Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-08-27

A WsII-KnOwn Citizen Charged with Mur-
derlhg his Wife.
Ne Is interviewed by an Appeal Reporter.
and Makes a Statement.

and Makes a Statement.
Last night Deputy Sheriff Cranmer had
3 warrant placed in his hands by Coroner
Moffstt for the arrest of Captain Allen,
one of the proprietors of the Commercial
Hotel, in this city, charging him with
murder, based on information given TO
the CoroRsr by some of his ne;ghbors.
Mrs. Allen, the wife of Captain Allen,
died on Wednesday and was buried ON
Thursday. A notice Of her death was
published in the APPEAL. The Coroner
received intimstion to the effect that foul
dealing had been carried on in regard to
her, and he had also limitations that 1t
would be considered a gross failure of
duty on his part TO neglect the CASE which
would render him liable to criminal
prosecution. Hence the issuance of the
warrant. Deputy Sheriff Cranmer served
the warrant on Captain Allen about 10
O'Clock. Both gentlemen proceeded TO
Coroner Mottstt's, when it was agreed to
take $40, 600 bonds for his appearance
when called on. The bond was furnished,
and Mr.. Allen let 90. The body will be
examined to-day, and q post mortem ex-
animation and inquest held on it, the re-
suit of which viii be published in the
APPEAL.
AN INTERVIEW.
Our reporter interviewed Mr.. Allen
about twelve O'Clock last night in refer
ence to this affair, which resulted in
bringing out the following account of the
matter:
Rsporter.-We are given TO understand
that Coroner Motfatt, acting on certain in
formation which he has received, has
issued a warrant for your arrest on a
charge of murder?
Ayes, tina Is so; the warrant is In
the hands of the Deputy Sheriff, Mr..
Cranmer.
RepOrtor,-When did your wife, Mrs.
Allen, die?
A-She died on Wednesday, the 2Sd, at
10 o'clock in the morning.
RepoFter.-WhO was attending her
besides yoprself2
A.-Well, the house keeper and all of
US were attending her; she was not sick;
she had a child, which was a few weeks
old, when she took this morphine; she
would take it every time when she could
get it; she WAS affected with disease ofthe
womb.
Reporter.-Is the child still living?
A.-The child is still living; Mrs. Allen,
myself and the nurse were attending the
baby.
Reporter.-who bought the morphine
for her?
Al was morphine that belonged to
y MIS- 4h4bDlF WIN 1A6u III lu6 uOuS6t |
was in the house inc last spring; it
that the house-keeper, Mrs. Bell, |
stole 1t for her.
Reporter-Where was that morphine? /
At must have been hid in Mrs. |
Bells bsd room. Mrs. Bell acknoWl-
having got it and given Mrs. Allen
a small dose OF it. That morning after
died l wont to inquire End look after
5he cause, and l found a quantity of NOR
nhlna in = small hnffla in a hnctaf - Fha /
room.
Rsporter.-When did she take it?
A.--She must have taken it before sup
per the previous night. h "threW up"
ust before we Went to supper, and said
she Wss sick at the stomach. She did not
that Mrs. Bell had given her NOR
Dhine. 1 retired to bed at 10. She was
lsleep then. They were all gone to bed
Jut the nurse and Mrs. Bell. l slept in
he same bed with my wife. At IL O'Clock l
got up to 90 in the next room to look sitter
he baby, and as l was leaving the bed
he started up suddenly and appeared
frightened. She caught hold of me, and
ried out, whats the matter, what's the
natter?" l tcld her TO lie down, that l
vas going TO look after the baby. She
ppeared 10 be very sleepy. l was slip
ing out of the bed as easily as l could, ,
o keep her from waking. She Just sat up
n bed that time. After seeing the baby
went back to bed. She was not asleep,
ut Wesried. She wanted to rest her head
a my arm, n when she got il in that
OsitiOn b inquired, "Lovey, do you I
i've mt ?"isnd when said YES" she re. !
MARKED, 20, Pm so happy, go happy, but :
~ head aches so;" and she fell asleep in
laJ position. DIR. +. A. White was there 8
next morning an hOur Of the sun, and r
ppled the stomach pump. /
Reporter-There was no inquest, was
i
Al proposed to have an inquest, but q
7. White said il WAS not necessary: that
10 cause OF death wss morphine, and the I
hole family knew 1t. 1 found the
orphine in the basket, where 1 4
Mrs. Bell had put it back. \
lille / was inquiriDg about this a
70 little girl ran in and sad
.at Mrs. Allen mad been to the closet the
svious evening. l then looked in there ii
ID found & paper with some morphine in b
hid there also. l am of opinion that y
Is. Allen took morphine from that paper |
80. When Mrs. Bell brought the bottle q
her she must have taken a quantity out IA
d put IL ii that paper and hid it so she h,
ulG getit when lshe wanted it, At 3 q
'lOck in the morning Mrs. Bell called d
20 attend to the baby while she went
I To milk b cows. l got out of bed W
thOut waking her. / attended to the
by till sun-up. Then l called the girl
d gave her the baby aud ] went in to d
, Mrs. Allen.
proposed to come to town to have
At the hotel that morning. 1
d made every preparation. The horse al
IS hitched at the door, and everything
.dy, when I went into the bedroom to m
! Mrs. Alien. / laid my hand on hers "a
4 found it cold; then l touched her feet
4 found them cold. Then l rushed out Mt
d inquired of Mrs. Bell about what she ga
4 given her, and she acknowledged to pl
given her a little morphine. Then dI
girl Ida said that Mrs. Allen had been iii
closet. At
was onhne to her bed principally tN
a TINS womb disease. DR.. White was ig
regular family physician. M
$50