Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-23
MET aIs PATE.
Wiley Washington, a Waylaylst, Shot
and Klllsd..-HoW Il Happened.

a negro named Wiley Washington,
a year or two since, ambushed and
shot Mr.. Matthews, an overseer on an
Arkansas plantation. near the river,
some miles below this city. Mr.. Mat
thews came near dying from his
wounds, but finally recovered with
the loss of an eye. The negro was
seen at the time and afterward iden-
tilted. He escaped arrest and sought
refuge among his kindred, a few
miles south of this city. Wiley
Washington was known to be
one Of the most desperate Of men.
Afterwards Mr.. Mathews, having re-
covered, engaged a posse, came
over through this city, sought Wash
ingtOn in his lair, captured and had
him conveyed over the river to the
scene of his crime. An inquiry before
a magistrate led, it is said through a
bride to his release. Recently a true
bill for attempted murder was found
against Washington in Crittenden
county, a requisition from the GOV
ernor of Arkansas was issued, and
last evening Deputy Sherifs A. J..
Harris and E. B. Britt proceeded
to the Fleece plantation, a couple
of miles south of Mr.. Ensley's place,
to execute the arrest.
Knowing the character of Wash
ington, the two officers passed the
night near the place and this morning
proceeded to arrest the mar wanted.
1t was about 8 o'clock when Mr..
Harris presented himself at the door
Of Washington's cabin. No sooner
did the latter find out who his visitor
was than he jumped straight at him.
A lively scufHe ensued, during which
Harris came nea getting the worst of
it. During the fracas the negro called
loudly for his kindred to bring him
a shotgun from the inside of the
house, and urged others to come
to his assistance. The darky at
one time had Harris pistol so
nearly wrested from him that the
officer thought his time had
come. So near was he a gone case
that he was suddenly taken with a
desire to tell his wife and children
goodbye. He had to act quickly, and
had it not been for his weapon being a
self-cocker he would not have been
quick enough. He pulled trigger
three times, each shot passing into the
stomach of his adversary. The negro
continued to struggle and succeeded
in getting Harris pistol. In the
meantime a crowd of plantation ne
grOes gathered and moved toward the
scene of combat. As they approached
in one direction officer Britt came up
in another. The gang were armed
with shotguns. In the melee
Washington got clear, reached for his
shotgun, turned her loose, and put
three slugs into the body of Britt.
The latter was rather badly hurt, but
neither were injured so bad that they
could not get away.
About this time it became evident
that the officers had a poor show. The
negro force had gotten between them
selves and their horses and they had
no time to lose. They left in a hurry,
pursued closely by eight well armed
darkies. Meeting a man on horseback
they ordered him to dismount quick.
and the movement was accelerated by
the presentation Of a revolver's muz-
zle. Harris and Britt mounted in a
hurry, fastened with all speed to Mr..
Ensley's place and were o o barri-
caded within his house.
The pursuers gathered in front and
ordered them to come out. This they
were not fools enough to do. Mr.
Ensley, however, read the requisition
of the law to them, but so Infatuated
were they that they refused to be
pacifed. A dozen or so reinforced
the gang, bringing news that Wash
ington had died before they left his
cabin.
Harris managed to slip out through
a rear way, mount a horse and reach
the city, leaving the wounded Britt at
Mr.. Ensley's place. His clothes are
quite bloody from the rough and tum-
bic with Washington, and he bears
evidence of having had a tough russell.
At noon to-day Mr.. Harris was
making up a posse to go to the rescue
Of Mr.. Britt and to recover their
horses. The animal ridden by Harris
to the city was taken possession of
after his arrival by the proper owner,
who followed him to the city.
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