Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-04-07

A Murder, Attempted Murder
and Suicide.
A Well Kn0Wn Citizen Kills his
Roommate, attempts the
Life Of a Friend, and
Commits Suicide.
A Most Shocking Affair.

Aten early hour yesterday morning, q
tragedy was enacted ia this city, which
excels in horrors anything Of the sort
that ever ~traDspired in Memphis-s deed
OF madness and blood, which made cur
whole city stand aghast, sad the details
of which were the almost sole topic OF
conversation among all classes OF our
population during the day-being the
murder OF one cid ana well known citi-
zen, the sever and probably fatal
wounding OF another, and the suicide Of
the murderer-himself e man Of IL e
highest staAdiDg in the community, and
st one time one of the wealthiest meT-
chants OF our city.
The circumstances OF the melancholy
and tragic affair, as near as we hay Q
been able to CLEAN them, are as follows:
About 8 quarter to Z o'clock yesterday
morning the attention of the occupants
Of Front Row, ia the neighborhood of
the Bradley Block, wss attracted by
loud talking and unusual noises, pro
ceeding from rooms in the third story OF
that building, occupied by A. ]. Walt,
Newberry Gibson and Geo. Nelson.
The DOiss lasted several minutes, and
even st that early hour induced 8 num-
Der OF persons, among them patrolmen
Chamberlain aud Hood, to approach the
building, which is comparatively isolated,
to learn the cause of the disturbance.
As they nesred the building they Jaw a
man in his neither garments, 8 red isn-
mel shirt and drawers, run down the
stairs holding with his left his right hand
and arm, from y hich the blood was flow
ing most cGpiously. Terror WAS marked
on every line of his countensnce, and he
L--T1.---Z -. l. -,-- H. -.NA,T-aA. TAnE
Jack Welt was trying to kill him.
Almost simultaneously they hesrd
shouting and loud talking from the Ad-
ans street side of The building, and
rushed around there Just in time to see
Mr.. Wait standing 10 tbs window, Wild
ly gestjenlating with his arms, and ex-
claiming: "Vaiu world good bye"
g Vain world 1 am going to leave you"
He was but half dressed, having OF his
shirt, pants and socks, bus no boots or
coat.
The officers In an instant appreciated
the situation, and bounded up the steps
20 try and save Walt if possible, but he
was doomed.
While they were ascending the steps,
instead Of pluDging hesdlong to the pave
ment, as they supposed was his intention,
he had seizsd hold of the window sill
and swung himself down the side Of the
house, holding first by one hand and
then by the other. AS they opened the
door Of the room, be loosened his bold
and fell to the pavement, sheer fifty feet
B. low, breaking his neck, and dying in
the course of q few moments. The off,
GERS got to the widow IN time to see him
fall and strike tbs pavement.
Dizzy and sick with horror, they turn
to go TO his Gi6, ana a scene met their
eyes which beggars description. Lying
in a led ia the room, was the body Of a
man With q huge cash in his temple,
from which the blood and brains were
oczing, and with another trsnsversely
across the forehead, splitting the skull
and taking the whole roof of the head
almost of the BODY. The body was ly-
ing in q BaturA position, and IS the Off
GERS reached the bedside, was still gasp
ing, but died almost Immediately after
ward.
A crowd had gathered around the
body of the suicide below, and
the alarm Of the murder soon
spread, and numbers Of persons came up
into the ROOM, among them several who
recognized the murdered man as New.
berry Gibanp, the roo&rmste and bosom
friend OF Walt.
PursuipR their invest cations, the off,
GERS went Into the adjoining room, Ocou
pied by Nelson, and from when he lad
escaped. Here they found, lying on the
bed, g hatc&A covered With blood, and
msrks OF s struggle.
Meanwhile Mr.. Nelson had been cared
for, placed under the iB1uence Of chlorO-
form, and his wounds dressed A COro-
ner,s Jury was empsuneAed, and a verdict
in accordance with tbs above fsots was
rendered.
From Mr.. Nelson's statement 1t seems
that Mr.. Walt must have seized the
Ratchet ian ordinary sized one, quite
sharp, and used TO split kfndling wood,
and first dealt the mnrderous blows to
his roommate, who was probably asleep
a. the time. Possessed then with the
msnia for blood, he went to Nelson's
room and struck at him, Nelson wsrding
off the blow from his head, bat receiving
it in his hand and arm. After striking
Nelson the madmsn threw the Ratchet
on the bed, went 70 the window, and de-
stroyed himself as detailed,
Comment upon this awful tragedy is
unnecessary. Mr., Walt was insane
business troubles baying preyed upon
ais ulAlA GEtu ~ ESNC "HJ "NS =
brother Of Rufus and Marin Walt, and
was at one time one Of the VsRlthiest
and foremost merchants Of Memphis
loved and esteemed by every one who
knew him.
Mr.. Gibson was 3 man OF soma forty
five years OF age. S0ms years sgo be
vac with Mr.. Titus in the cotton bust
ness. OF isfe be hes been a sort Of fac
totttn for Mr.. Walt, with whom be Yss on
terms OF the closest Intimacy and friend
ship. Both bodies were taken to the
residence CT Mr. Rufus Walt, whene'
they will be buried to-day.
Mr.. Nelson wss removed TO the Wor'
sham House, where, at a late hour last
night, he lay in a very p%recarious situa'
ti0n-having lost so much blood-tha
his recovery is very doubtful.
WIGaANs & THORN, 2SS Main street