Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-08-03
RETRIBUTION.
A Fiendish Crime Fully Avenged.

TiptOnvilIe Cake Co. Tenn Star, July SO,l
On Wednesday evening the 18th
inst, Miss Molie Curtis came TO Tip
tonville and was returning to Mr.. Sam
Johnson's about 5 O'Clock the same
evening when she was seized upon by
o1e Felix Wyley, large black negro
in the edge ola thicket Of the woods
and iron weeds. She was walking on
the railroad leading from this place to
the Keystone Lumber Company's mill
on Reelfoot Lake, and while passing
the northeast corner of Mr.. j. w.
Tipton's feld-the road running
within two feet of the fence-the black
demon was, no doubt, concealed behind
the corner Of the fence and sprang up
on her and dragged or carried her
about fifty yards into the thicket and
after accomplishing his vile purpose
put her to death in order to hide bis
crime. The next day some inquiry
was made about the young lady, owing
TO her failing to return to Mr.. John
sons, IS was her intention when she
left. The next day came and went
and still nothing could be heard Of
her. As time rolled on interest grew
more active and still further interest
was made, but Of no success. just one
week had passed when Mrs. johnson,
the young lady's cousin, concluded
that the missing woman had been
ioully dealt with, and next morning
search was made. TWAS remembered
chat very unpleasant odor had been
discovered at the corner of the field
by the mill hands and others passing
chat week, and after some thought
it was supposed to be the re-
Eains of the unfortunate woman
On arriving on the spot the whole
mystery was solved, but only a few
bones, her parasol, hat and fan were
left to mark the spot where the dam
nable act was perpetrated. Hogs and
dogs had devoured her body.
Suspicion centered on Felix Wyley
md a warrant being issued he was &C.
cordingly arrested that night Thurs
day. and placed in jail. By Saturday
the matter became widely known and
the excitement grew warm. Sunday
night a number of citizens visited the
jail and demanded Mr.. Pittman, the
sheriff and jailer, to give them the
prisoner. 1t was only through the
most earnest appeals that Mr.. Pitt.
man succeeded in getting them to lei
the negro remain undisturbed until hC
could have q preliminary trial. On
Monday he had preliminary
hearing before r. S. Bradford, Jas
Hogan and Thes. Keete, Esqs., anC
the chain of circumstantial evidence
was so close and convincing that thu
visiting delegation more firmly re
solved to give the negro a hearing
before their tribunal. The court
house was filed with an eager and in
terested crowd, aud some thought thu
negro would not be able to reach jai
again. He did, however, but only fol
a short season, for between s and {
o'clock that night a number of citi
zens, white and black, suddenly ap
peared at the jail and demanded O.
Mr.. Pitman the keys. lie and Yhar
few Of the guards that had arrived
endeaYOred to reason with the party
but with cooked pistols placed at hi
face he was ordered to hand over th,
keys at once. Under such unpleasant
circumstances Mr.. Pittman could no
do otherwise than to surrendel
to their wish, SO he promptly
unlocked the doors. There wal
no light about the building and thel
crowded 80 closely around Mr.. Pitt
man at the cage door that Hudson
escaped before Mr. Pittman had an
knowledge Of it. The visiting states
men lost no time in getting hold OF
the negro and starting of with him
They went as far as Dan Tiptons ole
gin shed, where they spent some tim
trying TO get all the information the,
could from the negro, but he hac
nothing Of especial interest to i'm
part to them. They then proceedes
up the cross lane about two hundred
yards and about twenty-five yard
beyond 10. Tiptons barn, where the,
struck camp under sycamore tree il
the middle Of the road. They agair
requested the negro to Tell all he knew
about the matter, whether there werI
Others implicated Every time the
drew him np and let him down be toll
a different story, They could get n,
satisfaction out Of his statements, ant
finally pulled him up for good and lef
, him swinging until morning, afe
firing several shots into his body. IN,
next morning Esquire Bradford, will
his eoroner's jury, held an inquest an,
rendered the necessary verdict, thel
had him inferred.