Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-01-09

~ W8A w
cupied a similar position on the press
in this city, and who remembered
some ofthe exciting events occurring
here during those years, has gained
some heretofore unpublished facts
which will prove Of interest in con,
n%ection with Burbridge's rule in the
State, and the revival of the same by
the dispatches from the capital of the
nation.
H. J. MEAD, JR.,
was the first party met by the reporter,
Mr.. Mead was a prisoner at the time
BurbFidge was in command of the
State in the barracks, on Main street,
between Seventh and Eighth, on the
south side, the scene OF the old dismal
place now being occupied by a row OF
fine stone front stores, tenanted by q
number of our most entcrprising mer
chants. The scene at that time oil
misery and ~privation, that led to the
uncalled for, u%nprovoked and illegal
killing OF numbers of our citizens
without the interpositioR of civil or
military law, is now one of busy in
dustry, and of happiness, pleasure and
wealth. What a contrast with that of
but a few years ago.
The reporter, remembering that Mr..
Mesd was at the time one of Bur
bridges selected victims to be shot 10
retaliation for some reported murder
in Franklin, KY, called upon him
this morning at the Office of the Sink
ing fund. where he is at present en-
gagged as Assistant License Inspector,
and interviewed him as to
HOW HE ESCAPED DEATH.
"Mr. Mead" asked the reporter,
were you not selected as one OF Bur.
bridges victims to be shot in retalia-
ton for alleged outrages upon Union
citizens of the State"
Mr.. Mead replied willingly and un-
hesitatingly, YES, sir, | was, and
might say that it is a miracle that l
am permitted to tell you of the events
of that terrible time to me-"
How did you escape after being
selected as one of the victims?" was
the next inquiry made by the re-
porter.
well, l was a prisoner in the old
barracks on Main street, a number of
prisoners being confined there-some
military prisoners and others being
civilians arrested as rebels against the
government. One evening Holly
Cave, smyself and two others whose
names | 60 not remember, were Sc
lected to be shot at Franklin Ia fact
that | did not know at the time), and
we were notified to be ready to leave
on the evening train. After being
iroued, We were marched to the depot;
but, owing to the train being crowded,
and not sufficient transportation being
provided for the four prisoners and
the guards, they were marched back
to the barracks, with notice that we
would be taken out again at 4 o'clock
in the morning"
A TIMELY DISCOVERY.
Continuing, Mr.. Mead said: MY
relatives knew nothing of what was
going on until we we're returned to the
prison, and had we been placed on the
train as intended, my bones would now
be crumbled into dust. That night
my father heard what was going on;
he employed Colonel Mundy to, il
possible, secure my release, paving
him FIVE thousand dollars for his ser
vices, the Colonel at that time having
resigned his military commission and
resumed the practice OF law. [ know
not what transpired, but the next
morning before the hour for US to be
taken to the place of execution, a dis
patch came postpOning until further
orders my execution"
What became Of the three who
were to have been shot with your
asked the interviewer.
They were started on the morning
train; but before reaching the place Of
execution. a dispatch was sent re-
prieyiDg Holly Cave, while the others
were shot.
NO COURT MARTIAL OR OTHER TRIAL.
ESays Mr. Mead: ut has been pub
lished that Burbridge had no man
executed without giving him atrial by
curt martial or otherwise, and knew
nothing of what we were being taken
from prison for on the afternoon that
we were to be executed, and the first
notice we had was when we we're
ironed and led out Of the barracks.
Others we're taken from the same
prison, but no one Of them ever heard
of a trial of any description"
Were those selected for the slaugh-
ter selected by lot-or not2"
THAT | cannot tell"
Were you near Franklin, KY. at
or about the time the alleged killing
for which you we're to have been ex-
ecuted occurred ?"
No, l Yas cut of from Morgan's
command, to which / belonged, near
Paris, KY, captured, and placed in
prison here"
After leaving Mr.. Mead, Colonel
Mundy was met, and in answer to
queries stated that he was employed in
the case Of Mr.. Mead, and after tele-
graphing several times TO General
Burbridge at Lexington, obtained a
temporary stay Of the sentence, and
that afterwards, by going to Lexington
and spending some time there and
laying the legal facts before the Cen
eral, secured a revocation ofthc order
and afterwards procured a $4,000
bond for Mead, who left the State.
If you desire a true medicinal tonic
IL. IN ~oa;4.un1, IA -, -.