Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-04
A MEMPHIS MYSTERY.

UnaccOuntabIe Hurting of Missiles AT
the Residence OF DF. q. williams
Windows and shutters BrOken-Thc
Assault Continued Day and Might
Narrow Escape from Injury Of the
Insnntes Latest Particulars.
From tho Memphis Avalanche. August 2.
The mysterious demonstrations against
DIR &. Williams residence, on Orleans
street, which at first seemed ludicrous, have
assumed a most Rerious aspect. What then
appeared a. a wild freak Of mischievOus
registers has changed into a persecution Of
an estimable gentleman and has family.
Accompanied 10y several gentlemen con-
nected with this journal, the writer visited
the scene Of excitement At two o'clock yea
terday morning. Everything was quiet,
and probably fifty OF sixty persons were
present, awaiting developments. Inquiry
developed thai only two or three bricks had
been thrown between midnight and two
A. NJ. and that the hurting Of the missiles
usually ceased at the latter hour, resuming
nj nine, ten or eleven o'clock an the fore
noon.
Shutters and glass were broken at every
window, and several brickbats had been
hurled through 4 transom over the front
door and Immediately under the balcony.
II il evident that the missiles sent through
the transom were from a short distance, az,
otherwise, in descending they wonld have
struck the balcony. They came from the
west side o. the street, where there is a
large vacant lot. Policemen and others
we're stationed At different points, strain
ing their eyes Tor glimpse of the offender.
At halEpast two the journalistic party left
and up 10 that time the house was not again
struck.
An hour later, according 70 the state
mems Of policemen, three briCkbats
the house; one from the west and the others
from the South. The assault then ceased
until eight or nine o'clock yesterday morn
ing. when brickhats began 10 be hurled at
long intervals, continuing throughout the
day.
Hundreds visited the spot during the
day, In small squads, and peered through
the broken windows "a cautiously ~ though
fearing the explosion Of a bOmbshell. At
nightlall the crowd increased, and at nine
o'clock four or five hundred people, many
Of them ladies, were grouped in the street
fronting the house Many were about the
windows, examining the broken shutters
and glass. Occasionally sO.LebOdy in the
rear would cry out "lIere comes brick
look out," and general stampede would
occur.
About halfpast nine o'clock a pane Of
glass was shivered, and as soon "a the sen
sation suhsided, scores rushed to the window
ut was on the north side) to observe the
extent Of the damage. II was discovered
that the hrickhat was wet ~ though i'm
mersed in water. Upto hall-past ten o o'clock
no other brick was thrown, and many who
went ont anticipating a lively assault on
the building, returned TO the city unsatis.
fed with the evenings adventure.
While all were breathlessly waiting, DIR.
Williams appeared on the balcony and adj
dressed the crowd. lie said he returned
only at midnight of Friday after months
absence. Seeing large crowd IN front of
his residence he was filled with the most
serious approximations for his family, which
were quoted only by hearing a statement
Of facts from his wife. During yesterday
several bricks had been hurled into the
house, and his wife, mother and youngest
child, narrowly escaped being struck by
them. Col. Beaumont had visited the
premises in the afternoon, but affecting TO
believe the demonstration was produced by
parties belonging to them, Withdrew his po-
lice and would have nothing further TO do
with the Investigations. DIR. Williams pro-
tested against the action and insinuations
of the Chief of Police, and called upon the
people present TO protect him from the mys-
terious persecution which threatened at any
time 10 strike down himself or any member.
of his family. lie further announced that
he WAS a Mason Knight Templar-and.
called upon the fraternity TO assist in rid-
ding him Of the persecution with which,
unknown parties had surrounded him.
His remarks were listened 90 with marked
attention, and il was understood nj eleven
o'clock that strong guard OF Sitizens would
remain all night.
These singular demonstrations COM
mcnced Tuesday evepiug Mr.. Nat. Jones'
residence, adjoining, ON the corner Of Pop
lar street, was Grpt assaulted, but after
Wednesday lht DR. Williams residence
heCmne the object Of these missiles. OF
course none hut spiutualists attribute the
demonstrations 20 any other than human
agency; hut il Is remarkable that four days
aud nights of investigation and watching
have furnished little cine 20 the mystery
Dr. Williams feels himself the helpless.
victim of a grieyous persecution, and we
trust Col. Beaumont, or il he refuse, the
citizens will do all Ia their power 10 aid
him IN nis extremity