Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-29
IN HIS COFFIN.
A Desperate Derky Crossed the
River Of Death.
Ed NeIms, the Murderer OfRuiuz
Armistead, Meets his Just
Reward.

street, about half past one o'clock last
night, by Chief Of Police W. G. Davis.
The circumstances leading up to
this point are as follows. Between
nine and ten O'Clock last night the
Chief was informed that helms was
in the city, and had made arrange
mentS to be taken across the river in
a skif at midnight.
Without loss of time a party was
made up, and headed by the Chief,
went across the river in a Skif, land.
ing at the Teenio Vance place, just
above the old government light. They
waited in a laborer's cabin near the
bank for some time, watching for the
skif, but it failed to arrive when ex.
pected, and the entire party, with the
exception of the Chief aud Captain
Hackett, returned to the city, believ
ing they were on the wrong scent.
The Chief declared his intention of
remaining all night, and arranged
with the balance Of the party to fire
his gun at daylight asa signal for them
to come for him. The Chief and Cap
tain Hackett took turns at watching.
At half past one o'clock, while the
Chief was on the look out he
HEARD THE SOUND OF OARS
and discerned the dim outlines Of a
skiff rapidly approaching the bank.
DashiDg back to the cabin Captain
Hackett was warned, and a laborer
named A.. Bodkins, who was present,
was requested to go along and be ready
to disarm the criminal in case he
should surrender without resistance.
The trio stole softly down
toward the bank, which was
slOping at this point, and
stopped behind a log, about forty yards
from the waters edge. Captain Hack
EFT and Bodkins STOPPED behind the
log, but the Chief, who discovered
they had been seen, threw aside all
reserve, and called out
"Halloo, boysl Got any whisky
aboard2 2"
"Who are you?" demanded one of
the party.
"0h, we're working for the rail-
road" the Chief answered and then
asked
Where are you from ?"
Across the river" was the answer.
And where are you going to?"
was again asked.
"We want to make out toward the
railroad, wal the reply.
The Chief fearing the skif party
would recognize his voice, requested
BOdkin to do the talking. Thatgen-
tlemsp told the party they could not
get cat through the course they we're
pointing, but had better come near to
where they we're, as that was the best
way to the high road. The party, four
in number, walked up the bank,
making directly for the spot where the
oficers stood When they had APP
preached within ten feet of him, Chief
Davis presented his gun at the head
Of Riley, the uncle Of helms, who was
carrying a shotgun, and apparently
was the only ono of them armed
Surrender, he cried, "or you are 3
dead man; | am an officer Of the law"
81 surrender. said Riley, dropping
the breech Of the gun to the ground.
AT this instant the Chiefs eye dc
tected one of the party who he at once
thught to be helms, slipping his right
hand around to his hip and at the
same moment was startled to learn
that Captain Hackett's gun covered
the same man his did, and that Nelms
was left uncovered. Swinging his gun
around so as to bear on the murderer,
he commanded him to surrender.
Nelms never uttered a word, but
crouching himself close to the ground,
began slowly walking backward, with
his hand still creeping toward
his pistol, and his eyes staring
fEedly into those Of Chief.
Davis. The latter reiterated
his demand, when helms suddenly
stepped forward. Mr.. Davis mad ad.
vanoed upon Nelms as the latter had
vetreated, and was within a few yards
Of him at the moment. he was not
quite certain that it was the man he
wanted, the shadows Of the night
PREVENTING HIN FROM BEING RE
C0OHlZED,
but be felt suro enough OF it to
be fatis6ed that there was no
time to lose. lie pulled trigger, think
ing to cripple his man, but the load Of
shot lodged square into the side Of
Nelm's head, near the temple. ranging
diagonally backward, and he fell dead.
The other two men. who were un-
armed. quietly surrendered.
Nelms' body was picked up aud a
navy six found olutched in his hand,
the weapon lying under his body, he
having fallen forward upon his face.
It was a close call for Chief Of Police
Davis, and he did not act too prompt
". The dead man was taken up and
laid in the skif, and within ten min
utes after landing, the entire part5
were on their way back to the city.
The inanimate body now lies in a plain
pine coffin in the courtyard Of the city
prison. An Inquest will be
held later. Riley, helms uncle,
is in the ~calaboose and talks freely. He
s..u Ntlmq come IN tho cifv hv the hack