Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-06-03
CARD FROM r. N. WINTERS.
Who is Responsible fO- the TrO ubles
at the National Cemetery.
IT. - . v5;.o- &c tba T. Cd rar.

~ tAO ~
To the Editor of the Ledger:
Having seen my name mentioned in
the city papers in connection with the
attempt made by Mr.. Swan, President of
the Pole Bearers, on the occasion of the
decoration of the graves of the Federal
soldiers buried in the National Gene
tery-to enforce against Mr. Pope pen
atty of twenty-five dollars for violation
of the rules of the programme Of the
day, deem it proper as simple act of
Justice to myself to publish card de.
failing the facts touching my conduct on
the occasion. When | saw Mr.. Swan,
accompanied by squad of armed col
ored men, approaching the booth or
stand of Mr.. Pope, did not know what
it meant, and concluded to 60 over to
the stand and find out. On reaching
Mr.. Popes stand | heard Mr.. Swan
demand of him the payment of
twenty-five dollars as a penalty for
violation Of the programme of the day,
by erecting stand for the sale of liquors
on the grounds. On hearing Mr. Swans
demand of Mr.. Pope, at once said to
Mr.. Swan that he certainly had no au-
thority under the law to enforce it, as
Pope was beyond the grounds of the
cemetery, on private ground, and that if
be did enforce it, and Mr. Pope should
thereby be damaged, be (Pope) could
sue him (Swan) as President of the So
ciety, for damages, and would recover in
whatever amount he could show he had
been damaged. Mr.. Taylor, the super
inteudent of the cemetery, then remark
ed that Pope was not On private ground;
that be (Tsylor) had control of the
ground by authority of Mr.. Trezevant
and Mr.. Flynn. About this time Swan
called Taylor aside and they had brief
conversation which / did not hear.
Mr.. Swan then returned to Mr.. POpe's
stand and withdrew all his armed
men but one, whom he left in front
of the stand as guard. Mr..
Swan, with Mr.. Taylor ard the armed
men, who had been withdrawn as stated
above. LETT the stand and went across
the railroad, and lost sight Of them for
about a half hour, as / remained at Mr..
Pope stand. Mr. Pope sold no liquor
during this half hour. Mr.. Swan, with
several armed men, about this time came
from across the railroad and approached
the speaker btauus UT. Opc 5alA
10 me that be would prefer TO pay the
SIS penalty rather than to be closed up,
and asked me TO see Mr.. Swan, as / knew
him, perhaps, better than be Pope did,
and 70 say 70 him 70 come and get the
money. 10 compliance with Mr.. Pope's
request, vent 70 Mr. Swan and told him
just what Pope had asked me 70 tell him,
and that gentleman paid the SIS, re-
| queetiDg AZ the same time Of Swan
protection In bis business, which Swan
promised be should have, and i is bat
/ just 70 Nr. Swan % ssy that, 80 FAR - ]
was able 70 observe, be sxertsd himself
with zeal % protect Mr. Pops and his
property and 70 prevent riotoBe and in.
proper conduct On the par Of the crowd.
Ny own opinion Is thai II the whole
u1th could be knOW1 10 tie matter, T1y-
lof 10 bis Conversation With swan, aud
bsfhaps With others, LEFT the impression
lhai ne Taylor was superintendent ~
mueh u the grounds outside snd ada
cent 70 NE cemetery &c be wa Of he
cemetery Itself 81 THE BE- true then We
have key % 81 that occurred e. Pope' I
STAND supsef eepty These are tie facts.
know notmpg u what transpifeG &
Dr., aarlip place, because vas not 81
y Or near i dunng the day The fret
knew 0i the trouble a aardus place 1
was Informed Of late ID az evening ~
Mr.. Johnson, city editor of tie Aoossf
am content % BE- judged ~ unpreju-
diced, honorable men.
am respectfully.
j. III MrsTsns