Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-24
JUST ALIVE
Wiley Washington Continues to Breathe
mot Quite Killed, as Reported---
Arrest Of Parties implicated,

yesterday afternoon q squad OF
deputy sheriifs passed down Main
street on their way to the scene of the
Harris Washington combat, which &C.
Cured near O'Clock in the morning,
as was reported in this journal yester
day. They were a determined lock
ing, well armed and suitably mounted
party, and their appearance was war
like. The Fleece place, some twelve
miles south of the city, half a mile
back from the river and about two
miles below Ensley's plantation, was
their destination.
The object of the foray was to re-
gain possession of deputy sheriffs
Harris and Britt's horses, left in pos
session of the enemy at the time the
pair retreated in disorder after their
sanguinary encounter against over
whelming numbers during the fore
noon. The freshly mounted squad
looked as if they meant business, and
they evidently did not belle their
looks.
Proceeding to the field of battle
their two horses were found hitchcd
to a fence and awaiting a claimant.
The one ridden by Deputy Britt had
seventeen squirrel shot under his
hide, fred into him at the time Britt
was peppered with four of the same
flesh smarting leaden pellets. A sur
geon residing on the Ensley planta-
ton picked the shot out of Britt's
person, three from his back and one
from his leg, Mr.. Britt was able to
be out when the party reached the
scene, and did not seem to be suffer
ing, 'nor was he much hurt in the
morning conflict. He joined the
party, and thus reinforced they pro-
ceeded to the Fleece place.
Upon arrival there it was found that
the negro Washington was still living.
though badly shot by a pistol bullet
which entered his body under the
arm, ranging downward, and INJECTING
what is believed to be a fatal wound.
Washington was attended by a party
of his kindred, some of whom had
been mixed up in the row Of the fore
noon. The wounded man was loaded
into a cart and brought to the city at
a late hour last night and lodged in
Jail. At noon to-day he still lived, but
it is thought his life hangs by a mere
Five persons, all colored, were ar
rested by the squad, on a charge of
being implicated in the row. They
driven on foot to the city,
arrived at eleven o'clock last night.
were lodged in Jail, and to-day
the grand jury had their cases
consideration. A party Of off.
GERS are to go to the Fleece place this
afternoon with a view of arrestinp
of the crowd who took part in
the battle. Those now in Jail frankly
admitted that they were of those who
had driven the sheriffs from the field
fired upon them. The officers
also captured three shot-guns, each
containing six-fnger loads of buck
shot. The one used yesterday by
those who fred at the sherifs was an
old gas pipe barrelled affair, and this
is perhaps the reason why the execu-
ton was so ineffective. The parties
arrested offered no resistance to the
officers, who went among them last
evening. Their names are Robert
Homan, Geo. Williams, Geo. Young.
Geo. McGowan and Jack Glover.
Several Of those who went to the
Fleece place last evening are impress
ed with the idea that the country is a
wild one, and that the inhabitants are
a rough lot.
The man Washington, it will be
remembered, about fifteen months ago
was working on a plantation belong
ing to Thomas II. Allen, in Arkansas,
ten miles down the river. His
labor was in company with Nj.
on shares. The two had a
dispute about a cotton scraper. The
negro afterwards laid for Mathews
and shot him dowr from an ambush
as he was riding along near a cotton
field. Mr.. Mathews was a long time
getting well, but finally recovered
the loss of an eye.
Choice POmDanO.