Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-01
coLoRsp Ku.KLux.
Three Attempts by Negroes 10 Hang
Negro---A Col0red Robbers Life
saved by COlored Preacher.

Turee Attempts Dy NeBT0es 10 h"nb
q Negro---A CoIored Robbers Life
saved by n Coiored Preacher.
Tho Pigeonroost road, a little beyond
what is known as the Brick Grocery,
about mile and half from Memphis,
was scene OF wild excitement on Sat
urday night. IL appears that between
nine and ten o'clock three strange dar-
kies were observed lettering about the
Dunn place, near the top of Vance
street They we're we'll armed and dis
guised. A negro living in the neiEhbor-
hood, wishing TO purchase something in
a grocery close by, came out with few
dollars in his pocket. By way Of pro-
lection, be also brought pistol with
him. He had only walked few steps
on his errand when he was met by the
trio Of providers and stopped. One Of the
party took him by the arm, and stepping
aside with him, said Which is the way
to Whites station2 I'll give you dollar
if you'll show me the road" The inno-
cent darby said, "Yes, sab, III show
you" and walked forward to point out
the shortest route. He had proceeded
but few yards when his companion
knocked him down and commenced
searching his pockets. A scufae ensued,
in which the innocent darby was badly
bruised. His clothes were torn to shreds.
The highwaymsn, however, succeeded in
rfing his pockets, and leaving him, as
he thought half dead in the road. But
he was mistaken, for ere the robber
could reach his confederates the bruised
negro had risen to his feet and arrived
close enough to discharge four shots at
him. The robber fred Que shot in re-
turn, aHd fed Ia his flight he came
toward Central Point, where a number Of
white men, attracted out Of doors by the
sound of firearms, stopped and held him
until the bruised and robbed negro came
up. Ga learning how the matter stood
the white men placed the highwaymsn
in store for safety until he could be de-
livered into the hands of an officer, but
the robbed man made such an alarm as
to cause about two hundred negroes
men, women and children-to congre-
gate and demand the thief. The
white men, seeing nothing else would
pacify the crowd, placed the robber in
their hands, when they rushed out the
Pigeonroost road with him, crying,
Hang him hang him hang hm!" A
rope YES Immediately purchased and tied
about his neck. Fortunately for the
robber, it wasn't fixed in true hangman's
style. The crowd of negroes kept in
creasing and rushing until they arrived
in a strip of woods beyond the Brick
Grocery" on the Pigeonroost road.
There they halted and, amid the widest
yells, prepared to hang their brother
African. TLey threw one end of the
rope across the limb Of sweet-gum tree
and jerked the poor fellow up; then sud
denly let him down. Finding be wasn't
dead, they yelled like savages aud jerked
him up again, and again let him down.
Astonished to find the thief still alive,
they struck him several blows in the face
and jerked him once more, letting him
down as quickly as before. A sort of
superstitious feeling now filled the crowd,
and they cried 10 deafening voice,
Hes the debil he's the debil p 1t
never occurred to any of them that the
rope wasn't tied properly, or that the fell
low held it with his hands every time
they jerked him, so that it scarcely
touched his neck. A colored preacher,
whohsppened to represent, taking sdvsn-
tage of the superstitiods spell, prevailed
on the crowd of darkies to spare the rob-
ber's life and hand him over to the Off |
GERS of justice. So amid yells and jeers
and Bullets they brought him to town,
with the rope around his neck, and |
ave him into the custody of officers at
the second distrct stationhouse. The
fellow gave his name as George Brown.
he will be examined before magistrate
this afternoon. We would advise his |
comrades in crime to keep clear of Cen
trail Point, for the industrious darkies in
that neighborhood are determined to
hang all the rogues OF color they End
prowling about This is matter worthy
the consideration of Rev. Chief OF Police
Pearne.
wANTED-.Cfty and country people
TO know that we are now Offering our
splendid stock of BOOTS, SHOES and
HATS at retail, at less than whole
sale prices. Satisfy yourselves By
1T HAEnI.AN a. o.