Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-08

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public sentiment. The matter was
then referred to the finance commit.
tee to take testimony, aud that com
mitteo sat
ON SATURDAY LAST
to examine into these claims and that
of Mrs. Townsend in particular. Mr..
Carter represented Mrs. Townsend,
who was personally present. The
chairman Of the committee stated that.
according to the advice of City and
County Attorney Burnett, the com
mittee would hold that the board had
no power to instruct the attorney not
to plead the statute of limitations. and
that he should hold it to be his duty
to plead it, and that as the suit was
barred it could not be legally allowed
by the board. The chairman also
stated that there was no fund out of
which to pay the claim even if allowed.
Mrs. Townsend went from the meet
ing to the Office Of Messrs. Lightfoot &
Carter and told the former what had
occurred there. She seemed to be
laboring under intense excitement.
but said nothing from which any sui
cidal intent was inferred, She was
accompanied, as she was invariably in
all her visits to any place, by her
daughter Maud, an unusually beauti-
full and intelligent child of six years,
and to whom she was so devotedly at
tached that she would seldom leave
her out of her sight. After talking
over the matter with her, Mr.. Light
foot advised her that nothing further
could be done Immediately. but that
he would not abandon the fight, but
prosecute it in the courts, as he was
satisfied the liability of the city was
complete. Upon reaching the office
door as she was leaving she babe Maud
return and bid Mr.. Lightfoot
GOODBYE"
as she would never see him again.
They then left the Office, since which
time they have not been seen by their
friends, The liveliest alarm was felt
by the husband at the non-return of
his wife and child on Saturday night.
On Sunday it was increased, and the
matter was reported at police head.
quarters. Yesterday Mr.. Lightfoot
received the following letter:
Mr.. LIGHTFooT: Please drop Mr..
Townsend a few lines telling him what
Judge Burnett and Mr.. Smith have
done for him. | cannot tell him, nor
am | brave enough to live here and
struggle as | have for the past eighteen
months. What l told you about a
hundred shares Of stock was a little
story to keep you from doing so much
for me without charge. | thought
you would feel more like charging for
your trouble if | was not destitute.
Do not notify Mr.. Townsend of my
failure till tomorrow morning by
mail. Many thanks to you and Mr..
Carter for your kindness. No one is
to blame for my desperate, rash escape
from a hard fate but Mr.. Burnett and
Mr.. Smith, and | do not feel that |
can forgive them. 1t is pure stubborn
ness on their part, for which they hope
to be commended. Do what you can
for Willie. He is an honest. good
man, and if he had a chance would
climb upward. This is the first time
in my life | have been a coward and
afraid to face the future. May God
bless you. Love to Miss c.. With
many thanks for your kindness, yours,
very truly,
ANNE KLINE TOWNSEND.
On the back of this letter is written
the following note evidently intended
for her husband
WILLIE: Dothe bestyoucan. Maud
will never suffer. | can go through no
worse than l have. One thing sure, l
will never bring any disgrace to either
you or my dear old father. Make no
excitement or publicity about our fate.
but do what you can. You will be
happier some day."
IT IS VERY DESIRABLE,
in order to trace the fate of the de-
spairing lady and her little child, or to
avert it, if not already accomplished,
hat this letter should be traced. 1t
was written on a sheet of paper close
ruled in blue and cross-lined in red.
apparently torn from some account
book, and was inclosed in a coarse,
light.yellow envelope, addressed to
Mr.. LightfoOt. 1t was dated April
10, Saturday, but as it was not mailed
until IL o'clock yesterday in this city,
it is inferred that it was intrusted to
some person to be mailed.