Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-01-05
JACK ACKRRMAN'S EXPLOITS.
A Promising Young Criminal Who
Was 6Orn and ReRred In Mem
phia.

A Promising Young Criminal Who
Was 6Orn and Reared I'm Mem
phis.
Evansville COurier.l
Jacob Alderman, who was sentenced
to FIVE years in the penitentiary, on Sat
urday evening, was one of the most noto-
rious criminals known to the officers Of
Evansville, Cincinnati, Louisville, Indi-
annapolis and Memphis.
Marshal BrenDecke, who has been
looking out for him for several months
and who at last convicted him, has given
us the following history of him:
He was born aud reared in Memphis,
where his father was engaged in the gro
Gerry business. While young Ackerman
formed bad habits, and was early known
as a thief, aud for a time one of q gang
of sharpers who travelled on the lower
Mississippi steamboats,, fleeing the cot
! ton pickers who we're on their way up the
river at the close Of thu cotton season
and then had plenty of money. 1t be.
came rather hot for him there, and the
FIRST thar Evansville knew Of him was the
robbery OF a passenger of the Charles
Morgan of ninety dollars and a fine gold
watch, about two years ago. He left the
boat here, and was not heard from for
about ak months, when he was arrested
in a house of ill-fame on Division street.
The gold watch, in the meantime, had
been recovered in Cairo, where Acker.
mar had sold it.. Alderman was held
for several days on the charge of steal
log the gold watch and money, but the
person from whom they we're stolen would
not come down and prosecute him.
HIS FIRST ESCAPE.
Leaving Evansville on the II. s.. Tur.
ner, be landed at Louisville, with two
partners. Two hours later he went into
a pawnbroker's to price some jewelry.
After looking at it he left and said be
did not wish to buy, but as soon as be
was gone the pawnbroker missed a dia.
mond ring valued at SIS Officers were
notified, and in about twenty minutes
Alderman was in Jail with his partners,
They were Thoroughly searched, but the
ring was gone, and with the assistance
OF effective lawyers be was acquitted
BE came back to Evansville in the fall
OF 1876, and had been here but a few days
when he robbed the cash drawer of the
Allen House saloon, aud hiring a hose
I and buggy went over to New Harmony
/. to attend the fair. Officer George
d. Throbe went over and brought him
back. Alderman vas tried again anC
acquitted, with that wonderful fortune
for which he is noted. While in the
county jail he formed the acquaintance
of the sherifs cook, and on his release
married her, while she was in Henderson,
employed as a servant at the Contra.
House, and then protested to reform.
and commenced work for Mr.. Burbank.
of Henderson. He concluded to return
to Evansville, and with his wife started
on the Maggie Smith. On the steamer
} he met a lady from Nashville, going
East. he was accommodating to her,
gave her directions, ETC., but when be
left, and she went to feel for her money.
she found that the sharper had picked
her pocket.
The lady could not remain to prose
cute Alderman, and he again escaped
1t ives shortly after this that be deserted
his wife and ran away with a young gig
Of this city, and then shook her in Ken,
lucky. BE was next heard from in St
Louis. but managed to keep u OF Gus
tody there. He returned to Evansville.
and about October Sd stole q bolt of cloth
from Bunge & Klaus, for which crime h;
received the sentence under which he i.
now Ia custody. After the robbery he
left Evansville and went to Washington
City, but about the time Of the late Sen
ator Morton's funeral went to Indianap
oils, where, with a gsug, he seems t
have acquired considerable none il
plundering visitors from abroad, anc
was found with q bolt Of silk in hi
trunk. His trial resulted in an acquit
tai immediately after be was brougb
to Evansville, aud with the rest of BIZ
history you are familiar"
Besides this, 1t is charged that Aeker
man has two wives, or at least two he ha.
claimed as such. One was Ida Blake, +,
prostitute, whom he married In the South
and who afterward came to this city
This is how he came to linger srounC
Evansville. He always claimed her fo
his wife and did up to the time of BIZ
arrest, although he is known to havt
married Q girl in Henderson,
Alderman is quite a young fellow
He is very intelligent, accomplished, anC
. plays the piano very finely.
-
Mr.. Layard, the English ambassador