Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-11-10
KIDNAPPING.
Criticism on the Memphis COnstab.
uiary System Personal ExDeri.
ence with Burglars, Etc


ence WITH Burglars, Etc.
To the Editor Of the Ledger:
The evidences in tie Tighe kidnapping
case, and particularly an extraordinary
statement by the Chief Of Police, ex.
cites the wonder of your humble ser.
want, who has passed in Memphis a few
months only. ask myself-Is il posi-
Bile that in city Of $4,000 inhabitants,
boasting a Mayor and corporation, a
commercial community, a dozen bank.
ing establishments, places of worship,
ad lib, and last, though not least, three
daily papers-is it possible, in the face of
allthis, that merchant can be set upon
by three or four private individuals, shut
up by force, communication with his
friends cut off, and he finally smuggled
at night out Of the city, simply and only
on the strength of a document issued BY
an official Of another State authorizing
an arrest, the merits of which be could
know nothing, or if he did only from ex
parte statements Of interested persons
A constable of the county actually pres
ent witnessing gross outrage on citi-
zen, but couldn't interfere" But the
sworn evidences of the Chief Of Police
out. .Herods Herod! Had he kidnapped
men for whom he held warrants of ar.
rest in another State? Oh, yes, be had,
(Little Rock case quoted in proof,
when he had job of the kind on hand
he generally did it quietly and always
kept clear Of the lawyers" Heaven
spare me the tender mercies of your de-
lightful constabulary system And here
eudeth my Tighe lament.
Now permit me to refer to the Vance
street shooting case, which ought to
astonish any reasonable man. A gentle.
man is proceeding along one of your
streets at pm, and simply
because he approaches another pedes-
trian and dourishes a walking-stick,"
the latter produces the inevitable shooter
and dispatches bullet for his victim
brain-pan, it might be to hurry good
soul into eternity, and under what fear
or desperation2-an anticipated robbery
What charmingly civilized picture
The year 1875, the Centennial at hand
three daily newspapers, the Young Mem
Christian Association, Temples of Love
Whittle and Bliss and the Gospel
Songs" all these and other modern
improvements in the good city of Mem.
phis; and yet if some poor wretch covets
that which is not his, but mine, l 90 un-
punished if | blow his brains out (of
course.assuming the aim is q little more
accurate than the Vance street "Bo.
gardus."
| don't want to commit an error of
taste or make Objectionable compari.
sons, but trust l may be allowed to offer
my own recent experience. A few days
ago, at s am, being awake, / heard
door at the back premises tampered with.
glanced through window and dis
tinctly saw a figure against that door.
Immediately took a pistol and rushed
out in night dress only. The figure
rapidly withdrew, but on challenge
and the sight of polished barrel in
position" we came to terms and dis
cussed the matter amicably, in the mean
time adjusting little necessary cloth
ing myself. The gentleman (colored) |
then made confidential statement,
and affirmed he was mo thief"
(and from his appearance | believed |
him), gave his name and address and
ditto of employer, and allowed him to
depart. His declaration proved to be
correct in every detail. A hired woman
who had lately left the premises was his
afianced BRIDE and neighbors who
knew the man furthermore acquainted |
me that his courtship was generally con.
iucted at that early hour, and that his
attentions we're believed to be strictly
honorable" Now kindly look at the
facts: When went out into
5he darkness" and sought his acquaint-
ance | did not know he was not des-
perate burglar, armed to the teeth with
hat shocking navy six, knuckle-dusters
aud cannon balls complete. Ny house
lsd been robbed at night some weeks
before aud | quite naturally anticipated
another visit, my family being in very
nervous state in consequence. | could
lave destroyed him when his back was
oward me, or | could have shot him
through and through at two yards, face
o face, but venture to declare that had
done so land many gentlemen tell me
I was my duty as q citizen to do it) |
Ihould merit the appellation Of coward
md scoundrel, and worse.
True, my visitor might have been
armed and desperate, but | infinitely
prefer at any time that risk to the chance
# taking human life without justihca.
ion or until my own is endangered. Ia
his case had the mans life been sacri-
iced it would have been crime of the
highest degree, the victim actually expi-
lting by violent death an offeuse land
hat only house breaking) of which he
vas innocent In other civilized coun-
ries | have visited, man who robs my
louse or garrotes me on the public
treet and takes my filthy lucre," is
punished, when captured, by proper
egal process, degrees Of Imprisonment
,eing spportioned, the character of the
prisoner and the motive urging the deed
icing duly considered-very properly so
but were | or you in those countries to
hoot down, in cold bleod, the unarmed
hief, 1--WE ightprobshly rusticate at the
tone quarries for twenty years in sort
N fhharlnnpipH m - Nrao n, N me " |