Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-06-11
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
A story By Joe Arnold OF War
Times In Memphis.

OOhNOA LAAba-NfA
A few evenings since a number
of gentlemen were c~ongrcgated at
the sheriff'S office. The weather
was extremely d~isagreeable, and to
while away the time several of the
party related anecdotes and personal
adventures. Deputy Sheriff Joe
Arnold was among the party, and,
settling a quid under his cheek, he
related the following;
In 1868 l was located at Mem
phis, Tennessee, in the restaurant
business. Upstairs | had fifty or
sixty rooms for the accommodation
of dodgers, and in connection with
the house | also kepta Sample-room.
The place was located on Union
street, where the st. Cloud Hotel
now stands. Ny bar-keeper, VII
hanson, was little bit af a fellow,
and had the greatest fear of ruff
fanly soldiers and such charac-
ters that in those times swarmed
through the South.
Late one night, after the house
had been closed, myself and bar
keeper were standing near the bar,
talking over some business for the
next day, when suddenly there was
a great noise at the front door. /
walked up and inquired what was
wanted, at the same time opening
the door. As | did so, a great, stall
wart fellow, over six feet tall, and
perhaps $50 pounds in weight,
seized me by the lapel of the coat
and jammed me up against the bar.
| was a small, slim, thin mar then,
about the size of Andy Stransbury,
and l thought the fellow would
choke me. | could scarcely speak,
but l managed to ask him what
he wanted. He was dressed in
army clothing, and peeping in at
the door was one Of his comrades.
He said that he wanted money;
and, releasing his grasp on my
throat, pulled a navy six-shooter
and presented it at my head. Then,
with his other hand, got into my
pockets one after another. Just a
few minutes previously l had put
into my yellow pocket-book SAL in
greenbacks, and in one pocket |
had a So gold piece-the only one
ever saw-and which l had carried
for several years. Taking the money
he threw it near the door, and his
comrade picked it up out of the
sawdust and transferred it to his
own pocket. Just then | happened
to catch a glimpse of Williamson,
the barkeeper, at my side on his
knees, calling on Jesus Maria, and
l don't know who all, for mercy
and protection.
The desperate took in the situa-
ton at a glance, and ordered him
to get up and disgorge. With trem-
bling limbs the poor fellow arose
and submitted. Finding but ten
cents on the boy, my assailant
then wanted to kill him because he
had nothing. At this %juncture one
of the side doors opened and a lieu
tenant appeared, dressed in shirt
and pants.
What is the matter, boys?" he
asked.
Nothing. Who are you?"
Lieutenant Denman, Seventh
Wisconsin Infantry"
"Well, Lieutenant Denman, or
whatever your name is, stand from
under or you may get hurt"
With this the desperate fired and
Denman fell. 1t was only a ruse,
however, for we discovered that he
was unhurt. Being thus released |
ran behind the counter while this
was Transporting in order to get a
revolver. But the scoundrels had
got their plumber and they broke
and run. Denman and myself ran
out in pursuit and fired several
shots, but, owing to the darkness OF
the night, we could see little or
nothing. We could hear, however,
and the sound of their ~retreating
footsteps rang upon the stone pave
ments. Guided by this noise, we
continued our pursuit, shouting,
" Provost guard" as loud as we
could. Major Nj, then a Uni
ted States officer stationed at Mem
phis, alarmed by our cries, came
up, and we then followed the pair
to a saloon on the levee.
They must have arrived there
sometime before we did, for we
fouad them sitting composedly at
a table slipping wine. Upon our
broaching the object Of our search
they seemed perfectly amazed. No,
they were not the parties. AS they
came in they had met two men
running in the opposite direction.
Says | to the major, search that
fellow, and if you don't find a yell
low pocketboOk containing forty.
one dollars and also a three dollar
gold piece on his person, III say
they are not the men" AS / said
this the cashier Of the party started
out on a run, but before he had
ponp Gfty vardq a hullai ufarood HE