Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-20
GoIIx Rand.

EDITOR LEDGER: The writer ofthis
knows that the LEDGER would not in
t~entionally do injustice to any one, and
l desire to correct an error into which
1t has fallen in regard to the principal
actor in the most fearful tragedy that
has ever occurred in this community.
When Golly Bond was captured and
confined in jail the community at
large were taught to believe that he
was feigning insanity. They very
naturally found a strong motive for
this in the enormity of the crime with
which he stands charged. The sheriff
and his assistance and the Jail physi-
clan were for months firmly Of this
opinion, and we're all summoned by
the State to preve that he was sane.
The jailer frequently caused him to be
punished, and in this way tried to
make him conform to Jail discipline.
Now if the LEDGER had taken the
pains to inquire, it would have ascer-
tanned that public opinion was at fault
in regard to this unfortunate
man, and hal it unwittingly did all
concerned in the recent trial at Bart
lett great injustice in its issue of YES
terday. The truth is the taller and
his assistants for some time past have
treated Goliy Bond as an insane pris-
oner. At the trial not a Juror was
challenged %peremptorily by counsel for
the accused, and the jury was impan-
neled in twenty minutes. The trial
only took up the time of the court one
day, The Jail physician testified that
the prisoner was insane and SO advised
the court. 1t was at least partly upon
his statement that the court was in.
duced to impannel a jury to try the
issue of present insanity. The very
men who were summoned by the State
to prove him sane were introduced by
the counsel for the prisoner, and they
proved him to be utterly insane. Not
a man about the Jail could be found
that would testify that he was sane.
DR.. Heber Jones, who had made
frequent visits to the Jail for
the purpose of determining his
mental condition, gave 1t as his opin-
ion on the stand hat the prisoner had
the worst form of insanity, and that
his intelligence was not equal to that
Of a child three years of age. Notwith-
standing the prosecution was repre-
sented by that astute lawyer, General
Horrigan, not a single witness was in
troduced by him. The truth is the
trial was a mere formal proceeding to
transfer him from the county Jail to
the lunatic asylum. The appearance
Of the prisoner as he sat in the court
room was such as to leave no reason
able nan to doubt his insanity. He
is much emaciated, and his keepers
testified that he will not take nourish-
ment. His most malignant enemy
could not wish for him a worse fate.
His old father, who has been a worthy
citizen of Shelby county for fifty years,
seems heatbrOken at the calamity that
has befallen his son, and still more so
at the calamity his son has brought on
others. II
THE fendish crime perpetrated by
Bond, as stated yesterday, has no par
allel in this or any other community,
and there is but one sentiment regard
ing the monster who committed it
among all good and respectable citi-
zcns. 1t is very true that the LEDGER
has no desire to do injustice to any
one, even SO inhuman and terrible a
person as Bond. The idiot (?) is to
be conveyed this evening, by Sheriff
McGowan, to the insane asylum at
Nashville. There he will be carefully
examinedbythos in charge, and where
it will be revealed whether or not the
murderer is feigning insanity or not.
In the event Of his recovery he is to
be returned here, and it will then be
decided if he was in his right mind
at the time he so cruelty killed Mr..
Hill. In the event that he was then
sane, Bond will be tried for his life.
If not, he will doubtless escape pun
ishment.
#s.| .