Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-05
THE CICALLA SCANDAL.
The Ex-Acting Mayor of Mem
phis Drawing RatiOns Under
False PretenSeS.
A Damaging Array Of Facts-State-
meItts of MIR. Jack Haisfead and Elk.
Acting Mayor Paul A. Cicaila.


McNichols, widow lady living on Huling
street, who supports four children of a sis
ter who died with the fever, three of her
own, and self, making eight in all. Major
Nealis refused to fill the order at first, but
Mr.. Cicalla demanded them, as mayor of
the city, and Major Nealis believing he had
the right to control everything in the estab-
lishment, filled the requisitiOn and started
provisions for the lady's residence. To-day
she applied to Col. Jack Halstead for assist
ance, the large family and want of work re-
ducing her to the last extremity. The Col
onel being a large hearted man, and ever
ready to assist those in distress, made
out a requisition on Major. Nealis, which
the lady presented, to be filed. The major
remembering our eX-acting Mayors demand
for such a large amount Of provisions, and
the name connected Herewith, refused to
fill the requisition, and was in the act Of
taking steps to have her arrested, but she
pleaded hard and stated SO positively that
she had not been the recipient of anything
from the commissary that she was permit
ted to leave. She proceeded to Col. Hal
stead's residence and asked him with tears
in her eyes, "Why did you send me to that
place where they intended to send NE and
my boy to jail?' This was more than our
old citizen could stand; and although sick,
he started on the warpath. After a long
search, Jack found his honor the eX-acting,
and invited him to take seat i'll his bug
gy. FOrbearance ceasing to be virtue,
the destitute widow in tears, and the ras-
cality OF his eX-hOnOr was about as much
as Colonel Jack could choke dOwn-but at-
ter a struggle he was able to keep his hands
off the distinguished Alderman OF the
sixth ward, and the following questions
were put to him by the redOubtable Jack:
''What did you do with the rations you
drew for Mrs. NEcNichOls?' AnSwer-'I
stored them" observation-disclosures did you
store them? Tell me quick, for l will
HOME" Then the old citizens wrath
was at the highest pitch and after ordering
the EX-acting Mayor out, he informed him
that measures would be taken at once to
see the matter properly examined into.
The EX-acting will doubtless want a COM
mittee to examine the case Monday, but as
the case was put in the hands Of Captain
Harry CIanmer, and as he shows no favor,
Paul can look out.
We forgot to mention that Major Nealis
requires the signatures Of all parties who
receive goods, and rs MIS-. McNichOls
could not whichever was at school, never
saw or heard OF the acquisitions until yes
terday, Or the goods either, there remains
an open question. Who signed that re-
ceipt? Il smells of Paul's handwriting.
In addition to the above We learn that
the Honorable Paul Cicalla demanded and
received. for his own use, other goods from
the Citizens Relief COmmiSS airy.
From the Memphis Appeal, Nov. 8.
We called upon Mr.. Cicalla last evening
at his residence. corner Of Butler Of Shelby
streets. with the purpose Of interviewing
him and publishing any statements that he
saw tit to make concerning the rations
drawn for Mrs. McNichOls from Major
Nealis' commiSsary. Mr.. Cicalla declined
giving any statement at the time, but prom
iSes to make one tonight, or as soon as
possible, for publication. He states that he
made the requisition on Major Nealis, drew
the ratiOnS, and, as Mrs. McNichols was
absent, carried them to his residence and
stored them in back shed-ro0m to await
her return. He did this knowing the lady
was in need of assistance, and believing
that he had the right to draw the rations
for her. as they were sent to him with dis
cretionary powers as to distribution, and rs
some of his neighbOrs were in needy cir
cumstances he has made acquisitions for
their use; that he had no idea Of
apprOpriating to his own use any
Of the stores sent here for the poor,
and did not use any of them. He further
states that he called upon Mrs. McNicholS,
on Friday, and informed her in person, that
he had made provision for her during her
absence and that if she would send to his
house there were supplies stored there for
her use. She informed him that she had
no one to send, he then agreed to send
them to her. Saturday morning some were
sent, and at noon the same day more were
sent. We called at Mrs. McNichols' resi-
dence, but did not get to see the lady. She
made a statement to two persons, who are
reliable and trustworthy beyond doubt.
They both stated to us exactly the same
words and they are as follows: Mrs. Nc
Nichols states that she does not know how
long it is since she saw Mr.. Cicalla; that
she made no application to him for sup
plies or TO any one else, and did not know
any were drawn for her by Mr. Cicalla;
that Saturday morning, at five o'clock she
received bag of flour, one of meal and a
ham; at noon, one piece of calico, two OF
flannel. one box Of condensed milk, and
one box or can of mustard. The trouble
began Friday. so this occurred next day.
Mr.. Cicalla called Saturday morning with
goods: told her he had no money with him,
but would give her five dollars, and end the
matter, as he did not want to have any
trouble about it.
We visited Col. Jack Halstead, who
stated that the publication made by us in
Yesterdays issue was correct, excepting in
one particular, and that was that Mrs. Me
Nichols did not call upon him for supplies
and he believes she did not know any ap-
plicatiOn had been made for her benefit.
Mr.. Mat Shelby, the constable and deputy
| coroner, went to his residence and recon-
mended Mrs. McNichols as a worthy OBJ
| iect of charity; that he was in bed at the
| time Mr.. Shelby called, on the second fiOOl
of the residence, and the conversation was
carried on; Mr.. Shelby remained down
| stairs; he promised to call and see Mrs. Nc
| Nichols as he afterwards did and gave her {
| liberal requisition; the lady acted as if she
| did not understand him, until a full cxpla
nation was made; she spoke frankly of he
wants and did not call for number of ar
ticles on the requisitiOn he was filling on
as she did not need them Th'
| Colonel states that he went to Major Neali!
and informed him Of the requisition mad,
in Mrs. Nichols favor. and Mr.. Savage,
clerk at the COmmisSionary, who stood nea
| by, stated that a large amount of supple
had been furnished to that lady. Coone
Halstead then gave instructions to MaiO
NealiS not to fill his Order and started 70
the residence of Mrs. M'Nichols to examin
into the matter Upon arriving there h
found that she was absent. and being YER
unwell he went to his residence and lai,
down. After remaining at home nearl
three-quarters Of an hour, the lady callet
and was brought to his room when the con
versation reported in yesterdays paper Oc
cured between them. The Citizens Re
lief Committee will doubtless examine in
to the matter this morning, and it is NOR
than probable some action will be taken be
fore one of Our magistrates. We desir
that Mr.. Cicalla shall have hearing be
fore the public, and await further develop
mentS before saying more.
|