Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-04-26

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A murder was committed about one
Pollock yesterday morning, a few miles
below the city, by a negro deck hand
on h steamer Mary Alice, which for
diabolical ferocity surpasses anything that
we nave had to record in some time. The
facts in the case, as brought out in the
preliminary examination before Squire
Herman. at nine o'clock yesterday morn
ing, are as follows:
Some days ago the engineer, Mr.. Ben
jamin Kennedy, foundf fault with a negro
fireman named Alex. Henderson, for his
laziness and inefficiency. Alex. threat
ened to fix him " for it, but nothing was
thought of the threat at the time nor
since, About one o'clock yesterday
morning, just as the Mary Alice was at
the head OF Cow Island, Kennedy having
to leave his engine, called out to a watch
man on duty, named Spencer Wadling-
ton, to tell Tuck ian assistant engi-
neer, TO come and take charge of the en-
CINE, and to make that did lazy son of a
BIB, Alex. Henderson, fire up"
Wellington testifes that he was about
passing this word to Tuck, when he saw
Alex. Henderson walk up to Kennedy
and speak to him. Some words
passed between them, and he saw them
clinch, Alex. seizing Kennedy and forcing
him into the darkness toward the guards
of the boat. In a moment he heard Ken
nedy cry for help, and started to his as.
sistance, but before reaching him, he was
confronted by Jerry Anderson, a power
full mulatto, and a partner of Alexis, who
knocked him (Wadlington) down twice,
the second time telling him if he attempt
ed 10 interfere he would kill him. He
then saw Kennedy reel, heard a splash as
he struck the water, and heard one cry
for help, then all was still. On examin-
ing the gunwale, where Kennedy went
over, a large pool of blood was found, as
if Alex. had stabbed him before throwing
him over.
Capt. Dawson, commander of the Mary
Alice, testified that he heard the voice of
the engineer cry for help. Was on the
o at the time, and saw a man in the
water. Ordered the boat brought to, and
the yawI lowered. Could not find the
body, however.
Watchman McCausland was on watch
with Wellington, and after he heard the
fuss, Alex. CO J to him and told him the
engineer was overheard. On asking him
what he meant, Alex. said that the en-
gineer had struck at him (Alex.) and
tripped and fallen overheard.
The above comprises the whole of the
testimony. Other witnesses were exam
ined, but NJ further facts were ELECTED.
Captain Dawson caused the murderer
and his accomplice to be secured, and on
arriving opposite the city yesterday morn
ing, he " brought to +" in the stream, and,
whistling for a tug, sent ashore for the
police, to whom he delivered them. They
were carried to the Adams street station,
and at nine O'Clock taken before
Squire Herman, who examined into the
affair as above detailed. The prisoners
were defended by Mr.. Orville Yerger, who
crOss-examined the witnesses in
troduced. After an impartial examine
ton, the Squire committed both negroes
to Jail, without bail, to answer to the
of murder.
Alex. Henderson is a stout, chunky, |
villainous looking negro; Anderson is
well built and has a very intelli-
gent face. If they do no swing for the
work it will be because the people
are afraid to execute the laws-snd not
thew do no deserve hanging.