Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-24
HORRIBLE MISTAKE.
Detective Pryds Shoots His Babe
and Wife in BED.
The Child Dead-The Wife Dies in
His Arms.

The community vas shocked this morn
by the report that the well known detec-
tive, Wiz. Pryde, shot by mistake his
wife and child in bed with him, at bis
residence on Alabama street, some time
during the night, At first it was stated
that be had been dreaming of a burglar
catering his house, and reaching for his
pistol fired before he awoke. The next
rumor we had vas that he did hear some
ohe trying to get in at the window, and
got his pistol out and that it went
of accidentally. Be this as it may,
the terrible shot was fred, and the
ball went directly through the body Of the
baby, only six months old, and entered
the side Of the mother, inaictipg a fatal
wound. This was about 2 o'clock this
morning, The unutterable misery of
the wretehed father and husband when
be discovered what be had done may be
family imagined if not described. Medi-
cal aid was obtained, but it was too late;
the stricken mother was beyond human
aid and prepared to die. The scene be-
tween the husband and wife was very
affecting. She earessed him and blessed
him to the last, generating him en-
tirely, if there could have been q sus-
picion Of anything but an accident. At
6 o'clock this morning the unfortunate
woman died in the arms Of her husband.
The babe died within two minutes Of the
same time.
We learn that Mr.. Pryde got up about
l o'clock, to come up town early, on &C.
count Of the numerous b~urglaries being
committed, bat finding it was too early
he laid down again and dropped asleep,
An hour later he awoke, startled, as he
thought, by some one trying to get 10 81
a window, and made a grab for his pistol
which was under his pillow. In the
haste OF pulling it out it was discharged
The ball passed entirely through th'
lungs and liver of the child, entered thu
left side Of his wife, passed through he.
t bowels, and lodged under the skin on tn,
/ opposite side. Both the child AM
mother fingered IN great agony unit
? death came to their relief.
An inquest was held by Esquire Spell
! man this morning. The following vel
& dict was returned:
, State Of Tennessee. Shelby County:
!. An inquisition holden at Memphis, il
. the county and State aforesaid, on tn
Gath day of December, 1877, before job
q Spelmsn, a justice Of the peace of sal
county, upon the body Of Mrs. Matt
Pryde, there lying de d, by the juror
whose names are hereto subscribed, wh
upon their oath do say that the said Mr.
Matte Pryde CINE to her death 10 tt
u following manner, tc-wit: From a pistt
shot fred accidentally by VIM. G. Prydl
y In testimony whereof the said juror
have hereunto set their hands on the da
and date above written.
C. H. Taylor, foreman; Louis GolC
smitt, G. l.. Saffarrans, P. h. D%onnell,
John Lstscb, C. W. Klostermayer, RieI
ard Kettlewell.
STATEMENT OF Il JURY.
We, the undersigned members Of tn
%coroners jury, i~mpsneled to hold an il
, quest upon the bodies Of Mrs. Matt
u Pryde and her infant, do hereby, upc
full investigation, exonerate VIM.
q Pryde from even a suspicion that Il
U cause which resulted in their death WI
anything but accidental.
c. Il. Taylor, foreman; Louis Col
smitt, G. L. Saffarrans, P. H.. Donuell
II John Latseh, G. W. Klostermayer, RicI
ard Kettlewell.
Mr.. Pryde is well nigh crazed wit
grief, and has the full sympathy of h
=, brother policemen and all who kno
him. he is a faithful, efficient office
and has often risked his life in Ii
performance Of his dOty in protectin
the lives aud property of others.