Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-11
THE PERRY TRAGEDY.
Closing Scene Of the Trial of the
Negroes Moody, Ford and Jones.
A Midnight session OF the Criminal
Court--A Verdict OF Guiiiy.

1
murder Of the late Captain s. II. Perry,
commanding at the timeof his death the
police of the southern district, which has
been in progress for number OF days
past, extended far into last night, and
was not brought TO close until near
one o'clock this morning. The case,
from the aggravated nature Of the crime
with which the prisoners were accused,
involving the death Of gallant and
respected officer, while in the discharge
of his duty, protecting the property Of
private citizens from the depredations
OF robbers, has enlisted much pub
lie interest from the inception of the
trial, and this was even increased as the
proceedings drew TO finale The fact
becoming known last evening that the
court would hear the argument of the
counsel before adjournment, the court
room became crowded with an eager and
excited assemblage, composed about
equally Of whites and blacks, and it was
with no little difficulty that order was
preserved outside Of tho ratings. The
closing scene of the trial was one of un-
usual interest The prisoners, sitting in
manacles behind their counsel, were
easily distinguished, and the observed Of
oil observers. This was not, we fancy,
because murderer had become an OBJ.
ject Of curiosity in the eyes of Mem
phis audience, but rather because there
was an indescribable something in the
circumstances attending the case upon
trial, that carried with it into the minds Of
all present an impression that the Gull
prits at the bar would be, by the jury,
to whose hands they were consigned, ad-
Judged guilty and deserving the severest
penalty of the law. The evidence had
been concluded, and there seemed no
lingering doubt as to the guilt of the
prisoners which had not been swept away
by an unbroken chain of facts and cir
cumstances, so consistent and SO strong
as to be absolutely convincing. 1t was
evident the culprits already stood con.
victed in the minds Of the crowd, and
searching and earnest glances were cast
toward the jury, with seeming eager
ness to read their thoughts in the express
sion Of their faces. The history of the
tragedy is too fresh in the mind of the
reader to require any recital of the evil
dence. Private Waterman Tilford, with
Captain Perry at the time he was shot
down, testified to seeing the fatal snot
fred, and identified one of the prisoners
at the bar as the person who discharged
the weapon. Other evidence went to
show thatell three of the accused were
associated in the robbery, and therefore,
according to law, particeps criminis in
the murder.
The argument on behalf Of the State
was opened by Col. CAN'T about sun
down, and he was followed by Capt. Van
Anderson. j. T. Robinson, Esq, then
opened the defense, aud was followed by
Orville Yerger, Esq. The case was
closed for the prosecution by Col. Bull
lock, acting in the absence of Gen.
Thorne as Attorney General. The pc
rioration of the last speaker was forcible
and eloquent, and as he resumed his seat,
the crowd outside of the railing, for the
moment forgetful of the place and the
occasion, broke forth in applause. This,
however, was promptly subdued by the
Sheriff, and the Court then instructed
the jury as to the law which should gov
ern them in their deliberations upon a
verdict. This concluded, and the hour
being quarter to one, the jury were
placed in charge of the proper officers,
and the Court adjourned to ten o'clock
this morning.
Upon the opening of court this morn
ing, the courtroom again reiilled with
crowd, even denser than that Of last
night. At ten o clock the jury appeared
in court and asked further time to agree.
This was granted by the court and they
retired. Re- appearing at one o clock this
pm. the Judge repeated his question.
Gentlemen of the Jury, have you
agreed upon a verdict" A GREATNESS
silence pervaded the throng in the court
room, and in the midst of this, the fore
man arose and said. "W'e have"
The verdict was then handed the Judge,
in writing, and he read it; 1--WE, the
jury, find the prisoners mentioning their
names) guilty of murder in the first de-
gree" A hum and murmur ran through |
the crowd, and, as on last night,
there was manifest disposition to
applaud, but this was promptly sup |
pressed. The court asked if the counsel
for the prisoners had aught to say before
the jury was discharged. Mr.. Robin
son, on behalf of the accused, answered
T" Nothing" The jury was then
discharged, and thus ended the closing
scene of the trial, rendered remarkable
for its being the first time in ten years a
verdict has been rendered." Guilty Of
murder iu the first degree
TIE VARIETIEs.-With the entertain
ment this evening the season at this pop
ular resort is brought to close. A bill
of unusual attraction has been arranged,