
to be universally worn by that ghostly
khan, Their horses were without cover
ing, and although many Of the citizens
made earnest efforts to recognize the
hOrsemen, none we're able to do so. This
utter disregard as to whether they were
recognized or not, does not suit our pre-
conceived ideas about the KukIux.
WAS THE DEED INDoRsED BY THE PEo-
PIE OF FRANKLIN?
The Radical talk about the citizens
rescuing him (Bierfield) is simply ridicu.
lous, and emsnates alone from men en-
scOnced in their rooms out of dangers
reach. What could our citizens do with
an armed band who came on this des-
perste and bloody errand so suddenly l.?
Bierfield had shed the blood of Ezell.
Could he expect to stay quietly in reach
of the friends Of the young man after
his guilt was known?
Many Of our citizens urged upon than
(the avengers Of blood) the improprietv
Of their course and were rudely repulsed.
Every effort was made which could be
made to save the life of the unfortunate
man. out the party who had him in
cnarge were deaf to all entreaties.
A more quiet orderly, peaceable COM
munity than Franklin is not In the
Union. The property and lives Of all are
as secure here as they are upon Roston
common provided, always, that every
one Keeps out OF just such serapes az
Bierfield was engaged in.
EXECUTIVE CLEMENcY TO AssAss1Ns
THE ROOT OF The EVIL.
We are fully satisfied that the oplv
thing which has given rise to this eondi-
ton OF affairs in our State is the unwar-
rantable and iniudioious exercise of the
pardonlng power by the Governor.
When he (the GOvernor) ceases to over
rlde the Judgment of the juriss of the
courts OF the country there will be no
longer sEy excuse for the course pursued
by the Kuklux. Let the guilty ba pun
ished in the manner prescribed by law,
and We will have no more such scenes as
that witnessed here on last Saturday
night to record.
IS ISRAEL BROWN A MYTH?
Israel Brown, the writer of the letter,
is personally known to most of our citi-
zsns, and to our Representative, DIR.
McFall. He fed from here, with others.
the next day after the murder OF Ezell,
and has been hiding about Nashville,
awaiting the passage of the militia bill,
so he could come back and lord 1t over
the poor whites of this community.