Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-03-24
YERGER.
His Voluntary Return and Surrender
to the Mississippi Authorities.
His Letter TO Governor RlCorn Ex-
planning Why He Left the Jail.

From the Vicksburg Times.l
JACKSON, Miss, March 20, 1870
At three O'Clock this morning, Col
onel Z. NJ. Yerger appeared on the
streets of Jackson, escorted by four
mounted men armed with double
barrelled shot guns. The caValcade
Immediately attracted the attention OF
the police, who, anxious ior the Oh
fered reward, gave close pursuit. 1he
party put spurs TO their horses ana
rode directly to the gates OF the JAN.
Yerger himself rang the bell, ana on
the appearance Of the jaileT, delivered
himself up. Before the gaze was
opened the Sheriffs officers and police
y ere on the ground, but Colonel Yer
ger, surrounded by his mounted eS-
cort, simply announced: "Ihis IS
voluntary surrender, gentlemen, no
reward will be given" This settled
the hash for the police, and to-day
your correspondent visited the prl5-
oner. l should have stated before,
that after his entrace 10 the jan, ms
escort rode away. Who they are, or
whence they came, is as uncertain as
the origin and disappearance of the
witches IN Macbeth.
Colonel Yerger, Of course, remains
dumb as TO his whereabouts since MS
absence. He describes his mode OF
escape exactly as your correspondent
described il q week ago to-day. He
saws the reason of his escape Is this:
When he retired for the night he had
no idea Of leaving, but during the
night an irresistible desire 10 get
away" to leave the prison walls
and breathe the pure air OF tne
country came over him" HIS Dfalh
"went mad as thoughts OF his long
imprisonment cOurssd through IL, anu
a feeling pervaded his whole spirit
that he must either get over that isuce
or dash bis brains out against the
nrison walls" With this determina-
lion he went into the jailer's room
(he states) seemingly in a convlviai
mood, lulled any suspicious
which they might have, and got
rid of his watcher by sending
him out for coffee. But he says,
s'learning that the officers of the Jail
had been accused Of cOnnivance at MS
escape, and feeling deep regard for
their many kindnesse5 toward him,
as far as the discipline of the Jail
would allow" he determined TO re-
turn. although it was his original in
teution TO remain away until the
April trial came on; and preparations
had been made for a trip to New
Yark. In getting over the fence he
hurt his loot severely, and says he
took the Saan's hCrse as 2 matter OF
necessity, as ho vas unable TO walk.
10 describes the foIT men who es-
cofted him in AS four men picked
from Swenty-fve picked men, ana
describes those four men as able 10
whip fifteen ordinary men. lis
statement can be believed or attribu-
tad to the mans " vanity" mentioHed
in Governor AlcOrn's description.
He had no doubt many narrow es-
canes from capture, rs the county was
secured by armed bands OF men,
mostly colOred, ia earnest desire lor
his cauture. lie TecOunted many OF
Ms seraIes. While on a turkey hunt
with a friend they were met by four
negroes, armed, who stated they were
in search of L. NJ. YergeT, and de-
scribjng the nlan as described IN the
proclamation, with the exception thay
tGexcessiye vanity had been construed
into excessive (Or iarge) veins ana
the hands of himself ana IrleadS
were closely scrutinized, docking foEE
the yeins.) The party were informed
that Yerger and his friend knew the
exact whereabouts Of the lUgitive,a
arrangements were made on the spot
for a division OF the reward. The ne
proes were stationed in different spots
and told to wait until they heard
/ call, then to come as soon as possible
/ to the spot whence the call !" came.
/ Yerger saws if they waited for The
| call. they are waiting now. One thing
1 Is certain, he has not been away rom
Z the city any great distance, as his
/ personal appearance shows the same
/ dainty care and attention which has
! always been one of his characteristics.
! The sheriff of Kinds county has
! been indefatigabie in his eXeTions to
/ secure the re-arTest Of Nerger. Depu
ties have been stationed at various
points in and around the city, and
| even at far. distant points, so as 70
! leave no means of escape open. One
of these parties, consisting Of Deputy
/ Sheriff Sheely and assistant, was the
Grst 20 recognize the prisoner as he
appeared on the road with his friends
and Immediately gave the alarm anc
pursued as rapidly as possible, ar
rlving at the Jail shortly after the
prisoner.
Means have been taken to pre-
vent any further escape.
| From the Vioksburz Herald
I Jackson, March 20, ls7O.-Ed. Yer.
ger returned last night at a late hour,
and voluntarily surrendered himself
to the Jail guardians OF this city. He
was accompanied by two or three
friends. He has not been a greater
distance than eight miles from town
during his absence, and expresses
/ himself grateful for his weeks 9
sport" as be terms it, hunting, fish
Ing, etc. Much surprise at his return
IS manifested. His first question TO
the taller on his admittance was, " Is
my room in order?" Next, he sent a
note to a neighbOring saloon, which
| read, "Good morning; 1 have re-
turned; send me q bottle Of cocktail
ano a dozen cigars" He has written
the following letter TO Governor Al
corn:
JACKsON JAIL,
March -, am, lS70.J
To His Excellency, Hon. J. L. Alcorni