Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-17
Mw1II1AMs AND HARRELL
Interesting "reminiscences OF Two
Point Leaders...nsath
in Prison
After a Reign OF Terror and Defiant
ReckIessness---EleCtiO Scenes
at Raleigh.

Joe DeFlney At lnt ONT III INC plAeN uAo
trict. This recalls some interesting remi-
n~iscences Of Mack Williams and his fol-
lowers, as Harrell was saidto be a member
Of the gang that created SO much terror
and committed SO many crimes IN the
neighborhood of the Point. Tho readers
of the LEDGER have not forgotten the
deeds Of violence and murder perpetrated
in the Sixth district last spring, and the
dilligent efforts Of the late sheriff, Charles
Anderson, and his efficient deputies to
suppress this consecutive violation Of law
and bring the offenders to justice. While
a great deal is said concerning Mack Will
liams there is much exaggeration withal,
and yetthere are some facts Of interest in
these stories. As We have heard the story,
MACK WILLIAMS AND JOHN HARRELL
once resided near Baskerville and Morning
Sun, where they are said to have been
connected with associates Of doubtful
character. Finally the citizens induced
these worthless to abandon their course of
life, which was by no means in keeping
| with the mandates Of the law and to leave
that section of the country. Consequently
the two men went west and rapidly grew
up with the country about the Point.
Here they found suitable material for
their purposes. They came in contact
with a lot Of young men, who were gen.
orally good natured, but ignorant and in
discreet. This material was rapidly de-
veloped, and ere long the two immigrants
were the recognized leaders Of quite a
crowd. They had things their " way
and vsrions feuds we're %engendered. More
than one negro who had incurred some
! body's displeasure was sent to his final
resting place by a well-directed shot from
a mysterious person.
), h CAPTURE OF MACK WILLIAMS
was finally made by the deputies, who
brought him to Memphis and lodged him
in jail. One day while the Criminal Court
was occupied with its usual affairs, Mack
Williams slipped away from the guard,
and, mounting a horse, fed at full speed
down Poplar street. He was followed by
9 the officers Of the law, who went in differ
. emit directions so as to keep the trail Of the
fugitive and cut him off from the Point,
Z as this locality is not always a attractive
field for the faithful deputies. The chase
n was hot and persistent, for q good deal was
at stake. and Mack Williams had the lead
; by a considerable distance He was finally
. overtaken on the Raleigh road, but true
to the courage he had more than once dis.
a played, offered resistance and a right
sharp cavalry engagement ensued. TIT
X fight ended in the wounding, We believe
d and also in the capture Of Mack Williams
D. who was remanded to jail, where he wa
confined when the yellow fever made it
y appearance last August. Mack William
Of died Of yellow fever in prison. Whateve
y may have been his reputation, in hi
character were to be seen more than on
commendable trait, as will be seen by tn.
lsequence to the story Of
HIS FIRST CAPTURE,
which was effected by Deputy-sherii
u Tom Taylor, a man noted for his nerv
nc and good sense in the discharge Of oiicis
duty. Captain Taylor learned tina
Mack Williams was counting a young lad,
few miles from this city, and scertainin
Tic the time that he usually visited the hous,
ly devised a scheme for his capture. Pre-
&C. curing the assistance ola reliable mar
ne who was we'll acquainted with Mack vii
Its Jams, the officer waited in the vicinity {
". the young lady's residence until Mac
Williams made visit, which was aboI
Of ten O'Clock one morning. Captain Taylc
rs, slipped in the yard from the rear, viii
es- his confederate entered the house to mai
ia. A friendly call. After some conversation
at the confederate asked Williams TO wa
md out with him, IS he desired to speak {
private business. Mack Williams, wi
mic was armed, for he always carried a trus
not pistol, complied withthis request, which
i'd little thought was to result in his csptui
5 Of Just as the two men turned around t
no corner Of the house, Tom Taylor, who h
ted concealed himself there, seized Ma
Williams blythe shoulder, and at the SAL
for time presenting bis pistol, ordered him
vas submit TO arrest. Mack Williams CO..
ury Piled with this demand, saying, "WC
red Tom, you have got the drop on me 4
Mr.. time, and I'll have to give in. But If ev
loor I get out, my time will surely como, a
1 will pay you for this"
Incl THIS THREAT TO KILL
was by no means a pleasing snticipat'
M, to Captain Taylor, whose homo at Rsle
non was in easy reach Of Mack Williams. 7
4ba, latter was not long in Jail, but as yet
no opportunity to execute his expires
intention Of killing tho officer until
dsy Of the Democratic primary elect
= 70 Last July, when Mack Williams, wit
iuce party Of forty-seysn men rode into
i0n town Of Raleigh. The troopers
'reu brought along their WI whisky, Il
uvu' mission being to elect a certain delsl
O'a' to the Democratic County Convent
= The visitors drank freely, talked DO
sea ingly, cursed loudly, and made a r
3'Oo track Of the streets in the good
from town Of Raleigh, on whose hills years
esent courts Of record were held and jus
pre- sat enthronedj yes, just like the Rol
bales. eagle. The quiet people at the polls 70
bales themselves in no condition to oppose
visitors, who finally had a series Of q
3ard- among themselves, the amusement b
( fish superintended by Mack Williams
lie ar just so as to prevent foul
Gard among any Of the combatsnts.
ones THEY MET BY CLANCY,
-