Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-07-05
Wore KIdnnnplnr.

About two weeks since the LEDGER In
formed the public that Mary Jones. an
ebony colored damsel, standing asout
five feet eleven, and without shoes, made
an attempt to aud did steal a colored
baby about four months old, by Undue
ing It's mother 10 follow her upon the
pretext OF securing for her situation
as wet nurse. Mary, however, obtained
her liberty upon some pretext, but only
to be arrested this morning on similar
charge, and IL the circumstances of the
case as reported to our news grabber are
proven at the trial tomorrow morn
ing, Mary, as well as her partner
in business, viii find home
at Nashville. This morRing, upon
the arrival Of Captain Athy at his Office
he was confronted by a score or so Of
blaeks-men and women-one Of whom,
Mary Mcdonald, a bright mulatto girl
about twenty years old, stated to the
Chief that her babe, about two weeks
old, had been stolen last night by Mary
Jones and her assistant, Allen Wilkes,
at about eleven o'clock, from her house
on Poplar street, near the bayou. Cap
tain Atby at once detailed Sergeant Ar
rata and officer c. w. Alt to ascertain
the whereabouts Of the lemon.colored
waifand the kidnappers, and they started
at once for Happy Hollow, where they
met the champion Mrs. McCarty, who told
them all she knew about the matter, and
gave them some friendly advice, bidding
them sdieu with one of those affection
ate (?) blessings she is wont to bestow
upon all-and especially newspaper re-
porters-who venture into that part of
the city. Learning that the woman they
were searching for was in house near
by, the officers entered the house and
found what they supposed to be new
born infant in bed; but after asking a
few questions their suspicious we're
aroused, and, obtaining the services Of
an aged wench, the supposed mother of
the child was decided fraud and she
was ordered to get up and accompany
them to the station-house, which she did
Sergeant Arrata carrying the infant ten
derby to the police station, where its
mother bounced upon ii instanter and
clasped it in her arms, smothering it
with kisses. After Mrs. Mary Jones and
Mr.. Allen Wilkes had registered their
names, they we're taken to photograph |
gallery, and ten by twelve picture of
each as taken to adorn the album of
Captain Athy. Mary tells a rather cir
cuitous yarn about her object in getting |
the child. She stated at first that its
mother was wanted as a wet nurse in a
family in South Memphis, and that she
was to receive thirty dollars per month
for her services, and stated also that the
man Allen brought the baby to her, and
that its father, white man, would pay
literally for its support, and also stating |
that he had already received the first
installment twenty five dollars), and
would divide that amount with her to-
night, but cautioned her against letting
anybody see the child or know that he
brought it there. This is probably the
true version of the matter, Aliens state
mont that the child's grandfather was
instrumental in having it removed, to the
contrary Notwithstanding. The Re-
corder will fully investigate the matter
on Monday morning, when the facts in
the case, as near as can be ascertained,
will be obtained and the guilty ones
punished.