Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-09-05
THE WARD AFFAIR.
Letter from the Widow of the Deceased.

We have received the following, which
we print without comment, for reasons
obvious to every one. 1t was, as Mrs.
Ward informs us, in a private note "oriRi-
nally intended for publication in the
Ledger, but she had changed her Intention
at the advice Of friends:"
Editors APpeal-"one story good TIL the
other side is told.n / have read the long
article in the LedQer.of the 22d ult., and
wish to say q few words in reply 10 the
same. / cannot but believe that the edi-
Tors of that paper have made their state
In good faith, in regard to the dread
full affair, but it seems from the tone of
the article to be vindictive, or that they
are certain of the points they relate
are false in every in~stance-and 1
wish to make a true statement. A widow
of the murdered man, l have a much bet
ter knowledge of than the editors of the
Ledger, or what Simmons may have told
them, and / desire a hearing. / will pass
the first heading, and commence at the
Of the deceased.
Ny murdered husband, John H. Ward,
''aIwsys in difficulties" killed his man,
managed to get clear, and boosted of it
Ny husband had the misfortune during
his lifetime of killing three men-the first,
in a duel, which was forced upon him,
and from which he could not receds with
honor, years before l knew him; the mex
was in a street fight, where he was at
tackled by eleven men, none of whom
was known to him; in the affair was
killed and another badly wounded, when
the rest fed, after leaving him, as tkey
thought, dying-having tainted from the
wounds he received and loss of blood; he
was never tried for this, as none accused
too, happened long before l was
acqusinted with him. The third man killed
was a robber, shot in California while
breaking into a house. L read the account
in the California papers at the time, and
/ am confident he received the approba-
ton of all law-abiding men of his county,
especially the prosecuting attorney of the
place where it happened. These thres are
all he ever killed. Twenty years ago he
separated from his wife," This Is also
false. My husband was called to Califor-
mia on business, his partner, Barnes, being
there in difficulty in money matters; he
with myconsentand approval; he ire
manned longer than he expected. After
being burned OFT in Sonora, 1 took the
children to Tennessee nut placed them at
school, where | remained until he came
for US. While at Washington, procur-
ing a patent for a gold washer, another fire
broke out in California and burned his
property for the second time, involving
him greatly there. l concluded to remain
until he returned to California to satisfy
his creditors and build US another home.
misfortune after another followed in
his business, which kept him there; he
me to bring the children and go
to him, but 1 was afraid to go alone he
supported his family well when eve he
had a dollar of his own, but he had much
to do to get out of debt and 1 helped him
all 1 could, willingly, cheerfully and with
full confidence of his ina success, for /
ha Waa the vary GOnl Of honor
with a kind, benevolent, true heart; he
has always been kind to me and confident
of final success in his plans. Mr.. Barnes
became indebted to him and did not pay.
levied an attachment or his land for
the same, and the laws of the county
him a decree in his favor. This
is so, for L have possession of the papers.
In IS48, L believe, he entered 5000 acres
Of land mot 1900 as you say, in the
of Ward and Barnes, the half of
land he recovered from Barnes for
debt. If my husband was a member of
the vigilance committee in California l
do not know it; never heard it before and
do not believe it now.
NY DAUGHTER
married L. F. Jones in the beginning of
The war, and removed TO Prairie county,
where he exchanged his interest in his
estate for a piece of land, of very
extent, with not more than fftv
acres cleared, where he could feed his
slaves and stock in peace-ss he thought.
he sent for me to stay with him and my
iaugher, they were so lonesome. / went,
as nv husband was hen in California. A
husband, or so happy a couple l
saw. My son. John Ward. was a
officer in the Lost Cause"
l am proud to say, a gallant soldier,
As his superior officers will attest. After
ais three years service was over, east of
Mississippi river, he came home and
Oined Col. DObbin's regiment, in this
leighborhood, because his mother was
llOne. 1 do not speak Of his noble acts
lere. Let his fellow soldiers and officers
peak for him. Suffice it to say, / am
proud of my noble boy, and my sad heart
will grieve for him while memory lasts.
Ie was taken prisoner several times, and
he last time he had a parole to go home
md die neal his mother. He came TO me, 4
md was with me when my dear sOn-in-
sw, Lewis Jones, sent for me. John took
there when be was scarcely able
o ride, from long continued chills and
amp fever. With strict attention and
lursing, we got him 50 be could move
the house. About this time the
Union army was repulsed back OF Little
Rock. Gen. Price, 1 believe, the 'fficer
t DeVail's Bluff, sent my son word he
must come in and take the oath or leave
neighbOrhood. His horse had been
tolen with all of Jones' stock, except an
Id mule. He went out to buy him
mother, to go away on, and was taken
With g chill at DR.. RaybuFn's, in the
Ieighborhood, and did not get home till
and with a high fever. He was very
lex, and 1 advised him to take the oath
nd leave the Confederate army. He
aid: mo, 1 cannot forsake my country
n her dark hour, no more than 1 can
l said no more-but l was.proud of
i'm. That night sat and watched his
lex bed, bathing his head and doing all l
Guild to relieve his sufferings.
This brings me to the time you say a
and Of Confederates called and stayed all
light; next morning their horses were
lissing." This, also, is false. The night
ny son was sick, and l ministering to
ina all night, two men stopped to stay all
one of them an old acquaintance of
evils Jones' father. The next morning
leir horses we're gone along with a fine
lare, which was presented to Mrs. Jones
y 3 friend of her husband. u excited my
Dor boy so much that he rose from his
ed and wanted 10 go and look for the
orses but l prevented him. We made the
arrangements we could and got some
Orsss for the two men to go N, which
promised 70 return. They were cot
N merchants, or men looking for cotton.
have forgotten their names. We never
1t back the animals, or heard of them
rain. After this excitement my son
as very i'll with fever. When he got
'tter he went out again to purchase a
)rse to return to his company. He !
a fine horse, which he bought in
Ie neighborhoOd for seven hundred dol
rs in Confederate money. In W days
ter, my youngest son and one of the
sek boys went to the pond to
ster Ghe horses, 1--WE had bought
iOther tben,) when q man rode
D and asked the children to show
m the road to a certain place. The child
not thinking, did as requested, when
them far enough from the house.
his revolyor and ordered the child
dismount or he would blow his brains
1t. This man is knOwn.) He took the ,
,rse from the black boy, who was on the
horse, and my little son galloped
)me on the one other as fast as he could !
It there, frightened very much. Loosfng
S fine horse in such a manner, de- !
my eldest son so much it threw
IN back in his recovery, and he was
Try sick.
About this time General Price was
owing on Missouri. One night a J
md OF deserters, calling themselves {.
Onfederste soldiers, came to us !
ID asked if Louis Jones lived !
ere. 1 told them yes, when !
ey went into the house, and told him !
had came for him; he was ''con-
to go with Price to Missouri.
D1is was o in the war, and invited
to stay all night, but they declined, /
ying they were in a hurry, fearing a l
My daughter was sick at the |
ne, and her husband requested leave to l
them in a few days; 1 then asked the I
mmsnder of the party his name and !
he gave a icticious name Il !
after, and said be belonged to !
regiment; L was glad to hear |
at, and said my son belonged TO the !
me; they did not ask for my boy before !
at, and I believe if I had not spoken he Z
,uld have been alive now. They then l
ked for him and 1 went into his room