Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-24
Joe ThurmoU,i,.R..,.

ATHENS, GA 4, November 23.-,Joe Thur-
mond, an account of whose daring escape
from the sheriff of Clarke county so recently
startled this State, and caused a thrill of ap-
pause 10 pass through the system Of all as
they read OF how a man braved death sooner
than meet disgrace, and who recently volun-
tsrily surrendered and gave himself up, has
Deen paIdoned by the governor. In a CONVEX
satlon with the editor Of the Banner he gave
the following interesting account of his
career from the time he took leg bail until
ne returned and put himself in custody Of
the sheriff:
Il had no idea Of attempting an escape"
he began, "when was carried from the Jail
10 the courthouse, but had determined to
ole sooner than 90 10 the penieniiary. But
while sitting in my chair in Judge jack
sons office sudden desire seized me to make
the attempt, and without stopping to con-
cider Tor moment or count the probable
cost made bolt for the window, but some
one caught my foot, just as l was about pass
ing through, that caused me 10 fall on nv
head asd receive fearful shock / then
rushed for my horse, expecting each minute
10 De snot down IN my tracks, but | intended
to de rather than surrender. You know
now made my escape. One Of BroWning's
bullets grazed my leg and passing through
the saddieekirt and blanket entered the side
oil The nag was riding. Alter getting be-
L L
| Brooklyn, but when about two miles out of
town, the horse began TO give away under
me, when rode out in a pine thicket to see
what was the matter. Upon removing
the saddle l discovered the wound, and
knew that the beast could not carry me
further, l turned it loose and started for
home on foot, and by circuitous route
had 10 travel fourteen miles before getting
there. But nay leaving my horse behind
mo
| thought | was still hid ont in the thicketsaud
so did not telegraph. l only remained home
| an bour-just long enough to get some
| money, bid my family goodbye and start
| for Lawrenceville, thirty miles distant.
Taxing my little brother in the buggy, we
made the trip in just three hours, but it
| nearly killed the horse / was driving. l
| Travelled at night, passing through jug Tav-
ern, and met several men on the road that
knew, but as / had my hat souched over my
lace they did not recognize me, and not even
| my uncle, whose house l passed. Just as
drove into Lawrenceville the train was
steamed up ready 10 leave and got aboard.
| Had been ten minutes later it would have
| left me. l met with another streak of good
| luck when got TO Suwannee, the junction
with the Air Line. L got from aboard as
| soon as the cars stopped and stepping into
| dark corner remained there until the
/
ten minutes. l boarded the smoking car,
that was fortunately unoccupied. When
got to Atlanta L did not wait
for the train to stop before / jumped
of and secreted myself near the Chatta-
nooga train, that the conductor told me
would leave in ten minutes. i feared a teIe-
gram had been sent ahead, and was afraid
to risk even buying a ticket, preferripg 10
pay my fare TO the conductor. l had no way
to, a., I
and had 10 take the chances. Just ~ the
Western and Atlantic train was moving off
jumped aboard, aud soon left atlanta be-
hind me. Butt dreaded every stopping place,
expecting to meet a telegram. When Chat
tanooga was reached, l for the first time felt
pretty safe, but pushed on to my destination,
Canada, as fast as possible. | had deter
mined not TO be captured alive, and wanted
TO do all in my power to prevent trouble.
In Canada / found wealthy uncle, brother
to my father, who kept large hotel there,
but whom l had never before seen. To him
L went and made clean breast of my
troubles. He welcomed me, and l took
charge of the business management OF his
house. Every week or 30 / wrote and re-
ceived letters and papers from home through
him, and knew all that was transporting"
"But about your pardon?" we asked.
"Well, it was signed by over 1000 OF the
quit said it was one of the strongest docu-
ments ever laid before him. 1 felt certain
that he would heed it, and as soon as ready
] came home and voluntarily gave myself
up TO Sheriff Weir, who very kindly refused
TO place me in jail until the governor had
acted upon the matter. had strong friends
in Atlanta TO plead my cause, among them
DR.. King and Henry Grady, and SO am once
more free man. 1t was whisky aud cards
that brought me all this trouble, and i have
made solemn pledge TO Itiy rietber netar
agsioI so long as l live, 10 allow another
drop of the cursed stuff to pass my lips or 10
throw another card. Her distress gave noe
greater pain Rsn anything else, and I shall
see that she has not further cause for grief
on my account. This scrape has been
serious matter to me. Besides losing my
crop, 1 had to spend over $1,000 in cash. 1t
has learned me lesson, and one that l
think shall always remember. intend 10
try and lead better life, and sometime
prove 10 the world that am innocent of the
crime for which l was convicted. 1 had no
more idea of stealing that horse than you
had. / was drunk and won it at cards, and
while still under the influence of liquor,
gave good grounds for the suspicion which
resulted in my conviction"