Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-12

queer occurrence, that came near end
ing ia a tragedy, was the subisct Of town
talk Yesterday. The parties concsrned were
Dr.. H. W. PuruelI aud Mrs. Ella Ennis, and
It was the result, Of a combination OF circum-
stances That i generally known "a
1.-THE OLD, OLD STORY"
Ia the forenoon, Ms. Ennis went up into
DR.. Purnell's office 279 Main, street, where
The doctor and Mr.. Charles A. Burr were sit
ting, and displaying an improved sslf-cook-
ing revolver, told the doctor that lie must
IN AIRY her or take bullet from the pistol.
Under the persu ssiou offered, the doctor went
out upon the street TO get q marriage License
a. the courthouse, followed by the lady, who
kept the pistol partially concealed in the
boscm Of heI dress, with her right hand
holding the bait Of i; in readiness for action.
Mr.. Burr walked along with the doctor and
80
THE STRANGE TRIO
passed up the street. When they reached
the corner Of Adams, DR.. Purnell started
down in the direction Of the sts'ionhoUse, but
Mrs. Ennis called out TO him, "DoL't you
turn eff; 90 right along on this eide Of the
street" aud the doctor obeyed. In the mean
tine a citizen. who had taken in the situs-
ton, informed Detectives Pryde and McCuue
and they followed in hot haste. just as the
three had entered the courthouse and were
passing the door Of the county trustees office,
en- route TO the office of the County Court
clerk to get the license,
THE DETECTIVES CAME UP.
By quick movement Pryde caught Mrs.
Z luis's arms and TOOK the pistol away from
her. DR.. Purnell, who had a small pistol in
his pocket, gave it 10 Burr and asked him to
conceal it. Burr went into the trustees OF
fee and handed it TO Mr.. Frank Bragg, one
Of h9 employees. Detective McCune fol-
loved and
DEMANDED THE PISTOL.
Not knowing that he was an officer, Bragg
did not give him the weapon, but pissed it
over 10 County Trustee Harris, who kuew
HcCdne, and gave it 10 him. DR.. PuTnell
asd Mrs. Enuis were then taken down to
Justice QIigley's Cfice, and gave bond in
the sum OF $500 each for their appearance
before President Hadlen this morning.
MRS ENNIS WAS SEEN
later BY an APPEAL reporter aud declined
| to make a stalemeai. She said, however,
| that DE-. Parnell had iusulied her. When
| asked in what the insult consisted, she re-
| piled that he csms to her house on Sunday
| and Tus sjay nigais of this week, and, dts-
| playing a pistol, told her that he was accus-
| toned 10 having ali women re mst submit
| to his desires What those desires were, and
| the final result of the doctors visit, the lady
! left unex plsined She looked pxie and thor.
oughIy determined, and no one who saw the
| CLINT OF her eye could doub, that she intend
| ed 70 carry out her purpose al any cost II
was evident that she haG d, termin d to have
| D.. Purnei . naue or his gore b. lore nigat
| SHE HAD BEEN wRoNGED,
| it is said, by Dr. Purncl, under tie promise
| Of marriage. The wedding was 10 have tzken
! place several months ago. MIS- Ennis claims
tbat co the day before the appoin ed tims
DR.. Purcell got 5000 10 bonds from her
with tue svswed purpose of negotiating hsm
90 Madison street, and instead OF doing 30,
left st once for New Orleans; that she fol-
loved him aud recovered her property by
threatening to kill him il ne did not give il
up.
THE WORST FEATURE
| abou; Dr. Purnel's conduct yesterday waf
an attempt to shield himself at the expense
Of his friend, Mr. Burr, He gave his pisto
to Mr.. Burr, aad when Detective McCsn'
aeked him if he he'd pistol he denied the
| charge with the view OF putting the blame
On his friend. Fortunately for Mr.. Burr
there were too many Witnesses to the affair
| and he will come off clear.