Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-07-02
A CARD TO THE PUBLIC.
A FerOciOus Assault.

A true statement of facts relative tC
the cowardly assault made upon me OF
Friday evening last, with brass knuckles,
by George w. l.. Crook, at his house,
l25 Adams street:
In order that all my friends may IN
derst9nd al the circumstances, | will
commence by stating that Judge Selby
and l have been ac%quaintances and
friends for thirty-odd years. He con-
suited me, always, S regarded his BUSH
ness, and looked upon me as q true and
honest friend. About some two weeks
ago l learned he was sick, and called
late in the evening at his old boarding
place, Nc. IS Poplar street, and found
his room vacated. Mr.. Cheek, the pro-
prietor, informed me that a Yankee
looking, smoOth-shaven man, with a
high bell-crown hat, had taken the
Judge, baggage and all, to his house.
He believed the name was Crook.
Being at a private house, l waited for
an invitation before l called on the
Judge. After having been there a few
days, Crook called on me with a mes
sage from the Judge to call and see him.
| did so, and found him occupying the
extreme l. room. He had all his valua-
bic papers with him, eve to the box
which he usually kept in the bank. The
Judge told me at this time, as well as at
every other visit, ~ would give a thou
sand dollars if / never had been brought
here. Before coming it was all smiles
and fair promises; but now l am here,
| cannot get anything at the time | want
it. l want to get me another boarding
place. Told him he was too weak to
move then, but be patient until he was
stronger, and then he could make a
/ proposed to him to get Jen-
ME, a servant whom he had raised, and
one whom he had the utmost confidence
ia, to nurse him. His reply was, the
wOman's mother was then sick, but a.
soon as she could leave her, he would
get her. She came about a week ago.
He requested me to call every day,
l did, excepting last Thursday.
On that day it rained so hard I 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
l thought he was doing well,
and told him so. On the evening of the
day, about five o'clock, Crook
called at my Office and left word las |
was out at the timel for me to cal, as the
Judge was dying. As soon as l received
the message / Immediately went to see
him. 1 went to his room, but found
him not there; was met by his servant
who invited me into the front room,
he then lay. He looked at noe,
to recognize me, but did not
speak. Crook was not present while ]
there. While sitting there Jennie
old me he asked her not to leave him,
out stay until he died, and to take care
If everything in his room until the
proper persons came fOl them, which
ihe promised him to do. l then sug-
yested to her to lock the room he
ormerly occupied mot knowing who
vas about the housed. She went,
Dut soon returned, saying there was no
l then suggested she had betteTI
ret his keys and lock the lOX and table
She did so and came back, say
ng she had locked them, but Mrs. Crook
,dd taken them from her, thereby taking
he responsibility Ia very delicate one
tpOn herself, of all the Judges effects,
which 1, an old and trusted friend, |
would not have done. l made no reply.
sat beside the Judge until about sun
ct. Thinking he would probably live
ONE hours, l told Jennie / would 90
lome and let my family know where l
vas, and get my supper; that | would
eturn Immediately, andremain all night
With him. / left him alone with his
On my return l was met by
Irook at the foot of the steps, he stand
ng two steps above me, saying, "DOn't
enter my house." using very abusive
language too bad for a r pOlite) also;
you insulted my wife by ordering
Judge Selby's servant to lock up his eff
ects." 1replied, "'you are mistaken;
meant no insult by it," Without a
noment's warning, he commenced
me very violently with brass
.nuckles, or some other hard sub
lance, decorating my face, closing up
ne eye entirely, and bruising my nose
readfully. He, at the same moment
the advantage of me, l
ould not ward off anyo of the blows, but
s Don as he came down on the pave
lent 1 knocked him down, and WAS
bout returning some Of his polite treat
lent, when l was interfered with. He
ntered his gate, turned, and told the
entlemen standing by that l had in
llted his wife. / then said, "Gentle-
let me eApldlu 10 you NuaJ ne
ais an insult.u Ithen told them what
have already stated. / was standing
18th my back at the corner Of the fence,
u the sidewalk, and before / knew it
e struck me again, just behind the,ear,
18th some hard substance, leaving an
brasiOn. 1 turned around, and to the
est advantage broke my umbrella over
is head. ,qrf4 e4T. fa
Would not a man OF woman of integ-
ty have been glad to have had the re-
possibility taken from them? Was the
given to keep me from paying
le last respects TO an oldfriend? Or was
intended to prevent a witness being
resent until he was consigned to his
st home? A generous public, time,
nd after circumstances, will decide.
Iany rumors are already afloat.