Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-04-01
C~HAsTAIHE's CAREER.
A Former Memphian Shot and
Killed in Montgomery, Alsp

A Fast Young Man who Devel-
OPed into a Daring Burglar.
James A. Ubastaine, who figured 50
c~OnspicuOusly in this city some years
ago, was recently killed while attempt
ing his escape from the police at
Montgomery, Alabama. The Mont
gomery Advertiser of the Both has a
two. column account OF the affair, from
which the following is an extract
"a number of daring robberies were
committed in Montgomery, and every
effort of the police to discover the
perpetrators was bafied. Suspicion
finally conferred upon a man who gave
his name as Charles Sutton, who lived
in 6ne style, without any visible
means of support. A former
Memphian thought he recognized him
as James A. Chastaine, and SO notified
the police, who at once ~telegraphed
Chief Davis Of this city for a descrip-
ton Of the latter, 20 which the follow
ing reply was sent.
James Chastaiae is thirty three,
weighs $50, eyes and hair dark, right
hand disfgured by gunshot wound.
Upon this aud other evidence Chas-
tame was arrested while playing cards,
and made no resistance at the time,
but watching his opportunity made a
sudden leap and started down the
street at lightning speed. Two shots
we're fred at him, both taking effect,
and
he FELL WOUNDED
to the ground. He acknowledged that
Sutton was an assumed name and that
his real name was James A. Chastaine
He died shortly afterWard, but refused
to talk more.
HIS CAREER HERE
was a checkered one and easily brought
to mind. Early in life he married the
daughter of an ex governor Of Florida
and settled here. He procured EN-
ploymeut as boOkkeeper with the firm
of Ely, Harvey & Richardson, and
gained an enviable place in society.
For a time he enjoyed the highest con-
6dence of his employers, who recog
nized him as a man of unusual talent,
but on account Of the fast life he be-
gan to lead, gradually grew into dis
favor. He was fond Of billiards, and
the gaming table at last grasped him
in its fascinating embrace. Wine, too,
formed q factor, and the police we're
not surprised when notified by his en-
ployer that they
SUSPECTED HIM
Of imposing upon them. About this
time the store in which be was en-
ployed made a narrow escape from
being burned, the fire being among
the books Of the concern, and it was
always thought he was the incendiary,
his motive being to cover up his IT.
re~gularities. No proof was found,
however, but his own conscience
pricked him, and he left the city.
Sheriff Athy, then chief of police,
sent Detective Pryde after him, who
overlook him at Malvern, Ark. They
met on the streets Of the place, and
Chastaine, recognizing Pryde, fed.
Pryde discovered that his baggage had
been checked to st. Louis, and
communicated the fact to Capt Athy,
who sent the number Of the check to
st. Louis, and when Chastaine sent
for his baggage the detectives followed
the messenger and captured him. He
was sent back to Memphis aud
SENTENCED TO THE PENITENTIARY
for three years. Through the infu-
ence Of his wife aud Governor Harris,
he was pardoned and went back to St..
Louis, where he was arrested for
stealing an overcoat from a billiard
hall, and sentenced to the Missouri
~penitentiary for fifteen years, On his
way to that institution he escaped
from the officers, but was caught at
Kansas City, while coming out of the
door Of a dwelling house with a guam
tity of silver, and this time was safely
lodged within the walls Of the
state prison. He was too sharp witted,
however, to remain there very LONG,
and in November, 1880,
AGAIN ESCAPED.
he has not since been heard from
until now, when the news of his death
reaches us from Montgomery, Ala, In
addition to the above it may be stated
that, though no one suspected him in
the beginning Of being a common
thief or desperate, he had developed
into one of the most daring Of house
breakers. The rohacrits he com.
mitted in Montgomery were all Of this
character, and he had amassed a
quantity Of spoil. A great quantity Of
the stolen stuff was found in bis room
at the hotel, and some elegant iewelry,
N~onunod - L.. l.rk k,~ol..n -