Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-07-01
TO THE PUBLIC.
A Caunrdlx AeanuIt.

the cowardly assault made upon me on
Friday evening last, with brass knuckles
by George W. l.. Crook, at his house, l25
Adams street:
In order that all my friends may I'M
derstand all the circumstances, / will
commence by stating that Judge SelbY
and / have been acquaintance and
friends for thirty. odd years. He con-
suited me. always, as regarded his busi-
ness, and looked upon me as true and
honest friend. About some two weeks
ago learned he was sick, and called late
in the evening at his old boarding place,
| No. So Poplar street, and found his room
vacated. Mr.. Cheek, the proprietor, in
formed me that Yankee-looking
smooth shaven man, with high bell.
crown hat, had taken the Judge, baggage
and ALL to his house. He believed his
name was Crook.
Being at private house, l waited for
an invitation before / called on the
Judge. After having been there few
DAYS, Crook called on me with message
from the Judge to call and see him. |
did so, and found him occupying the
extreme l. room. He had all his valu-
able papers with him, even to the box
which he usually kept in the bank. The
Judge told me at this time, as well as at
every other visit, Il would give thous-
and dollars if | had never been brought
here. Before coming, it was all smiles
and fair promises; but now am here,
| cannot get anything at the time want
it. want to get me another boarding
Mace" [ told him he was too weak to
move then, bat be patient until he was
stronger, and then he could make a
change. proposed to him to get
Jennie, n servant whom he had raised,
and one whom he had the utmost conf
dence in, to nurse him. His reply was,
the woman's mother was then sick, but
as soon as she could leave her he would
get her. She came about a week ago.
He requested me to call every day,
which did, excepting last Thursday. On
that day it rained so hard went to my
Office BY the street car. | called the next
day friday between eleven and twelve
O clock. He expressed great pleasure
at seeing me, and seemed much better
| thought he was doing well, and told
him so. On the evening Of the same
day, about FIVE o'clock, Crook called at
nv Office and left word (as was out at
the time) for me to call, as the Judge
was diving. As soon as / received the
message Immediately went to see him.
| went to his room, but found him not
there; was met by his servant who in
yited me into the front room, where he
then lay. He looked at me, seemed to
recognize me, but did not speak. Crook
was not present while was there.
While sitting there Jennie told me he
asked her not to leave him, but stay I'M
til he died, and to take care of every
thing in his room until the proper per.
sons came for them, which she promised
him to do. | then suggested to ner to
lock the room he formerly occupied tnot
knowing who was about the house,.
She went, but returned, saying there was
no key. / then suggested she had better
get his keys and lock the box and table
drawer. She did so and came back. say
ing she had locked them, but Mrs. Crook
had taken them from her, thereby taking
the responsibility Ia very delicate one)
upon herself Of all the Judges effects,
which l, an old and trusted friend,
would not have done. ] made no reply.
sat beside the Judge until about sun
set. Thinking he would probably live
some hours, / told Jennie | would go
home and let my family know where |
was, and get my supper; that / would
return Immediately, and remain all night
with him. / left him alone with his SER
want. On my return was met by Crook |
at the foot of the steps, he standing two
steps above me, saying, Dom you enter |
my house" using very abusive language
(too bad for ears polite) also; You in
suited my wife by ordering Judge Selby's
servant to lock up his effects" ! re-
piled, You are mistaken; l meant no
insult by it" Without a moments warn
ing, he commenced striking me very
violently with brass knuckles, or some
other hard substance, decorating my face,
closing up one eye entirely, and bruis-
ing my nose dreadfully. He, at the mo.
ment having the advantage of me, |
could not ward off any Of the blows, but
as soon as he came down on the pave
ment / knocked him down, and was
about returning sons Of bis polite treat
ment when 1 was interfered with. He
entered his gate, turned, and told the
gentlemen standing by that had in
suited his wife. l then said, " Gentle
men, let me explain to you what
be calls an insult" then told them
what | have already stated. | was
standing with my back at the corner of
the fence on the sidewalk, and before j
knew it he struck me again, just behind
the ear, with some hard substance, leav-
ing an abrasion. turned around, and
to the best advantage, broke my UNI
brella over his head. na .aita
Would not man or woman OF integ-
rity have been glad TO have had the re-
sponsibility taken from them2 Was the
assault given to keep me from paying
the last respects to an old friend ? or was
it intended to prevent witness being
present until he was consigned TO his
last homer A generous public, time,
and after circumstances will decide.
Many rumors are already aAoat
Respectfully, j. !. AMoEETT.
Per PosT.-We have been shown