Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-09
FIORRIS, JOHSsON Il co.
History of the Express Robbers who
Tried 90 XIII BRADY, and who
Succeeded In RObbIBg him
OF his 4" Run"
How fheir Last Transaction was Plan.
ned and observation-disclosures of AII
the "aen and Women,
Players"
Trips and Travels OF the Gay Gang eff
Thieves How and where they
Divided the SWRE HOW
and by whom Cop.
IuFed-Etc.

lU6 kIihl vi NlSl MULES, IllWAIu 4.
johnson, John Woods and Henry John
son (colored), which recently came of
| in the criminal court of Shelby county,
created considerable interest because
! they were charged with the robbery OF
Mr. James T. Brady, the deliverer OF
packages for the Southern express CON-
pany, in open daylight and in the heart
Of the city of Memphis. The history of
the trial is known to the public, but We
have come in possession Of some inter-
esting facts which show the plan of the
robbery in its inception and execution,
and also what occurred after the deed
was committed, how much money each
got for his share Of the "whaek," and
how each got rid of it. 1t may not be
amiss to give short sketch Of the histo-
ry of these desperate men prior TO the
time Of the first Of February, 1875, on
which day the robbery was committed.
NAT MORRIS
is about fify-twO years of age, and was
born in the State of New York. He at
an early age developed as a thief, but
evaded detection until about the age OF
manhood, when he was convicted OF
crime and sentenced for a term in the
penitentisry at Sing-Sing. Since that
time he has been a convict four or five
times, and has spent more than half of
his life since he became twenty-one
years Of sg9 in different penitentisri=s
Of this country. He is not popular
among his class, because OF his treach-
cry, in not dividing fair after haul has
been made. He is cOwardly by natun,
and has learned from experience that q
silent tongue is good thing for law
breaker to possess.
EDWARD H, JOHNSON WAS
born in the State of New York, and is
now about thirty-four years old. He
was Of poor parentage. His father be-
came insane before his birth, and died
in a lunatic asylum. This left his mother
a widow with large family to support,
and the young Edward, at an early age,
1elt keenly the privatiOns that oppressed
his mother. He early sought employ
ment from home, but falling to acquire
more than gave him support, his first
transgressiOn was the stealing OF small
amount Of money, which he sent home
to his mother to aid her in supporting
herself. For this he was arrested, but
was released because of his tender age,
His mother, hearing that the money
was stolen, returned it to the owner.
He next stole a horse, and sold it, send
ing every dollar of the proceeds to his
mother. He made his escape, and was
not apprehended, but his mother, hear
ing that he had not come honestly by
the money, sought the owner of the
stolen horse and refunded the money.
He was a hard working boy, and man
aged to make q living. Soon after he
arrived at twenty-one years Of age he
planned and executed the robbery of 4
messenger Of the United States express
company at st. Louis, Missouri, by
which he and his "pals" got forty.two
thousand dollars in money and bonds
which was all recovered but about nine
hundred dollars in coupons, which he
buried in vacant lot in st. Louis. He
was sentenced to the penitentiary for
six years for this, and served about two
years OF the term, when he was par
doned by the governor. This was the
FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF Ex-
PRESS COMPANIES THAT NIESSEN-
GER HAD BEEN ROBBED
by being enticed by bogus package
with pretended business office to make
its delivery, and Johnson may be con-
sidered the originator of the mode Of
robbery. When he received his portion,
he returned to the southern part of Hill
nOis with his wife, and made an earnest
endeavOr to live an honest life. But
some horses were stolen in the neighbOr-
hood, and it became known that he had
been q convict, he was suspected Of the
theft, and by the advice of friends he
came south as far as Vicksburg, where
he traded in lumber and failed in the
business. About two years ago he came
to Memphis and began as a Single
maker and rafTsman. During last winter
he became acquainted with Mat Morris,
and spoke to him Of the possibility Of
making ga haup' upon the Southern
express company. Mat being short of
funds readily entered into the plan.
They had first to secure some one who
could be used as q tool TO do their bidding,
and If need be, upon whom they could
let the "pigeOn" drop in case Of any mis-
carriage Of their plans. They selected
for this
JOHN WOODS,
who was a ready tool, with not sense
enough to see what might be the conse-
quences. Next man must be found
who could play porter in the Office, and
at the same time be strong and muscU-
lar, quick in motion, and possess tie
to ego inn when the watchWom
was gwen. Henry Johnson 1.-THE negro
YVES their man. In this selection it must
be said that they exercised the very best
judgment. Some difficulty was expert
enced in pel-Uading Woods to take
part, and Woods himself says that he
would have taken no part in it had it
not been for a female, who afGerWard
appeared as witness for the State on
the trisl, who persuaded him to 60 into
the robbery. The forces having been
secured, the next object was to secure a
suitable Office. A room in the basement
of the Planters insurance building was
secured, and decOy package was sent.
But Brady was too cautious to go into so
dark place to hunt for an office at q
time when he had fifty thousand dollars
IN his sstchel. This was early in Janu-
airy last. Finding that better location
was needed, they concluded to change
base. But money was scarce, and time
had to be taken to get it. When it was
Morris and Ed johnson took
nearly week in selecting an office.
They would 60 to Court square and take
seats on bench in front OF the express
Office every morning, and when Brady
would start out on his rounds to deliver
packages, they would follow, and thus
found out that each day he took about
the same IOute. In order to catch him
before he reached the banks, they select
ed the basement of No. Is Madison
street, and Woods, representing himself
as
THE NEPHEW OF w. R. PARKER,
was sent to the agent to rent the office
Tor month. Monday was agreed on
rs the best day in the week for the deed.
as on that morning the packages which |
had arrived by the trains for two DAYS
would have to be delivered. Mat Nor |
ris was so distinguished a looking old |
fellow, with venerable grey beard and |
aair, that it would be easy to identify |
him, so Johnson got some black sub |
stance, and on Sunday, January 3lst, at |
night, in room in the basement of the |
Planters insurance building, BACKED |
lis hair and whiskers. On the first of |
February the parties all repaired to the |
place OF rendezvous, and Johnson hav-
Dg the best looking coat he made John
Woods put it on so he could present a |
respectable appearance when Brady |
anne in to deliver q package for w. r. |
Parker & Co. Johnson put on WoOds,s |
coat, which made him appear to be a |
'ough laboring man. 1t is needless to |
tate here how the deed was committed,
.s the public is familiar with it. After |
he robbery was committed they left the
DOM by tWOs, going out of the front
iOOr, Johnson at the time having blood
IN his rantG (Oy, tho tL,oA