Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-04-24
SARDIS, Mss.
COlOred Chancellor Piles Arrested for
PiliBg Up Books that We're
Not His.
A Yeritable SensatiOn-An Ames APP
pOintee In Dlsgraee-The Facts and
History Of the Case.


! From an Occasional Correspondent
SARDIs, MISS, April 16.-We had
I big sensation in our usually quiet little
| town on yesterday, growing out Of a
/ prosecution for larceny. This vice is
unfortunately so common in our coun-
try as not ordinarily to excite any spe-
eial attention; but in this instance the
distinguished position of the defendant
has excited no little interest. Ifyou are
posted in the peculiar politics OF this
unhappy State you will appreciate the
thrill of horror that pervsded the COM
munity when the dreadful intelligence
ran through the town that Hon. Jas.
II. Piles had been arrested, and was in
the custody of the sheriff, on charge Of
larceny. Mr.. Piles is bright-mulattOn ne
gro, who removed from Ohio and settled
in this county four or five years ago. He
is smart, well educated, and exceeding
ly plausible in manner and appearance.
Turning his attention (Of course) TO pol
itics, he soon became the leader OF his
race in the county, and one Of the polit-
ical masters Of our people. He was at
once elected to the legislature, where
he was recognized as one of the
leaders of the Republican party, and
where be served for three years. He
was last summer prominent candidate
before the State convention Of the Re
publican party for nomination as can
didate for superintendent of public edu-
cation OF the State, and only failed to
secure a place on the ticket with Gov
ernor Ames by few votes. To console
him for this defeat he was nominated
for sheriff Of this county, and after q
most exciting contest was defeated by a
few votes through a combination be-
tween the Democracy and dissatisfied
element in his own party. Scarcely was
Ames inaugurated when he made appli-
cation to him for the position of chan
eellOr in this district, Uice Hon. J. +.
Simmons, whose term is about TO ex-
pire. Though wholly unknown as
lawyer, and profoundly ignorant of its
elementary principles, his appoint
ment was urged by every promi-
nent negro in the State, and
recommended by many of the
white Radicals. Such was the pressure
brought to bear in his favor, that it was
said that Governor Ames had publicly
announced his determination to appoint
him, and We have been for several
weeks in hourly expectation OF hearing
of his appointment. Imagine then, the
sensation when it was known that he
was in this wise: For many months the
lawyers of Sardis have been from time
to time missing law books, which had
mysteriously disappeared. The day before
Yesterday Messrs. Miller & Miller, law
yers Of this city, obtained information
which satisfied them that two OF their
lOng-lost books were in Piles possession.
About dark w. ID. Miller, accompanied
by friend, called at Piles's residence,
and under pretence Of desiring to see
some books which they could not find
elsewhere, obtained access to his book
case. Mr.. Miller at once saw, TecOg-
nized, and claimed his own tive books.
All marks of Miller's name had been
erased, and the name of 81. H. Piles"
on printed labels, had been pasted
very carefully over them. Piles at
first denied that they were Mr..
Miller's books, but on being shown
many private marks by which they
were recognized, he gave them up, first
insisting, in spite of Miller's protests to
the contrary, on removing the labels
with his own name on them. His eX-
treme agitation, his failure to account
for his possession, the defaeed and mutt
lated condition Of the books, together
with the fact that Miller had some time
ago asked him if he knew anything OF
them, when he had answered in the neg
ative, were convincing proofs of his guilt.
In addition to this, he had written In
one of the books the words -. II. Piles,
Springfield, Ohio, 1869" thus seeking TO
show that he had brought the book with
him to this State, when 1t was over
whelmingly proven that it had been out
Of the possession Of Miller q Miller for
only few months. He was arrested on
Yesterday morning and tried. He was
prosecuted by II. H. Chalmers, of Her
nAndo, and l.. 2. Cooper, of this place.
He was most ably defended by Colonel
H. w. Walter, OF Holly Springs, and
Senator r. IL. Taylor, of this county.
His guilt was overwhelmingly estab-
lished, and he was convicted. Dur
ing the day, other lawyers, who
had also lost books, swore out search
warrant and had his house thoroughly
searched. They found one other book
belonging to Miller q Miller, three be-
longing to Polk & Balch, ard one to
Freeman Randolph, Esq. In every in
stance the names of the owners had
been carefully erased, and Piles's name
pasted on them. 1t is presumed that he
will be tried for the larceny Of each Of
them. If he is convicted on all of them
the periods Of hi3 confinement in the
county Jail will interfere considerably
with the discharge Of his duties as chan
aallor OCgASIONAI