Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-05-29
TOM BUEORD
COngratuIates Himself upon Having
Avenged HIS Sister, and Expects
to Meet Her In Heaven-His
Brother DenOuHces the
People OF Frankfort.


session of the court Tom Buford was taken
to the jail to await the afternoon proceedings,
and your correspondent made use of the OPP
POI tunity thus offered to call upon him. He
came forward to the closely-grated door, and,
being introduced, held his hand up to the
bars to shake hands. There was barely room
to slip the fingers through, but he took mine
with gentle pressure as | reached them
through, and sand IN courteous way, Il am
happy to know you, sir. :"
How are you getting along in your cap
tivity, Tom?" asked my companion, who had
known him well for years.
sob, very well, " he replied, in a subdued,
kindly treated, indeed. The sheriff and
jailer are very kind to me, and l want for
nothing. Then a great many of my lady and
gentlemen friends send mo things-more
than l can use, so l distribute them to my
fellow-prisoners. sometimes think | am
better treated now than l was while out
side.''
Still" suggested, ''yOu probably prefer
''Oh, 1t doesn't make much difference he
said, In sad, dreary sort of way, 81 am con-
tent to let justice have its course. If it Is
right that | should stay here, or even that
worse should occur, | am content. l have
done my duty, and am content to wait the
result"
Then you still feel that you did right in
killing Judge Elliott?" l asked.
"Oh, it was fate, ~ he answered, sit was
fate, and it couldn't have been any other
way. My sister had been wronged, cruelty
wronged, and l had to avenge her. Why,
the last time | visited her grave'-and
through the close gratings l could see the
tears begin to gather In his eyes-"the last
time l went to her grave could barely get
away, felt so bad about the wrongs that had
been done her. [ loved my sister, and 1
promised her on her deathbed to meet her in
heaven, and l cannot forget it." And the
tears that had glistened in his eyes when he
first made reference to his sister now over
flowed and ran down his face.
And you still expect to meet her in hea-
ven?" | asked.
Yes he answered." have only done
what fate ordered. 1t is a sad thing, but |
result, but am willing to await the verdict of
higher power than any of the world.
He was taken back to Jail at Louisville to-
day at the close of the session. A good many
people shook hands with him in the court
room and-in the cars, and his usual reply to
questions regarding his health was that he
was getting along very we'll and was very
kindly treated. He is smoothly shaven, his
iron-gray hair cut short, and was dressed in
good suit-a navy-blue coat, dark pants,
standing collar and SLOUGH hat. He was
quiet and attentive during the hearing of the
case, but his small glittering eyes were full Of
unrest, and were scarcely upon one person or
place for more than an instant.
| met Henry Butord, the brother who Is de-
Tending Tom with his fortune, at the hotel,
and asked him if ne thought his brother
would get justice in Owen county.
Eyes he replied; Eve believe the people
of Owen county are capable of doing him
justice, aud that they will do so. l would
have preferred that he should be tried in
Henry county, his home, where the land is
out of which the trouble grew, and where the
people know all the circumstances; but if he
cannot be tried there Owen will do, for | be-
lieve the people there will do him Justice.
They wouldn't here. "
"Do you think not?'
Think not? | know it. Why, sir, you
have no idea of the malice that has been de-
yeloped among people that we thought be-
fore were our friends. Nobody can regret
the killing more than we do. We realize
the enormity Uf the offense, but we know the
circumstances, and that he is not responsible
for his conduct. Why, for years there has
been talk among ourselves that he was not
right in his mind, and his sister that he lived
with worried and was very much troubled be-
fore her death for fear she would have to send
him to the asylum, We know that the kill
ing of any respectable citizen is great crime,
and we lament it as much as any one; but
there is no reason for the malicious vengeance
with which we have been pursued. Why,
even the funeral sermon of Judge Elliott was
most bitter and outrageous attack upon my
brother, as much so as though it was case
against him by an attorney. Then look at
the action of the courts and the governor,
and all of them, Judge Elliott was only a
man and citizen, and no dearer to his fam
lily than any other man. Yet, because Ger
tain people were under obligations to him
and his in various ways, or expected to
make something In the way of favor or 9TH
erwise, they have turned against US, and per-
secute him in every way. Why, see; they
were not content to let the usual forms of
law take their course, but have already called
two special terms of court, and will now call
third to try him. Why, there are men
here in Frankfort who have been guests at
my house, who have sat at my table and
eaten the best that my house and the skill of
my wife could afford, who will now scarcely
speak to me on the street, and who are
making every effort to force my brother to
the gallows," and the old mans voice trem-
bled and he turned away to hide his emotion.
He was silent for a moment, and, wiping
away the tears-they were real tears-with
the back of his rough hand, he continued
''My brother has been wronged, and l have
been wronged by people in high places, and
when the time comes l will have something
to say about it, and will he prepared to stand
to what say"