Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-06-18
EUDORA WATKINS

Tells a Story of Shame and Sorrow that |
VIII Appeal 10 Every Mothers
Heart and to All the Nam
hood Of Memphis,
Her Seduction Followed by Unparalleled
Debauchery and Imprisonment
While Terrorized by Her
Seducsr.
For several days the city papers have been
presence in The city OF "a man from Oxford"
"the woman from Grenada" and ga CIR! at
the Mission Home" The sUppositiOn was
that "a man from Oxford" had induced "the
woman from Grenada" 10 see the girl at the
Mission Home" and persuade her 10 leave
that quiet retreat, and get herself into the
power of "a man from Oxford" who would
see that she did not give testimony IN Ger
tain case for seduction. A party who knows
something about 1t, suggested to us that there
was connected with these mysterious parties
q story OF crime and debauchery that ought
TO be made public. This reporter was told
to hunt up that story and report II just as
he got it. Going 10 the chief OF police, the
reporter inquired what he knew about the
girl and Mr.. Thompson's efforts 10 get her
out OF the Mission Home.
STATEMENT OF CHIEF DAVIS.
The girl came here with Town Marshal
Butler, of Oxford Miss. He said she desired
to 90 to the Mission Home, and that 1t was
desired by those who had taken her IN charge
that no one should be allowed to visit her;
that an effort would certainly be made to get
her away. He told me that several prom1-
nent citizens Joined in asking that protection
be given her. These citizens, be said, DID
wish their names mentioned IN connection
with the affair for fear OF a difficulty with
Thompson. Her father is in the city now,
and he, too, seems afraid of Thompson. The
girl went to the Mission Home, and instruc-
tions were given By the managers that no one
should see or interview her without my con-
sent | soon learned that Thompson and the
woman were in town, and made such dispo-
sition of my force in that neighborhood as to
prevent forcible abduction. General Tur-
ner came 10 me and told me what Thompson
said about the girl being forcibly detained.
| told General Turner | would 60 with him.
We went to the Home and the girl Is ade
statement | have heard OF several parties,
said 10 be friends of Thompson, offering
homes to the girl. She proposes TO remain
at the Home.
Calling the attention of the Chief to the
letter in the APPEAL, signed oxford, the
reporter expressed desire to obtain the
girls statement, and requested him to attend
the interview. Arriving at the Home about
o'clock, the lady in charge was informed OF
the object of the visit. She said that under
the circum stances she could see no reason why
the Young woman should not make her state
ment. The unfortunate young woman was
soon introduced On being informed of the
reporters mission, she said she would an
swer his questions.
THE GIRLS STATEMENT.
After the letter OF "Oxford" was read to
her, the reporter inquired whether its allega-
tions were true.
Answer-No; l placed myself under the
protection Of the parties probably alluded
to- did not swear as is said there. l said
it was in Memphis during a visit to Mardi
Gras in 1881, not giving the month. l was
on train going to Kentucky, when he met
me, and Insisted on my coming to Memphis.
Oues.-What about your being confined in
house by negro woman? Ans.-She un-
dertook to show me the college. 1t was rain
ing. She took me to q cottage. l asked her
who lived there. She said she did. was
kept there two months, except about two
weeks when his wife was away.
Oues-Was it through fear you remained?
Ans.-It was through fear. If | didn't do
he demanded, he would get drunk and
threaten to kill me. ! had been trying TO
get father to come after me. Finally wrote
him. for mothers sake, to come. Father
came home. Then Thompson wrote me that
father had come, and inquired If L wanted TO
90 home l answered that Ibid. Julia, the
colored woman, got the pistol, was her
habit, and went with me TO Thompson's Of
fee. He asked me what would be said. l
told him ] didn't know. be then showed
me pistol, and said if they wanted to shoot
he would shoot 1t out with them. He then
asked me whether l would stand by him and
return to him. Knowing that / must give
him a satisfactory answer l said l would.
He was arrested by papa's efforts. | went,
of nv own accord, to Mayor Murray and
asked his protection
Ques.-Did you voluntarily come to Mem
phis with Thompson? Ans.-He, on the
train. commenced persuading me to come to
Mem phis with him, assuring me that |
should enjoy myself, that | would be sup
plied with everything | wanted; that l
should have a separate room and the best OF
attention. AT Grand Junction he told me
there was the place to change cars. told
him l did not like TO go, as my sister was
expecting to meet me. lie insisted on my
going, and partially pulled me off the cars.
We came to Memphis, stopped at house
kept by a German woman, with two daugh-
ters. When asked her for my room, she
said the house was crowded, there was only
one room, was crying, and continued 10
cry. He sat down by me, and attempted
to kiss me, but 1 told him l would
not kiss him. At night he begged me
to 90 out with him. l stayed in Memphis
that night and next day, leaving at IL
o'clock OF the second night. l then went TO
81 aA bar Ez
then went TO Bowling Green. While there,
Thompson wrote frequently, asking me to
return: that he would make reparatior for
foolipp me. He wrote to Shakertown, alter
my leaving there, asking about my charac-
ter. He also wrote threatening letters. 10
his inquiries about the character OF the gen.
tleman at whose house L was living, he re-
ceiyed answers that the gentleman was OF
good character, and that he should be care
full about attacking him. Mr.. thompson
also wrote on one occasion that ne would
have been there but for the fact that be got
too drunk He endeavored TO get my father
to bring me back to Oxford. / finally de-
termined to return to Oxford, thinking father
would protect me- When | got home i
found father away, and Thompson on big
drunk, with bloody nose. He followed me
about, swearing aud behaving badly. Inc
negro woman Julia seemed TO be acting with
him. She went to my home and told them
she came after my things. He was with me
some time on the street, and he compelled me TO
go TO the house with Julia. While living in his
house he whipped me, and shot at me sev-
eral times He used 10 tell me the othcers
were his friends. On one occasion, when at
temptipe to escape, Officer O'Brien heard me
scream "murder" several times. L ran TIL l
was exhausted and fell. He then compelled
me to return. While | WAS on the way he
l. Lii nd hot Sh
at me. / returned to his house almost crazy
All this time my father was away.
Ques-You think people were AFRAID OF
THOMPSON? Ans-Some OF them were, Tor
those who heard me screaming failed 10 do
ANYTHING. When l went home 10 fathers
house Thompson came there, drew his pistol,
directing it as father moved. Father came
home on Saturday night, and thompson was
arrested on Sunday. He continued 10 annoy
me in various ways. Finally l became des-
perete and went to Mayor Murray for pro
lection. 1 asked him TO send me where l
could avoid Thompson. He told me oil this
place, and asked If would come here.
Ques.-Did Marshal Butler or any one else
endeavor to get you to swear falsely agains4
Thompson? Ans.-No, sir; not one.
Oues.-Whose house was Julia living in?
Aus.-In Thompson's house. She will do
anything for him. She will swear for him
do anything he commands.
Oues.-Was it through fear you allowed
him to detain you? Ans.-It was. He boasts
that he has always come out ahead IN his
troubles. He admits seducing several young
women. He claims that all the officers are
his friends; said Butler was his friend. That
was one reason was afraid to apply to him.
Both Mr. Murray and Mr.. Butler have been
kind to me.
Quea.-Where is your father living now?
Ans.-In Memphis.
Ques.-Is your father afraid OF Thompson?
Ans.-I suppose SO, but never heard him
say so.
Ques.-How old are you? Ans.-Eigateen
the second day OF next month.
Oues.-Have you any brothers or sisters?
Ans-One sister.
The girl told great deal about Thomp-
son's debauchery; his readiness to draw his
pistol and threaten peoples lives; his beat